BEVERLY, Mass. — Veteran collegiate athletics leader Patrick Colbert has been named Commissioner of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC).
Colbert, who vacates his post as Deputy Commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in Texas, succeeds Gregg M. Kaye, who in January announced his departure at the end of the 2022–23 academic year. Colbert will become the second full-time CCC Commissioner since the role was established in 2007 and will begin his appointment effective July 17.
"We are delighted that Patrick will be the new Commonwealth Coast Conference Commissioner," said CCC Chair and Endicott College President Steven R. DiSalvo, Ph.D., who served on the search committee. "He is an exemplary leader and a passionate advocate for student-athletes and their institutions. I look forward to working with him and seeing his progress as we continue to grow our conference successes."
As CCC Commissioner, Colbert plans to forge a bold new strategic vision for the league — one that builds upon conference momentum and what he noted was a banner 2022–23 season for several schools in the conference.
"First and foremost I want to sincerely thank Dr. DiSalvo and the search committee for the opportunity to serve the CCC membership as its next Commissioner," said Colbert. "I am honored to be able to work with a group of like-minded institutions that have demonstrated a clear commitment towards establishing itself as an elite conference, both regionally and nationally. We have an opportunity to capitalize on the momentum of a historic year and it is a goal of mine to ensure that through collaboration and the encouragement of strategic and creative thinking, we work collectively to evolve our brand awareness and continue to compete for national championships annually."
In his role as Deputy Commissioner at the WAC, Colbert serves as the chief operating officer for the league office with oversight of all internal operations and facilitates the conference's governance process as its primary administrator and liaison to the league's athletic directors. Colbert also serves as the point of contact for the league's multimedia rights holder overseeing the facilitation of corporate sponsorship agreements and activations while also working directly with the Commissioner and Conference leadership to enhance television coverage opportunities with the league's broadcasting partner ESPN.
Prior to the WAC, Colbert worked from 2012 until 2021 for the American Athletic Conference, ultimately rising to Assistant Commissioner of Sport Administration & Basketball Operations. He was the primary administrator for select sports, while serving as the tournament manager for the conference's men's and women's basketball tournaments at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. He also oversaw licensing and merchandising partnerships for the American Athletic Conference.
Colbert was a former four-year soccer student-athlete at Colby Sawyer College, where he earned a B.S. in Sport Management. He also holds a M.S. in Sports Leadership from Northeastern University.
A native of Medfield, Massachusetts Colbert lives in Smithfield, Rhode Island, with his wife, Lindsay, and their three daughters Brooke, Paige, and Reese.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT PATRICK COLBERT
WAC Commissioner Brian Thornton
"While we will miss Patrick's contributions in the WAC, he has absolutely earned this new opportunity. Patrick has been a major part of the recent resurgence of the WAC and will bring over a decade of major college athletics background to his new post. His experience at all levels of Division I coupled with his background as a Division III student-athlete make him a progressive and ideal choice to lead the next chapter of the Commonwealth Coast Conference."
NEWMAC Executive Director Patrick B. Summers
"I'm excited to welcome Patrick Colbert as the next commissioner of the Commonwealth Coast Conference. His time as a Division III student-athlete and his extensive experience in the conference office, make him an ideal choice to lead the CCC into the future. I have confidence in his ability to lead and to immediately impact his member institutions, the New England region, and Division III. I look forward to working with him."
Landmark Conference Commissioner Katie Boldvich
"I am excited to welcome Patrick to the DIII Commissioners room! I have worked tangentially with him for nearly a decade and the CCC has found itself an exceptional leader with deep roots in the Division III space. Patrick is a proven administrator that will bring a wealth of knowledge from his experience across multiple conferences in his new role. His unique skillset and understanding of the conference landscape, coupled with his time spent as a Division III student-athlete, makes him the perfect candidate to lead the CCC through this integral time in higher education."