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When Ken Spagnola arrived on the scene at Los Gatos High School in the fall of 1950, the wrestling program at the school was in its infancy. By the time he graduated four years later, he was the wrestling program.
Spagnola was a four-year varsity letterman on the Los Gatos wrestling team, winning a title at the Northern California finals his senior year. And, despite his size, he was the Most Valuable Player on the varsity football team that same year.
For his outstanding accomplishments as a Wildcat, Ken Spagnola will be among the first 14 athletes recognized with induction into the newly created Athletic Hall of Fame at the high school during ceremonies to be held May 1 at La Rinconada Country Club.
Ken Spagnola weighed less than 120 pounds when he arrived on the scene at Los Gatos High in 1950, but pound-for-pound he's considered one of the toughest and best athletes the school has ever produced. He was a three-sport sensation as a freshman, playing 110 ("C") basketball in the fall and finished first in the discus and second in the shot put at the league finals in 110 division track. But in the winter, he lettered for the varsity wrestling team in the first year the sport was offered at the school. It marked the beginning of an outstanding mat career.
Bobby Pease placed second at the state wrestling tournament last weekend, the highest finish for any Wildcat in the school's history. But there was no state meet in 1954 when Spagnola was a senior, so he just went as far as he could—he won a NorCal title.
Spagnola won everything there was to win at 154 pounds in 1954. He was unbeaten in league competition and not only went on to win the Northern California 154-pound crown, he was named the Outstanding Wrestler in the prestigious tournament.
Spagnola had started the year as the starting fullback on the varsity football team. Despite missing three games with a broken blood vessel in his lower leg, he won the school's Streepy Trophy as the Most Valuable Player and he was named to the all-league second team.
His career on the football field began his sophomore year when he was a two-way starter on the 130 ("B") squad. He was the tailback in the old single wing and a championship 130 team as a junior and he won the Marie Hendricks Trophy as the team's MVP.
But it was on the wrestling mat where he really shined. He won most of his matches as a sophomore at 138 pounds, and he won all of his league matches at 145 pounds as a junior when he was selected the team captain.
He was the NorCal champion as a senior and was once again named the captain of the wrestling squad. He was also the student body vice president that year and won the school's prestigious Panighetti Award that was presented annually to the top scholar-athlete.
But his wrestling career didn't end with his high school graduation. He wrestled for four years at San José State University for the legendary coach, Hugh Mumby. In four years as a Spartan, he lost just one league match.
Spagnola also played freshman football at San José State, and he was a three-year soccer letterman, playing for another coaching legend, Julie Menendez. Spagnola is a member of the Spartan Hall of Fame.
He was the Far Western AAU champion in 1956, winning a weight class that including two NCAA champs and a national AAU champ. He was selected as the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament and also won awards for the most pins and the fastest pin.
Spagnola's wrestling career ended after his senior season for the Spartans, but what a career it had been. And it all started in a fledging wrestling program at Los Gatos High School—a program that Ken Spagnola helped establish. For his accomplishments, he is being enshrined in the high school's Athletic Hall of Fame.
"I couldn't believe it," said Spagnola of induction. "I'm overwhelmed. We've had such great athletes at Los Gatos."
Now Spagnola will take his rightful place alongside them all.
Los Gatos High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held on May 1 at La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos. Tickets for the Hall of Fame dinner are priced at $75, and those attending the dinner will have the opportunity to nominate former Los Gatos athletes for induction in 2005. For ticket information, call the Los Gatos Athletic Association at 408.395.2002, Doug Ramezane at 408.354.2730, ext. 213, or Mark Magagna at 408.354.2730, ext. 320.
Tickets going fast
There are only a limited number of tickets available for the Los Gatos High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremonies that will be held on May 1 at the LaRinconada Country Club in Los Gatos.
Only 300 seats are available for the dinner, and those interested in attending the first-ever induction event are advised to act quickly because only few tickets remain.
Tickets for the Hall of Fame dinner are priced at $75, and those attending the dinner will have the opportunity to nominate former Los Gatos athletes for induction in 2005.
For ticket information, call the Los Gatos Athletic Association at 408.395.2002, Doug Ramezane at 408.354.2730, ext. 213, or Mark Magagna at 408.354.2730, ext. 320.
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