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SWEDES ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT NAMES OLAN ORTIZ-ALVAREZ INTERIM HEAD BASEBALL COACH
Sep 05, 2019
LINDSBORG, Kan. – The Bethany department of athletics announces the promotion of Olan Ortiz-Alvarez to the position of Interim Head Baseball Coach.
“I was delighted that Olan agreed to lead our men’s baseball team during this time of transition. Having been with Bethany baseball for five years, I have every confidence that he will inspire our team to continue to work hard to prepare for the upcoming season,” Bethany College Interim President, Dr. Elizabeth Mauch said.
Ortiz-Alvarez has been with the Swedes since January 2015 as an assistant coach. Here, he has been in charge of infielders and hitting, worked as both a third and first base coach, developing in-game signal strategies. In addition to this, Ortiz-Alvarez has created opponent scouting reports, maintained the field, and was the top recruiter for the Swedes for the east, central parts of the United States, international athletes, as well as Puerto Rican players.
In addition to his duties for Bethany, Ortiz-Alvarez has also been active in other parts of the baseball world. Since May 2019, Ortiz-Alvarez has been a part of USA Baseball’s Fun at Bat & Major League Baseball. There, he introduced the game of baseball to elementary schools in Mexico, was an assistant coach, and was a Lead Clinic Coach for the International and Puerto Rico team.
Since July 2016, Ortiz-Alvarez has also been a Head Baseball Coach, League Director, and Scouting Director for the Puerto Rico Instructional Baseball League. Part of his duties was to be the director of operations as well as educate players about the technicalities and psychological aspects of the game. Ortiz was also an independent scout during this time, writing professional scouting reports for MLB scouts and independent league scouts. He also assisted the Kansas City Royals area scout with scouting reports and prospective players.
Ortiz-Alvarez played his first two seasons of college ball at NJCAA Division 1 school, Monroe College in New Rochelle, N.Y. From there he went to fellow KCAC school, Sterling College to round out his last two years.
“We are excited for Coach Ortiz and his opportunity as Interim Head Baseball Coach,” Swedes Dean of Athletics, Laura Moreno said. “Coach Ortiz has been an integral part of the baseball coaching staff for five seasons. His knowledge of the KCAC is invaluable, as are his baseball coaching background and attributes, mentoring capabilities, and baseball IQ. We look forward to seeing the Swedes compete under Coach Ortiz’s direction.”
Ortiz-Alvarez earned his Associate’s degree in Information Technology from Monroe College before receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management/Coaching and Instruction from Sterling College.
“I want to say thank you to Laura Moreno for giving me this opportunity and believing in me,” Ortiz-Alvarez said. “I have been here at Bethany College for six years and is an honor to accept this position and take over the baseball program. This was one of my goals when started coaching and here I am. I am very thankful for the people that helped me get my first coaching job and to get where I am at right now and I want to thank God for giving the chance to be at the top of such great institution.”
– #RockarStockar –
“I was delighted that Olan agreed to lead our men’s baseball team during this time of transition. Having been with Bethany baseball for five years, I have every confidence that he will inspire our team to continue to work hard to prepare for the upcoming season,” Bethany College Interim President, Dr. Elizabeth Mauch said.
Ortiz-Alvarez has been with the Swedes since January 2015 as an assistant coach. Here, he has been in charge of infielders and hitting, worked as both a third and first base coach, developing in-game signal strategies. In addition to this, Ortiz-Alvarez has created opponent scouting reports, maintained the field, and was the top recruiter for the Swedes for the east, central parts of the United States, international athletes, as well as Puerto Rican players.
In addition to his duties for Bethany, Ortiz-Alvarez has also been active in other parts of the baseball world. Since May 2019, Ortiz-Alvarez has been a part of USA Baseball’s Fun at Bat & Major League Baseball. There, he introduced the game of baseball to elementary schools in Mexico, was an assistant coach, and was a Lead Clinic Coach for the International and Puerto Rico team.
Since July 2016, Ortiz-Alvarez has also been a Head Baseball Coach, League Director, and Scouting Director for the Puerto Rico Instructional Baseball League. Part of his duties was to be the director of operations as well as educate players about the technicalities and psychological aspects of the game. Ortiz was also an independent scout during this time, writing professional scouting reports for MLB scouts and independent league scouts. He also assisted the Kansas City Royals area scout with scouting reports and prospective players.
Ortiz-Alvarez played his first two seasons of college ball at NJCAA Division 1 school, Monroe College in New Rochelle, N.Y. From there he went to fellow KCAC school, Sterling College to round out his last two years.
“We are excited for Coach Ortiz and his opportunity as Interim Head Baseball Coach,” Swedes Dean of Athletics, Laura Moreno said. “Coach Ortiz has been an integral part of the baseball coaching staff for five seasons. His knowledge of the KCAC is invaluable, as are his baseball coaching background and attributes, mentoring capabilities, and baseball IQ. We look forward to seeing the Swedes compete under Coach Ortiz’s direction.”
Ortiz-Alvarez earned his Associate’s degree in Information Technology from Monroe College before receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management/Coaching and Instruction from Sterling College.
“I want to say thank you to Laura Moreno for giving me this opportunity and believing in me,” Ortiz-Alvarez said. “I have been here at Bethany College for six years and is an honor to accept this position and take over the baseball program. This was one of my goals when started coaching and here I am. I am very thankful for the people that helped me get my first coaching job and to get where I am at right now and I want to thank God for giving the chance to be at the top of such great institution.”
– #RockarStockar –
Bethany College conferred degrees upon 99 students in Presser Hall Auditorium on April 27, 2024. The ceremony honored students who earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education from the college during the 2023-2024 academic year. Summer, fall, and spring graduates were honored during a Baccalaureate worship service at 10:30 a.m. in Presser Hall, followed by Commencement at 2 p.m. Campus Pastor Melissa Woeppel led the Baccalaureate Service, and Rev. Lamont Wells, Executive Director of the Network of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Co llege and Universities (NECU). Gracelyn Gaskill '24, a chemistry and music major from Lindsborg, Kansas, provided special music for Commencement. Senior class speakers Inioluwa "Enoch" Ojo '24, a biology major from Katy, Texas, and Benjamin "Ben" Turner '24, a History and Political Science Major from Peyton, Colorado, gave thoughtful remarks on their time at Bethany College, taking time to thank their friends, faculty, and coaches. Dr. Brent Mai '85, Dean of University Libraries at Wichita State University, gave the commencement address, encouraging this year's graduates to go out into the world and exercise the four tenets of stoicism: wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice.
Interim President Steve Eckman commended the efforts of the faculty and staff in securing the grant, stating, "We are immensely grateful to the McPherson County Community Foundation for their incredible generosity. This grant will benefit our students and enrich the educational experiences available in the Smoky Valley community."
The newly appointed Presidential Search Committee will commence their work immediately, aiming to recommend a candidate for Bethany College's 16th president to the board by the April 2025 board meeting.