Former Saddleback coach Bill Otta inducted into ITA Hall of Fame

Bill Otta was inducted into the ITA Hall of Fame this summer. (Courtesy Saddleback College)

July 26, 2017

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. - The Saddleback athletics department is proud to announce that former coach and athletics director Bill Otta has been inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame. Otta was one of five selected for the class of 2017; a class that includes the legendary Nick Bollettieri and recently retired player James Blake.

Otta served in many capacities and was one of the original members of the Saddleback staff in 1968. He started the men's program in 1975 and won eight state titles, 17 conference championships and 10 regional titles. Otta also served as the women's coach for three seasons and was the President of the California Community College Tennis Coaches Association (CCCTCA) for four years before being inducted into the CCCTCA Hall of Fame in 2002. He was selected as both the California Coaches Association Coach-of-the-Year and Wilson/ITA National Coach-of-the-Year during his illustrious career. Otta was 447-87 over 25 years.

Otta also served as athletics director towards the end of his career at Saddleback before retiring in 2003. He was inducted into the ITA Hall of Fame this past week in Athens, Georgia Other individuals inducted were James Blake (Harvard), Nick Bollittieri (Spring Hill College), Francis Baxter (Central Oklahoma) and Matias Boeker (Georgia).