Today, the MAC released the 2026 football schedule and our FBS future now unfolds.
It has been an absolute whirlwind since the announcement. I want to take the time to thank some very special people who helped our journey to FBS. We are incredibly grateful to the MAC Commissioner, MAC Presidentโs, and MAC Athletic Directorโs for providing a pathway to an FBS future for Sacramento State.
First and foremost, I would like to thank God. Romans 8:28. Mark Orr and I benefited from a lot of prayer, advice, and divine providence. Mark Orr is the best athletic director. Period.
I would like to thank Senate Majority Leader Angelique Ashby who has been an ardent advocate for our FBS ambitions and served as the first co-Chair of the Sac12. I am grateful to the amazing originators of the Sac12, including my twin and Sac12 co-Chair Joshua Wood, Stephanie Nguyen, Eric Guerra, Otis Amey, Mark Friedman, Bob Ward, Lance Hastings, Steve Patterson, Barry Broome, Joe Patterson and many others for helping us raise critical NIL for our initial FBS push. Our legacy donors and former football player David Lucchetti and Steve Pleau who were extremely supportive behind-the-scenes.
I want to thank Jeffrey Kessler esq., for significant support after our failed attempt at FBS independent. And to the legislators who helped us push for support, particularly Congressman Kevin Kiley and Doris Matsui. Both of them were unquestionably our strongest advocates.
I want to thank SRK Strategies for significant support for our media push for FBS, particularly Ben Sosenko. His team, including Alyssa Sailor-Tynes are the best in the nation. They helped us quarterback our entire strategy.
I want to thank the Network, specially their CEO Justin J. Giangrande for his leadership and advice on how to approach revenue share and NIL. Much respect also to Doug Scott from the Network.
Thank you to numerous leaders at Sacramento State who aided our efforts, including Michelle Willard, Brian Berger, Andy Fiske, Chris McAlary and too many others to list. THANK YOU.
Thank you to those who supported us behind the scenes, including media executives, policymakers, donors, FCS media, FBS Presidents and much more.
Thank you to the Big Sky Conference for nearly three decades of competition and rivalries. Thank you for providing us a platform to build our future.
Lastly, to all the amazing FCS programs who are FBS level, we are rooting for you to make the transition.