Class of 2007 alumna and an Olympic gold medalist, U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team forward Alex Morgan made a surprise visit to Diamond Bar High School on Aug. 27 for a brief lunchtime ceremony to celebrate her accomplishments and retire the number she wore in the Olympics.

“I knew I needed to come back here soon after I won gold, because I wanted to pay my dues and see everyone. And there are couple teachers who I wanted to say hi to,” Morgan shared. Morgan is DBHS’s very first Olympic medalist, as she scored a late game-winner in the 123rd minute in a semifinals match against Canada during the 2012 London Olympics. Her decisive assist to Carli Lloyd in the team’s final match against Japan led the nation to a gold medal.

Upon her entrance into the gym, a short clip, “Alex Morgan: Pride of the Brahmas,” was projected onto the screens.

The video, filmed and edited by U.S. Soccer, showed Morgan visiting the campus and with faculty members in March.

Shortly after the video, the DBHS administration presented Morgan a special Olympics-themed diamond banner to officially retire her number, an unprecedented case since the athlete has already graduated. Her number 13 will still be used by the captain of the girls’ soccer team, but will be printed in gold regardless of the color of the uniform in honor of Morgan’s achievements.

Morgan also shared the news about her retired number with thousands of her fans via Twitter. Students will be able to see the diamond banner posted up on the ceiling of the gym in the next few weeks.

After a quick photo shoot and an autograph session, Morgan took the time to share her high school experience as a Brahma. “I remember going to so many activities, so many sporting events, and being a part of girls’ soccer program. I remember getting out of school early at lunch with my 0-4 schedule. I played volleyball, soccer, and track and field, and [took] AP classes and honor classes, and having to balance that, I think that helped me grow a little bit and adjust to college life,” Morgan said.

“[My teammates] were always looking to help me out and practice with me when I needed extra practice. Even though I wasn’t able to be there every time, they were able to support me no matter what,” she added.

Although the details of the event were kept secret until the day of the visit, it was arranged beforehand. “It wasn’t much of a surprise. We wanted to make sure that it was a ceremony that could be brief enough to have during lunch. We didn’t want too many people from outside coming in. It was a planned information leak,” Athletics Director Kurt Davies said.

Morgan isn’t the first Brahma to mature into a famed, successful athlete. Ranging from NBA Keith Van Horn to PGA Kevin Na, DBHS is renowned for its prolific athletics program. In addition DBHS unofficially, ranked second among high schools in producing the most NFL players last year, according to Davies.

Davies put the honor in perspective. “For us to have as many athletes as we’ve had, playing in the NFL and different things, it’s pretty special. A lot of times we don’t appreciate the great athletes we have when they are here, but when they move on, we get to see new great things. It’s very meaningful for coaches and staff.”