Sacramento State Athletics

On the Rise: The Campaign for Sacramento State is supporting Sacramento State Athletics as it seeks critical funds for these important initiatives:

n Secure additional scholarship funds to support student- athletes in degree completion and pursuit of their careers both on and off the field.

n Transform student learning spaces and deepen instruction in a variety of sports-related fields.

n Expand key Athletics facilities.

n Build a 5,000-seat event center for competitive events, community gatherings, and concerts. Together, we will develop tomorrow’s leaders—and keep Sacramento State On the Rise. Hornets continue to excel in academics and athletics. Elevate your impact Building Hornet academic and athletic pride every day.

In Sacramento, the sports community has a Our student-athletes are also seeing success on proud history of making a significant impact on the field and court. For the first time in the 26-year the health and prosperity of our great, diverse, history of the Division I era, the Sacramento State and vibrant city. Sacramento State Athletics is Hornet football team became driving this momentum through the efforts of our champions while earning an opportunity to dedicated faculty and coaches. We support our compete in the NCAA FCS Playoffs. student-athletes’ pursuit of excellence on and off the field and their drive for positive change in our Our student-athletes rise to every challenge region and beyond. during their time at Sacramento State. They work hard juggling practice demands, team activities, We are proud to support 500 individual student- volunteerism, and their studies. All along the athletes who are working hard to graduate way, the Sacramento State Athletics teams, with the skills needed to be successful in the coaches, and staff are there to support them to workforce, whether their careers be in sports or ensure they can exemplify what it means to be elsewhere. In spring 2019, the overall GPA for a Hornet including the tenets of the University’s student-athletes at Sacramento State was 3.105. five imperatives: student success; diversity, This is even higher than the already impressive equity, and inclusivity; community engagement; overall GPA of the average Sacramento State philanthropy; and safety. student, which is 2.968. The NCAA’s most recent report on graduation success rate also showed With a gift to the Athletics Department, you can that 100% of our teams have exceeded the help more student-athletes thrive at Sacramento national graduation rate. State and beyond. Sacramento State Athletics

Spotlight Lonie Paxton How From Hornet football to entrepreneur To Give Lonie Paxton, a three-time champion with returned to campus in 2019 the , was a senior majoring in for Global Entrepreneurship Communication Studies at Sacramento State when his Week. He shared his story football career took off. as an athlete turned At Sacramento State, we are entrepreneur and a desire On the Rise and need your In spring 2000, Paxton was invited to player tryouts that never left him to finish support to reach the next level for the National Football League, an opportunity he his degree. couldn’t miss. He knew he was ready to turn pro. With of excellence for our students only a few credits left to graduate, Paxton put his Paxton learned about innovative degree completion and community. Your investment studies on hold and tucked away his dream of a college programs at the College of Continuing Education and will allow us to do even more for degree. ProjectAttain!, an initiative aimed at working-age adults our students, our region, and the who want to finish their education. In the Sacramento world. Paxton enjoyed a successful 12-year career in the NFL region, an estimated 400,000 adults have some college as a member of the Patriots and the . but no degree, and more than 60,000 have a semester GIVE ONLINE With spot-on consistency, Paxton snapped on nine of or less in completing their degree. csus.edu/campaign ’s game-winning field goals during four seasons, including a 48-yard game-winning snap at the For many, a degree is transformational, and Paxton says CONTACT end of Super Bowl XXXVI. his degree will be a personal victory of achievement Trent Lastinger and purpose. And he wants to set an example for his Director of Development After the NFL, Paxton forged a new career as a global four children, all under the age of 10, by becoming the PHONE entertainment marketer for GoPro, Inc. before starting first in his family to earn a college degree. his own business, Dotted Line Ventures, LLC. A longtime (916) 278-4282 supporter of Sacramento State Athletics, Paxton EMAIL [email protected]

ABOUT ON THE RISE The goal of the $225 million On the Rise campaign is to amplify Sacramento State’s impact in the Campaign Priorities region, the state, and the world by doubling our current level of Student Success • Attract and retain coaching talent so our private support. The campaign student-athletes can compete at the top level has three priorities: supporting • Increase scholarship funding to support our of performance nationally. students as they compete at the Division I level. students through increased Currently, only 60 students receive summer • Provide a holistic approach to the student- financial aid and student programs; scholarships to support their student-athlete athletes’ health and wellness, including access advancing knowledge through goal of graduating in four years. to healthy food choices and more study areas. innovative learning approaches; and strengthening the larger • Attract talented student-athletes, of any gender Facilities Enhancements Sacramento community through or sport, to a competitive program with the • Continue to give our student-athletes, diverse, engaged and impactful facilities, coaching, and academic assistance coaches, and community a competitive edge aimed at supporting the whole person. teaching and research. by bringing key Athletics facilities up to On the Rise campaign is committed • Provide fully supported academic resources, the modern standards of an elite program. athletic resources, along with learning Together, we can create an event center and to uplifting generations of people in and nutrition centers for student-athletes, sports complex that matches the high caliber an equitable and sustainable way. intramural participants, and community of our students and community. partners.