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Michael H. Orstein is one of the most influential coaches in Washington & Jefferson’s proud athletic history. During his 30 years as the leader of Presidents aquatics, Orstein led his teams to 487 victories, 251 PAC championship finishes, and nine conference team championships.
W&J student-athletes secured 221 school records and 61 conference records during his tenure. He coached 36 athletes to earn NCAA championship qualifying marks, including his daughter, Kaitlyn Fife ’08, who was inducted into the W&J athletic hall of fame in 2013 after winning a remarkable eight NCAA Division III championships.
A 15-time Presidents’ Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, Orstein impacted the W&J campus in many ways outside of the swimming & diving program. He also served as the head men’s and women’s track & field coach in the 1990’s and mentored another hall of fame inductee, Jaimee Heffner ’99, to a national championship in javelin in 1997.
In 1999, Orstein led the way for the college to secure a $60,000 grant from the United States Olympic Committee, to bring the sports of men’s and women’s water polo to the campus. Orstein was the head coach for both programs and was selected as the 2002 Division III Championship Coach of the Year.
In 2020, Orstein was inducted into the Pennsylvania Aquatics Hall of Fame. He has been selected to multiple chapters of the PA Sports Hall of Fame, while also earning entry into the Western PA Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
With 34 total years of head coaching experience, Orstein’s teams achieved a 547-244-4 record. His 500th triumph occurred on Nov. 22, 2014, during the Presidents’ sweep of Pitt-Bradford.
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