<\/p>\n
Sacramento State President Luke Wood, Cal Expo CEO Tom Martinez and Sac State Athletics Director Mark Orr. Sacramento State\u2019s push toward FBS and higher-profile athletics can drive applications, donor support and school pride, offering broad reputational gains.<\/p>\n
HECTOR AMEZCUA<\/p>\n
hamezcua@sacbee.com<\/p>\n
In defense of investing in athletics<\/p>\n
\u201cSac State President Luke Wood\u2019s FBS aspirations look like a risky agenda | Opinion<\/a>,\u201d (sacbee.com<\/a>, Feb. 12)<\/p>\n The claim that investing in athletics detracts from academics overlooks the bigger picture. Moving to a higher-ranked conference can bring financial, social and reputational benefits. High-profile athletics often attract donors and alumni engagement, but first, the university must capture their attention.<\/p>\n Football is a high-visibility investment that can increase applications, donor support and school pride \u2014 benefits that extend beyond the field.<\/p>\n Dr. Cecil E. Canton<\/p>\n Professor emeritus, California State University, Sacramento<\/p>\n Sac State makes the wrong move<\/p>\n \u201cSac State joins Mid-American Conference in FBS entry. How will it be funded?<\/a>\u201d (sacbee.com<\/a>, Feb. 16)<\/p>\n College football in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) classification is not a real business. Some day this economic bubble will burst.<\/p>\n Where will Sacramento State get the millions of dollars to pay for this team? I do not support the university doing this.<\/p>\n Charles R Donaldson<\/p>\n Sacramento<\/p>\n Preserve important parent program<\/p>\n \u201cSac City cuts more than 400 positions amid budget crisis. Who will be affected?<\/a>\u201d (sacbee.com<\/a>, Feb. 13)<\/p>\n The Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Directors voted to send layoff notices to hundreds of employees, including my daughter\u2019s preschool teacher and one other teacher in the SCUSD Parent Participation Preschool Program. In this decades-old Adult Education Program, the parents are the students, volunteering once a week in the classroom their child attends.<\/p>\n The teachers in the program who have been threatened with layoffs are treasures.<\/p>\n Cristina Poindexter<\/p>\n Sacramento<\/p>\n A massive loss<\/p>\n \u201cWhat losing varsity equestrian means for UC Davis\u2019 identity<\/a>,\u201d (sacbee.com<\/a>, Feb. 13)<\/p>\n UC Davis seems to have forgotten that equestrianism is not just a sport, it is a vital part of our agricultural heritage and the very heart of the Aggie identity.<\/p>\n Young women have dedicated their lives to this sport, and for the university to demote a top 10 program \u2014 especially one that is so aligned with our world-class veterinary and animal science programs \u2014 is a massive loss for the Davis community.<\/p>\n Dawn Gonzalez<\/p>\n Santa Cruz<\/p>\n Kiley is unfit to serve<\/p>\n \u201cKevin Kiley rules out return to the California Legislature<\/a>,\u201d (sacbee.com<\/a>, Feb. 18)<\/p>\n At a recent Sacramento Bee-hosted forum in Placer County, Rep. Kevin Kiley\u2019s smugness, pompousness and arrogance was on full display.<\/p>\n He refused to acknowledge President Donald Trump\u2019s abuse of power in his conduct as president. He appeared unconcerned about Trump\u2019s use of his position to enrich himself and his family to the tune of billions of dollars at the expense of the American taxpayer and America\u2019s national security.<\/p>\n Kiley is unfit to serve.<\/p>\n Ruth Cox<\/p>\n Lincoln<\/p>\n Kiley abandons constituents<\/p>\n \u201cKevin Kiley rules out return to the California Legislature<\/a>,\u201d (sacbee.com<\/a>, Feb. 18)<\/p>\n Rep. Kevin Kiley insists he made the right choice supporting President Donald Trump\u2019s so-called Big Beautiful Bill, which hands tax breaks to billionaires and corporations while slashing health care for millions \u2014 including tens of thousands in his own district. As a grandparent, I see exactly who pays the price. Children lose access to essential care, families face soaring costs and seniors are left exposed to higher premiums and weakened support programs.<\/p>\n Charles E. Riley<\/p>\n Auburn<\/p>\n Meddling in the democratic process<\/p>\n \u201cIf you changed your last name, your right to vote is at risk<\/a>,\u201d (sacbee.com<\/a>, March 13, 2025)<\/p>\n On the surface, the SAVE Act seems reasonable, requiring voters to present identification while voting. Approximately 59% of women vote blue. The SAVE Act\u2019s intent is not to reduce an already statistically insignificant number of fraud cases, but to create obstacles that will prevent Democratic-voting women from the polls, thereby influencing elections.<\/p>\n Jennifer Kady Stanton and Karen Benedict<\/p>\n San Diego<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Sacramento State President Luke Wood, Cal Expo CEO Tom Martinez and Sac State Athletics Director Mark Orr. 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