Michael Ortman - Associate AD/Facilities & Stadium Manager - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Michael Ortman

Title:
Associate AD/Facilities & Stadium Manager
Email:
Phone:
852-3893

Michael Ortman was elevated to Associate Athletic Director of Facilities & Game Operations in July 2019 after five years as UofL’s Stadiums Manager. In this new role, Ortman oversees the facility and game operations staffs for all home events along with the grounds staff that maintain the turf areas both inside and outside all athletic facilities.

Recently, Ortman had oversight with the two-year expansion of Cardinal Stadium and the football facility that was completed prior to the 2018 football season.

Before coming to the UofL, Ortman worked 17 years at Soldier Field in Chicago, serving as the Director of Operations for his final 12 years there. He oversaw the facility’s operations encompassing the 98 acres of park land, parking structures and stadium. He coordinated the operational needs for the more than 225 events held annually in and around the stadium.
Overseeing and coordinating the staff of over 250 trades, cleaning, landscaping and facility operations staff were part of Ortman’s focus. Additional responsibilities included the stadium life safety, operating systems and as the lead contact for all media needs for the facility for every event.

On an annual basis, Ortman created and oversaw the stadium’s annual capital improvement program that accounted for projects that were done to maintain the original 1924 historic structure along with projects to continue to keep Soldier Field on the cutting edge of technology and fan amenities.

During Ortman’s tenure, Soldier Field was recognized as the first stadium in the country to receive the certification of LEED-EB through the United States Green Building Council.

Between 2005 and 2014, Ortman was a part of 10 Super Bowls, working as the AFC team coordinator ensuring team access and needs were met both on the sidelines and in the locker room for the NFL.

He earned his degree in animal science in 1995 and his master’s in business administration in 1997, both from Western Illinois. Ortman and his wife Christine have three children: Samantha, Madison and Austin.