i don’t think a black college is a viable model for a state where blacks make up 6% of the population, and a city where blacks are only 12%. Black colleges arose out of segregation in areas where there were large black populations.
As to whether I think Sac is breaking rules, i’m not sure. They may be able to stay under the 63 scholarship limit this year, as they got 40+ players to leave. The rule is 105 as an FCS independent in 2026 so thats also doable. It is legal to pay players.
I don’t think charisma accounts for their success. I think they are buying players with funds that there is no clear source for, making promises that will be unlikely to be met down the line. A kid doesn’t know what he’s signing up for if he stays 5 years at Sac State,
I'm well-versed in the history of HBCUs, and I truly believe there's space for one in California. Think about it—if you're a Black athlete looking to play Division I football, what are your options in the state? USC, UCLA, Stanford, Cal, Fresno State, and San Diego State. That’s it.
But let’s be honest—none of those schools reflect the cultural environment or legacy of an HBCU. And to make things more difficult, schools like Stanford, Cal, UCLA, and USC are academically elite, which can pose a significant barrier for many talented athletes.
If Sacramento State (SACST) could position itself as a culturally rich, HBCU-style alternative, it could open up powerful new opportunities for Black students and athletes in California. The state produces a massive number of D1-caliber athletes every year. Offering a program with cultural relevance and a more accessible academic threshold could fill a major gap that currently exists.
The more I think about it, the more potential I see. This could really work.
Also, regarding the stats—if around 40% of California high school football players are Black, that translates to roughly 36,000 athletes. Of those, even if just 3% go on to play Division I football, that’s about 1,080 Black student-athletes in California each year. That’s a serious talent pool.
Now, imagine being a young Black athlete who wants to stay in California. If Sacramento State (SACST) can position itself as a hub for Black athletes, that could really influence college decisions. Let’s say you’re from South Central L.A., Oakland, San Jose—somewhere where you didn’t have every academic advantage and graduated with a 2.9 GPA, but you're an exceptional athlete. A school like SACST offering both cultural relevance and opportunity could be incredibly appealing.
That’s why what SACST is exploring is so compelling to me. I’m not sure if it’ll work—but it clearly fills a gap. And honestly, I’d love to see an HBCU in California. It would be a powerful addition to the state's legacy of diversity and inclusion.
How would naming a school's designation after one particular ethnic group make it more inclusive again? How would that be more inclusive- seems less inclusive to me..
It's 2025.. it's time to move past race and tribalism. I thought this country was a "melting pot?".. When people say they feel uncomfortable "because people don't look like them" isn't that the definition of racism? Wouldn't it be a bit weird if in 2025 they started say a new historically White, or Asian university? There would be an outcry over that..
You say it would "help the state's legacy of diversity and inclusion" (not sure what you're talking about there), but diversity is the opposite of one ethnic group being promoted.. you realize promoting one ethnic group above others is the opposite of diversity, right?
Also, the H in HBCU stands for Historically.. There isn't any history regarding Sac State being a school that was majority black as a result of racial segregation, I just don't get what you're talking about here.
Morgan Freeman famously said: “I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history; there is no white history month. The only way to end racism is to stop talking about it... Stop talking about it. I’m going to stop calling you a white man. And I’m going to ask you to stop calling me a black man."
MLK once famously said: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
Creating racially backed colleges and universities seems like a step backward to me.. and doesn't make any sense at all in the Sacramento State context.
The only things standing in the way of Sac State as a BCU (obviously it lacks the History) is the demographics of the school, the region, the fans, and I suspect, the band.