Publish Date: Jan 22, 2014
SALINAS, Calif. - This past Friday, January 17, 2014, Hartnell’s Soccer Head Coach
Daniel Ortega was awarded the 2013 National Coach of the Year Award for Junior College Men Division III by the National Coaches Association of America. This special recognition happened
during the 67th Annual NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia - event that attracts 10,000
visitors each year.
Ortega was one of two coaches in the nation to receive such honor, with votes coming from peers who appreciate dedication, sportsmanship, leadership, and integrity in the game.
“Daniel Ortega is a shining example of excellence in community college coaching,” said Superintendent/President of Hartnell Dr. Willard Lewallen. "His focus is on improving the lives of his student-athletes by emphasizing the achievement of educational goals. Winning a state soccer championship is impressive and being named a national coach of the year is a monumental achievement. However, watching him develop young men into future leaders who contribute to their communities is perhaps more impressive. I am proud to be his colleague."
Since becoming the Head Soccer coach in 2007, Ortega's record is an incredible 103-24-33. This is a .75 winning percentage. He has won four coast conference championships, has been to four Elite Eight appearances, and two Final Four appearances. He has been named Coast Conference coach of the year four times. This year, his team won the very first state championship in soccer for Hartnell College. His team finished #1 in California and #2 in the United States.
Hartnell's Director of Athletics, Dan Teresa could not be more proud. "With all the accolades that Daniel has accumulated over the past seven years at Hartnell, his biggest accomplishments are his student athletes in the classroom," said Teresa. "He has been a tremendous role model for his players in helping them to achieve their ultimate goal of transferring and graduating from a four-year institution."
Besides being a Head Coach, Ortega is also a full-time instructor at Hartnell, teaching Kinesiology and Individual Health. Prior to Hartnell, Ortega was an assistant coach at Watsonville High School under legendary coach Roland Hedgpeth. He currently lives in Santa Cruz, CA and is married to wife, Anne-Caroline, and proud father of two children Mateo and Savannah."
SAVE THE DATE! To celebrate Daniel and Hartnell's soccer team, a special reception will be held on Friday, February 21, 2014 at 6:00 PM at Steinbeck Hall. To attend, please email Cristina at cwestfall@hartnell.edu to RSVP.
Hartnell Community College District `
The Hartnell CCD serves over 15,000 students annually through its main campus in Salinas, the Alisal Campus in East Salinas, the King City Education Center, and various outreach learning centers throughout the Salinas Valley. Hartnell College, a Hispanic Serving Institution, provides workforce training, basic skills courses, and prepares students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Hartnell College is recognized for its innovative public and private partnerships that support world class STEM education, career technical education, fine and performing arts, humanities, and athletics. We are growing leaders through opportunity, engagement, and achievement. For more about Hartnell CCD, visit www.hartnell.edu.