The first Gathering of the Eagles was held in October, 1982, during football homecoming weekend. Over 1,000 graduates and former students attended. The full-scaled event was planned after the 1981 Homecoming. At that time, 225 individuals attended the game and a mixer at the American Legion. Upon their request, the next event was planned for the following year.
At the first meeting in February, 1982, the five original members were Joe Hickel, Louie Hartenbower, Jim Gilmer, Bernard Lange, and LeRoy Zahn. Hickel was appointed chair. The group was named the Ellinwood Alumni Association. Over 2,700 invitations were mailed to graduates and former students. The response was excellent.
Many attended the first gathering and participated in the game, the luncheon, and the pep rally. A total of ### attended the banquet at the newly-opened Holiday Convention Center, now named the Highland. Hickel served as master of ceremonies, and Gilmer was the main speaker. A poll was taken where a majority requested that future events be scheduled every three years. One individual responded to the question stating "every weekend"; another wrote "Never Again!". Additional members of that original committee were Robert Peter, Gene Schneider, Ada Hammer, Yvonne Brenn, Jerome Birzer, and Jeff Jensen.
Succeeding gatherings were held in 1985, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, and 2005. Following Hickel, other chairpersons were Robert Peter and Mike Thill. The person in charge at the present time is Susie Batchman. Other committee members from the first gatherings included Frank Koelsch, Susie Batchman, Jan Watkins, Martin Ahrens, Louie Pivonka, Brett Wells, Larry Panning, Sharon DeBusk and Charlotte Young.