Let?s face it; Sacramento State?s major sports teams aren?t very good.

Men?s basketball, in spite of an overall improvement this season, has yet to win a road game in the Big Sky conference, and still has a losing record. Women?s basketball has yet to win a game. The football team failed to make the playoffs last fall and were thrashed 43-0 against Div. II rivals, the University of California, Davis. Men?s baseball, however, has made the right move?they?re getting out of the Big West division.

Big West Information Director Mike Daniels claims the move out of the conference has nothing to do with Sac State?s 109-184 record since joining the conference in 1997. Rather, the team is leaving the Big West because of a new rule requiring full conference membership, which Sac State does not have. Whatever the case, leaving conference competition could be a godsend for a team that has struggled since joining the Div. I level. However, barring a miraculous turnaround, even independent play in Div. I does not look hopeful.

Sac State students cared enough about the athletics program in 1995 to vote for a referendum that increased our athletic fees from $17 to $47 per semester. It?s time the major sports start winning. Based on the concerted efforts of coaches John Volek and Jerome Jenkins to improve their respective football and basketball programs, it is clear that competence in management is not the problem. Also, while improved facilities and increased athletic scholarships would attract more recruits to our programs, significant gains in these areas could cost more than students are willing to pay.

The combined 392-661-1 record of men?s football, basketball and baseball in Div. I competition indicate that we?re out of our league. It?s time to go back to Div. II. Based on history, Sac State sports could see vast improvements if they threw in the towel on Div. I. In their last five years of Div. II play, men?s basketball amassed a 76-68 record and reached the NCAA tourney in 1988. Men?s baseball reached the World Series twice before going to Div. I. Let?s reclaim that glory.