When running back Rob Carnegie was going through his first training camp with the Gryphons in 2012, he decided he wanted to have his photo hanging on the wall in the hall outside the team’s dressing room.
Every day he left the dressing room to head onto the field, he’d see the photos of previous Ted Wildman Memorial Trophy winners posing with the trophy. Following the Wildman Awards Banquet Saturday night at the Delta, Carnegie had his photo taken with the trophy.
“Honestly, I’m extremely excited,” the receiver said minutes after being named the 2016 recipient of the award. “That was actually a goal that I made when I got here my first year. It was kind of a five-year goal for me and that it came realized, I’m extremely excited.”
The trophy is presented annually by the Wildman Trophy Committee for a player’s excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community. It’s Gryphon football’s most celebrated award and was first handed out in 1932, long before the Gryphons were known as the Gryphons.
“I can’t really thank the Gryphon football community enough,” Carnegie said. “They kind of give all the players as many opportunities as you need. Basically as much energy as you have, they have an opportunity for you.”
While injuries limited Carnegie’s playing time to four games last fall, he kept up his schoolwork and continued to volunteer for many charities and events. He’s well on his way to his third academic all-Canadian award, something that’s given to student-athletes who achieve an overall average of at least 80 per cent in their studies. He became the head coach of Guelph Minor Football Association’s Bantam Junior Gryphons last year and kept volunteering.
“I’m basically an energetic guy and whenever I was looking for something to do, I’d walk out to the board and there were all these posting of ways to get involved in the community,” he said. “It kind of started that way and I just kind of found a connection for wanting to do stuff like that. I just really love trying to be a leader, especially coaching the bantams and stuff. It’s really unique being able to coach and being able to see their progress right away. It’s just kind of the experience and the opportunity to be able to do stuff like that. It’s amazing.”
Like all former Wildman Trophy winners, time management is a big thing for Carnegie. His schedule doesn’t include much time for just goofing off.
“There’s always more time in the day,” he said. “I think it’s just being able to acknowledge what’s important to you and what you really want to do and cutting other things out of your life as you need to do it. It’s basically just trying to find more time and cutting down on the things I shouldn’t be doing.”
While Carnegie might not be able to name off all the previous winners of the award, he can easily list the winners during his time with the team. It was Pat McGrath in 2016, Rob Farquharson in 2015, Taylor Palmer in 2014 and Zack Androschuk in 2013.
McGrath’s approach to life inspired Carnegie as the two became roommates last year.
“I always kind of thought I had a full plate until I lived with him and I saw the amount of time he puts into whatever he does,” Carnegie said. “It’s almost kind of motivated me to another level seeing what he does and seeing how he manages his time. There’s always people around you who you can look to to actually find ways to do what you need to do and accomplish what you want to accomplish.”
Not surprisingly, Carnegie’s memories of his playing days with the Gryphons don’t centre around anything on the field. He came in as a running back and switched to receiver last year in order to get as much playing time as he could. He also played special teams and was one of the first down the field to make tackles on punts and kickoffs.
“My playing time, honestly I just remember hanging out in the locker room the most,” he said. “(It was) basically as much time around the guys as I could get. There’s always so much energy and so many great players on the team and great people. Just spending time with the guys is what I’m going to remember the most about my playing experience.”
While he’s a little unsure of what the future holds for him, he knows he’ll be on the balcony of the Gryphon Pavilion when it’s completed, watching as many Gryphon games as he can fit into his hectic schedule.
“I’m pretty excited about that,” he said. “I’m just waiting for the barbecues and getting comfortable up there. It’s exciting to be an alumni right now.”
Those games will likely be his down time.
And he has plenty of advice for high school players who are thinking of joining the Gryphons, especially if volunteering is important to them.
“Basically, just keep your eyes open,” he said. "There’s always opportunities everywhere. Set your goals and play in your mind to know what you need to do and how to get there.
“This program, the coaches take care of you and all the support staff takes care of you. Basically anything you want to accomplish, they can make it possible for you so keep your eyes open and just put your mind to something and see what happens.”

GRYPHON AWARD WINNERS FOR 2016 SEASON
Ted Wildman Memorial Award: receiver Rob Carnegie
Donald Forster Trophy (most valuable player): linebacker Luke Korol
Stu Lang Offensive Player of the Year: offensive lineman Andrew Pickett
Tom Dimitroff Sr. Defensive Player of the Year: defensive back Tristan Doughlin
Tom Mooney Lineman of the Year: defensive lineman Derek Drouillard
Special Forces Player of the Year: long snapper Job Reinhart
Rookie of the Year: receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker
Scout Team Players of the Year: running back Patrick Pierre, linebacker Aidan England
Captain’s Award (given by team captains to senior or graduating player who best exemplifies qualities of discipline and determination and unwavering commitment to the program during his career): defensive back Tristan Doughlin
Unsung Hero Award (player who contributes the most to the team with least recognition, voted on by players): quarterback Zach Buchan
Kyle Walters Trophy (player who best uses film, training, nutrition and practcie throughout the year to become a complete player): quarterback James Roberts
Support Staff of the Year Award: Kyle Wood
Academic Support Award (professor, tutor, counsellor, etc., who best supports football program and its academic goals): Jason Dodd
Richard P. Kohler Perseverance Award (player who best exemplifies courage, drive and fighting spirit to overcome adversity in quest for excellence): receiver Geoff Bezruchko
Granite Gryphon Award (player with best attendance record and physical improvement in the Performance Centre which contribute to increased on-field performance): receiver Aidan Fraser
Pflug Family Community Service Award (person in football program with remarkable volunteerism): defensive back Orion Edwards
Riddell Coach of the Year Award in honour of Jeff Hale (Ontario high school coach who is exemplary coach, community member and football supporter): Mike Stenning, London South CI

Written by Rob Massey