GUELPH, Ont. – Six new faces and two championship teams officially joined the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday evening (Sept. 21) with the 2018 Hall of Fame induction ceremony taking place at the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre.
Two-time All-Canadian football player Dave Irwin, two-sport athlete Brooke Hilditch, rugby star Jacey (Murphy) Grusnick, cross country and track and field legend Kyle Boorsma, former athletic director Tom Kendall, volleyball player, coach and donor Larry Pearson, as well as the 2005 Gryphon women's cross-country team, and the 1977-78 men's volleyball team, all were enshrined in the University of Guelph's Athletics Hall of Fame with over 200 individuals on hand for the induction ceremony.
"The great turnout that we saw tonight at this event just speaks to the rich history we have here at Gryphons Athletics," said Scott McRoberts, Director of Athletics at the University of Guelph. "It's great to see representation from so many different eras. From our very first Hall of Fame class in 1984, to members of our 1958 and 1959 football teams, you can just see how much pride our Gryphon alum have. The two teams inducted this year added to that."
The Gryphon Hall of Fame, which began in 1984, to date has 138 athletes, 42 builders and 31 teams have been elected to the Hall. Plaques of the athletes and builders bearing their pictures and highlighting their accomplishments are displayed in the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre at the University of Guelph.
2018 Gryphon Hall of Fame Class
Athletes:
Dave Irwin - (Football, 1990-1993)
Brooke Hilditch - (Rugby & Wrestling, 2000-2003)
Kyle Boorsma - (Cross Country & Track, 2006-2011)
Jacey (Murphy) Grusnick - (Rugby, 2007-2012)
Teams:
1977-78 Men's Volleyball
2005 Women's Cross Country
Builders:
Tom Kendall
Larry Pearson
Dave Irwin
Football (1990-93)
Dave Irwin finished his four-year University of Guelph career as one of the most recognized football players in program history and was a two-time All-Canadian and Yates Cup winner in 1992.
University Honours:
- Male Athlete of the Year – 1993
- Varsity Honour Award – 1993
- 1990's Team of the Decade
School Records:
- Leading Receptions – 1991, 92
- Leading Reception Yardage – 1991, 92
- Leading Touch Downs – 1991
Conference Honours:
- OUAA All-Star – 1991, 92, 93
- Yates Cup Champions – 1992
- OUAA Reception Yardage Leader (712) – 1993
- OUAA Most Receptions in a Game Leader (11) – 1993
National Conference Honours:
- CIAU All-Canadian – 1992, 93
Professional Sports Accomplishments:
- Toronto Argonauts (CFL) Draft Pick – 1994
Brooke Hilditch
Rugby (2000-03)
Wrestling (2002-03)
Brooke Hilditch was one of the most gifted athletes to wear the red, black and gold colours. A two-sport star, who excelled both on the rugby pitch and on the wrestling mat, Brooke always put in maximum effort to set an example for her teammates. She was known as a gifted, low-maintenance player in the eyes of coaches. Brooke's 2003 season, which included an OUA rugby gold medal, the conference MVP and All-Canadian honours, individual and team silver medals in wrestling, as well as the U of G Varsity Honour Award, Female Athlete of the Year, and President's Trophy, will rank as one of the most memorable ever put together by any Gryphon.
Team Honours:
- Rugby MVP – 2003
- Wrestling Rookie of the Year – 2002
University Honours:
- Varsity Honour Award – 2003
- Athlete of the Year – 2003
- President's Trophy – 2003
Conference Honours:
Rugby:
- OUA Gold Medal – 2000, 03
- OUA Silver Medal – 2001, 02
- OUA Russell Division All-Star – 2002
- OUA All-Star – 2003
- OUA MVP – 2003
Wrestling:
Individual:
- OUA Bronze Medal – 2002
- OUA Silver Medal (68kg) – 2003
- OUA All-Star – 2003
Team:
- OUA Silver Medal – 2003
National Conference Honours:
Rugby:
- CIAU Silver Medal – 2000
- CIS All-Canadian – 2002, 03
- CIS Tournament All-Star – 2003
Jacey (Murphy) Grusnick
Rugby (2007-11)
A humble, focused, and determined athlete, Jacey (Murphy) Grusnick was a force on the rugby pitch from the moment she set foot on the U of G campus. Jacey's university career ultimately ended in storybook fashion as the famed Eighth man on the powerhouse Gryphon side earned national Player of the Year honours in her fifth and final season wearing the red, black and gold. But what made it all the more special was Guelph's dominant 28-0 win over St. Francis Xavier in the CIS title match, which completed a long quest for her and her teammates. It was a wonderful way to cap a historic run that included four OUA championships, three consecutive team MVP awards and two U of G Female Athlete of the Year nods.
Team Honours:
- Rugby Rookie of the Year Award – 2007
- MVP of the Year – 2009, 10, 11
University Honours:
- Female Athlete of the Year – 2010, 2011
Conference Honours:
- OUA All Star – 2007
- OUA Russell Division Rookie of the Year – 2007
- OUA Team Bronze Medal – 2007
- OUA Team Gold Medal – 2008, 09, 10, 11
- OUA Shiels Division All Star – 2009, 10
- OUA Rugby Shiels Division MVP of the Year – 2010, 11
National Conference Honours:
- CIS Team Bronze Medal – 2007, 08, 09, 10
- CIS Team Gold Medal – 2011
- CIS Tournament All Star – 2008
- CIS All Canadian – 2009, 10
- CIS Rugby Player of the Year – 2010, 11
- CIS Championship All Canadian – 2011
Kyle Boorsma
Cross Country (2006-10)
Track & Field (2006-10)
Kyle Boorsma possessed an attribute that most athletes in any sport dream of having – genuine fearlessness. That internal confidence, combined with exceptional athleticism and a strong work ethic, helped Kyle become one of the greatest runners in the history of U SPORTS. A three-time Gryphon Male Athlete of the Year and 10-time All-Canadian, he was a great all-around athlete, who excelled in hockey and golf before finding his groove as a cross country and track and field star.
Team Honours:
- Art Hackett Cross Country MVP Trophy – 2007, 10
- Hamilton Olympic Club Track MVP – 2008, 09, 10
University Honours:
- Male Athlete of the Year – 2008, 09, 10
- President's Trophy – 2009
Conference Honours:
Cross Country:
Individual:
- OUA Rookie of the Year – 2006
- OUA Individual Gold Medal – 2007
- OUA First Team All Star – 2007, 09, 10
- OUA Individual Silver Medal – 2008, 09, 10
Team:
- OUA Team Gold Medal – 2006, 07, 08, 09, 10
Track & Field:
Individual:
- OUA Male Events MVP – 2008
- OUA All Star – 2008, 09, 10
- OUA Individual Silver Medal (3000M) – 2008
- OUA Individual Gold Medal (1500M) – 2008, 10
- OUA Individual Silver Medal (4x800 Relay) – 2008
- OUA Individual Gold Medal (3000M) – 2009
Team:
- OUA Team Silver Medal – 2008, 09, 10
National Conference Honours:
Cross Country:
Individual:
- CIS First Team All Canadian – 2007, 08, 09, 10
- CIS Individual Silver Medal – 2009
- CIS Cross Country Male MVP – 2010
- CIS Individual Gold Medal – 2010
Team:
- CIS Team Gold Medal – 2006, 07, 08, 09, 10
Track & Field:
Individual:
- CIS First Team All Canadian – 2008, 09(x2), 10(x2)
- CIS Second Team All Canadian - 2008
- CIS Individual Gold Medal (3000M) – 2008, 09, 10
- CIS Individual Silver Medal (1500M) – 2008
- CIS Individual Gold Medal (1500M) – 2009, 10
CIS Athlete of the Meet – 2010
Team:
- CIS Team Bronze Medal – 2008
- CIS Team Silver Medal – 2010
- CIS Team Gold Medal – 2009
Other:
- Gryphon Track & Field Assistant Coach – 2015, 2016, 2017
BUILDERS
Tom Kendall
Former Athletic Director Tom Kendall at the famous Gryphon
Tom Kendall was essentially interested in one thing when he took over as the Gryphon Athletics Director in the mid 2000s – achieving excellence. That goal was evident not just on the fields of play but in every aspect of the department. And over the course of Tom's 11-year tenure, both the varsity program and the athletic infrastructure looked very different by the time he retired from his post in 2016. The Gryphon AD was notoriously intense, and not a fan of losing games.
That passion for winning was forged during his incredible run as head coach of the University of Winnipeg women's basketball team, when the Wesmen secured three consecutive national titles from 1993 to 1995, in addition to winning 88 straight games, tying a North American collegiate sports record set by the legendary John Wooden's UCLA Bruins. Guelph's varsity teams obliged by winning 45 OUA banners in addition to 29 national titles with Tom at the helm. But he also put his stamp on campus by building the Gryphon brand, placing a focus on academics, developing student-athlete scholarships, creating the Jr Gryphon programs, and augmenting the athletic facilities on campus.
The problematic grass at both Varsity Field and the Gryphon Soccer Complex was replaced with turf, while a new track at Alumni Stadium and the creation of the Field House were other projects Tom spearheaded. The sparkling new GGAC is another jewel made possible by Tom's work reaching out to students and alumni asking for funding. The athletic program and facilities, used by the entire community, that Tom left behind is the envy of many academic institutions across Canada.
Larry Pearson
Gryphon volleyball player, coach, and builder Larry Pearson
Larry Pearson began his long and distinguished association with Gryphon Athletics nearly 50 years ago when he first set foot on the University of Guelph campus in 1970 as a student and athlete. Larry completed his varsity career in 1972 and three years later, he would take the reins of the men's volleyball team, eventually leading the Gryphons to their first and only OUA championship in 1978.
While he has been an influential member of the volleyball program for decades, Larry's scope expanded when he took a leadership role in the university's Building Potential Campaign and the plan to build the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre. He was a key member of the advisory council for the campaign and a personal gift he donated in 2007 kickstarted the project. Larry, who also served on the University of Guelph's Board of Governors from 1995-2001, spearheaded the support of varsity athletes and has contributed to athletic scholarships for over a dozen Gryphons through his Larry Pearson Scholarship Fund.
Larry's perseverance through multiple administrations, both at the Departmental and University level was instrumental in ensuring the completion of the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre.
TEAMS
Women's Cross Country (2005-06)
The 2005 OUA and CIS champion Gryphon women's cross country team
In 2003, Guelph Gryphons' women's cross-country coach Dave Scott-Thomas was certain that his women's team, loaded with talented rookies, would eventually win a national title. That dream was realized just two years later when a group that had something to prove went out to Halifax and returned with a CIS banner, sparking an incredible run of 12 consecutive national championships.
A deep Gryphon team enjoyed a strong regular season with a win at the prestigious Western Invitational and a fifth-place finish at the Lakefront Invitational in Chicago, against a field of over 40 NCAA teams. Guelph secured its sixth OUA championship in a nine-year span when Laura Moulton, Erin Sask, Julia Beniusis, captain Liz Forbes and Kate Henderson all earned All-star status. But they had a bigger prize in mind. Moulton led the way in Halifax, earning the third spot on the podium and First Team All-Canadian honours by running a time of 17:13. Guelph came away champions and set the stage for one of the most dominant stretches by any team in collegiate sports history.
"The goal was to win a national title," said Scott-Thomas, who was named OUA and CIS Coach of the Year in 2005. "It was goal realization."
Team members: Christine Gibb, Diana Ashrafhosseini, Donne Verge, Elizabeth Forbes, Erin Sask, Glynis Perrett, Jacqueline Gauthier, Jeff Haller, Jenn McCallum, Jenni Vanos, Julia Beniusis (Innis), Kate Henderson, Kate Stewart, Kimberly Volterman, Laura Hutchinson (Moulton), Mary Catherine Stewart, Michelle Basu Roy, Natalie Humphry, Rachel O'Reilly, Shantelle Novak (Roundell), Vaiva Yeager.
Coaches: Dave Scott-Thomas (head coach), Ali Salfi (assistant), Jeff Haller (assistant)
Men's Volleyball (1977-78)
The Guelph Gryphons men's volleyball team wasn't necessarily a favourite to become provincial champions in the 1977/78 season. But head coach Larry Pearson and his players put in the work to produce a run that would etch their names in University of Guelph history.
The Gryphons were led by a couple of stars, Tony Tenwesteneind and Dennis Somerton, a towering pair of left-handers down the middle, who posed problems for opponents all season long. The duo was key in the OUAA semi-final match at the W.F. Mitchell Centre, when Guelph, wearing its trademark long-sleeved, red pinstripe jerseys, upset the defending champions Laurentian Voyageurs 15-2, 8-15, 16-14, and 15-3 on a memorable Saturday morning. The Gryphons completed their quest later that day, defeating Queen's in straight sets, 15-12, 15-2, and 15-12, to secure the program's first and only provincial championship.
"It was fun to watch us develop, play as a team, win as a team, and scrap," said Pearson, who fondly remembers the strong bond amongst his players. "This group of guys never gave up. They were just like bulls in a China shop – and they weren't going to be beat."
Team members: Al Braiden, Albert Matsushita, Bill Ketcheson, David Lemon, Dennis Somerton, Doug Hanes, John Kelly, Ken Johnston, Paul Jackson, Randy Lemon, Roman lanno, Tony Tenwesteneid.
Coach: Larry Pearson.
Trainer: Beth Charles.
