It is always good to have a plan of action set in place when running a business. This past weekend, Sacramento State’s athletics department released its five-year strategic plan to show current and future student-athletes what Hornet athletics will be about starting next year.

The plan is split up into five sections: finding an identity, the well being of the student-athletes, engaging with the surrounding community, improvements to the facilities and building a culture of success.

According to the plan, “these are fundamental goals that define success for the Sacramento State athletics program” and outline a clear vision. But how clear is this vision? Each of these sections will be led by a planning work group, but not one of the people involved are students from the university, so here are some ideas on how to improve the plan from a student’s point of view.

Currently, there is no motto for any Sac State athletics program, so it makes sense that a goal would be finding an identity. Unofficially, students are supposed to say “stingers up” and raise a pinkie finger, but no one actually does it.

The university is trying desperately to transform Sac State from the status of commuter school to having a traditional college atmosphere, but it needs to show there are many things that can help students become involved.

People love the thrill of a rivalry. The university should sell the chance to experience one. Sac State is the only Cal State school that participates in a true local rivalry and having a football game magnifies that immensely. The Green Army should teach Hornet pride in a more organized way than just setting up booths around campus and the Hornet Bookstore should sell anti-Davis t-shirts. If the school wants an identity, then they should get it into the students’ heads by all means possible.

Another goal for the new athletics plan is improving the athletics facilities. The plan suggests that it will explore possible renovations to Yosemite Hall, Hornet Stadium and the baseball, soccer and softball fields. These changes are greatly needed for Yosemite Hall, but the athletics department can save its money on Hornet Stadium and the other fields. The university should concentrate on one facility at a time and, while I love baseball, softball, and soccer as much as the next guy, basketball makes the money.

There are currently 347 Division I college basketball programs in the country and Sac State has one of the oldest and smallest venues. It is about time Sac State talks about a new venue because, it will benefit everyone. UC Davis’ Pavilion holds 7,000 more seats than Yosemite Hall and despite the Aggies’ failings last season, fans attended.

Finally, Hornet athletics wants to foster a championship culture. When people think Sac State, they do not think of championships because a plan is not in place. This plan could very well be the answer, but at the same time it forces the issue.

Their objective of fostering this championship culture is to expect to place in the top four positions in their conference, compete in postseason play and win the most conference championships among Big Sky schools. This puts pressure on both coaches and players.

These goals will lead Sac State teams to success and could very well give the university some national spotlight. The Hornets have shown flashes of success in just the last year. Both football and baseball are on the rise, and with a new venue, basketball will quickly follow.

This five-point plan is a step in the right direction. Who knows, maybe Sac State will be the next mid-major powerhouse.

Ryan Kuhn can be reached at @rskuhn