Al Bortke got more than what he bargained for when he coached the St. Catherine's JV squad while a student at Valley City State.

It was through the team's student manager where Bortke met his lifelong partner Linda Ukestad, a woman he now calls "Toots."

Ukestad attended St. Catherine's games to watch her brother, Larry, play. Al eventually married Linda, and they celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary on June 24. They are the parents of two grown sons, Todd and Paul, who live in Bismarck.

Linda couldn't have been a better fit for Al. He spent 13 years coaching high school boys basketball. In 1973, Al took over the University of Mary men's program and became the school's first athletic director. He coached both of his sons during his tenure, although Paul's career was shortened due to back problems.

Al focused on being a full-time administrator in 1989.

"I grew up around sports,"Linda said. "My brother used to drag me to the football field while he would kick extra points. I grew up with a father who loved baseball. I loved Roger Maris."

After 35 years of service, Al stepped down as the school's athletic director at the end of June. The 71-year-old will stay on staff as an associate to newly-hired athletic director Roger Thomas.

"Al always gave 100 percent at the University of Mary," Linda said. "He put in an honest day of work out there every day. He earned every penny."

Perfect fit

Just like the Bortkes were meant to be a couple, they were also tailored for U-Mary.

Through all of Al's years of service to U-Mary stood Linda. During his coaching tenure, Linda brought her sons with her out to the hill daily to watch practice.

She attended each home game, even when Al moved to full-time athletic director. She washed and mended uniforms. She welcomed the parents with coffee and cookies after home games. She scouted games for Al while he was on the road.

"She knew each player's traits," said Al, a native of Hettinger. "She knew if they went left or right. She knew the different offenses and defenses."

Linda welcomed the athletes into their home. She once cooked 60 pounds of turkey for Thanksgiving because the team couldn't be with their families for the holiday.

"We fell in love with the University of Mary," Linda said. "The whole university is part of our whole family. Our kids talk and they say the former basketball players here are an extension of our family."

Al recalled a time when he was on a road trip to Eastern Oregon. Linda called to tell him the pump in the washing machine broke down.

"I told her to call somebody and have them put another one in,"Al said. "She said she went and got one and did it herself. I don't even know where the pump is."

Doing it right

Some of Linda's favorite years were when Al coached basketball at U-Mary. Linda not only enjoyed the action on the floor, but she also approved of the way Al related to his players.

"I've always admired that the education of the students came first,"Linda said. "When they were on the road, Al always made sure the kids got to church on Sunday."

Al took advantage of his drives out to the university, designating that span for prayer time, Linda said.

"He's a good Christian man,"Linda said. "I can get disgusted with people, but Al can come back and find the good in somebody."

Linda appreciated the fact that Al recruited the talented Native American players. Al has been recognized by the Natives with two eagle feathers the highest honor one can receive.

"He had wonderful Native American players,"Linda said. "There was a writeup in Sports Illustrated that showed how Al gave Native Americans an opportunity to play ball. Every one of them graduated."

Al demanded his players conducted themselves properly on and off the court.

"He demanded respect for the Benedictine order," Linda said. "He never wanted to embarrass the Benedictine nuns. He never wanted to embarrass the institution. He never wanted the students to embarrass the university."

Al's job at U-Mary gave the Bortkes a large social group. Al was singled out twice in the Denver airport by an athletic director and the daughter of a former player.

"We've never been in an airport where somebody didn't know Al," Linda said. "It's hard to go Christmas shopping with Al because he knows everybody. I got a chance to meet a lot of different coaches from a lot of different sports."

Outside of the 'U'

The Bortkes expanded their social circle outside of U-Mary. Al served on the board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He served as president and secretary of the North Dakota Special Olympics board and was a regional representative.

Al first got involved with Special Olympics when he was contacted to help a basketball clinic in Mandan.

"College kids have the skills to do it," Al said. "We talk about overachieving. To see what those athletes go through, that's triple overachievement. They taught me a lot about life."

Al coached the Mandan Special Olympics team to a state basketball title. With all the wins he piled up in his coaching career, Linda said that was one of the most special.

"Inever heard Al so excited as he was when they won that state tournament,"Linda said."

It was through Paul's early health problems where Al decided to become involved to better the community.

"When I saw him laying in the hospital, I said, 'If you help him survive this, I will do something for people less fortunate,'" Al said.

Al and U-Mary track coach Mike Thorson teamed together to bring in the Special Olympics athletes for a home track meet. After the men and women competed in each event, a heat for Special Olympic athletes was run.

Even though Al is retiring, he plans to fulfill his duties as an associate in every possible way.

"Idon't plan on missing a day,"he said. "I will be here from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. It just won't be a 24-hour job like an athletic director."