Jeff Van Houten, a standout baseball player who was a member of the Arizona Wildcats’ 2004 College World Series team, passed away suddenly on July 3. He was 37.
Van Houten played for the UA from 2002-05, leading the Pac-10 in batting with a .403 average during the 2003 season and earning all-conference honors as both a sophomore and senior. The outfielder finished his career with 213 RBI, second only to Ron Hassey for most in program history, while also placing in the top 10 at Arizona in career runs, hits, multi-hit games, extra-base hits, triples, total bases and walks.