Fullerton’s Riley Just One Away From 500th Coaching Victory

Colleen Riley, in her 22nd season as women’s basketball coach at Fullerton College, is one victory away from the 500th of her career.

She’ll try for No. 500 at 3:30 p.m. today when the Hornets play Sacramento City in the first round of the College of the Sequoias Tournament in Visalia.

Riley would be the first community college women’s coach to reach the 500 mark. But in typical fashion, she said she wants to keep it in perspective.

“I’m not thinking much about it,” she said. “It’s nice, but I’ve been pretty lucky. This has been a great place, and it is something that has just happened . . . The team is off to a good start and that’s what I’m really excited about.”

Fullerton has gone 7-0 to improve Riley’s record to 499-93.

Riley’s teams have won 15 conference titles, six Southern California titles and a state championship (1978). Her 1983 team went 27-0, but there was no state tournament.

The only community college women’s coach close to Riley on the all-time victory list is Lorene Ramsey of Illinois Central, at 491-138. Caren Franci of Santa Rosa ranks second in California, at 381-147.