"Katie is a fantastic leader who can mediate any situation and she encourages people to consider alternate views to problems. As a colleague, Katie is very well-respected and takes pride in leading and encouraging others. She has a team-first attitude, is willing to take on various roles, and can be relied upon to do the little things, always putting the Gryphon brand and team success foremost. She holds our athletes accountable and is always over prepared for practices and games."
- Women's Hockey Head Coach, Rachel Flanagan

"Katie continues to take Gryphon Sport Camps to a level that exemplifies what it means to be a Gryphon and one that is welcoming to everyone. Those that have had the opportunity to be in the presence of Katie understand that they are not seen as a staff member or an athlete, rather they are seen as leaders, contributors, collaborators, friends, role models, visionaries, and team players."
- Active Kids Coordinator, Kevin Lindner

"Katie is a consummate professional in everything she does. Her presence exudes kindness, thoughtfulness, and an authentically genuine character. She so seamlessly blends the I Am A Gryphon motto into how she portrays herself. Not only does she emulate these values, but she teaches them to her athletes, and every sport camp employee."
- Supervisor of Aquatics, Safety Certifications & Active Kids Programs, Beth Fisher

About Tom Kendall

Tom Kendall was essentially interested in one thing when he took over as the Gryphon Director of Athletics 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 (2004-2015), 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.

"Tom's greatest impact has more to do with the students themselves than it does anything else," says Brenda Whiteside, former University of Guelph Associate Vice President. "He was an extraordinary director. In his 11 years at Guelph, the department grew significantly in terms of reputation. While many might speak to his impact on our facilities, I believe that his lasting legacy will be a culture that focuses on student growth and development." In 2018, Tom Kendall was inducted into the Gryphon Athletics Hall of Fame in the builder category.