SportsScope : Caltech Coach Dan Bridges Takes Over as New Athletic Director at University

Dan Bridges, baseball coach and an assistant football coach at Caltech in Pasadena since 1984, has been named athletic director at the school.

Bridges, 34, will assume the position on Oct. 1, replacing Warren Emery, who is retiring after serving as athletic director since 1984.

“Caltech is fortunate to have someone of Dan Bridge’s caliber, someone who is familiar with Caltech and its vision of physical education, athletics and recreation,” said James Morgan, vice president for student affairs. “His respect and appreciation for the relationship that Caltech wants to maintain between athletics and academics is ideal.”

This will be the second stint as an athletic director for Bridges, who served in a similar capacity for eight years at Brentwood High School.

He said his long-term goals for the athletic program include construction of a gymnasium and other athletic facilities and promoting emphasis on the women’s athletic program.

“The emphasis at Caltech cannot solely be on winning,” Bridges said. “We want to win but we want the experience for our athletes to be enjoyable, competitive and memorable. At the (NCAA) Division III level, this athletic department’s aim is to make the environment a healthier and more productive one for the whole Caltech community--students, faculty and staff.”

Four football players from the San Gabriel Valley have been named to the Street & Smith’s High School All-America Team.

Topping the list is wide receiver Jeremy Smith from Bishop Amat High of La Puente, who was selected among the top 50 high school seniors for next season.

Running backs Marshawn Thompson from Bassett of La Puente and Marcus Green from Northview of Covina, and tight end Jason Green of Bishop Amat were also listed among other top seniors to watch.

Smith was listed among the top 100 high school prospects by the Sporting News. Smith was impressive in his junior season for Bishop Amat.

The speedy 6-0 and 175-pounder caught 82 passes for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns to lead his team to the CIF Southern Section Division I finals. The All-Southern Section performer returned two punts for touchdowns and scored a rushing touchdown.

Thompson, 6-1 and 190, was one of the rushing leaders in the valley last season with 1,717 yards and 16 touchdowns in 301 carries. He was also selected to the Sporting News top 100.

Marcus Green, 6-0 and 185, rushed for 1,414 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior at Northview last season. Jason Green, 6-3 and 200, caught 36 passes for 605 yards and eight touchdowns.