Bio

Walt Rilliet retired in 1995 as Commissioner of Athletics for the Commission on Athletics, drawing to a close an illustrious career in the field of education that spanned nearly four decades. 

A native Californian, Rilliet was born and raised in Oakland; he graduated from Oakland High School, where he participated in numerous athletic activities, then earned his Associate in Arts degree from City College of San Francisco. He served in the United States Army, during which time he saw duty in Korea and Japan, and then went on to graduate from San Francisco State University with a bachelor's and master's degree. 

He began his teaching and coaching career in 1958 at San Mateo High School and, in 1969, was named one of the first administrators hired at Skyline College, and for the 13 years following, was the division dean for physical education, athletics, recreation and served as men's basketball coach. During his tenure at Skyline, he developed the first physical fitness academy, a model replicated at many other community colleges, and in 1981, left Skyline to become the first state commissioner of the COA. 

He developed the 11-chapter State Athletic Code and scholar athlete and team awards programs, was active with various NCAA committees' and was instrumental in developing the COA's initial sponsorship program. His contributions to the word's largest system of intercollegiate athletics have been invaluable.