Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Mia Matsudaira The Green Army, a student-run athletic support group attracts new members before a Hornet football game. [Click to enlarge]

Sacramento State's Green Army has taken it upon itself to encourage student participation at all sporting events that take place in Hornet territory.

The Green Army, a group of students affiliated with Sac State's athletic department, was initially established in the spring of 2009 to rally students in hopes of passing measure 1A, which increased student fees for various reasons - one being more money for the athletic department.

Although the students did not support the idea of a fee increase, Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez overrode their decision and allowed for the increase to take effect - this decision sparked the rise of the Green Army and the organization's new objective.

As the Green Army makes a name for itself this semester, the preceding organization, known as the Green Sting, continues to make headway as well.

Although the two organizations essentially share the same goal of creating student awareness and pride, the Green Sting and the Green Army have the capacity of standing alone as well.

Sac State's Associated Students Inc. President Roberto Torres explained the history of the Green Sting and how the organization aids the university.

"The Green Sting originally started out as two separate groups named the 'Sting' and 'Green Thunder.' Each had different objectives - the Sting was geared toward mentorships for future ASI board members, and the Green Thunder encouraged campus pride," Torres said. "But there came a point where we had to come together and share ideas - that is now what the Green Sting is all about."

Torres stressed the Green Sting will still be around because there are several different aspects of campus pride which calls for two separate organizations (Green Sting and Green Army) to cover them effectively.

Sac State Athletic Director Terry Wanless better explained why the Green Army was established and dismisses the idea of there ever being a rivalry between the Green Army and the Green Sting.

"We created the Green Army initially as an athletic department promotion tool to increase student fees. Eventually, it progressed into an organization that promotes athletics and game events," Wanless said. "So no, there is no conflict between the two organizations, they actually share a main goal - to create a community life on campus and bring students together."

Michele Sakamoto, co-adviser for Green Sting, describes the contrasts between the events that are carried out by the two organizations.

"The Green Army focuses exclusively on sport events. You will spot them at football, basketball and soccer games. We encourage participation at sporting events, but do so much more," Sakamoto said. "The Green Sting has more of a campus community focus."

Sakamoto admits that with each year, the Green Sting takes on a slightly different objective.

"Over the past few years the Green Sting has taken different directions, and who's to say that next year it won't change again? But the idea of student awareness will always stay as the main objective," Sakamoto said.

Representatives of the Green Army and Green Sting said both respect and support each other's goals. Although they do not work together, they strive to accomplish their goals with the same attitude to gain Hornet pride.


Britney Rossman can be reached at borssman@statehornet.com

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