Beach Volleyball Community Loses an Extended Family Member
 

Philip John Collin
February 7, 1962 – March 7, 2026
 
Maybe you saw Phil wandering around the tournament venue taking notes, conducting interviews, or just watching all the action. He probably didn't stick out in your mind, he just looked like another fan, but Phil was more than that. Phil was a member of the extended beach volleyball family, who through the years had written many articles for The Daily Breeze, avp.com, or fivb.com and had conducted many player interviews after a match that could be compiled into match notes for the event.
Phil in Vienna
Phil Interviewing Anouk Verge-Depre
Phil with Sinjin Smith and Tim Simmons in Rio
If you're reading this today, you could probably thank Phil. No, he never contributed anything directly to the site; however, in August 2021, the company that hosted BVBInfo decided they weren't going to continue running their servers any longer, temporarily shutting down this web site. A panicked call got a 10-day extension, but I wondered if it was time to call it quits. The COVID pandemic had dried up all the monetary support from the FIVB, AVP, and USA Volleyball. Ten days was not a lot of time to find a new hosting company, get them to set up the server, and then move everything to keep the site going. I asked other members of the beach volleyball family what they thought about discontinuing the site. They all supported me whatever my decision might be, except Phil. He reminded me that when we first met, how I called BVBInfo "a labor of love," and that gave me the motivation to continue. It's still a labor of love today.

I only knew Phil through the beach volleyball events we had worked together at Huntington Beach, Vienna, and Hamburg, and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him at each one. A quick search revealed that he had been a sportswriter for the Los Angeles Daily News and often provided live updates, analysis, and commentary on Los Angeles team events especially the Clippers and MLS soccer. Besides beach volleyball and writing for newspapers, Phil also covered off-road racing in Baja, California.

Phil, me, and Tim Simmons in the Media Area, Huntington Beach
Phil and Tim Simmons
Phil, Tim Simmons, Silvio Avila, Guilherme Torres and Seth Rubinroit

Other members of the beach volleyball family reminisced about working with Phil:

Phil had a way about him that he was quick to make friends in any corner of the world. I always had the impression a lot of the players (across generations) really respected him and could tell he knew the sport. No matter where he was, what he was covering or who he was with, we all enjoyed that time more because we were there doing those things alongside him ... just a phenomenal, well-rounded guy (knew a lot about a lot of things and had a sponge of a mind when it came to retaining details about things/people/events).
Todd Bailey, SoCal News Group

From the very first time I met Phil Collin, I knew he was really dedicated to his job. First, he enjoyed working with people. Secondly, he enjoyed covering an event. Thirdly, enjoyed being knowledgeable. When you combine all three traits, you have a person you "really" enjoy being around. Lynn and I had the luxury of traveling with Phil to beach volleyball events in Brazil and Europe. I was always amazed by how quickly he made friends at those events. He blended in well as an American journalist, and because of his knowledge of beach volleyball, he became a resource for foreign journalists. Phil enjoyed "life", and he made "life" enjoyable. Rest in peace, my friend. You are gone, but not forgotten.
Tim Simmons, former FIVB Media Delegate

I will remember Phil not only as great colleague and editor, even more as friend and person who was so curious to explore the world. I miss the laughs and also the drinks we shared. I miss when he talked German to me and called me LIEBCHEN. This loss reminds me to enjoy every day and every moment. Life is too short for not being happy! All of us should keep that in mind! Rest in peace my friend. You will be always remembered! I am sure you keep having an eye on us from up there!
Conny Kurth, FIVB Photographer

Absolutely gutted to hear this news. Such a honour to have been in his company, especially in a working capacity. Enjoyed some great times in Europe and Huntington Beach. All through beach volleyball.
Andrew Barringer, former PR, Media and Athlete Communications Manager Volleyball World

Phil was an excellent writer and true journalist. Worked with him a few times in both Beach Volleyball and desert racing in Baja California, Mexico.
Dominic Clark, former FIVB Media Delegate

This is so sad. I have many great memories of all the FIVB, AVP, Wooden basketball and Baja events throughout the years with Phil. Working some crazy long hours at events were always made easier knowing that we always would have a laugh during, and afterwards we could enjoy some beers together. I appreciated both his friendship through the years as well as how good he was at his job(s).
Doug Strauss, Director of Information AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour

I appreciate that the beach volleyball world brought us all together. Thinking of Phil and sending everyone my best during this difficult time.
Seth Rubinroit, Audio and Digital Strategy at NBC

If you have a memory of Phil, you can add it at neptunesociety.com/obituaries/san-pedro-ca/philip-collin-12776388