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LATINO WRESTLING EXPERIENCE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM | 35 Toward the back of the media guide for the Arizona State University wrestling, one finds a listing of brothers (and even fathers and sons) who have competed for the program over the past six decades. It is interesting to note that, in keeping with the tradition of wrestling as a multi-generational sport among many Latino families, that six of the bands so designated have Spanish- surnames. Among those with the proudest of Sun Devil traditions, is the Ortiz clan from Tucson. The patriarch, Richard Sr., began the family mat habit by competing for Tucson High School in the 1950s. Overall, three brothers wore the ASU singlet, with Thom and Eddie Ortiz's career being among the most hallowed in the program's history. By the time of their arrival in Tempe, however, the Ortizes had already gained notoriety at the high school level, with Thom garnering the greatest prestige with an overall high school record of 95-2, two state titles (at 126 and 145 pounds.), and being named national high school wrestler-of-the-year while competing for Arizona high school powerhouse, the Sunnyside Blue Demons. Eddie Ortiz was the first member of the family to earn accolades on behalf of ASU; finishing fourth in the NCAA tournament and earning All-America status at 126 pounds in 1980. Thom followed and surpassed his brother, becoming a three-time All-American, finishing fourth at 142 pounds in 1988, seventh at 150 pounds in 1989 and second at 142 pounds in 1990. Overall, Thom's career at ASU was the most impressive of the Ortiz family, as he tallied a total of 118 victories (now ninth on the school's all- time list). Thom was also part of the legendary 1988 ASU squad that claimed the school's lone national title. Eddie completed his career with a 33-9-2 mark. After finishing his time as a grappler and earning a degree in finance, Thom made coaching his career, serving as a graduate assistant during 1990-91, and then as interim head coach between the end of the tenures of Bobby Douglas and the arrival of Lee Roy Smith. Thom followed his mentor Douglas to Iowa State University, where he served as assistant until 2001. During his time in Ames (in addition to earning a Master's in Human Resources Management in 1998) Ortiz gained a national reputation as an excellent recruiter -- including bringing in and mentoring Cael Sanderson -- and was a finalist for national assistant-coach-of-the-year in 2000. He then got the opportunity for his dream job, being named head coach of the Sun Devils in April of 2001, succeeding Smith. The Ortiz era at Tempe was a continuation of the excellence of the Sun Devil tradition, with multiple Pac-10 titles and as high as a fifth-place finish at the NCAA in 2003. The squad's best single campaign was in 2005-06, when ASU finished 14-7 and earned a sixth-place finish at nationals. Overall, Thom completed his coaching career at ASU with a record of 79-60-1. At the end of the 2008-2009 season however, a record of 5-8 led to his dismissal. In addition to his ties to ASU and Sunnyside High School, Thom Ortiz continues to work with Grand Canyon State youth in the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club, helping to assure that the next generation of Arizonans will have a tie to the great grappling history of their state. 1986-1990 142lbs // 150lbs Arizona State University 1978-1980 126lbs Arizona State University EDDIE ORTIZ THOM ORTIZ THOM ORTIZ