GUELPH, Ont. - The University of Guelph Department of Athletics is thrilled to announce the latest group of inductees into the Gryphon Hall of Fame. Four athletes, four teams and two builders make up the 2026 Hall of Fame Class, who will be enshrined in the Gryphon Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
In the 'athlete' category, entering the Gryphon Hall of Fame is Robbie Murphy, the first ever University of Guelph men's soccer player to be named national player of the year, Jesse Pyatt, a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian and U SPORTSÂ leading scorer in men's hockey, Meaghan Howat, a former University of Guelph Athlete of the Year and two-sport athlete (women's rugby and women's hockey), and Oliver Lane, a former national player of the year in field hockey.
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In the team category, the Yates Cup champion Gryphon football teams from 1992 and 1996 will enter the Hall of Fame in the 'team' category, alongside the 1993-94 OUA champion figure skating team, and the 1977-78 and 1979-80 OUA champion women's curling teams.
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In the builder category, former Gryphon football head coach, Dan McNally, enters the Hall of Fame, as does Bill Clausen, a long-time facilities manager within the Department of Athletics who made a lasting impact over 40-plus years at the University of Guelph.
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2026 Gryphon Hall of Fame Class
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2026 Athletes:
Robbie Murphy (Men's Soccer | 2009-10 to 2013-14)
Jesse Pyatt (Men's Hockey | 2002-03 to 2005-06)
Meaghan Howat (Women's Rugby & Women's Hockey | 2003-04 to 2006-07)
Oliver Lane (Field Hockey | 2014-15 to 2016-17)
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2026 Teams:
1993-94 Figure Skating (OUA champions)
1992 Football (OUA champions)
1996 Football (OUA champions)
1977-78 & 1979-80 Women's Curling (OWIAA champions)
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2026 Builders:
Dan McNally (football)
Bill Clausen (facilities)
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2026 Gryphon Hall of Fame Banquet
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time:Â 5pm-10pm
Location: Creelman Hall, University of Guelph
Parking: P44, off Winegard Walk or P24, North of College AveÂ
Details: Passed Hors d'oeuvre | 3-Course Meal | Remarks & Inductees | Cash Bar (debit/credit)
Tickets: Available online at www.gryphons.ca/tickets
Adult Tickets:Â $100
Youth Tickets (5-12 yrs.) $75
Child Tickets:Â $30 (under 5 yrs.)Â (meal: chicken fingers & fries)Â
For more information on the event, please contact:
Sam Kosakowski (
skosakow@uoguelph.ca) |Â Development Manager, Athletics - Alumni Affairs and Development
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Background
The Gryphon Hall of Fame began in 1984 when the Gryphon Club recognized the need to honour the many athletes and builders who had made outstanding contributions to Athletics at the University of Guelph. Candidates are considered on the basis of playing ability, sportsmanship, character and exemplification of the spirit and ideals of the University of Guelph. To date, 138 athletes, 41 builders and 33 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.
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Robbie Murphy
Men's Soccer | 2009-10 to 2013-14
From 2009-10 to 2013-14, Robbie Murphy put together perhaps the most decorated career in the history of Gryphons men's soccer. In his rookie season in 2009, Robbie became the first player in the school history to be named U SPORTS Rookie of the Year. By his third season as a Gryphon, he had already become the program's all-time leading scorer. His sensational 2011 season would see him make program history by becoming the first University of Guelph men's soccer player to be named the recipient of the Joe Johnson Memorial Trophy as the U SPORTS Player of the Year. That season, Murphy scored an astonishing 16 goals in 14 games played. He also was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, took home OUA West Division MVP honours, and that spring was named the University of Guelph's Men's Athlete of the Year. After missing the 2012 season due to injury, Robbie returned for his final season in 2013 where he was named an OUA West First Team All-Star for the third time in his career, while also taking home the University of Guelph's W.F. Mitchell Sportsman of the Year award. Murphy finished his Gryphon career as the school's all-time leading scorer with 49 goals, a mark which was broken by Jace Kotsopoulos in 2018. Robbie was named an OUA All-Star in all four of his seasons played.
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OUA Honours
OUA MVP (2011)
3x OUA West First Team All-Star (2009, 2011, 2013)
OUA West Second Team All-Star (2010)
OUA Rookie of the Year (2009)
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U SPORTS Honours
U SPORTS Player of the Year (2011)
U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian (2011)
U SPORTS Rookie of the Year (2009)
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University of Guelph Honours
U of G Men's Athlete of the Year (2011)
U of G W.F. Mitchell Sportsman of the Year (2013)
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Jesse Pyatt
Men's Hockey | 2002-03 to 2005-06
As a rookie in 2002-03, Jesse Pyatt made an immediate impact on the team as the team's leading scorer with 25 points. He followed it up in his sophomore season in 2003-04, finding the net 13 times and finishing with 32 points that season. Pyatt continued his point-per-game pace in his third season at the University of Guelph as the team's second-leading scorer with 24 points. During his fourth and final season as a Gryphon in 2005-06, Jesse put together one of the best single seasons in program history while wearing the 'C' as team captain. Pyatt scored 26 goals in 24 games, while adding 21 assists for 47 points, making him the leading scorer not only in the OUA, but across the country. Pyatt's phenomenal senior season saw him become the first Gryphon since the 1997-98 season to be named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian. He would also go on to be named the University of Guelph's Men's Athlete of the Year. Over the course of his four seasons in Guelph, Pyatt averaged more than a point-per-game, tallying 128 points in 93 games played to go along with his 57 career goals scored.
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OUA Honours
OUA West First Team All-Star (2005-06)
OUA leader in points (47 pts in 2005-06)
OUA leader in goals (26 goals in 2005-06)
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U SPORTS Honours
U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian (2005-06)
U SPORTS leader in points (47 pts in 2005-06)
U SPORTS leader in goals (26 goals in 2005-06)
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University of Guelph Honours
U of G Men's Athlete of the Year (2005-06)
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Oliver Lane
Field Hockey | 2014-15 to 2016-17
Oliver Lane excelled throughout his three seasons as a member of the University of Guelph field hockey team. Oliver made an immediate impact in his rookie season, scoring 9 goals as the conference's third-leading goal scorer, earning OUA Rookie of the Year honours. During the 2015-16 season, Lane was once again among the OUA's top scorers, finishing 2nd in the OUA with 14 goals and 28 points. Oliver took another step forward the following season, leading the conference with 17 goals and 34 points. The 2016-17 season culminated in Oliver becoming just the third player in program history to take home the Liz Hoffman Trophy as the U SPORTS Player of the Year in field hockey. He was named the OUA's Most Valuable Player and was the recipient of the University of Guelph's Shirley Peterson Award. Oliver, who attended Bishop Macdonnell Catholic High School in Guelph, finished his illustrious Gryphon career scoring 40 goals in three seasons on the U of G field hockey team.
OUA Honours
OUA Rookie of the Year (2014-15)
OUA MVP (2016-17)
OUA All-Star (2016-17)
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U SPORTS Honours
U SPORTS Player of the Year (2016-17)
U SPORTS All-Canadian (2016-17)
U SPORTS Tournament All-Star (2016-17)
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University of Guelph Honours
U of G Shirley Peterson Award (2016-17)
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Meaghan Howat
Women's Rugby & Women's Hockey | 2003-04 to 2006-07
Meaghan Howat was a decorated two-sport athlete as member of the University of Guelph's women's rugby team and women's hockey team. In her primary sport of rugby, she finished her Gryphon career as a three-time OUA All-Star and a two-time U SPORTS All-Canadian during her four seasons with the U of G rugby team. In the 2006-07 season she had one of her best seasons in her final season with the team, leading her team to their first OUA Championship since 2002-03, upsetting the two-time defending OUA champion Western Mustangs, ending Western's 29-game win streak. Howat was also a member of the Gryphons women's hockey team for two seasons, winning an OUA bronze medal in the 2005-06 season while serving as an assistant captain in 2006-07. In her senior season (2006-07), Meaghan was named the University of Guelph's Women's Athlete of the Year.
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OUA Honours
OUA Shiels Division All-Star (2004-05)
OUA Shiels Division All-Star (2005-06)
OUA Shiels Division All-Star (2006-07)
OUA Champion (2006-07)
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U SPORTS Honours
U SPORTS All-Canadian (2005-06)
U SPORTS All-Canadian (2006-07)
U SPORTS Tournament All-Star (2006-07)
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University of Guelph Honours
U of G Women's Athlete of the Year (2006-07)
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Team Category | 1992 Football (Yates Cup champions)
The 1992 Gryphon football team captured the Yates Cup, defeating the Western Mustangs, 45-10, at the SkyDome to secure the second OUA title in program history. The 1992 team posted a regular season record of 4-3 to make it into the postseason as the fourth and final team in the OUA playoffs. In the OUA semifinals against a heavily favoured University of Toronto Varsity Blues team, the Gryphons pulled off the upset on the road at the old Varsity Stadium in Toronto, ending the season for the top-seeded Varsity Blues and their Hec Crighton-winning quarterback, Eugene Buccigrossi. The 1992 Yates Cup at the SkyDome saw the Gryphons put together one of the most memorable performances in program history, rolling over Western, 45-10. Gryphons quarterback Wally Gabler was named the recipient of the Dalt White Trophy as Yates Cup MVP, throwing five touchdown passes in the game. The 1992 Gryphons team boasted an outstanding defence, led by All-Canadian linebacker, Mike O'Shea, who was named the OUA's Outstanding Defensive Player that season. Rob Wesseling (offensive line), Shawn Hagarty (defensive tackle) and Dave Irwin (receiver) were all named Second Team All-Canadians, while Rob DiGravio, Jim Stewart, Steve McKee, Kevin Reid, Rob MacRae and Hugh Tharby were all named OUA All-Stars. The 1992 team was led by head coach, Dan McNally.
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Team Category | 1996 Football (Yates Cup champions)
The 1996 Gryphon football team secured the third OUA title in program history, and second in a five-year stretch, with the road win over the Waterloo Warriors in the 1996 Yates Cup. It marked the first time OUA history in which a team that finished in last-place the season prior, was crowned Yates Cup champions the following season, with the Gryphons going 1-6 in 1995 before hoisting the Yates in 1996. The Gryphons posted a 6-2 regular season record in 1996, and opened up their playoffs on the road in the OUA semifinals at Western, where they held the two-time reigning Yates Cup champion Mustangs to just nine points in a memorable road playoff win. For the 1996 Yates Cup, the Gryphons made their way to Waterloo to face the Waterloo Warriors in front of a soldout crowd at Seagram Stadium. The Gryphons left Waterloo with a 23-13 win, with Gryphons standout running back, Gerrit Stam, named Yates Cup MVP. Stam had a sensational season, leading the OUA with 11 rushing touchdowns. A tenacious Gryphon defence was led by All-Canadians Bill Vastis and Kyle Walters, with Bill Brown leading the OUA in interceptions on the season. Gryphons head coach Dan McNally was named the CIAU Coach of the Year, and to this day, remains the only Gryphon football coach in program history to be named the recipient of the Frank Tindall Trophy as the national coach of the year in Canadian university football.
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Team Category | 1993-94 Figure Skating (OUA champions)
In 1994, the Gryphons were crowned Ontario champions in figure skating for the first time in program history. At the conference championship event in Kingston, the University of Guelph figure skating team edged the host Queen's Gaels to capture the O.W.I.A.A. title (Ontario Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Association). Guelph took home gold medals in the Precision Team event, Katy MacDonald won the Technical Program and Kelly Bonnar and Dawn McLean won the Dance Variation. Silver medals were awarded to Kerry Butler in the Senior Solo Dance, Meredith Young in the Open Singles, Penny Schultz and Sue-Ann Staff in the Senior Similar Pairs while the team won the Pairs Four, Isolated Moves and Original Set Pattern. The 1994 conference title was the first in program history, with the Gryphons since having gone on to claim OUA figure skating titles on three other occasions (2009, 2010 & 2014).
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Team Category | 1977-78 & 1979-80 Women's Curling (OUA champions)
In the late 1970's, the Gryphons women's curling team made program history. During the 1977-78 season, the Gryphons were crowned OUA champions in women's curling, marking the first provincial title for the University of Guelph in women's curling. The 1978 women's curling team that captured the O.W.I.A.A. title (Ontario Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Association) was comprised of Ada Galloway, Louise Harvey, Pam Taylor, Carol Weeks and Susan Wright, with the team coached by Dr. Murray MacGrego. Two years later, during the 1979-80 season, the Gryphons women's curling team took home the trophy again, capturing their second provincial title in a three-year span. The 1980 team was represented by Darlene Gillen, Louise Harvey, Cindy Murakami, Jill Rowett and Susan Wright, with Murray MacGregor and Shirley Peterson serving as the team's coaches. The two provincial titles from the Gryphons women's curling team in 1978 and 1980 would stand for nearly half a century as the only OUA titles in program history, until this past season, with the Gryphons women's curling team winning the 2026 OUA title to be crowned provincial champs for the first time in 46 years.
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Builder | Dan McNally (Football)
Dan McNally's 14-year coaching career at the University of Guelph saw him serve as head coach of the Gryphon football team from 1987-2000. During that time, he recorded 50 regular season wins, the most by any coach in program history, while leading the Gryphons to a pair of Yates Cup titles in 1992 and 1996. During the 1996 season, McNally was named the CIAU (U SPORTS) Coach of the Year, and to this day, he remains the only Gryphon football coach in program history to be named the recipient of the Frank Tindall Trophy as the national coach of the year in Canadian university football. During Coach McNally's tenure, the Gryphons had 96 players named OUA All-Stars, 5 named OUA major award winners and 27 named U SPORTS All-Canadians. McNally's time at the University of Guelph was also marked by notable innovation and creativity within the coaching ranks at that time. Under Dan, the Gryphons implemented new zone-run schemes and three-step drops for quarterbacks, which at the time were revolutionary within Ontario university football. The use of computer technology and analytics, while the norm now within the sport, was adopted early on by McNally and his staff ahead of other universities across the province and country. McNally also broke new ground in the mental and psychological aspects of the game, leaning on University of Guelph professor, Daniel Yarmey, to help the team with visualization and meditation techniques. McNally was, in short, an innovator who made a lasting impact on the Gryphon football program both on and off the field.
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Builder | Bill Clausen (Facilities)
For over 40 years, Bill Clausen played an integral role in the Department of Athletics at the University of Guelph, announcing his retirement in 2017, leaving behind a lasting impact across campus. After coming to Guelph in the early 1970's, Bill joined the Department of Athletics where he would go on to hold a wide variety of roles, ranging from the management of the intramural office to serving as an assistant coach on numerous varsity and club teams to facilities manager of one of the most rapidly growing campuses in Canada. Bill's tireless work ethic made him a vital member of not only U of G's Department of Athletics, but also a dependable contact for event managers and facilities supervisors across the province. It was not uncommon for Bill to, after a full day of work in Guelph, travel to McMaster, Toronto, Waterloo, Windsor or Queen's to help assist his fellow OUA colleagues in running special events on their respective campuses. Under Bill's watch as facilities manager, the University of Guelph experienced significant growth in facilities that few institutions in Canada can relate to. The list of projects that Bill oversaw since taking over as the Department's facilities manager in the 1990's include: two new fieldhouses/domes, a twin-pad arena, outdoor soccer fields, beach volleyball courts, a lengthy list of developments to the Gryphons football stadium and a $45 million state-of-the-art athletics centre. Aside from overseeing daily on-site operations, one of Bill's greatest attributes was his ability to mentor student employees and facilities managers throughout the province. Bill sat on numerous industry-leading boards, including organizations such as Sports Turf Canada and the Ontario Rec Facilities Association.
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