Former Saddleback College tennis coach Bill Otta, an Anaheim High Class of ’57 graduate, has been inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame during an enshrinement banquet held May 25, at the University of Georgia campus during the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships.
Otta, who spent 25 years coaching tennis at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, was one of the original staff members at Saddleback when the college opened its doors in 1968, being hired as the first athletic trainer while also teaching classes in first aid, health, sports medicine, and tennis.
The college started its tennis program prior to the 1975 season with Otta being hired as the first tennis coach. He spent 22 years as the men’s tennis coach, capturing 17 conference titles, 10 Southern California regional titles, and eight state championships. He also spent three seasons as the women’s tennis coach, winning two more conference titles.
During a 34-year career at Saddleback College he spent 25 years coaching tennis where he amassed an overall record of 447-87 (.837 winning percentage) with 19 conference titles. In addition to numerous conference Coach of the Year awards, he was named the ITA Community College Coach of the Year in 1990 and the California Community College Coaches Association Coach of the Year in both 1991 and 1996.
He has previously been inducted into the Cal State L.A. Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994 and the California Community College Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2002.
Of course, Bill was a standout tennis player at Anaheim, lettering four years. He went on to play for Fullerton College, where he was a conference champion of the FC championship teams in 1957 and 1958. He also played on the conference championship teams at CSU Los Angeles during 1960-62. His first coaching job was with AUHSD Magnolia High School from 1963 to 1967.
In addition, Bill co-authored a book on tennis with UCLA Coach Glenn Bassett entitled “Tennis Today,” a textbook for tennis classes at the college level.
Congratulations Bill!
With nearly half of the $24,000 goal realized for initial funding, Anaheim High’s 
Class of ’55 graduate Bob Penfield is convinced his life has been charmed. During his 42 years with Disneyland, he always seemed to find himself in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. Bob shares his journey, and the story of the world famous theme park he grew up with, in his new book “The Last Original Disneylander – Stories & Secrets from the Last of Retire of the First to be Hired.”
Three days later, he was named foreman of the Snow White ride and, as soon as he turned 21, was promoted to management. He later transferred into the Facilities Division, where he got the opportunity to explore and examine every square inch of the park. Along the way, he also enjoyed side trips to help open Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics, and the New York World’s Fair.
TomNabbe.com or via Amazon.com in paperback or Kindle Edition.
