The University of Guelph’s men’s rugby team has been named the top team in Ontario university sport, capping off a season that saw the Gryphons win their first-ever national championship and a record fifth straight conference title. The Gryphons were honoured as the OUA Team of the Year on May 13, 2026, at the conference’s annual awards banquet in Oakville.
This is only the third time a Guelph team has received the award in its 16-year history. The men’s rugby squad joins the 2021-22 men’s track and field team and the 2018-19 women’s hockey team as Gryphon programs recognized with the honour.
The award follows a dominant 2025 campaign in which the Gryphons went undefeated in regular season play, outscoring opponents 374-47 across six games. They went on to claim the Turner Trophy as OUA champions for the fifth consecutive year before travelling to Montreal and defeating the defending champion ÉTS Piranhas 18-13 to win the Spence McTavish Cup. The Gryphons are the first Ontario team to win the national title in the nine-year history of the tournament.
Team captain Kobe Faust was named player of the tournament at nationals, finishing his university career as a five-time OUA champion and three-time conference all-star. Head coach Cory Hector, who has led the program for a decade, was named OUA Coach of the Year for the second straight season after guiding the team to its sixth conference title under his leadership.
More details about the award can be found on the OUA Honour Awards page.
