Tom Mayenknecht was involved in ringette as a coach and an administrator from 1978 to 1985 and he was instrumental in putting ringette on the ‘communications map’. He held the position of Director of Public Relations for the Ontario Ringette Association from 1980 to 1982 and then with Ringette Canada from 1982 to 1985. He invested new energy in packaging Ringette Canada’s goods and services in a way that enticed readers to explore, companies to invest and major media (print and TV) to cover. In 1982, he revamped the Ringette Review national newsletter and won the Doug Gilbert Media Medallion from the Sports Federation of Canada for best national federation magazine in 1984.
When asked about his involvement in ringette, Tom commented, “I’m very proud to have had the opportunity to contribute to the promotion and development of ringette at the local, provincial and national levels at a time when there was great growth for ringette and it went a long way towards establishing a new era for women’s sport in Canada. I will always cherish the terrific working relationships and friendships that were created in all ten provinces and territories across the country.”