GUELPH, Ont. – On Saturday, May 11 at Creelman Hall located on the campus of the University of Guelph, over 170 individuals were in attendance for the 9th edition of the Gryphon Football Gala. The annual event serves as a fundraiser in support of the Gryphon football program, with the 2019 version raising over $25,000 to assist in program funding for present and future players.
 
One of the highlights of the evening was the recognition of two well-known Gryphon Football players from the past. Former Gryphon quarterback Mike Shoemaker was this year's Honourary Jersey recipient. Shoemaker enjoyed five standout seasons at U of G (1985-89), earning OUA MVP honours in back-to-back seasons (1988 & 1989). To date, Shoemaker is still the only Gryphon football player to ever earn multiple OUA MVP honours. During Shoemaker's MVP season in 1988, he completed 68.5% of his passes, which remains the highest single-season completion percentage for a U of G quarterback. His 5,220 passing yards are the 4th-most in Gryphon history.
 
Also honoured on the evening was former offensive lineman Rob Wesseling, who was named the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Wesseling played five seasons at U of G (1990-1994) and was a three-time All-Canadian right tackle and the centerpiece of a dominant Gryphon offensive line that helped U of G claim the 1992 Yates Cup. Wesseling, who also earned Academic All-Canadian status during his time at the University of Guelph, is currently the President and C.E.O. at The Co-operators Group Limited in Guelph.
 
Saturday's Gryphon Football Gala also marked the first for newly signed head coach Ryan Sheahan, who was named head coach of the Gryphon football program on January 10, 2019.
 
The Gryphon football team will officially kick off their 2019 campaign on Sunday, August 25 with a home game versus the McMaster Marauders. Season tickets, as well as single-game tickets, for the 2019 OUA season are now on sale at gryphons.ca/tickets.