Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Karyn Gilbert Debbie Colberg at the podium during Sunday's ceremony. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: hornetsports.com [Click to enlarge]

The retirement banquet for former Sacramento State women's volleyball coach Debby Colberg was presented in front of family, friends, colleagues and athletes who played for Colberg in an era that spanned over three decades.

The banquet was held on Sunday in honor of Colberg's 32 years of service in Sac State athletics and administration.

Associate Athletic Director of Internal Affairs Lois Mattice was one of the main organizers of the event. Along with several other organizers, the main focus for Mattice was finding a place for the event to be held, and a date on which it would take place.

"I think the hardest part was trying to pick a date and finding a room to hold it in," Mattice said.

Not only were organizers concerned with making the banquet formal, they wanted an event that really celebrated the career of Colberg.

"We didn't want it to be overwhelming, but classy. I call it a celebration of her career," Mattice said when asked about what angle she tried to bring to the banquet.

Del Rodgers of KCRA 3 played host of the event and also covered Colberg's career for several years.

The evening started with cocktail hour at 4 p.m., then dinner and a speech by Sac State Athletic Director Terry Wanless.

"During my five and a half years here, it has been an honor to work with such a great person," Wanless said about Colberg.

Former teachers, coaches and athletes told stories about Colberg and shared fond memories of her early coaching career.

Colberg then made a speech of her own, making sure to thank everyone who has had an impact in her 32-year career with the Hornets.

"It's difficult to explain the emotions that tonight has for me … it's humbling," Colberg said.

Before university officials presented Colberg with a final gift, she had this to say about her time at Sac State:

"I am grateful to the university certainly for my education, and my career."

University officials then presented Colberg with a picture of what the gym floor would look like in the upcoming months.

The words "Colberg Court" will be displayed across the sides of the court in the Hornets Nest, and finally Wanless inducted Colberg into the Sac State Athletic Hall of Fame.

In her 32-year career, Colberg received many honors, awards and coached 30 successful volleyball teams. Not only have Colberg's athletes been successful in school athletics, they have been successful as students and human beings as well.

Alicia de la Garza can be reached at adelagarza@statehornet.com

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