BURLINGTON, Ont. – On the field of play, the 2019-20 varsity season was a memorable one for the Gryphons, with University of Guelph teams accounting for two national titles and six conference banners. On Thursday, the Gryphons were able to celebrate similar success
off the field, with the Gryphons marketing and communications department recognized on four different occasions at the conference level for their outstanding work in marketing and promotions.
On Thursday, May 28, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) handed out their annual "CHAMP" Awards
(Celebrating and Honouring Achievements in Marketing and Promotions). With 20 universities from across the province all vying for one of the 12 different awards handed out on the day, it was the Guelph Gryphons who stood apart from the field. When the dust settled, the Gryphons took home four of the 12 awards given out, easily the most of any school, with McMaster (2) and Carleton (2) the only other institutions to receive multiple "CHAMP" awards. The Gryphons were recognized as the best in the OUA in the following categories; Best Social Media Account (Instagram); Best Webcast Production (GryphVision); Best G1 Championship (109th Queen's Cup); as well as the Photo of the Year (taken by Gryphon photographer Gar FitzGerald at the 2020 OUA Wrestling Championships).
"There are a lot of really talented and passionate individuals on our marketing and communications team who have worked hard to help make Gryphon Athletics what it is today," says Dave Easter, manager of marketing and communications with Gryphon Athletics. "These four awards speak to how high we have set the bar, not just in one particular area, but across all areas of our marketing and promotions."
2019-20 OUA "CHAMP" Award Winners
Best Fan Support Group – Carleton Ravens
Best Mascot – Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (Hunter the Ridgeback)
Best Theme Night – McMaster Marauders (Pride Night)
Best Social Media Account – Guelph Gryphons (Instagram)
Best Webcast Announcer – Brock Badgers (Matt Bonomi)
Best Webcast Production – Guelph Gryphons
Outstanding Promotional Video – Carleton Ravens (U SPORTS Basketball)
Best Video Feature – York Lions (Believe)
Photo of the Year – Guelph Gryphons (Gar FitzGerald)
Best G3 Championship – Toronto Varsity Blues (Golf)
Best G2 Championship – McMaster Marauders (Swimming)
Best G1 Championship – Guelph Gryphons (109th Queen's Cup)
Best Social Media Account --- Guelph Gryphons Instagram
For the third time in five years, the Guelph Gryphons Instagram account takes home the title of the OUA's Best Social Media account. The Gryphons 15,600 followers on Instagram is the most of any of the 55 U SPORTS member institutions, with the 2019-20 season seeing a total of 6,710,334 impressions and a 6% growth rate. The objective for all Gryphon social media is to create a social presence that reflects the passion and spirit of the Gryphon brand, elevating it on the national platform. This year, the Gryphon Instagram account took on a new role as a primary communication method in delivering sports information, with every Gryphon score, result and writeup relayed to our followers through an insta-story. We created a digital template consistent with our brand that was used to deliver every single result with a swipe up feature to read. These were all posted the day of the game or event as timeliness was very important. This season we committed to deliver our weekly home schedule every single Monday for fans on easy to read and sharable slides via insta-story. It was saved on our highlights section for the week. This information was visited and relied on heavily by fans. We also included a swipe up to any previews and links to purchase tickets. These insta-storys had an 86% click through rating and higher impressions, so we know that our fans were using them.
Best Webcast Production --- GryphVision
For the second time, and first since 2015-16, the Guelph Gryphons "GryphVision" team took home the honour of Best Webcast Production in the OUA. This season, GryphVision produced and webcast 80 varsity events, including three OUA championships (109th Queen's Cup, OUA Field Hockey Championship and the OUA Wrestling Championships). Our Gryphon webcasts totaled over 23,000 live viewing hours and accounted for 8.6% of all viewing hours around the OUA. Each game, the GryphVision crew consisted of, on average, four camera operators, while the technical software used by the GryphVision team allowed for the use of replays, branded score bugs, player graphics and lower thirds. All commercials that run during GryphVision broadcasts (aside from those provided by the OUA) were produced in-house, promoting Gryphon Athletics, sponsors and upcoming events.
Best G1 Championship --- 109th Queen's Cup
The 109th edition of the Queen's Cup proved to be one of the most memorable of all-time. And the Guelph Gryphons were proud to help provide an equally memorable experience for fans and viewers alike.
A capacity crowd of 1,600 packed the Gryphon Centre to witness a thrilling, triple-overtime 2-1 win by the Gryphons over the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the OUA title game. As part of the championship event, Gryphon Athletics executed a pre-game panel as part of the broadcast, with GryphVision host Scott Fraser and former Gryphons men's hockey player Michael Stevens anchoring the panel, helping set the stage for the crown jewel of OUA men's hockey. The panel was complete with professional lighting, a Gryphon-branded desk for the set, as well as OUA pageantry/signage alongside the Queen's Cup.
The Gryphons play-by-play crew of Klarke Braaten and Mitch Christopher also helped make the 109th Queen's Cup one of the most memorable OUA events of the season, with their call on the game-winning goal from Ted Nichol shared live on national television by Sportsnet's Tim & Sid. When it comes to delivering the most memorable G1 Championships from the 2019-20 season, the Queen's Cup stands alone in both the drama provided, as well as the execution of the overall event.
Photo of the Year --- OUA Men's Wrestling Championship (photo taken by Gar FitzGerald)
The 2019-20 "Photo of the Year" recipient was taken by Guelph Gryphons photographer Gar FitzGerald on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the 2020 OUA Wrestling Championships in Guelph.
This jaw-dropping photo perfectly captures the incredible athleticism often on display in university wrestling. The star subject of this photo is Xavier Gaines, a standout rookie on the Guelph Gryphons men's wrestling team. The Brampton, Ontario native is seen here in the middle of an amazing take-down of his opponent (McMaster's Kais Al-Khalid) while competing in the men's 61kg weight class at the 2020 OUA Wrestling Championships.
Xavier Gaines would go on to capture the bronze medal in his respective weight class, earning him a trip to nationals while also providing one of the most memorable images of the entire 2019-20 season. For more information on the 2019-20 OUA CHAMP Award winners, visit oua.ca.
HISTORY OF GRYPHON "CHAMP" AWARDS
2019-2020
Best Webcast Production (GryphVision)
Best Social Media Account (Instagram)
Best G1 Championship (Men's Hockey – 109th Queen's Cup)
Photo of the Year (2020 OUA Wrestling Championships – taken by Gar FitzGerald)
2017-2018
Best Social Media Account (Instagram)
2015-2016
Best G1 Championship (Women's Hockey – McCaw Cup)
Best Webcast Production (GryphVision)
Best Social Media Account (Instagram)
* NOTE: The OUA created the "CHAMP Awards" following the 2014-15 season *
Complete list of past "CHAMP" Award winners
