Olympic gold medalist and former Sacramento State swimming coach Debbie Meyer was one of the 55 inducted into the inaugural California Interscholastic Federation Hall of Fame at center court in Arco Arena on Sunday.

The Hall of Fame included 54 other athletes, coaches, administrators and media members who grew up in the Sacramento and San Joaquin districts and made an impact on high school sports in California.

“It’s hard to believe 42 years ago, I got a medal like this in the Olympic games,” Meyer said.

Meyer won three gold medals at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City when she was 16, but never competed for a swim team at her high school, Rio Americano. Meyer coached swimming at Sacramento State in the late “80s. She said she is glad women today are seen as competitors who can succeed as student-athletes.

CIF Communications Director Will DeBoard said he began researching possible inductees this past summer by going through old newspaper clippings and record books and compiled a list of more than 600 possible inductees.

DeBoard said the list then went to two separate committees, which narrowed the list to 55. All but three inductees were present at the ceremony or had someone present in their place.

In a speech Meyer presented, she said Title IX, the education amendment passed in 1972 that guarantees athletic opportunities for females, has helped women’s sports, but is not perfect. Meyer said the intention of the amendment was to bring women’s sports to the level of men’s, but because of it, some male sports have been unfairly cut.

“I don’t want to see boys athletics suffer because of girls athletics,” Meyer said. “Please do not let high school sports fade away.”

Meyer and Cincinnati Reds Manager Dusty Baker were the two inductees chosen to address the audience on behalf of the inaugural class.

Baker said his father used to take him to the top of a hill near Candlestick Park to watch Bobby Bonds play baseball. He said watching Bonds motivated him to pursue baseball and become a great athlete.

“It gave me an opportunity to blossom,” Baker said.

Baker said the Hall of Fame ceremony will enlighten people of the great athletes produced in Northern California.

“(The Hall of Fame) is a lot more famous than you realize,” Baker said.

The inductees also included Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson from Sacramento High School. Johnson played basketball during high school and led all California high schools with 32.5 points per game.

Johnson said it was very humbling to share the stage with the inaugural class. He said he recalled memories of working hard in the regular season for a chance at the playoffs, although he said those efforts came up short.

Johnson went on to play point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns in the NBA before he was mayor.

Nick Piacentini was a lesser-known inductee who was recognized for 48 years of football officiating. Piacentini’s son and fellow official, Danny Piacentini, described his father as a “lawyer on the field,” who used to quiz him on the rules regularly.

“It was a complete surprise and an honor,” Nick Piacentini said. “I put a lot of time into (officiating).”

DeBoard said inductions will take place every two years and those who graduated on or before 1994 will be eligible for the next induction.

Andres Perez can be reached at [email protected]