A need for athletic facility upgrades led a slew of concernsfrom the Sacramento State community at the Athletics Task Force open forum on Monday.

The 10-member task force will report their findings tofirst-year President Alexander Gonzalez in December. Gonzalezassembled the task force in mid-October.

“We’re trying to identify needs, as well as make recommendations for the future of athletics,” said Task Force Chair David Raske, who also serves as Sac State’s faculty representative to the NCAA.

The need for upgraded facilities was magnified when Hornet athletics finished the jump to Div. I athletics in 1995. The Hornets’ Nest is the smallest capacity basketball gym in the Big Sky Conference, while visiting football teams are forced to sit outside during halftime due to a lack of locker room space.

“Because the facilities are the way they are, our coaches and our athletic department have settled for mediocre, and nothing is changing as long we continue to keep it the way it is,” said former Hornet softball player and current volunteer assistant coach Andrea Becker.

Hornet athletic director Terry Wanless said he believes theinformation gathered by the task force will “provide a road map for the future of athletics.”

“I’m the eternal optimist,” the second-year AD said. “I’m hoping that within four to five-years we will have facilities to reflect Div. I program.”

Other concerns ranged from the $52.50 student fee towardathletics to the lack of community, student and alumni involvement with the program.

“The biggest enemy of the athletic program is the campus &- it’s a commuter campus,” said InterFraternity Council President Brandon Kline, alluding to the fact that most students come to the campus for class only.

For 1976 graduate Manual Meraz, receiving a parking ticket while attending a baseball game signified a need for a more fan-friendly department.

Steve McElroy, the radio voice of Hornet football andbasketball, said he feels Sac State should look to Fresno StateUniversity as a model for their athletic future.

As for first-year student Sandy Ferguson, simply making the community aware of athletic events is the first step towardsgrowth.

The second and final forum will be held on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in Hinde Auditorium.

Comments and concerns regarding the future of Hornet athletics can also be E-mailed to [email protected].