Students, athletes, alumni and university leaders celebrated the official naming of the San Francisco Federal Credit Union Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza on Wednesday.

The gymnasium, previously referred to as the “main gym,” or more lovingly “the Swamp,” opened in 1951 hosting men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and wrestling. In 2014, the plaza outside of the main gymnasium was formally named the Don Nasser Family Plaza in dedication to alum and donor Don Nasser, who graduated from San Francisco State University in 1963. 

San Francisco State University President Lynn Mahoney speaks to a crowd of attendees during the gymnasium renaming ceremony at Don Nasser Family Plaza on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Vanden Harris / Golden Gate Xpress)

The naming ceremony featured remarks from student-athletes, university leaders and SFFCU leaders. 

“I am so grateful to the San Francisco Federal Credit Union,” said SFSU President Lynn Mahoney. “This naming represents much more than just a sign on a building. It represents a sustained and ongoing investment in our students and in our community.” 

The partnership with the credit union began almost two years ago, according to Brandon Davis, the director of athletics. 

“When an organization invests in the community, we see the results that it brings,” Davis said. “Putting their name on this building is a belief in the university’s mission. We see that work come to life every day through our student-athletes.”

This partnership gives students a direct line to financial help from a local institution. 

President and CEO of San Francisco Federal Credit Union Ray Shams addresses the crowd of alumni, students, athletes and university staff before unveiling the name of the gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Vanden Harris / Golden Gate Xpress)

“I think it’s very important to support the partnerships that happen with this institution of higher learning, and the connection between our financial institutions and our schools and our students is something that is very important,” said Shamann Walton, a SFSU alum and District 10 Supervisor. “Those partnerships and connections are something that I understand and know very personally, and as we know, education is the one thing that can never be taken away from you.” 

Despite worries among student athletes due to last year’s cuts to athletics such as men’s baseball, women’s indoor track and field and men’s soccer,  the name unveiling and partnership gives athletes like junior wrestler Kevin Clements Jr. hope in the face of uncertainty. 

“It’s really a testament of the cohesion we have as a department, to be able to see all these people come together and celebrate what is a new beginning for our athletics program,” Clements said. 

Ray Shams, the CEO and president of SFFCU, spoke on how the partnership between SFSU and the union will empower people to contribute to society. 

“This is more than a partnership. Our missions are aligned,” Shams said. “We truly believe that education will create a better future for every single community, will lead to prosperity and will lead to better understanding and how to empower our people, our young members of our society, to have a greater contribution to our society.”