Meet former NBA stars Mike Bibby, Shaquille O’Neal at Sac State hoops fundraiser

SAC 12 is hosting its “Legends Unite” fundraiser Wednesday to benefit Sacramento State’s men’s basketball program, featuring a meet-and-greet with Mike Bibby and Shaquille O’Neal.

The event begins at 5 p.m. at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, 500 J St., and aims to raise money in support of future athletic excellence for the Hornets. The evening will include dinner, programming, silent auctions and photo opportunities with the former NBA stars. An after-party will follow on the venue’s terrace level.

SAC 12 CEO Raymond Gallo Jr. said the goal is to energize Sacramento through sports fundraising and community partnerships.

“We’re very excited that we’re having a fundraiser for Sacramento State men’s basketball to provide funds to the men’s basketball team foundation,” Gallo said. “We’re providing an opportunity to meet Shaq and Mike Bibby one on one. We’re having dinner and then an after party. It’s really an opportunity for the city to drive funds to the Sacramento State based faculty.”

Buzz around Sac State men’s basketball has increased since the university hired Bibby — a former Sacramento Kings guard — as head coach.

That momentum has attracted other players to the program, including Shaqir O’Neal, son of the NBA Hall of Famer, as well as Mikey Williams, once a highly touted recruit, and local talents Jayden Teat and Mark Lavrenov.

What is SAC 12?

SAC 12 is an executive booster committee formed to support Sacramento State athletics. The group includes small business owners, local politicians and Sac State alumni.

Formed nearly a year ago, the group’s mission is to help position the university for future inclusion in the Football Bowl Subdivision — the NCAA’s highest level of competition.

“The original reason was to rally,” Gallo said. “To rally the city, rally folks around getting Sacramento State into the FBS conference. So we talked about the new stadium. We were able to raise money for the program, for NIL, which we’re really excited about. It allowed us the opportunity to bring in some big time coaches, Brennan Marion for football, Mike Bibby for basketball, and general manager Shaquille O’Neal.”

Gallo said SAC 12 brings together alumni, political figures and business leaders to help elevate Sac State athletics and its national profile.

SAC 12 for the long haul

Gallo said the Sacramento region is well-positioned to support more sports and larger crowds — if the infrastructure is in place.

“The fact of the matter is, we have the best fans in the world in Sacramento, California,” Gallo said. “We are a large media market, and our city is ready to have FBS conference sports, so we helped lay the tracks and foundation to ultimately have that happen.”

SAC 12’s plans to support an FBS transition include raising $5.25 million in conference realignment fees and securing $50 million in NIL commitments over 10 years. The group also aims to help fund a 25,000-seat football stadium and a basketball arena that seats at least 6,000.

A recent Cal Expo board meeting agenda included a proposed agreement related to Sac State football stadium activities. Gallo described the item as a promising development.

“We’re really excited about that. You know, a lot of big time universities around the country, they have their stadiums five, even 10 miles away,” he said. “It’s about the city in the region, and ultimately, a decision like that, it’ll cascade into something beautiful, and God willing, it works.”

He added that Cal Expo has the space not only for a stadium, but for future athletic facilities as well.

“We’re very excited about it,” Gallo said.

How to support

Gallo said he envisions a future where Sac State competes in a major FBS conference, with state-of-the-art football and basketball venues and a robust support system for student-athletes.

“I take pride in that and being the bridge of alignment, communication, excitement,” Gallo said. “There’s always barriers, but together, we can overcome anything.”

Membership options are available for supporters of Sac State athletics.

“We are more powerful together,” Gallo said. “The more aligned we are, the more we can get what we want quicker. That’s the main thing we’re getting out to folks – come out, support the teams, buy tickets and watch games. Let’s go support and then celebrate and just be there for the university.”

Tickets for the Legends Unite fundraiser start at $1,250, before fees. Sponsorship packages range from $10,000 to $50,000.

For more information about SAC 12, visit sac12.org.