A true pioneer for women’s athletics, former Fullerton College Physical Education instructor and coach Colleen Riley passed at 2:15 am this Wednesday morning ending her two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Colleen embodied the saying “Once a Hornet always a Hornet. Colleen was a Fullerton College player, coach, student, instructor, assistant AD, and friend of Fullerton college staff and students. Most of her life was spent at Fullerton College and her contributions have reached generations of students with her endless energy and passion for sports.
Before her passing she was recognized for her many accomplishments, State Champion, 559 win’s, first community college woman coach to have an article in Sports Illustrated, coach of the year, 1st class in the athletic hall of fame, and just last spring inducted into the CCCAA hall of fame. These and many more achievements were recognized by former players and colleagues at the South Gym court dedication last Fall in which the court was named after her.
“The last I spoke with her she said ‘well this is not how I planned it’ but with her optimistic nature and like the champion she was I’m sure she had a game plan. She had quite a journey that many of us at Fullerton College were able to share in”, Fullerton College Dean of Physical Education, Dr. Susan Beers.
“I know those of you who knew Colleen were touched by her spirit. She was my mentor, my coach, my teacher, but most of all my friend. The principles and ideals she instilled were instrumental in the growth and development of my life, as well as countless student athletes. She will be missed by all, but her actions will always embody the spirit and pride of Fullerton College”, FC Head Women’s Basketball Coach Debi Woelke.
“I know that I am biased but she was the most amazing woman I know and she showed us strength and courage, just as we would have expected from this remarkable woman. I gain strength knowing that she is already scouting for her next recruit for the basketball and softball team she will be forming up there!”, Cindy Hauser, twin sister.
Colleen is survived by her twin sister Cindy Hauser, brother Tom Riley, and her partner Linda Daly.
A celebration of Colleen’s life will be held in the Fullerton College South Gym on Riley court on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 6:00 pm.
Donations for the Colleen Riley Scholarship are being accepted through the Fullerton College Athletic Department. Contact: (714) 992-7045.
Riley grew up in Michigan, moving to California with her family while in high school. Colleen, a sports enthusiast, attended Anaheim High School, where she encountered the opportunity to play organized sports, field hockey, softball, and basketball. She always had a big love of team sports.
After Riley graduated, she felt there was one natural place to go to continue her education and sports development – Fullerton College.
Riley excelled at a variety of sports, playing for former softball coach and women’s athletic director, Margo Davis. She then transferred to Cal State L.A. and then Whittier College, where she earned a degree in physical education.
Riley’s path led her to Valencia High School in Placentia, where she taught physical education, and became a coach. At the time, there was not much in terms of interscholastic play, but it was fun nonetheless. Riley then went on to serve as one of the founding faculty members of El Dorado High School where she served as girl’s basketball coach.
With men’s sports in the driver’s seat in those days, very little attention, if any, was given to women’s athletics. However, Riley had begun to make a name for herself, and when a position opened up for a coach at Fullerton College, she was immediately contacted.
In keeping with tradition three decades later, Riley has amassed 540 wins (1968-1994). In Riley’s coaching career, she has averaged 22.5 victories per year. Her teams have won 15 conference championships, six Southern California Championships and a State Championship in 1978. In 1983, Riley’s squad had a perfect 27–0 season. With 559 wins under her belt, Riley was the first coach in community college women’s basketball history to win 500 games.
Fullerton College
• 1969-94 FC Head Women’s Basketball Coach
• FC Assistant Athletic Director 1995-2001
• Career coaching record of 559-147 (.792)
• 559 total wins in 25 seasons – ranked 4th all-time in CCCAA women’s basketball
• Amassed 500 wins by 1990 – the first community college coach in the nation to win 500 women's basketball games
• 1 state title (1978, 27-3 overall record, 14-0 conference record)
• 6 Southern California Championships (before state championship tournament)
• 4 undefeated seasons (1970, 1972, 1974, 1983)
• 15 conference titles (10 undefeated)
• Averaged 22.5 victories a year (in a 25-game average season)
• 1992 CCCWBCA Hall of Fame Inductee (the first class)
• 2005 Fullerton College Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee (the first class)
• 2011 CCCAA Hall of Fame Inductee
Source: Fullerton College
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