Diane Ortiz began her career at Southern California College working in the morning in the Athletic Department and in the
afternoon as the switchboard operator for the school. In the summertime she would work with admissions or financial aid or business office, depending on the need. She became full time in the Athletic Department in 1986.
Her full-time job in Athletics included the following: full secretary, taking tickets at the front gate for athletic events, making deposits, certifying eligibility for all the student-athletes, operating the concession stand, arranging team travel, game management for events, babysitter, Mom, and many other tasks associated with helping improve and operate the department. As the Athletic Department evolved and eligibility became more complicated, Ortiz became versed in NAIA compliance and was totally responsible for certifying the eligibility for every student-athlete and team at SCC/Vanguard. In her time at Vanguard University it has been estimated that she certified over 7,200 student athletes to participate in the Golden State Athletic Conference and the NAIA. Her knowledge of the NAIA eligibility rules and regulations was vital to the department and was regarded highly by local institutions.
Every successful organization or department needs a person who works diligently behind the scene that allows everything to operate smoothly and efficiently. Diane Ortiz performed that role admirably for thirty years. For seventeen of the years, Diane drove 120 miles a day from Carlsbad, California. She is dependable, extremely well organized, and personable. She has partnered with two Athletic Directors and over fifty head coaches in her tenure. To Diane Ortiz her tenure in the Athletic Department has been more than an assignment or job; it has been a ministry of love serving student athletes as well as coaches.
Said former Athletic Director Bob Wilson in the program for her induction, " Diane Ortiz has not only served the student athletes and coaches well during her tenure at Vanguard University, she has represented our institution well in the GSAC and the NAIA. She has been a mom, a babysitter, an advocate for students and staff, and a person that richly deserves this honor. She is the person behind the sense that made the Athletic Department function with her expertise and positive reinforcement."
The program in the 2014 added this update, "Diane lives in Huntington Beach, California with her husband Frank. She has a son Don, a daughter Julie, stepsons Art and Frank, stepdaughter Joleen, and ten grandchildren."
