Centennial's John Child was an OCAA league all-star in each of his three seasons with the Colts, and was named OCAA Championship MVP in 1987-88 while leading his team to the Provincial title and a berth in the National Championships. Nationally, Child was a CCAA All-Canadian in 1988-89. On two occasions he was Centennial's Male Athlete of the Year, and in 2000 he became a member of the OCAA Men's Volleyball All-Millennium team. 

Following his college career, Child enjoyed international success in beach volleyball. He and his partner Mark Heese won a bronze medal while representing Canada at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, and then competed again at the Sydney Games.