Olsson Quits Saugus Basketball Job After 2 Years

Eric Olsson has resigned after two seasons as Saugus High basketball coach, Saugus Athletic Administrator Randy Parker said Wednesday night.

Olsson could not be reached for comment, but Parker said he resigned for several reasons.

“It was a combination of factors: The stress of dealing with some of the pressures, mainly from parents, a change in his teaching assignment and he wanted to spend more time with his kids,” Parker said.

Parker said Olsson, who took the Centurions to the second round of the Southern Section Division I-A playoffs last season, has not resigned his teaching position.

Parker said Olsson’s decision was “unfortunate.”

“Not only is he an excellent coach, but he’s a first-class person and those people are hard to find,” Parker said.

The Centurions finished 12-13 in 1994, and their 3-5 Foothill League record was good for third place. Olsson’s two-year record was 18-30.

Parker said there is no timeline for naming a replacement. “Obviously we’d like to do it as soon as possible for the benefit of the program,” Parker said, “but we are not going to jump into it until we get a first-class person.”

Softball

Gary Torgeson, who coached Cal State Northridge to the Women’s College World Series the past two years, has been approved as dean of physical education, health and athletics at Sacramento City College.

Torgeson, 51, was approved by a vote of the Los Rios Community College District board of trustees at a meeting Wednesday night.

The vote was 7-0 for approval.

Torgeson has been affiliated with Northridge athletics for 30 years, the last 13 as softball coach.

Last season, Torgeson led the Matadors to a second consecutive Western Athletic Conference title and a second consecutive appearance in the NCAA World Series.

Northridge lost to Arizona, 4-0, in the championship game.

The Matadors posted a 52-10 record in their fourth season at the NCAA Division I level. Torgeson compiled a career record of 636-216-8 at Northridge.

He had 644 coaching victories at Northridge--eight in three seasons as the school’s head football coach. An offensive lineman, Torgeson was the Matadors’ first four-year football letterman and by age 31 was the school’s fourth head coach.

Baseball

The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks is playing host to a baseball clinic Aug. 8-12 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for players ages 7 to 17.

Tim Montez, a former pitcher at Pepperdine and an assistant at UC Santa Barbara, will direct the camp for his fifth year.

Former UCLA standout Bob Hamelin of the Kansas City Royals is the guest speaker. Enrollment is limited and cost is $195.

Information: 818-222-0027.

Three Ventura County high school baseball coaches are again sponsoring the Louisville Slugger Baseball Academy, to be held Aug. 2-6 at Camarillo High.

Chicago White Sox players Scott Radinsky and Ozzie Guillen are featured guest instructors.

The camp is run by Westlake Coach Rich Herrera, Simi Valley Coach Mike Scyphers and Jack Willard, the former Camarillo coach. Radinsky played for Scyphers at Simi Valley.

In addition to receiving instruction and several personal keepsakes, campers will attend a game featuring the White Sox and Angels.

Information: 805-987-7994.

Wrestling

Moorpark College has scheduled a wrestling clinic July 30 featuring the instruction of college wrestlers Serge Mezheritsky, Neal Mason and Gerry Abas.

Registration is $30 before Friday, $40 after that date.

Information: 805-378-1457.

Hockey

The Kings will again be holding training camp at the Iceoplex in North Hills, beginning on Sept. 5.

The club has invited 53 players to camp.

Miscellany

The West Valley Eagles and Raiders youth football organizations have scheduled registration for the fall season July 30 at 1 p.m. at Canoga Park High.

Registration is $115 for boys ages 7 to 15 and $65 for cheerleaders and mascots ages 3 to 15. Physicals are $10.

Information: 818-887-9715.