There was no soft landing for high jumpers and pole vaulters—they came down in a pit of sawdust. And there was no springy, all-weather surface for the runners—they ran on a track of cinders.

But despite the conditions, Los Gatos still turned out champions. And no champion was better than Bob Chambers.

Chambers, a 1944 graduate of Los Gatos High, won league titles in the 440, 880 and the mile for the Wildcats during the war years. But he did more than that—in the spring of 1944, he tied a world record in the 880. It was just the beginning for the star half-miler who went on to win a conference titles at USC and finish sixth in the Olympic Games.

For his outstanding accomplishments as a Wildcat, Bob Chambers 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 the La Rinconada Country Club.

Chambers, though, didn't get his start in athletics on a track—it was on a Los Gatos baseball diamond. While attending seventh and eighth grades in Los Gatos, Chambers played "Shell Oil" baseball in town.

When he reached high school, he decided to give track a try, and competed for the Wildcats for four years. Chambers ran for championship Los Gatos track teams in his junior and senior seasons in 1943 and '44, and he certainly was a major contributor. He was a champion in the 440 and 880 as a junior, and he won the 880 and mile as a senior. It was during his senior year when he clocked in at 1:54.4 in the 880 to tie the world high school record (set in 1933 in Chicago by Ross Bush, who would also go on to compete at USC). Chambers was running for Los Gatos High in the Pacific AAU meet in Berkeley on June 10, 1944, when he tied the record. Fifty years later, that time (adjusted to 1:54.1 for 800 meters) still ranks fifth on the all-time Los Gatos list.

Chambers won Central Coast Section and state titles in the 880 his senior season, but that was just part of his sensational year in Los Gatos athletics. He also played football, basketball and baseball that year, and all three teams—like the track team—were league champions.

"Two important coaches who had a tremendous impact on my life were Orrin Matheny and Doug Helm," said the former Olympian, who is now retired and living in San Pedro, Calif.

Chambers went on to USC after graduating from Los Gatos and ran for the Trojans from 1947 through 1950. He was a member of NCAA championship teams at USC in 1949 and '50, and was co-captain of the team his senior year with Henry Aihara.

Nicknamed "The Horse" by his teammates, Chambers made the 1948 U.S. Olympic team and finished sixth, running 1:49.2 in the 880 at the Games in London. He was a three-time Pacific Coast champion in the 880, and finished third in the NCAA in 1948.

In the summer of 1950, Chambers completed an undefeated European tour, winning eight races in a row in Finland. His best times of 1:50.6 on June 29 in Helsinki and 1:50.2 on July 2 at Tampere were both better than the USC record for 800 meters.

Chambers graduated from USC in 1951 and went on to coach at the high school and collegiate levels for 37 years. He and his wife, Gail, have four children—Lyn, Gail, Dave and Marc. He has also worked as a lifeguard, and enjoys scuba diving, skiing, golf, fishing and backpacking.

Through the years, the Los Gatos track and field program has produced many outstanding athletes who have gone on to win CCS and state titles. But there's only one world record-holder—Bob Chambers.

Not many tickets left

Those who want to be part of the festivities at the first ever Los Gatos High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremonies should act quickly. Only a limited number of tickets are still available for the event that will be held on May 1 at the 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.

This event promises to sell out well before the night of the dinner, so former Wildcats and Los Gatos supporters are urged to buy their tickets now.