Making his name in Canada's official national sport, Gary Gait's play drew the inevitable comparisons to hockey's Wayne Gretzky or basketball's Michael Jordan. A natural scorer who developed a knack for pulling off feats of athleticism not seen by most lacrosse watchers, Gary became the gold - or was that goal? - standard for attackers in the sport.

Whether it was shattering scoring records as a member of the Esquimalt Legion junior box team, scoring an NCAA-record 70 times in leading the Syracuse Orangemen to the 1988 national field lacrosse crown, or being the offensive sparkplug on title-winning Victoria Shamrocks and pro teams, Gary Gait set himself apart from the crowd.

Supported and complemented on the floor by twin brother Paul, he was an oft-unstoppable force from minor lacrosse through junior and at the college level, where the brothers led the Orange to three NCAA crowns. Back home the boys used their prowess on the field to help the Victoria Seasprays win two national championships, but went separate ways upon joining the senior box ranks.

Gary was already well into a successful professional career in the National Lacrosse League (three league titles, multiple league MVP awards) and had won two Mann Cup championships (1991, '97) and two Cup MVP awards (1990, '97) by the time he rejoined Paul for the Shamrocks' 50th anniversary season in 1999. The dynamic duo led the team that year and shared the Mann Cup MVP award as the 'Rocks won Gary's third and last senior box title at Memorial Arena.

Victoria teenage lacrosse star, Paul Gait, is said to have wrapped up an MVP performance at the 1985 Minto Cup national championships by stating that he and twin brother Gary's goals were to win the Minto and Mann cups and the NCAA field lacrosse title. The Gaits, virtually inseparable from the time they picked up tiny sticks playing backyard lacrosse to the point they joined the senior box ranks, won all three and more in their careers, chalking up no less than a dozen national or international titles.

Seen by some observers as the playmaking half of the duo, Paul scored his share of goals as well. His career highlights included scoring an incredible 29 goals and 29 assists in six games for the Esquimalt Legion to take MVP honours in the 1987 Minto Cup, and notching the winning goal to get Syracuse University into the 1988 NCAA final, which they won.

After college graduation, the brothers went their separate ways in the game, joining different senior teams and professional squads. They would rejoin each other in springtime to play for the Victoria Seasprays field team, with whom they won two national crowns.

Paul and Gary enjoyed a fitting homecoming in 1999, however, joining forces again with the senior Victoria Shamrocks. Not only did they win the Mann Cup on their home floor at Memorial Arena, the pair were named co-MVPs of the tournament.

It is most fitting that they enter the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame as individuals, yet together.