This is the seventh in a seven-part series profiling the six inductees and one special award winner that will be honored on April 18 at the Pacific Lutheran University Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet inside Olson Gymnasium. Today's feature is on Allan Kollar who will be awarded the Distinguished Alumnus in Sport Award which is being renamed in his honor as the Allan Kollar Lute Legacy Award.
 
A legend on the hardwood as a member of the PLU men's basketball team, Kollar has been a lifelong supporter and contributor to the Lute athletic department and is being presented with the PLU Distinguished Alumnus in Sport Award, which is being permanently renamed in his honor as the Allan Kollar Lute Legacy Award. 
 
"Allan has impacted PLU Athletics both during his time on campus and since. He's a man that cares deeply about PLU, and has engaged with students, alumni, and friends with the goal of uplifting everyone connected to Pacific Lutheran University. There are few people that are as connected and respected as Allan, and we're so grateful for his giving nature and caring personality. When we think about leaving strong legacies, Allan is at the top of the list due to his Leadership, promotion of Unity & Teamwork, always pushing for Excellence and giving back with a Service mentality," said Athletic Director Mike Snyder.   
 
Kollar grew up just down the street from PLU in Parkland, attending Franklin Pierce High School before putting together a Hall of Fame career as a member of the PLU men's basketball team. 
 
The Parkland native's connection to the University was first cemented thanks to a lifelong relationship with Mr. Del Schafer '50. A fellow Lute, Schafer was a teacher, administrator, and coach in the Franklin Pierce School District and is considered to be one of the biggest influences in Kollar's life. Their friendship inspired Schafer's son, Kevin '78, to make a generous match gift in their honor and several of Kollar's PLU teammates and friends have been inspired by his generosity and have made gifts to the University in his honor and are here tonight. 
 
A 2002 PLU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Kollar suited up for the Knights as PLU was then known as, from 1966 to 1970. His tenure included playing in 99 games, helping the squad win conference titles in 1967 and 1968 while finishing runner-up in 1969, and 1970. 
 
Kollar averaged 12.9 points per game over his four year career spanning from 1966 to 1970, racking up 1,285 career points. Not only an outstanding scorer, he led the team in rebounding in each of his final three seasons. 
 
A three-time NAIA All-District selection, he was twice honored as First Team All-Northwest Conference while earning Honorable Mention All-America and Lutheran College All-America recognition as a senior.
 
After graduating in 1970 with a degree in fine arts, Kollar continued his playing career, competing in AAU basketball and was twice named to the Seattle Region All-Star team. Kollar also coached at Bothell High School where he taught art and met his future wife Mary.

Kollar went on to earn a master's degree in fine arts from the University of Washington and worked as an exhibiting artist and art educator before transitioning to consulting and opening a gallery. A lifelong philanthropist, he and his wife patronize several art organizations around the Puget Sound along with an unwavering dedication to Lute athletics and the University as a whole. 

A 2009 Pierce County Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Kollar and his wife been huge benefactors to the basketball programs, donating to both the men's and women's programs in addition to funding athletic facility upgrades, general PLU scholarships, and created an endowed scholarship that supports students in art and English. 
 
Kollar's passion for PLU athletics and Lute basketball includes volunteering his time to host numerous basketball reunions, connecting friends across the decades and encouraging them to give back to the program. Kollar additionally has volunteered on various PLU Boards, has opened his gallery and home to PLU faculty and students, and consistently attends PLU events, including the annual Christmas Concert at Benaroya Hall.