Rich Kollen Steps Down As SCC Commish After 20 Years

After a 20-year run as South Coast Conference Commissioner, Rich Kollen has stepped down from the position.

Kollen was a 3C2A Management Member representing all state commissioners over the past six years as well being president of the commissioners association and chairman of various committees on officiation and other issues. He is currently a member of the 3C2A Board of Directors and on the state's finance committee.

In his SCC career, he saw South Coast colleges win 81 state team championships and helped the growth of the conference to 12 institutions with the addition of Rio Hondo College in 2016 and then the reemergence of the Los Angeles City College athletics area in 2021 after it had been dormant in athletics since 2009.

"It has been a great ride to manage the operation of the South Coast Conference, which has seen so many success stories and champions throughout the years," Kollen said. "I'm proud of my strong relationships with the many athletic directors and providing a voice for the SCC, helping oversee that our student-athletes were allowed to flourish and succeed within the rules. Under my leadership, we launched the most comprehensive conference website in the state."

Kollen organized and developed the Southern California Football Officials Association and for the past 17 years has served as the Director of Football Operations for the Southern California Football Association (SCFA) that oversees 36 community college members.

Rich is also a football replay official in the PAC 12 Conference.

Since 1992, Kollen directed annual "DayofGame" summer basketball officials camps that has developed countless officials, more than 40 referees that have moved on to work at the NCAA level, and six that are working in the NBA.

Rich had a unique distinction of being a NCAA Division I basketball and football official for over 29 years. He wrapped up his officiating career by working the 2012 Big West Basketball Tournament.

Throughout his career, he worked five CIF basketball finals, Division II National Championship game, two NIT basketball tournament games, and the NAIA National Tournament. In addition, he officiated seven NCAA Football Bowl games. 

Kollen served a distinguished 35-year career in municipal government as Recreation Director for the City of Orange before retiring from that position in 2003.