By Randy Barber
BRECKENRIDGE – Excellence in athletics has become synonymous with Ponderosa High School. While it is usually the Mustang’s wrestling, football or poms programs in the spotlight, this week the administrator behind much of the success was honored.
Ponderosa Athletic Director Tim Ottmann recently received the Colorado Athletic Directors Association’s (CADA) State Award of Merit. The winner of the prestigious State Award of Merit is selected from nominations from the CADA Board of Directors.
CADA is the local affiliate of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrator’s Association (NIAAA), which recognizes one athletic director in each state, based on their demonstration of outstanding leadership and meritorious service and achievement in the vocation of interscholastic administration.
Ottmann was recognized during CADA’s 42nd Annual Awards Banquet on April 27th, 2015 at the Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge, Colorado.
He has been at Ponderosa for 25 years and an athletic director for the past 20 years. During this time, the Mustangs have garnered 25 State Championships and 50 League Championship.
In fact, as the former wrestling coach at Ponderosa, he was one of the most successful coaches in the state of Colorado and the nation. His wrestling teams captured eight state championships and 14 consecutive league championships prior to his retirement as coach in 2008.
Additionally, Ottmann has been a member of NIAAA for 13 years and served on the CADA Executive Committee from 1999-2001and is the current Continental League President. He was named the CADA Athletic Director of the year in 1998.
Known around the state as a “coach of coaches”, Ottmann is always willing to share his knowledge and tips for success with coaches at Ponderosa and throughout Colorado.