Sacramento State hornets Eye FBS Jump,File NCAA Waiver for Autonomous Status
Sacramento,CA – Sacramento State university is taking a bold step toward elevating its football programme,announcing plans to seek NCAA approval to transition from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as an independent team. the university is expected to file the formal request this week.
Strategic Move for Future Conference Affiliation
The move to FBS independence is a strategic one, positioning the Hornets for potential membership in an FBS conference down the line. the university has already filed a waiver request with the NCAA, a necessary step as the transition isn’t accompanied by an immediate conference invitation.
Aggressive Investment in Athletics
Sacramento State’s ambition is further evidenced by its recent investments in its athletic programs. Located in a top-20 media market, the university has been aggressive in hiring high-profile coaches and leveraging Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for its athletes. Key hires include Brennan Marion, formerly the offensive coordinator at UNLV, as the new head football coach in December. Additionally, former Sacramento Kings star Mike Bibby was appointed as the head coach of the men’s basketball program.
Transition Timeline and Postseason Ineligibility
Sacramento State intends to compete in the Big Sky Conference for the 2025 season, which is anticipated to be their final year in the FCS. Following the transition, the Hornets would face a mandatory postseason ineligibility period for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The program would regain full postseason eligibility in 2027.
Background: Recent Performance
the Hornets are coming off a 3-9 season in 2023, which saw them finish near the bottom of the Big Sky Conference with a 1-7 conference record.
What financial or logistical hurdles might Sacramento State face as an independent FBS team before potentially joining a conference?
Sacramento State hornets Eye FBS Jump,File NCAA Waiver for Autonomous Status
Sacramento,CA – sacramento State university is taking a bold step toward elevating its football program,announcing plans to seek NCAA approval to transition from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as an independent team. the university is expected to file the formal request this week.
Strategic move for Future Conference Affiliation
The move to FBS independence is a strategic one, positioning the Hornets for potential membership in an FBS conference down the line. the university has already filed a waiver request with the NCAA, a necessary step as the transition isn’t accompanied by an immediate conference invitation.
Aggressive Investment in Athletics
Sacramento State’s ambition is further evidenced by its recent investments in its athletic programs.Located in a top-20 media market, the university has been aggressive in hiring high-profile coaches and leveraging Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for its athletes. Key hires include Brennan Marion, formerly the offensive coordinator at UNLV, as the new head football coach in December.Additionally, former Sacramento Kings star mike Bibby was appointed as the head coach of the men’s basketball program.
Transition Timeline and Postseason Ineligibility
Sacramento State intends to compete in the Big Sky Conference for the 2025 season, which is anticipated to be their final year in the FCS. following the transition, the Hornets would face a mandatory postseason ineligibility period for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The program would regain full postseason eligibility in 2027.
Background: recent Performance
the Hornets are coming off a 3-9 season in 2023,which saw them finish near the bottom of the Big Sky conference with a 1-7 conference record.
Q&A: Sacramento State’s FBS Ambitions
Q: Why is Sacramento state moving to FBS?
A: It’s a strategic move to increase the program’s visibility and open doors to potential future membership in an FBS conference, boosting recruiting and revenue.
Q: What’s an NCAA waiver for autonomous status?
A: It’s a request to the NCAA to allow sacramento State to transition to FBS without an immediate conference affiliation, competing as an independent team initially. This allows them to work towards fulfilling the requirements of a conference.
Q: What’s the timeline for the transition?
A: They aim to compete in the FCS for the 2025 season, then transition and become FBS independent. Postseason ineligibility will follow for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with full eligibility restored in 2027.
Q: How is Sacramento State investing in its athletic programs?
A: The university is aggressively hiring top coaches, including Brennan Marion (football) and Mike Bibby (basketball), and leveraging NIL opportunities to attract talented athletes. Did you know that Sacramento is the 20th largest media market in the country, offering huge exposure?
Q: What does “FBS” and “FCS” mean?
A: FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) is the top division in college football, while FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) is the lower division. FBS teams are eligible for bowl games and have different financial and competitive standards.
Q: What does postseason ineligibility mean?
A: During the ineligibility period, even if the team has a winning record, they cannot participate in bowl games or the FBS playoffs.This is a common penalty for teams transitioning between divisions.
Q: Will Sacramento State join a conference?
A: The goal is to join an FBS conference eventually, but they are starting as an independent to increase their chances of being accepted by a conference.
Q: How did the team perform recently?
A: The Hornets had a challenging 2023 season, finishing with a 3-9 overall record and a 1-7 conference record in the Big sky Conference.
Q: What’s next for the Hornets?
A: Keep an eye on their performance in the Big Sky Conference in 2025 and the subsequent developments as they navigate the transition to FBS. Their success depends on their future investments and their ability to attract top talent.
Sacramento State’s journey to FBS is a testament to their ambition. Follow their progress and see if they can elevate their program to new heights!
