GUELPH – Tom Dimitroff Sr was an architect of one of the greatest periods in the history of Guelph Gryphon football. When the native of Barberton, Ohio came to the University of Guelph campus in 1979, he brought experience and most importantly, a change of culture. His message was easy to grasp – "it's all about the team." And with a new leader putting his stamp on the program, the Gryphons began to emerge as a national power. Many of the players from the 1983 team, the coach's final season, were fixtures on the 1984 Gryphons who would capture the only Vanier Cup in school history.

 
Dimitroff passed away in January of 1996 but his contributions have not been forgotten. That legacy was honoured this past weekend. Fifty guests, including family, donors, and former players, gathered at the Gryphon Football Pavilion for the head coach's office dedication of Tom Dimitroff Sr. A night of emotional stories was capped with the presentation of a plaque that will sit on the outside of the office, inscribed with the famous quote, "It's all about the team."

"I'm beyond enthralled with the place and the energy that's here, having an opportunity to be around these guys, some older, some my age, but mostly the players that played for my dad," said the coach's son Thomas Dimitroff Jr, a former Gryphon and current general manager of the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons.  "When I start talking to them about how he affected their lives. Not only in football but outside, it warms my heart, it brings a tear to my eye. I was thinking about it when I was driving up. I ended up flying into Buffalo and driving. I had about an hour and a half and I had some emotional times thinking about it.
 
"I'm so excited about being here. And our family is thrilled that the University of Guelph is doing this."
 
Dimitroff Jr, his brother Randy, a Gryphon quarterback during Tom's tenure, and wife Helen were all in attendance, as were several players whom the coach impacted. One was defensive back Ang Molinaro. Molinaro had blown out his knee in the 1983 season but Coach Dimitroff was thinking of his injured player when Guelph manufactured a landmark win over Western. Dimitroff gave Molinaro the game ball that day.

 
Thirty-five years later, it was Molinaro's turn to reciprocate. On Saturday night, he reached for a bag at his feet and pulled out that game ball that had been presented to him so graciously. The Gryphon gave the ball back to randy and said that it was back where it belongs, with the Dimitroffs, creating a moment that produced tears throughout the room.
 
The Gryphon program underwent a significant change when Dimitroff arrived to take the coaching reins in 1979. The "it's all about the team" mantra became synonymous with his Gryphon tenure. And for those who bought in to the demanding coach's requirements, the system worked.
 
Success followed. The Gryphons were 3-4 in 1979, during the coach's first season. Guelph went 4-3 with an appearance in the conference semi-final the following year and in 1981, the team was 4-2-1 and was eliminated in the Yates Cup. The Gryphons climbed to No. 3 in the national rankings in 1982 and in 1983, Guelph went 5-2, with Dimitroff earning Coach of the Year honours in his final season at the helm.
 
The Gryphons' leader moved on to the CFL the next season but the infrastructure was in place for Guelph to capture the only Vanier Cup in school history.
 
Dimitroff demonstrated the same commitment to excellence as a player. He was a two-time All-Mid-American Conference quarterback and defensive back at Miami (OH), winning two conference championships, as well. Dimitroff was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 1957 draft but went north to Canada to sign with the Ottawa Rough Riders Interprovincial Rugby Football Union.

In 1958, he joined the Rough Riders and after being traded to Saskatchewan the following year, he didn't play again aside from appearing in three games for with the Boston Patriots of the American Football League.
 
Randy, whose son Dillon also played for the Gryphons, has said in the past that his father was committed to creating competitive teams. He was instrumental in creating the championship atmosphere.
 
"My dad had the ability to be firm and stern with players and then pat them on the back and laud them," Randy once said. "He did a wonderful job with university athletes, and the players knew he had their best interests at heart."