Michael C. Colley

Michael C. Colley, 46, of Charlottesville died unexpectedly Saturday, July 11, 2009, while vacationing in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

A native of Charlottesville, Michael was born on Sept. 23, 1962. He graduated in 1981 from Albemarle High School, where he was on the football and track teams. Michael attended the University of Virginia, graduating in 1985 with a bachelor's degree from the McIntire School of Commerce.

After three and one-half years as a sales representative for NCR Corp. in Norfolk, Virginia, he returned to Charlottesville to pursue a career in sports, which were his passion. He volunteered in the University of Virginia Athletics Department's media relations office, and then completed a one-year internship with the Atlantic Coast Conference Media Relations Office in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1991, he returned to University of Virginia, as an assistant sports information director.

Michael served as the chief statistician at UVa football, men's lacrosse and men's and women's home basketball games and at various NCAA championship events. He also worked on the statistics crew at the NCAA Division I, II and III Men's Lacrosse Championships and was a primary contributor to the first-ever NCAA Men's Lacrosse Statistics manual released in 2009.

He was a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America and the Virginia chapter of that group, as well as the Football Writers Association of America.

Michael is survived by his parents, Don and Bert Colley of Charlottesville, Virginia; as well as uncles and aunts, J. Scott and Christine Colley of Keswick, Virginia, Robert T. and Patsy Colley of Spotsylvania, Virginia, Alta Smith of Otego, New York, Isabel and Duane Scofield of Schenevus, New York, Don and Betty Davis of Otego, New York and Richard Davis of Center Valley, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by numerous cousins, extended family and special friends including Tina Cote.

UVa men's lacrosse coach Dom Starsia observed that Michael would be missed tremendously, and was "not quite sure how you replace guys like Mike Colley." Richmond Times-Dispatch sports writer Jeff White responded "In the end, of course, you can't. And those who knew him, and U.Va. athletics as a whole, are poorer for Mike's passing."

A public memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Friday, July 17, 2009, at the John Paul Jones Arena, with Minister Phil Gates officiating. All are welcome to attend, with informal attire suggested. A reception will immediately follow at the arena, located at 295 Massie Road in Charlottesville on the University of Virginia Grounds.

Hill and Wood Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to benefit the Virginia men's lacrosse program be sent to the Michael Colley Memorial Lacrosse Fund, c/o Virginia Athletics Foundation, P.O. Box 400833, Charlottesville, VA 22904.