Former UCI A.D. passes away

John Caine, a former UC Irvine athletic director, passed away last July 9 in Idaho at age 85.

Caine served as UCI’s A.D. from 1983-89 before becoming special assistant to the chancellor for athletic policy and planning. He retired in 1990.

During Caine’s tenure, the Bren Events Center was constructed, opening Jan. 8, 1987. He also added intercollegiate status for the men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s volleyball programs.

He and his wife, Marilyn, resided in Elkhorn, Idaho, for the past 18 years. They would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary Aug. 31.

A “Celebration of Life” for Caine will held in the next few weeks at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum, Idaho.

Caine previously served as A.D. at Cal State Fullerton from 1968-72, San Jose State from 1972-76, and the University of Oregon from 1976-81. He served as executive director of the San Diego Hall of Champions for two years before arriving at UCI.

A 1950 graduate of UCLA, he was a redshirt on John Wooden’s first Bruins’ basketball team in 1947.

— From staff reports