Because each fall, Mayo was an exceptional football player for the Wildcats, weaving his way through enemy defenses on his way to touchdowns. And each spring, Mayo was an outstanding baseball player, setting records a nearly two decades ago that still hold up today.

But while the debate over which sport was his best may continue, one thing is indisputable— he excelled in each one.

For his outstanding achievements while attending Los Gatos High School, Todd Mayo 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.

Mayo was a four-year starter on the varsity baseball team at Los Gatos and played three years of varsity football. Though he chose to pursue baseball at the collegiate level when he went on to UC Berkeley, he was equally skilled in each sport as a Wildcat.

"As good as he was in baseball, I thought he was a better football player," said Los Gatos football coach Butch Cattolico.

There could be a pretty good argument made on either side. After all, he set school records in both sports.

As a football player, he set records for most touchdowns in a season (34) and most yards gained in a season (1,647), and his 9.1-yards per carry average remains as a school record nearly two decades after his graduation in 1985.

"Offensively in his senior year, Todd was as good as anyone we've ever had," said Cattolico.

Mayo finished his football career at Los Gatos with 2,824 yards rushing and 51 touchdowns. He also ran up impressive numbers as a pass receiver, defensive back and kick returner.

But he didn't stop putting up solid offensive numbers his senior season— he just changed uniforms.

Mayo moved over to the baseball diamond that spring to hit .500 his senior season, a record that still stands today. Of the 15 single season offensive categories in the Los Gatos record books, Mayo finished his career atop eight of them (at-bats, runs scored, hits, triples, batting average, extra base hits, stolen bases and total bases).

Mayo played for league championship baseball teams in 1984 and '85 and was named the team's Most Valuable Player each year. He's the only player in Los Gatos baseball history to lead the team in hitting for three years (.362 in 1983, .444 in '84 and .500 in '85). He led the club in total bases three times and led the squad in extra base hits twice. He also belted three home runs over the legendary right field fence into the Los Gatos Lodge when those records were still kept.

Mayo went on to start for four years in center field for the California Golden Bears and he played professionally in the Montreal Expos system.

And while the debate may wage on as to whether Mayo was a better football or baseball player in high school, one thing is certain— Todd Mayo is a deserving member of the first class of inductees in the Los Gatos High School Athletic Hall of Fame.