Hilgendorf to step down as OCC’s Athletic Director

Tony Altobelli

COSTA MESA - For people that don’t know Jane Hilgendorf, a rocking

chair is not a proper gift for her upcoming retirement as Orange Coast

College’s Athletic Director.

After three years, Hilgendorf will step down effective Jan. 5, 2001,

closing out a 30-year career as a coach, adviser and administrator.

“I want to get back into biking, swimming, walking and running again,”

Hilgendorf said. “This job involves a ton of sitting and that’s something

I’m not a big fan of. I haven’t had the time to stay in the type of shape

I want to be in. I’d like to get back to that again.”

Stepping into Hilgendorf’s position on an interim basis will be

longtime Pirates’ Coach Fred Hokanson.

“Fred will take over for me from Jan. 5 until June 30th, then the

position will open up to everyone,” Hilgendorf said. “He and I have been

working together on all the issues. If he has any problems, he knows I’m

only a phone call away.”

For Hokanson, he’s aware of the school’s new era that is on the

horizon and is thrilled to be a major factor in the decision-making

process.

“There’s a lot of new things happening around here and I’m excited to

be a part of all the changes,” Hokanson said. “Jane came in and was a

real stabilizing force for the entire athletic department. Hopefully, I

can do enough job to continue the department’s upward direction.”

During Hilgendorf’s tenure, the department has undergone some major

facelifts, including some that are still in the process of completion.

Such improvements include new weight facilities, new sports medicine

rooms, resurfaced tennis courts, a new rubberized track, an improved

golfing facility with plans of continued upgrades, a retrofitted

gymnasium and entirely new offices for coaches as well as locker rooms

and showering facilities.

“I was hoping we would be finished with all of our refurbishing before

I would leave, but that might not be the case,” Hilgendorf said, rolling

her eyes. “If all goes well, the coaches’ rooms and lockers will be ready

by the first of the year.”

She began her tenure at OCC in 1970 and began coaching the Pirates’

volleyball program in 1971.

When a women’s team was developed in 1973, Hilgendorf coached the

squad for 18 years, compiling a 233-100 overall record and three state

championships.

Upon her completion of coaching, Hilgendorf remained at OCC and worked

in the area of curriculum and teaching assignments for the athletic

division.

When the position of Athletic Director opened up, Hilgendorf was less

than receptive.

“I actually didn’t want the job,” she admitted. “I was ready to

hang’em up two-plus years ago. They just pointed toward me to take the

job and I did.”

Upon taking the position, Hilgendorf saw the department from a

different perspective and strived to make the entire package more

attractive to not only future student-athletes, but to the coaching staff

as well.

“I really wanted to pick up the morale and make the working conditions

better,” Hilgendorf said. “We’ve got some great coaches, both full- and

part-time. They’re an energetic group of people that do a wonderful job.

I’m going to miss them more than anything.”

The coaches have seen the improvements and applaud Hilgendorf’s work.

“If I had two words to describe Jane, it would have to be, ‘caring’

and ‘honest,’ ” OCC cross country Coach John Goldman said. “Her value

here is immeasurable. She has such a love for the school and the

atmosphere surrounding the school, she’s by far the best athletic

director I’ve ever worked under. I’m sorry to see her retire, but

obviously, it’s well-deserved.”

Longtime women’s tennis Coach Janice Maran agrees with Goldman’s

praise. “Jane’s been a rock for us,” she said. “Everyone has the highest

respect for her for so long, she’s just a remarkable person. Fred

(Hokanson) has bigger feet than Jane, but it’s going to be tough to fill

her shoes at the position.”

So what advice does the soon-to-be former athletic director have for

the soon-to-be new athletic director?

“Be a good listener,” Hilgendorf said. “Always check all your sources

because sometimes one version of a story just might not be enough.”

Following Hokanson’s interim period, the position will be open and

applications will be accepted. For information, call the Coast Community

College District Human Resources Department at (714) 438-4714.

It won’t be all running, biking, swimming and golfing for Hilgendorf

upon her departure from OCC.

“I just built a new deck with patio furniture,” Hilgendorf said. “And

I’m looking forward to waking up in the morning, grabbing a cup of coffee

and a newspaper and being able to enjoy my new deck and getting to know

my neighbors.”