Coasters column: Hokanson runs with the baton

Steve Virgen

His days are now longer than his time spent with the Orange Coast

College track and field team.

Fred Hokanson’s days pass with bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo, from

scheduling to regulations, from complaints to suggestions. Hokanson, the

interim athletic director and dean of physical education and athletics,

took the baton from Jane Hilgendorf Jan. 8, and is running to the finish

line June 30.

But, he’s hoping to embark on a new course July 1, when a permanent

replacement is scheduled to be hired.

“It’s a whole new ballgame,” said Hokanson, who plans to throw his

name into the ring of permanent AD candidates. “Emotionally, it’s very

gratifying. I’m very excited. I’ve been a track coach (since 1978). I

totally enjoy coaching. I’ve enjoyed the coaches that I’ve worked with,

Gordie Fitzel and Mike Taylor, among many others. And, I really like

working with the athletes.”

For Hokanson, OCC is more like his first home. While others are

sipping coffee and stretching, he’s rising with the sun, taking on his

tasks at Coast.

He has one tough act to follow. Before recently retiring, Hilgendorf

built quite a legacy at OCC. Her work has garnered much more than average

respectability. Hilgendorf’s tenure, simply put, is the model for all ADs

to follow.

“Jane came aboard when we were disorganized,” Hokanson said in a

politically correct tone. “We weren’t happy campers, five years ago. Jane

was really a savior for us. She’s been recognized throughout the state as

being a really great leader. We were really fortunate for her to be

here.”

And, now, the spotlight is on Hokanson. It’s his turn to make OCC

shine. His first line of action: filling four coaching positions.

He will be a part of the decisions that will place coaches at Coast

for possibly the next 15-20 years.

Aside from the dealings of 24 teams, Hokanson will have his hand on

the hirings of an assistant football coach, head dance instructor,

assistant track coach and men’s basketball head coach.

“This is the first time we’ve replaced so many people during the time

I’ve been here,” Hokanson said of the recently retired Bill Workman,

Karen Shanley, Fitzel and Tandy Gillis.

The other huge replacement comes for Hilgendorf’s position. And,

Hokanson hopes to continue her work.

If he’s not picked for the job, he will happily go back to coaching

track and field, for which Hokanson’s longtime friend and assistant,

Fitzel, came out of retirement to hold down the fort for the spring.

Hokanson actually plans to help out with track and field this season.

He will coach in his usual events: javelin and the hammer throw.

But let’s not kid each other. We all know who is running the show over

there and that’s Hokanson’s secretary, Shirley Macy.

“She’s an absolute jewel,” Hokanson said. “Without her, I’d be

completely lost!”

But, July 1, he hopes to take over as the athletic director. And, who

could blame him? Look what Hilgendorf has left him.

With the help of the athletic administration and coaches, Coast has

established itself as one of the top community colleges, with regard to

athletics, in the state.

New facilities, resurfaced fields and such are only half the story.

It’s the 24 sports teams that are making the majority of the noise.

Just this year, OCC has fortified its stature as a powerhouse on the

strength of football (a Mission Conference title and bowl game), men’s

soccer (a reversal of fortunes and a state title game), and women’s cross

country (Heather Shurtleff was the state’s No. 1 runner). In addition,

women’s water polo and women’s soccer achieved much more than expected

this season and men’s basketball began 5-0 in the Orange Empire

Conference and has built confidence for the second round of the OEC

schedule. The list goes on and on.

So, good luck to you, Fred Hokanson.