Athletic Director, Marty Ogle was honored last week at the PSUAC 50th Anniversary Awards Banquet. Ogle was given the Robert J Scannel Roll of Honor award for his service and accomplishments during his time as Mont Alto's Athletic Director. The award is presented annually to an administrator, faculty, staffmember, or coach who has served the University with distinction. It is named in honor of Robert J Scannel, the former Dean of the College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and later the Vice President and Dean of the Commonwealth Education System. It was through the efforts and support of Dr. Scannel that the Athletic and Recreational programs were established at the Pennsylvania State University's Commonwealth Campuses.
Ogle has been the Athletic Director at Mont Alto since 1989 when there were only 4 sports. He has since built the program into 12 sports with more than 150 student-athletes in participation. In his tenure he has also supervised the building of the Multipurpose Activities Center, major improvements to the soccer field, the construction of both the baseball and softball fields, and the renovation of the new fitness canter and wrestling room. Ogle was able to create staffing positions for a full time Sports Information Director that led to Mont Alto's first athletic web page. He also started the Athletic Advising Program that helps monitor student-atheltes in the classroom, and gives them availability to progress reports and study halls.
Ogle was also recognized on campus with the first ever Campus Builder Award. This award recognizes "a campus citizen who goes above and beyond doing their job well. Their actions are not undertaken for professional advancement nor are they isolated events. Instead they form a pattern of selfless behavior that benefits the Mont Alto campus community time after time."
Ogle was also instrumental in starting the first Faculty/Atheltic Committee to develop better communication between athletic administration, coaches, and faculty to ensure the academic success of the student-athletes.
Ogle was also the Head Men's Basketball Coach from 1998-2008 where he compiled a record of 178-62, and was Coach of the Year 3 times, and won the conference championship in 2001. Ogle served a huge role in the PSUAC where he served as President of the conference for 15 years, was Chairperson of the Executive Committee, and co-wrote the PSUAC Strategic Plan. He also oversaw membership negotiations to put the PSUAC into the national organization of the USCAA, as well as negotiations with Presto Sports to create web pages for all campuses to better their athletic growth.
Marty Ogle has announced his retirement for June 30th of this year, and though he will be missed, Mont Alto ahtletics will continue to succeed because of what he accomplished for this program from 1998 to date.
