It was an evening that offered a glimpse into the glorious past of an historic school—an evening that brought together community members past and present for a common purpose. It was an opportunity to recognize great athletes from their tremendous accomplishments in sport, but also to honor a school that has meant so much to so many.

Los Gatos is no typical high school. For many, it has offered a moment in time that spans a lifetime—a four-year experience that bonds one generation to another. Whether it's the class of '54 or the class of '74, graduates share a bond as Los Gatos alumni. And nowhere was that more evident than at Saturday's Hall of Fame gathering.

Of course, the purpose of the event was to acknowledge the athletes upon their induction as the first members of the Hall. Their accomplishments were impressive to say the least.

The 14 athletes inducted participated in 38 different sports in high school and beyond. They were the Most Valuable Players of their teams 25 times, and they won 19 All-American awards. They set six world records and 36 American records and they signed seven professional sports contracts. They played in 11 different football bowl games, competed in two Olympic Games and have been elected to eight other Halls of Fame.

But their accomplishments were not limited to the athletic arena. They were military heroes, doctors and executives, pilots and educators. They have been stars in life as well as in sports.

Still, while life's pursuits have taken many away from the town they once called home, the honor bestowed by their former high school proved a humbling experience for the inductees, reducing a few to tears upon the presentation of their awards.

The ever-present theme among those in the first class of Hall of Fame inductees was that sports is more than touchdowns and home runs. It's about teamwork and working with others toward a common goal, about testing one's limits and channeling lessons learned into performance, and about teammates and friendships that can last forever.

And it was much of that that was so evident among those in attendance at the Hall of Fame induction banquet. Friendships rekindled, acquaintances revived and the connection to a single institution and community at the center of it all.

High school may be a fleeting moment on life's path, but the Los Gatos experience is a memorable one. And never was that more true than Saturday night at the La Rinconada Country Club when a community came together to honor the great Wildcats of the past. It was an event that was long overdue.