The campus police were called on me over winter break and Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez just might hold my “get-out-of-jail-free” card.

Three friends and I were Sac State’s most wanted. The act we committed — appalling. Vile really.

The crime? Lacing up the ole’ high-tops, breaking a sweat, and playing a friendly game of two-on-two basketball at three in the afternoon.

We’re really a bunch of damn delinquents.

I mean, college kids looking for a place to play basketball at their college at a time when nobody else was occupying the court. What kind of people are we?

We could of got away with it too. Maybe. If we just weren’t so greedy. You see, at one point during our play we got sort of thirsty and made our way out of the gym doors to use the water fountain. It was there where we were met by a member of the athletics staff.

Sac State staff: “Hey, ya’ know nobody supposed to be playing here.”Confused basketball loving students: “Really? Why not?”

Sac State staff: Some lame excuse answer mumbled incoherently.

Like the basketball we were playing, he really had no defense. I mean, why couldn’t we play some ball?

Here we were students of the university without a place to go shoot hoops in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday. So we took his “recommendation” to heart…and made our way back on the court for more good times.

About 30 minutes later the same guy made his way into the gym to tell us that the cops had been called and we better get out of there.

Man, this guy sure was frustrating.

But he really didn’t mean to ruin all of our fun.

Those were the university rules and it was his job to make sure that we didn’t get away with breaking them. There is simply no where to go to play basketball on this campus.

But all that might change.

Our president is quite the sport that way.

Gonzalez and his task force could be the saving grace for athletes that wish to be active on campus.

The king of Sac State appointed his council, the “athletics task force,” to explore the athletic situation on campus and around the community.

The result: A seven-page plan endorsing, among other items, the development of an 8,000-seat multi-use facility to be used as a rec center for students and a venue for Hornet basketball and volleyball.

Awesome. Excellent news for me and my criminal posse.

And though many other students are excited to hear the news, they still worry. Average student concern: “Although the idea of a center for wellness and leisure tickles my zest for an occasional diversion from school and the arts, I fear that the overall expenditure would lay too heavy of a burden upon my current economic situation as a student.

“And it would suck if I didn’t have the extra cash to buy some soda pop and trading cards.”

Well little Billy, average student, stop being so damn cheap. Seriously.Gonzalez claims money towards the project would come from state bonds and private donations.

True, students would likely be asked to pay an increase in fees, but one likely less than, or equal to what you pay for a gym membership.

A lot of the money we spend in student fees goes unseen, but a rec center is something concrete in which all students would directly benefit from.

The arena could do so much for students.

It could enhance campus life by giving students a reason to stick around after class.

It would create a place for students to not only play pickup basketball, but also to workout and swim, among other recreational activities.

It would give a tremendous boost to our basketball team and legitimize us as a strong Div. I program.

Right now it’s extremely difficult for our coaches to recruit players to come play in a gym smaller than the ones they played in during high school.

Basketball would receive more exposure through television broadcasts — something they are not capable of doing in our current gym.

– The arena would also be used to host commencement and concerts, while providing the campus with its crowning jewel.

It just makes sense.

The rec center is the first step in Gonzalez’s master plan to turn Sac State into the flagship of all the CSU schools — something that ultimately would increase the viability of every diploma earned.

If the rec center is built, it can break down the bars and allow all students to really enjoy something on campus — like pickup basketball without criminal charges.

Contact Jimmy Spencer at [email protected]