University Park, Pa. — Penn State Assistant Athletic Director Jan Bortner has been inducted into York, Pa., High School’s BT Express Hall of Fame. Bortner, a York native, was inducted as part of the class of 2011 along with his older brother Jay Bortner. The BT Express Hall of Fame had its induction ceremony this past Saturday at the Yorktowne Hotel.
"It was an honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, especially alongside my older brother, Jay Bortner, a 1962 graduate and retired Air Force Colonel," Bortner, a 1971 York graduate, said. "Any time you receive such an honor, you are reminded of the very special people who provided the inspiration and support along the way. I have been greatly impacted by teachers, coaches, mentors, family members and, most importantly for me, my father and mother. They both sacrificed so much in order for me and my four brothers and sisters to enjoy competitive sports. My dad always told me that you will work the rest of your life, so play sports when you are young and take advantage of the valuable life lessons sport can teach you."
The former head coach of the Penn State men’s and women’s tennis teams, Bortner has served as assistant athletic director since September 2005 and is the primary administrator for 12 men’s sports and four women’s sports. In 16 seasons (1990-2005) as the Nittany Lions’ men’s tennis coach, Bortner earned a 199-159 record and led Penn State to the school’s first ever NCAA Tournament victory. Prior to his tenure as men’s coach, Bortner posted a 125-45 mark as head women’s tennis coach from 1982-90, including seven Atlantic-10 titles and a regional crown. His combined record was 324-204.
Bortner was the 1989 and 1996 Eastern Region Intercollegiate Tennis Association Coach of the Year and was a candidate for National Coach of the Year. As a player at Penn State, Bortner was a four-year tennis letterwinner and three-year No. 1 singles starter. He won the Eastern Collegiate singles title in 1973 and 1975. He participated in the NCAA Championship from 1972-75 and advanced as far as the NCAA quarterfinals.
Bortner graduated from Penn State with a bachelor’s in general arts and sciences in 1975. He earned a master of science in sports administration in 1984. He played professionally for one year after graduation, competing on the Colgate Grand Prix Tour and the American Express Satellite Circuit. In January 2007, Bortner was inducted in to the York Area Sports Hall of Fame. Bortner and wife, Laraine, a Penn State graduate, have three children — Jessica, Ashley and David. All three graduated from Penn State — Jessica in 2005, Ashley in 2007 and David in 2010.
