Hall of Fame
The 1977 season marked the first year that the University of Guelph has ever competed in Rowing and the Gryphon oarsmen were a splashing success. Under the leadership of coach Dirk Gidney, the oarsmen handily won their first contest at the University of Toronto, then travelled to Trent the following weekend to win their three-mile race and posted the fastest time of the day.
They suffered their first defeat at McMaster, placing 3rd, after breaking a rigger only 17 strokes into the race. Misfortune struck again in Ottawa, when the Gryphons placed 2nd in a 400 metre dash to U.G.C. after a bad stroke cost them a length of water. Ottawa however, was not all misfortune as the Gryphons burned in their four mile race, losing only to the Syracuse crew by 7 seconds and placing 2nd in a field of 30 crews.
At the Brock Invitational, the team captured the 500 metre dash as well as the Senior Varsity Eight race. The final weekend of racing was in St. Catharines on the famous Henley course. The Senior Varsity Gryphons totally outclassed the entire field to win the OUAA Championship in their first year of competition. Thanks go to Dirk, the Guelph Rowing Club, G.R.C.A., Dr. Sweeney and the University of Guelph.
Team members include Tim Britton-Foster, Mel LaForme, Jim Marino, Bill Schenck, Tim Storm, Rick Trapp, Jack Wilhelm, Jerry Wilson and Rick Wismer. Coach: Derk Guidney and Advisor: Dr. D.A. Auld.
