Big Sky Approves Site in Sacramento for Potential Men's Basketball Championship
OGDEN, Utah (Feb. 20, 2015) - If the Sacramento State men’s basketball team wins the Big Sky Conference regular-season title, the program will host the league championship on its campus.
The Big Sky Conference has approved a plan to transform the institution’s recreation and wellness center into a temporary basketball arena for the event.
“The WELL” opened in 2010 and is a 151,000-square foot building located just north of the football stadium.
Roughly 3,000 seats, a portable court, a lighting structure, and basketball stanchions will be moved to “The WELL” to create a suitable venue for the championship. The Sacramento Kings NBA franchise will provide the basketball stanchions.
“It’s a beautiful facility,’’ said Big Sky Conference Deputy Commissioner Ron Loghry, who toured ‘The WELL’ on Thursday. “Everyone on Sacramento State’s campus is working hard to make it a reality. It will be a great venue for the championship.’’
Because the regular-season champion may not be determined until Saturday, March 7, work will begin immediately so the venue is ready if the Hornets finish first.
The 2015 Big Sky Conference Championship will be held March 12-14. The regular-season champion earns the right to host the eight-team event. Sacramento State is currently 11-3 in Big Sky play, just behind Eastern Washington (11-2). Montana (11-3) and Northern Arizona (9-4) are also in the running to win the regular-season title.
Sacramento State has never hosted the Big Sky men’s basketball championship. Its on-campus arena “The Nest” is not a suitable venue for the championship.
“I want to thank the Big Sky Conference for working with us throughout this process,” said Sacramento State Director of Athletics Bill Macriss. “So many people stepped forward to offer assistance — from President (Alexander) Gonzalez, to Mike Sophia and the Sacramento Sports Commission, to Mayor Kevin Johnson and his staff. We are so grateful for the assistance of so many great people and the chance to now potentially host this prestigious event on our campus.”
Sacramento State plays its final regular-season home game Saturday night against North Dakota. The Hornets also play road games at Portland State, Southern Utah and Northern Arizona to finish out the regular season.
The winner of the Big Sky Championship earns an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. Sacramento State is seeking its first ever appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament.