Mike Liddell retires as Big 8 Commissioner

Big 8 Commissioner Michael (Mike) Liddell has announced his retirement after 15 years, effective August 2023.

 Jeanne Calamar has been named Liddell’s replacement, the third full-time commissioner of the Big 8. She assumed her new role on June 1, 2024. Calamar was previously with Cosumnes River College for 34 years, including 29 years as the Assistant Athletic Director. She served on the CCCAA’s Management Council for 12 years. Calamar’s roots with the CCCAA trace back to her basketball playing days at Santa Barbara City College. After her playing days concluded, she was named the first Women’s Basketball Head Coach at CRC, a position she held for 12 years. Upon retirement from coaching and her role as Assistant Athletic Director, she steps into a new role, the void left by Liddell.

Liddell, 81, grew up in Redding, California, where he played baseball and football at Shasta College, graduating in 1963, and later moving on to attend San Francisco State University. Liddell went to SFSU with the intent to play football, but his football career was cut short due to injury. He went on to play baseball for two seasons with the Gators in 1964-65.

 In 1966, Liddell and his wife moved to Orland, California, where he coached football, basketball and track at Orland High School, before Lidell was hired by SF State to be an assistant football coach and finish his master’s degree.

In 1969 Liddell returned to the 3C2A, when he was hired to coach football and baseball at Butte College. At Butte College, Liddell served as an assistant football coach for 13 years, and served five years as head football coach in 1974, and 1986-1989, earning a record of 41-12. His teams won Golden Valley Conference championships in ‘86 and ‘89.

 In 1981, Liddell got his first taste as a college administrator, when he was appointed the Director of Athletics at Butte College, a position he held for 23 years until 2004. He was a faculty senator, spent one year as Interim Commissioner of the Golden Valley Conference and was President of the Northern California Football Association. Mike was awarded Butte College Emeritus standing when he retired.

Liddell retired from Butte College in 2004, but in 2009, Liddell returned to the CCCAA, when was named the commissioner of the Big 8 Conference. During his time as the Big 8 Commissioner, he held positions including Chairman of the CCCAA Policy committee, served on the CCCAA Conference and Constitution Committees, and was past President of the CCCAA Commissioners Association.

“Mike is the most dedicated and passionate professional I have worked with in my 30+ years in college athletics,” said Matt Markovich, the Dean and Athletic Director at Santa Rosa Junior College. “He has always provided time and space to-do what is best for the Big 8 student-athletes and athletic programs. His commitment was above and beyond what was expected. We were lucky to have him involved in community college athletics. He is missed every day.”

Christine Worsley, the Dean and Athletic Director at Diablo Valley College, also shared her thoughts on Liddell. “Entering the Big 8 Conference as a rookie athletic director, Mike was such an amazing mentor to help me onboard at the community college level,” Worsley said. “His professionalism and commitment was guided by his passion for student athletes and belief that athletics can help change their lives. Over the years I continued to value his leadership and vision of the Conference and know we are in such a great place because of him.”

Liddell, who now spends his time traveling with his wife Rosalie, golfing, and spending his time with his kids and grandkids, is a member of the Shasta College Hall of Fame, Butte College Hall of Fame, Chico Sports Hall of Fame, Northern CA Sports Hall of Fame, California Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, and the California Community College Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.

The Big 8 wishes Liddell the best in his retirement, and thanks him for his service.