Rich Gehring, an outstanding three-sport star at E.H.S. (football, basketball and track) joined the Hall of Fame in 1972. In his senior season, the 6-foot, 5-inch split-end led the Cougars in receiving and earning All-Metro honors. At center, he dominated the backboards and established a then school record of 35 points in a game against San Dieguito, as he helped lead the Cougars into the S.C.I.F. playoffs. He also broke E.H.S. records in the 120-yard high hurdles and 180-yard low hurdles during his senior track season. In addition, he was the San Diego State College decathlon champion for three consecutive years and starred in basketball for the Aztecs. Rich, a 1953 graduate of Escondido High, was the head track and cross country coach at Southwestern College for many years and was an innovator in his field.