When Bob Montgomery walked through the entrance of the Shadyside High School gymnasium Saturday, he got a well-deserved round of applause. There were several other people in that gym who earned applause as well. If not for them, Montgomery might not have been able to walk through that door.

Montgomery was officiating a Shadyside-Caldwell boys basketball game on Dec. 12, when he collapsed on the court and went into full cardiac arrest. As shocking as the scene was, several people jumped right into action.

Fellow official E.J. Schodzinski started CPR. One nurse, Koty Jennewein, was at Montgomery’s head. Another, Shawna Coyne, stood by and was ready to spell Schodzinski with CPR.

Shadyside Principal John Poilek grabbed the AED in the gymnasium and handed it to the high school’s trainer, Rachel Halstead, who put it to use to help revive Montgomery.

What a wonderful display of quick thinking, teamwork and compassion for others. A group of people refused to freeze in the moment, each taking on a task that literally was life or death. Their heroics allowed Montgomery to come back to the gym and thank those who saved him in person.

“Shadyside High School and the community of Shadyside will always be in my heart,” Montgomery said Saturday. “It’s a very emotional time for me. They brought me back (to life) twice that night.”

Poilek was overjoyed to welcome the longtime official back to his school.

“It was amazing to see him here tonight,” he said.

Poilek had a part in that, as did several others. They’re heroes and earned a standing ovation.