There are many groups and organizations that do whatever it takes to make sure their alma mater’s athletic program is in top shape. Sacramento State students have the Stinger Athletic Association to thank for making sure Hornet athletics is performing at the highest level.

The association’s main goal is to keep Sac State relevant to the alumni.

The Stinger Athletic Association, formerly known as the Hornet Club, is the fundraising arm for the athletic department. It was founded in the ’80s, when it was known as the Stinger Foundation. The Stingers currently have more than 300 members.

Mark Livingston is the associate athletic director for development and executive director of the Stinger Athletic Association.

Livingston said the fundraising is primarily for athletic scholarships.

“To be a Division I program, scholarships are very important,” he said. “To be able to offer those to student-athletes to try to get the best student-athletes we can.”

Last year, the Stinger Athletic Association raised $560,000 overall and another $376,000 via corporate sponsorships.

The association raised money through four events throughout the year last year- a golf tournament that raised $43,000, a crab feed that raised $22,000, a wine-tasting event that raised $23,000 and a main funds drive.

Like the events for homecoming, membership in the Stinger Athletic Association is open to anyone.

“The only requirement (to join) is if you want to support Sac State athletics,” Livingston said.

Livingston said most people are a part of the association on a yearly basis, with donations as high as $5,000-plus.

The association is divided into six divisions; the Captains Club, Century Club, Coaches Club, Varsity Club, Directors Club and Emerald Club. The more a booster can donate yearly determines what division he or she belongs to.

“We have that ability,” he said. “But we try to focus on the (association) so you’re supporting all 20 of our programs instead of just one.”

Livingston said the Stinger Athletic Association’s participation during homecoming is the same as every home game at Hornet Stadium, but bigger.

“We have our SAA barbecue,” he said, “we have our tailgate area and then we’re working with the Alumni Association to provide bounce houses for kids. We’re really trying to make it a family-fun area.”

Livingston said homecoming is such a big event for the association because it brings people back to the university.

Homecoming is not the same as it is on a high school campus. There is no dance associated with college homecoming. However, there are a lot of festivities involved with the day – and the days leading up to it.

Sac State’s homecoming game is Saturday. The football team hosts Idaho State, a Big Sky Conference rival, at 2:05 p.m.

Jennifer Barber, director of alumni relations, said homecoming is another way to see the campus and is often used as a preview day for prospective students.

“We like to see alumni come back to campus; we like to see them participate in events; we like to see them mentor current students,” she said. “But we also want to be sharing news and information about Sac State to prospective students – the great things that are happening with our students (and faculty).”

Barber said Sac State’s success makes its alumni look better.

“The more the university accomplishes, the more the equity of their degree increases,” she said. “As Sac State gets better, there’s more credibility with walking into a job interview and saying, ‘I’m a Sac State alum.'”

Barber said the Sac State Alumni Association would also have many entertaining things to do at the game.

“We’ll have a variety of presentations,” Barber said. “Mark S. Allen of CW 31’s ‘Good Day Sacramento,’ who is a Sac State alum, is emceeing this whole two-and-a-half hour time period on the stage. We have a band and a martial arts demonstration.”

The festivities are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Anyone can participate.

“It’s not just about football, it’s about community,” said Linda Canfield Scott, alumni services coordinator.

Peak Adventures, basketball and the Student Nurses Chapter are attending the event.

“I had a former football player who played here in the ’80s come back last week and he was blown away by how many changes had happened on campus,” Livingston said. “It’s just important to pull people (back) who had gone to Sac State who haven’t been on campus in years – to try to get them re-engaged with the campus.”

Dustin Nosler can be reached at [email protected]