Cal State Fullerton Roundup : It’s Official: Former Titan Thornton Is a Chicago Bear

Jim Thornton, a former Cal State Fullerton tight end, survived the final cut Monday to make the Chicago Bears. National Football League teams were required to trim their rosters to 47 players Monday.

Thornton caught 17 passes for 230 yards at Fullerton last season, but missed the final two games of the season with a knee injury. He was drafted by the Bears in the fourth round.

Another former Fullerton player, Todd White, was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles Monday. White, who set numerous receiving records at Fullerton last season, including the single-season mark of 1,504 yards, was drafted in the seventh round.

Rick Vanderhook, an assistant baseball coach, has decided to resign, he said Monday.

“I thought it was time for a change,” said Vanderhook, who was an assistant to former Coach Augie Garrido for three years before assisting Larry Cochell this year. “Last year, I stayed mainly because everybody else left, and we had recruited these players. Now I feel it’s time for me to move on.”

Vanderhook, 27, said he will look for a coaching job in the minor leagues.

David Staton, who played at Orange Coast College, has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Fullerton, Cochell said Monday.

Staton, a power-hitting first and third baseman, played at OCC in 1986 and ’87.

He played in the Cape Cod League, an Eastern amateur league, this summer.