Athletics

President's Office

Program Description

The program of intercollegiate athletics is organized and conducted as an integral part of the total educational program of the University. Academic excellence and athletic accomplishments go hand in hand at Sacramento State. There are three separate and unique missions in this program: to contribute to the educational objectives of the University; to provide a healthy, competitive athletic experience to individual student-athletes; to serve as a public relations vehicle within the community.

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics offers both academic courses and an intercollegiate athletics program. Academic courses offer the opportunity for individuals to gain knowledge and understanding in a particular area of expertise related to intercollegiate athletics.

Sacramento State has made a strong commitment to the achievement of national excellence at the NCAA Division I level. It also is committed to maintaining an equitable program between men and women.

Special Features

  • Most of Sacramento State’s sports are affiliated with the Big Sky Conference.
  • Baseball is a member of the Western Athletic Conference
  • Men’s Soccer and Beach Volleyball are members of the Big West Conference.
  • Gymnastics is a member of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
  • Rowing is a member of the American Athletic Conference.
  • The Student-Athlete Resource Center (SARC) (Lassen Hall 3002) offers a counseling system for student-athletes, designed specifically by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Student Affairs to ensure academic development.

Student-Athlete Special Action Review Committee

The Student-Athlete Special Action (SASA) Committee serves to review admission appeals for prospective undergraduate Sacramento State student-athletes who do not meet University admission standards, NCAA initial-eligibility requirements, and/or admission exceptions provided through the athletic admissions process. The SASA Committee will also follow the requirements of Assembly Bill 1383-Admission by Exception. The Committee will consider and provide final decisions to the Director of Admissions or their designee on whether an applicant is granted special admission to the University based on previous academic coursework, grade-point-averages, and test scores (as applicable). Additional educational evidence may also be considered (e.g., academic performance issues, multi-factor background details, and/or those requiring accommodations or appropriate adjustments for equal access to Sacramento State). 

The SASA Committee will be comprised of the following individuals and should include at least three voting representatives reviewing each admissions request. For AB 1383 purposes, three senior-level (Associate Vice President or higher-level) administrators must participate in the process (unless the prospect is a California resident expected to be on athletic-related scholarship).  

1. Vice President for Student Affairs (Admin IV)

2. Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services (Admin III)

3. AVP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students (Admin III)

4. NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative

5. AVP or Vice Provost from Academic Affairs with preference given to the administrator who oversees IPGE

6. Alternate – One Admin III AVP, Vice Provost or Dean, as selected by the VPSA, to serve if an existing member is unable to participate or must recuse themselves from a specific case.

The Committee may request other campus officials input to provide background or serve as support to the committee based on their relationship to the particular case. Examples: athletic coach, admissions representative, Student-Athlete Resource Center staff, or IPGE staff.

The following process will be used in the review of each case:

1. If a prospective student-athlete does not meet University admission standards or a reasonable admission exception during the evaluation process; is denied admission; or denied an admissions appeal to the University, Intercollegiate Athletics (via the head coach and Director of Athletics) may request in writing, a SASA Committee review of the prospect to determine whether the granting of a special exception is warranted.  

2. The prospective student-athlete, coaching staff, and/or Director of Athletics should forward or present any relevant information to the SASA Committee for its review and consideration.  This can include providing additional documentation and/or meeting in-person or virtually with the Committee.

3. The admission decision recommended by the SASA Committee for each applicant will be forwarded in writing to the Director of Admission or their designee or the AVP for IPGE or their designee (if the review involves an international prospect) and the Student Athlete Resource Center, and should include any requirements or expectations that relate to the student-athlete’s admissions recommendation. The SASA Committee’s decision is final.

4. The Student Athlete Resource Center Director and staff will assist in the communication of decisions to Intercollegiate Athletics staff (Director of Athletics, Head coach, etc.).

5. Approved prospects will coordinate with the Student Athlete Resource Center for late-admissions procedures, orientation, late-registration and any other requirements or expectations set-forth by the SASA Committee and Sacramento State. 

Note: Student-athlete prospects admitted on exception who are not on athletic-related financial aid (i.e. non-scholarship) or non-California resident student-athlete prospects (regardless of athletic-related financial aid status) must participate (i.e. remain on roster) in their sport for a minimum of one year per Assembly Bill 1383.

The SASA Committee’s role is intended to review admissions primarily on scholarship student-athlete prospects who are expected to meet at least Academic Redshirt NCAA initial-eligibility requirement status. 

Contact Information

Mark Orr, Director of Athletics
Caitlin Prothe, Executive Assistant
Hornet Athletic Center
(916) 278-6348
www.hornetsports.com

Faculty

BRAKEL, KAMDEN

CHRISTIANSEN, REGGIE

CONNORS, MICHAEL

DEDINI, RANDY

JACKSON, EDWARD

KURTZ, KEVIN

LINENBERGER, MICHAEL

MCDANIELS, KENNY

PEREZ, LORI

TAYLOR, TROY

SOLORIO, RANDY

SUTHERLAND, DAVID

VOLTA, RUBEN