Anita Ortega
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Anita Ortega was a basketball player at UCLA. She was an All-American, and she was the pivotal player that gave the team an opportunity to participate in the AIAW Final Four. The team went on to defeat the University of Maryland, College Park in 1978 to take the Division I collegiate title (National Champions). In 1979, she played in the 1979 Pan American Games, representing Puerto Rico. Her father was born in Bayamón.
Anita played in the Women's Basketball League (WBL) from 1979 to 1981. She was an all-star for the San Francisco Pioneers. In 1982, Anita returned to her alma mater as an assistant basketball coach.
In 1984, Anita pursued a career in law enforcement. She presently hold the position of Captain with the Los Angeles Police Department. She also officiates Division I Women's Basketball.
In 2002, Anita was inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame.
In 2006, Anita and her law enforcement background were used to develop a character in John Kuri's novel, "Takin' it Back."
In 2006, Anita was also featured in the book "Mad Seasons: The Story of the First Women's Professional Basketball League, 1978-1981," by Karra Porter (University of Nebraska Press, May 2006).
In 2006, Anita was nominated as the chair for the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) board of directors.
