As Sacramento State gears up for a major overhaul in its athletic pursuits, the campus community is buzzing with updates on the inevitable move of its football program to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), as well as the phased construction of a new multi-use stadium. Sac State President Dr. Luke Wood has been upfront about the school's ambitions, discussing the need for transparency and student involvement in the move. "Athletics is funded primarily - not soley - but primarily on philanthropy and dollars from student fees. These are dollars that students voted for that can only be spent on what they are voting for," he told CBS Sacramento.
The Hornets' leap to the FBS echelon involves a $5 million transition fee and foregoing the postseason for two years, questions remain, however, about the financial logistics and if the student-supported increase to cover half the amount with a cost recovery structure will suffice. According to The State Hornet, Wood emphasized that the move to FBS is calculated, and won't happen in 2025, but further information and alignment with the NCAA should crystallize the timeline in the upcoming months.
Regarding the stadium project, President Luke Wood shared a three-phase approach to accommodate new amenities, growth, and future revenue opportunities. Starting this year, an estimated $2.5 million will initiate the addition of ribbon boards, new seating, and improved infrastructure, while ensuring the football team can play on home turf throughout the construction. Later phases, slated for 2026 onwards, will introduce more extensive features, including a revamped entrance, track removal, and ultimately overhangs with solar panels and a stage for other events.
While the future of Sac State's stadium and its athletics are laden with developments, Wood was adamant about maintaining the focus on student experiences and facilitation of attendance at home games, "We didn’t want a situation where students had to go somewhere else to see their team," Wood described to The State Hornet, stressing the importance of accessibility and their phased construction strategy.
