SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento State Athletics Department announced today that work will begin soon to upgrade a number of athletic facilities and equipment.
Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez recently approved numerous improvements that will benefit students, faculty and visitors to the campus.
In addition to $5.7 million in classroom, lab and academic facility projects, Gonzalez approved $3.5 million in one-time funding to improve Hornet Athletics facilities. The funds will provide significant enhancements and renovations of existing facilities, improve conditions for student-athletes, and allow the Hornets to host postseason baseball games.
“This is a very exciting time for Hornet Athletics,” Sacramento State Interim Athletics Director Bill Macriss said. “With the passage of the new budget, Sacramento State Athletics will have the opportunity to enhance, improve and protect a significant number of its facilities and programs.”
All work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the 2015-16 academic year. The Athletics improvements include:
- Yosemite Hall renovations will address dilapidated men’s and women’s locker rooms, the south lobby (outside The Nest) and its service areas – $1.8 million
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Baseball stadium lights will allow the baseball team to be eligible to host postseason tournaments; and student-athletes will miss less class time because of midweek day games – $650,000
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Baseball field re-grade will eliminate drop-off in outfield and improve student-athlete safety – $200,000
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Rowing will get three new rowing shells – $73,000
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Sand volleyball, which has played off campus during its first two years of existence, will see the construction of on-campus courts – $60,000
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Track and field will receive protective covering for its new track and equipment – $50,000
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Rowing will receive two new launch systems (motor boats) – $50,000
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Volleyball will receive a new sport court for its playing surface during matches – $30,000
The baseball, rowing, volleyball, sand volleyball, and track and field projects were recommended by the University Budget Advisory Committee (UBAC). UBAC is made up of faculty, staff and students and charged with evaluating the campus budget and making recommendations to the President. The President approved UBAC’s recommendations in these areas. Plans for the Yosemite Hall project were not submitted in time for UBAC’s consideration; however one-time project funding was approved in July to ensure the facility remains serviceable for students.
“I wish to thank President Alexander Gonzalez for his leadership and the University Budget Advisory Committee for its thoughtful consideration of our many requests this last year,” Macriss said. “Because of them, Hornet Athletics is better positioned for future growth and success. We will be able to more effectively serve our student-athletes, coaches, fans and our great University as we work to ‘redefine the possible’.”
The overall University budget for the fiscal year includes nearly $5 million in increases to divisional baselines (ongoing funding), with more than 70 percent of that boost going to academics.
“I was pleased to work with UBAC and Athletics to approve these much-needed improvements to our facilities. These projects strategically address some of our greatest needs and provide better conditions to our student-athletes and the community members who enjoy watching our teams compete,” Gonzalez said.
