By: Daybreak Montgomery
Every so often, I’m afforded the chance to witness historical past within the making. Experiencing this second with somebody you realize personally and professionally is much more rewarding. On this case, Sacramento State College has named Coach Brennan Marion as its thirteenth head soccer coach. He’s the primary Black man to carry that place at school historical past.
“I’m really honored by the heartfelt welcome from President Luke Wooden and Director of Athletics Mark Orr to be this system’s subsequent head soccer coach,” Marion stated. “Sacramento State is absolutely invested in changing into a nationally identified soccer program, and I’ve at all times relished the chance to construct and create. My household and I can’t wait to serve the student-athletes of this program and the Sacramento neighborhood. As a college, we’re going to put in writing historical past and work tirelessly to construct one thing that the neighborhood can be happy with for generations to come back.”
I grew to become accustomed to Brennan Marion throughout his teaching days at Howard College, the place he created the “Go-Go” Offense. This offense is one thing that he’s been in a position to efficiently implement at different college soccer applications, and he’s really a visionary. Former NFL working again Maurice Jones-Drew said, “His Go-Go Offense has modified the way in which groups take a look at each place on the sector. Brennan is among the prime recruiters within the nation. I do know he’ll convey among the greatest recruiters, academics, and builders in soccer. What a time for Northern California school soccer to convey again one in every of their very own.”
Sacramento State’s Athletic Director Mark Orr shared, “Coach Marion is the right match for our soccer program, our division, our college, and our neighborhood. His demonstrated success in recruiting promising student-athletes and maximizing their skills will assist us return our soccer program to profitable convention championships. I’m assured Coach Marion possesses the dynamic potential to domesticate impactful relationships with inner and exterior constituents surrounding Hornet soccer. He’ll lead the student-athletes in our program to achieve and surpass their aspirations of feat each on and off the sector.”
At present, Sacramento State College is the one non-HBCU D1 college with a Black athletic director, head soccer coach, and president. I believe it’s worthwhile to learn that once more.
(Brennan Marion speaks on the press convention the place he was launched as Sacramento State’s head soccer coach.). Marion is the primary African American ever employed to guide the Hornets. Russell Stiger Jr., OBSERVER)
The work that Sacramento State College President Dr. Luke Wooden and Athletic Director Marc Orr have forward of them will take a look at the endurance of their followers and neighborhood throughout this growth. One true take a look at is the spring recreation. Most individuals assume that spring video games for school soccer are pointless, however they’re a showcase of what’s to come back within the fall. On Sunday, April 13, I used to be current for Sacramento State’s spring recreation, and so have been over 7,000 followers.
All have been in attendance: college students, professors, administrative and campus help workers, neighborhood leaders, and enterprise house owners, in addition to over 400 recruits testing this group and its new head coach. This quantity shattered the attendance document for the college’s spring recreation (which usually is within the a whole lot), and Sacramento State has an opportunity to capitalize on this second.
At present, Sacramento State’s soccer group is ranked #1 within the Switch Portal Class in FCS, and Coach Marion has tweeted that he’s keen to assist gamers get to Sacramento to play ball. It was additionally introduced earlier than the spring recreation that Sacramento State is working to depart FCS to develop into FBS. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that the college is able to take the following step.
“Sacramento State plans to file an utility with the NCAA this week to transition from the FCS to the FBS in soccer as an unbiased,” Thamel reviews. “The college has already filed a waiver to transition as an unbiased in soccer, which requires NCAA approval.”
Followers have to indicate up and help the group as they transition on this route. Neighborhood help is essential at this stage, and followers have to be affected person throughout this ‘rebuilding’ season.
Sacramento Observer Larry Hicks shared that “Marion is in a small circle of Black coaches who lead Soccer Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Soccer Championship Subdivision (FCS) applications.” The shortage of alternatives Black coaches hardly ever obtain within the school soccer house is baffling and downright disrespectful once you see how usually white coaches are fired and rehired. Our coaches deserve a possibility to showcase their management on and off the sector whereas additionally exhibiting their potential to assist others obtain their desires.
To witness history-making and really feel the brand new wave of vitality at Hornet Stadium was one thing I’ll always remember. Sacramento State College President Dr. Luke Wooden shared with me, “We’re enthusiastic about what’s to come back, and as you’ll be able to see, the neighborhood has proven up for us. It’s essential that we proceed to work with native media just like the Sacramento Observer in order that we are able to share not solely what’s taking place right here but additionally our tales. It’s essential to our progress, and I really feel like our college students and followers really feel the shift taking place.”
Shouts out to the Sacramento Observer newsroom for protecting us knowledgeable on what’s taking place of their metropolis.