Bio

Colin Preston was named Director of Athletics and Kinesiology in January 2016 after serving as Director of Athletics at Academy of Art University. Preston oversees the 22 Warriors athletic programs and athletic/kinesiology staff. 

Preston, a California native, was born in Modesto and now resides in Hawthorne with his wife, Jess and daughters Madison and Molly. A graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, Preston earned his undergraduate degree in History and minored in Sport Management. Preston received his master’s degree from University of San Francisco in Sport Management.

Intercollegiate Administrative Experience:

• January, 2016-Present: Director of Athletics & Kinesiology - El Camino College
• January, 2013-January, 2016: Director of Athletics - Academy of Art University (Art U)
• January, 2012-January, 2013: Assistant (Associate) Athletic Director, Compliance - Art U
• August, 2008-December, 2011: Assistant Athletic Director, Operations - Art U
• April, 2007-August, 2008: Associate Athletic Manager - Art U

Coaching Experience:

• January, 2011-December, 2011: Assistant Men's Soccer Coach - Art U
• May, 2008-April, 2009: Assistant Women's Soccer Coach - Art U

Leadership Positions: 

• 2020-Present: California Community College Athletic Association - Awards Committee
• 2019-Present: California Community College Athletic Association - Management Council Representative (Tennis)
• 2017-Present: Conference Representative - National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrator
• 2016-Present: Executive Committee - National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators 
• 2015-2016: NCAA DII Regulatory Advisory Group member
• 2014-2016: Men's Golf NCAA Reginal Advisory Committee
• 2013-2016: Board of Director for the NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Association
• 2013-2015: Men's Soccer NCAA Regional Advisory Committee
• 2014: NCAA Leadership Development Forum (Facilitator)
• 2009: Directed Pacific West Conference Cross Country Championship

Athletic Achievements (As Director of Athletics):

• El Camino College:
  • 16 programs finished top 3 in CCCAA
  • 14 Conference Championships
  • 2018-2019: Best finish in NATYCAA and CCCAA Cup Standings in program history
  • 2019 Men's Soccer best season since 1992
  • 2019 Men's Water Polo earned first playoff berth since 1993
  • 2019 Baseball best finish in program history 
  • 2017 Softball best finish in program history 
  • 2017-2019 Football three straight postseason appearances (first since 2007)
• Academy of Art University: 
  • Two NCAA National Champions Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
  • Four Conference Championships
  • Nine of Sixteen programs qualified for post season

Academic and Community Awards (As Director of Athletics):

• Five El Camino College Programs selected as CCCAA Scholar Team of the Year past five years (Previous 20 years, 11 programs)
• Four Student-Athletes named CCCAA Scholar Honor Roll past five years (Previous 32 years, 11 individual awards)
• 2019 CCCAA Male Scholar-Athlete of Year (Aaron Thomas - Football), first El Camino College section since 1985
• Four Student-Athletes selected as South Coast Conference Don MacKenzie Memorial Scholarship Winners (El Camino did not have one prior to 2017)
• Two Pacific West Conference Community Engagement Awards
• One Pacific West Conference Diversity & Inclusion Award
• Nine National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrator (NACMA) awards
• NCAA Division II Award of Excellence Finalist for National Coming Out Day
• Andrea Nieto Top 25 finalists for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award
• Two Coach Wooden Cup Semi-Finalists 
• First Place in NCAA Division II Helper Helper TeamWorks Competition, with women's soccer ranked No. 1 in DII, volleyball No. 2, and women's golf No. 5.

Fundraising and Facility Upgrades (As Director of Athletics):

• Raised record funds at Academy or Art University Golf Tournaments
  • $20,000 Title Sponsor (first one in history)
• Developed financial plan and raised $35,000 for the addition of a new El Camino College Baseball club house and $30,000 batting cage
• Oversaw $250,000+ athletic facility rental revenue at El Camino College
  • New position was formed after athletic success of renting facilities 
• Increased annual revenue by $100,000 from 2015-2016 to 2017-2018
• First $40,000+ donation for El Camino College athletics
• Oversaw and implemented largest El Camino College athletic alumni event in program history 
• Raised record funds at El Camino College Golf Tournaments
• Signed program wide fundraising deal with eTeamSponsor