After 30 years, Orstein retiring as W&J swim coach
Courtesy of Washington & Jefferson College
Over a 30-year period, Mike Orstein built Washington & Jefferson into a swimming powerhouse in NCAA Division III.
Mike Orstein
When he came to Washington & Jefferson College in 1988 his charge was to promote, build and operate an efficient and successful swimming and diving program.
And in those days before e-mail, Twitter, Facebook or any electronic media used today, Mike Orstein made it his job to deliver the news. He would write out long-hand the results of W&J’s swim meets and other pertinent information related to the men’s and women’s swimming programs. He personally delivered it to the third-floor of the Observer-Reporter’s sports department with a smile on his face and optimism in his heart.
Orstein would speak with enthusiasm and purpose and in as sincere a manner that anyone could. Indeed, swimming – coaching and promoting it – at W&J was his passion.
Thirty-years later, Orstein has decided it is time for him to retire as one of the most successful coaches in any sport at the college. He leaves a legacy of respect, dignity and accomplishment.
“I am grateful and have been blessed to have the opportunity to coach at W&J,” Orstein said. “There is no question when I came here to coach in the fall of 1988, our swimming and diving program was a doormat and people wanted to swim W&J, wipe their feet on us and get out of the building with the win.
“But we built a program that I am very proud of – not only our success but the character of the men and women who helped cultivate the change, built winning teams and moved on to productive and successful lives.”
Scott McGuinness, W&J’s athletic director, said Orstein’s commitment to his student-athletes is at the forefront of the coach’s philosophy and purpose.
“Without a doubt, he puts student-athletes first,” McGuinness said. “He’s had a remarkable 30-year run. Coach bleeds red and black. He is ready for the next phase of his life. (His retirement) wasn’t anything I expected when he asked that we talk. He pours his heart out into coaching and everything he does. I respect his decision. Mike is selfless. This puts a cap on a wonderful career at W&J.”
Orstein came to W&J from York College, where he compiled an .847 winning percentage and turned that program into a regional power.
He was a four-time All-State swimmer at Manheim Township High School and was All-District in track for four years. At Springfield College, Orstein was a four-time All-American swimmer.
He compiled a 34-year swimming and diving record of 547-244-4 and is an inductee in the Pennsylvania Sport Hall of Fame, Washington-Greene County Chapter (2014), Western Pennsylvania Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (2015) and Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Susquehanna Valley Chapter (2016).
At W&J, Orstein posted a 487-219-3 record in his 30 years, was named Presidents’ Athletic Conference Coach of the Year 12 times, won nine PAC championships an coached eight NCAA champions.
In addition, he had 17 NCAA All-Americans, 36 national qualifiers and 251 PAC champions, among a number of other achievements.
One of his other accomplishments at W&J was introducing water polo. He secured a $60,000 grant from the United State Olympic Commission in April 1999 and promptly built a nationally recognized program.
During his four seasons as water polo coach, the Presidents were ranked nationally in the top 10 each year. W&J’s women’s team advanced to the Collegiate III National Championships in 2001, finishing 7th in 2000 and sixth in 2001.
Orstein also was the W&J men’s and women’s track coach and helped Jaimee Heffner become the school’s first female athlete to win a NCAA title (javelin) in 1997.
Orstein credits W&J’s former athletic director and football coach John Luckhardt for bringing him to the college and Washington community.
“I was attracted to W&J because of the people I met,” Orstein said. “The facilities were beautiful but there was nothing on the walls and no equipment. If not for John, I would not have come out. I thought Pittsburgh was like Philadelphia in my mind, smoke stacks and such. I had no intention to interview. But John just said to come for the interview and I fell in love with the place.”
Luckhardt said it was one of his best moves as an AD.
“Mike came here at a time when we were not promotional about many of our (athletic) programs,” Luckhardt said. “He promoted a program that was undervalued and without fanfare.
“He had tremendous people around him and he brought special people to W&J because of his energy. The program reflected that energy. He and his family fit so well in the community. He took the program from ground zero. He changed the climate and his enthusiasm made a great institution an even better place. That is significant.”
Orstein and his wife, Heather, live in East Washington and have two children Jepthah and Kaitlyn, who both attended W&J. Both were outstanding swimmers and Kaitlyn one of the greatest swimmers in NCAA history. She won eight NCAA Division III titles and was a 14-time All-American after transferring from Tennessee.
“Coaching my daughter and son is definitely the highlight of my career,” Orstein said. “Kaitlyn made a historic run.”
Orstein, 62, said he is eager to begin the next phase of his life, which will include a focus on his two granddaughters and a look toward another direction.
“I want to be clear, I am retiring as head coach of swimming and diving at W&J,” he said. “But I have plenty left in the tank. I am looking for the next challenge. God has a plan for me. I have a lot of energy left. Thirty years is a long time. I coached some amazing student-athletes at W&J.”