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Thursday, May 26, 2005

Moriarty High's AD Is Retiring

By Harold Smith
Mountain View Telegraph
    Michael A. Ortiz bleeds green and white— always has, always will.
    But after seven years as the athletic director for Moriarty High School, as well as its feeder middle schools, Ortiz will retire at the end of June.
    The 48-year-old educator, who has been with Moriarty Municipal Schools for 23 years, was in charge of 98 coaching positions as the AD.
    "Before me, some coaches were putting our athletes in black uniforms," said Ortiz, who sets the example by always wearing Kelly green on the job. "Now, black is a good color, but our school colors are green and white. Farmington can wear black. St. Pius has some black."
    "But," he emphasized once again, "our colors are green and white."
    Ortiz has a passion for his favored hues.
    He was a center for the Pintos basketball team and did hurdles, the high jump and legs of the 440- and 880-yard relays in track.
    In track, then in Class 2A, his team took second at state with just five competitors, he said. The basketball team was the district champion.
    "I graduated from here (Moriarty High) in '75," Ortiz said. "I was a four-sport athlete: football, baseball, basketball, track."
    Green and white has defined Ortiz's career.
    He ran cross country and track for the green- and white-clad teams at Eastern New Mexico University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1980. He also got minors in history and driver's education.
    Four years ago, he garnered a master's in administration from New Mexico Highlands University.
    For his first teaching post, Ortiz was the one and only P.E. teacher and coach at tiny House High in southwestern Quay County.
    The school colors for the Cowboys and Cowgirls just happen to be green and white.
    "There, I taught history, health (from 1980-82)," he said. "I was the P.E. department, coached students at the high school, middle school and elementary. And then, I was the driver's ed department.
    "House was a great experience... Every place I've been has helped me. I took those experiences with me."
    Karen Couch, the Moriarty Municipal Schools superintendent, said Ortiz will be tough to replace.
    "When I first came here, he told me, 'I bleed green and white,' '' Couch said. "I chuckled at that then, but he really does in that he fights for his programs like a tenacious terrier. And that's good for his programs, for the school and the students."
    Ortiz is proud of the improvements to Moriarty's athletic facilities during his term. They include the new auxiliary gym and track, the upgraded baseball and softball facilities, the renovated gym lobby and the new football concession facility. The auxiliary gym is nearing completion, he said.
    "I like all the sports," Ortiz said. "It's opportunities for the kids. Except for golf and softball, all our teams have made it (to postseason) in the last few years. And softball had its first winning season ever this year."
    Ortiz did a stint at the middle school. Meanwhile, he took over the Lady Pintos' high school track team in 1982.
    "I was a three- or four-sport coach all the way through '80 to '90," he said. "And I taught New Mexico history and U.S. history, world history, civics, geography, economics, physical education, and I taught the weights class."
    Ortiz and his wife, Priscilla, will continue to live in Moriarty. He describes his spouse as "my high school sweetheart."
    The couple's children, also of Moriarty, include Fabian (21), Patrick (18), Melissa (10) and their eldest, the married Francine Montaño. Patrick graduated from Moriarty High on Saturday. The two oldest also are former Pintos.
    "The job was very demanding, time-wise," Ortiz said. "This summer, I'm going to spend some time with my family and catch up on projects at home, work on my garage, maybe do some hunting and fishing. And I still have my driver's ed business."
    Ortiz expressed an interest in coming back to the school after a year's respite, "but in a different capacity," Couch said.
    The AD's position remains open. The interview process probably won't begin for at least four weeks, Couch said.
    For information, call the Moriarty Municipal Schools personnel department at 832-4471.
    "I've always tried to consider all the kids when making decisions," Ortiz said. "I've been fortunate to have a lot of good coaches. I can't say that I have any regrets."