LOS ANGELES — Andy Collins '07, one of the greatest Occidental College student-athletes of all-time who tragically passed away at age 27, will have his No. 1 jersey retired on Oct. 6 at Oxy's second home football game of the 2012 season.
Collins was a three-time SCIAC Offensive Player of the Year as the Oxy football team's quarterback from 2004-2006 and had a successful professional football career in the Arena Football League, most notably with the Los Angeles Avengers, Colorado Rush, and Spokane Shock.
While working out on a treadmill in August of 2011, 10 days after marrying Brooke Olzendam, he suffered a heart attack that took his life.
But his memory and legacy as one of the true Oxy legends lives on.
Collins will become the first Tiger football player to have his jersey retired during a pregame ceremony just before kickoff at Oxy's SCIAC game against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. A reception will also be held on campus starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Dumke Commons in the newly renovated Swan Hall where teammates, coaches, friends, and fans can share stories about the fallen quarterback. Andy's family will be in attendance for this special occasion.
On the field he couldn't have been better. The Tigers never lost a regular season football game with Collins as their leader, rattling off 27 consecutive victories. Andy was named the 2006 American Football Coaches Association quarterback of the year and an All-American by the AFCA.
"I'm not sure you could find anyone that remembers a SCIAC football player that was as good as Andy," said Eric Bergstrom, Oxy's current offensive coordinator who coached Collins for three years. "He was a special player and a special person."
Off the field, his contributions as a model citizen and friend make his memory everlasting in the hearts and minds of the Oxy community.
Click here to donate directly to the event. To RSVP, or if you would like more information about the event, contact Mike Libby at libbymr@gmail.com (323 243-1140) or Zac Zakowski atzacsakowski@gmail.com (661 203-7733).