RANDY DIMITROFF, CHAIR

Randy played quarterback for the Gryphons from 1981 to 1985 and is a proud member of the 1984 National Championship Team.  He graduated with a Management Economics degree from the University of Guelph and has been Chair of FOGF since 2012.  Randy has worked at GT French for over 25 years as a New Business Development Manager.  His football coaching contributions include supporting Burlington high schools M. M. Robinson, Nelson, and Notre Dame.  In his 18 years coaching at Notre Dame, he helped the team become OFSAA champs in 2009 and 2010.  He resides in Mississauga with his wife Rose, always serving as consultants and guidance directors to their 5 children - Dillon, Hailey, Brena, Bryce and Melissa.

STU LANG, VICE-CHAIR

Stu graduated in Chemical Engineering from Queen's University where he played both varsity hockey and football. As an eight-year veteran with the Edmonton Eskimos, Stu won five Grey Cups.  He was employed by his family’s business, CCL Industries, for 25 years and was Head Football Coach of the Guelph Gryphons Football Team for six years, coaching the team to a Yates Cup championship in 2015.

SARAH GARRETT, SECRETARY

Sarah has been involved with Gryphon Football since 2013 when she came on board as executive assistant to then Head Coach, Stu Lang.  Sarah’s passion for the sport and commitment to the team have grown over the years, as has her involvement.  As the Chief Operating Officer of the Lang Innovation Team, Sarah works closely with alumni, parents, and community with the goal of always making Gryphon Football better.  Sarah holds a Doctor of Education degree from Western University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Guelph.  She currently works full-time as a Vice-Principal at an elementary school in Guelph and enjoys spending her free time with her daughter, Alexis and husband, Ryan.

rob kitching, treasurer

Guelph native Rob Kitching is an experienced business professional who majored in Economics at the University of Guelph.  He played quarterback for the Gryphons from 1990 to 1994, winning a Yates Cup championship in 1992.  After graduating, Rob began a career in management consulting, where he developed strong critical thinking and business systems understanding. He eventually joined his father's company and in 2008 became self-employed, specializing in manufacturing and marketing arenas, supplying a wide array of industries throughout North America.  Rob believes deeply in the power of entrepreneurship and has dedicated his life to continuing to learn and grow in all facets of the business world.  He credits success to the fortitude and importance of ‘team’ learned from the game of football maintaining close ties with former teammates over the years.  

 Rob continues to give back to the program by not only coaching various offensive positions, but also providing employment and connections to countless players.  Drawing from his extensive business knowledge and network he strives to maintain and raise the high standard of excellence for which Gryphon Football is known.

bill brown, membership coordinator

Bill Brown played defensive back for the Gryphons from 1994 to 1998 and is a proud member of the 1996 Yates Cup championship team. Bill joined the coaching staff immediately after graduating from the University of Guelph with a B.Comm. He spent the next 19 years in a variety of roles including Secondary Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Director of Recruiting and Special Forces Coordinator, winning his second Yates Cup in that coaching role. Bill’s most recent contributions have been to advance Gryphon Football by focusing his efforts as the Chief Innovation Officer with the Lang Innovation Team and as the Membership Coordinator with the Friends of Gryphon Football alumni group. Bill manages and supports all Gryphon Football marketing endeavours, alumni communications, and event planning outside of the university scope. Bill lives in Guelph with his wife Leith and his daughter Nahla. He teaches math and physical education to grade 7 and 8 students and is a recent MBA graduate from the Lang School of Business. Bill is looking for another championship, this time as part of the FOGF Executive.

BILL LAIDLAW, ADVISOR

Bill Laidlaw is a proud member of the class of 1974, graduating from the College of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Guelph. Bill grew up in Etobicoke and played football at Etobicoke Collegiate. He played for the Guelph Gryphons in the early seventies and was the Chair of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Alumni Stadium, which was held in the fall of 2022. After a long career in the world of teaching, human resources, public affairs, and general management Bill retired in 2020. During his career he devoted a considerable amount of time volunteering in a multitude of business and not-for-profit organizations. At the University of Guelph, Bill has served on the advisory board for the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and the new International Institute for Sport Business and Leadership. He has served on the Strategic Renewal Advisory Committee, University of Guelph Alumni Association, the University of Guelph Senate, Alumni Weekend Organizing Committee, and the Science Complex fundraising campaign. As a philanthropist, Bill has named the Women’s Basketball Team Room, a room in Macdonald Hall honoring his father’s memory and the boardroom at the Pavilion.  His current efforts include raising funds for the new performing arts centre at the university.  In 2020 he was named the Alumni Volunteer of the year.  He volunteers with Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster Innovation Park. Bill lives in Burlington with his wife Sara, who is retired.  He has two grown daughters and a grandson, Jaxson whom he hopes will one day be a Guelph Gryphon football player.

brian cluff, advisor

Brian played football for the Gryphons from 1982 to 1986 and was a member of the National Championship team in 1984, winning the Vanier Cup. Brian was drafted into the CFL by the Toronto Argonauts in 1986 and, in 1987, signed with the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Following his graduation from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Geography and History, Brian attended Mount Allison University graduating with a Bachelor of Education. Brian joined the Gryphon Football coaching staff in 1987 and over the next 30+ years,  coached in a variety of roles including Defensive Line, Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers, and Special Teams. Over the years, Brian was on the coaching staff when the Gryphons won Yates Cup Championships in 1992, 1996, and 2015.  Brian has been recognized nationally for his coaching by being awarded the “Gino Francas Award” as the Assistant Football Coach of the Year in 2011. Recently retired from a career in education, Brian has focused his efforts as an Advisor with Friends of Gryphon Football as well as the Major Awards Coordinator and working on the Gryphon Football Gala Dinner committee.  Brian lives in Guelph with his wife Sue and his daughter Alexandra.

STEVE o’BRIEN, ADVisor

Steve began his involvement with Gryphon Football in 2001. He lettered as a defensive lineman from 2001 to 2006. During that time, he completed an undergraduate degree in Political Science followed by a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration and Public Policy. Steve is Captain’s Award winner. Following his playing time, Steve moved into volunteer support roles with the program including as a recruiter and member of the Friends of Gryphon Football board. Steve continues to support the program on game days by leading gameday recruiting visits and in the off-season by serving as emcee for various Gryphon Football events.

Steve is currently employed with the City of Guelph and he and his wife Melissa live in Guelph with their two children.

HERON TAIT, advisor

Heron graduated from the University of Guelph in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Sciences. He lettered as a defensive back with the Gryphons from 1991 to 1994 and hoisted the 1992 Yates Cup championship during his tenure. It was at Guelph that Heron met his wife, Noelle, with whom they now have two daughters, Zoe and Halle.

BRett mccallum, advisor

Brett graduated from the University of Guelph in 1992 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in history after attending Lakeshore Collegiate Institute in southern Etobicoke. Brett played centre for the Gryphons from 1989 through 1992, was a team captain, OUA all-star, lineman of the year award recipient, and a member of the 1992 Yates Cup Championship team. After graduation Brett joined the Gryphon coaching staff in 1993 for two seasons, and then again for five seasons from 1997 through 2001. In 1994 Brett began a career as a City of Hamilton Firefighter and currently resides in Hamilton with his wife, Mandie, son Fury and two dogs, Waffles and Bumble.

george bortolato, advisor

George played defensive back for the Gryphons from 1988-91, graduating with a Bachelors of Applied Science degree. Following his graduation, George started a 25-year career in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry. George has been involved with the Friends of Gryphon Football as an advisor since 2018. His contributions to the Friends of Gryphon Football include being the co-chair of the annual golf tournament where the funds raised help to support player scholarships. George lives in Burlington with his wife Cheri who is also a University of Guelph graduate, and their two boys Grady and Holden.  George is involved in the local sports community through his two boys and is a coach with the Burlington Minor Football Association.

john casasanta, advisor

John has been involved with Gryphon Football since 1994.  He was a 5-year letterman who played defensive back and graduated from the University with a degree in History.  He also holds a master’s degree in education. Following his playing days he was an assistant under Coach Bill Brown for two seasons. He stepped away for a few seasons, but helped out during training camps after Kyle Walters was named Defensive Coordinator. Once Kyle was named head coach in 2006 he returned to the program in the role he currently holds, Regional Recruiter in Niagara and Game Day Player Personnel Coach, focussing on Special Teams. Through his role on the FOGF board of directors, he has expanded his responsibilities to the program and has also taken on the role as the in-house Historian. Professionally, he is a certified teacher with 15 years experience, and is the Director of Athletics at Lakeshore Catholic High School in Port Colborne.

dan crabbe, advisor

Dan graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelors of Arts degree in 1998. He lettered with the Gryphons and was a part of 1996 Yates Cup team as an offensive tackle. After graduation he attended Arthouse College, earning a Bachelor of Education. He has been an educator for over twenty years, teaching visual arts, co-operative education and SHSM. At his current school, Guelph C.V.I. he is the Arts Program Leader and the Football Head Coach. Dan has been involved with the Friends of Gryphon Football for years, helping to organize the Chili Bowl competitions and charity poker tournaments. Dan and his wife, Andrea live in Guelph.