David Patrick introduced as new Sac State men’s basketball coach
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Journeyman coach David Patrick was introduced as the new Sacramento State men’s basketball coach on Tuesday afternoon at the Hornet Athletic Center.
Patrick is the 15th head coach in program history. He most recently served as the associate head coach for the men’s basketball team at the University of Oklahoma last season.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” Patrick said Tuesday at his introductory press conference. “(My family and I) have always wanted to come back to California in the right situation. I was in a good spot at Oklahoma (and) had no reason to leave unless it was for a great opportunity. When you see Sac State after being in NorCal for a long time, I just thought it was somewhere that was untouched, somewhere that could really blossom.”
Patrick takes over for interim coach Brandon Laird, who stepped in for Brian Katz after he retired days before last season began following 13 seasons due to a health issue. The Hornets won five of their last seven games to end the season and had 11 total wins, the most wins for any first-year Sac State head coach in the Division I era. Laird spent 11 years with the Hornets program.
According to a report from The State Hornet, the student news organization at Sac State, Laird and Katz were unhappy with the mishandling of the coaching staff’s departure by the Sac State Athletics Department.
Sac State Athletic Director Mark Orr has known Patrick for years, dating back to their days together at Saint Mary’s College. Patrick served as an associate head coach for the men’s basketball team from 2006-2010 while Orr was Director of Athletics and Recreation.
“The previous staff left great character here, that’s where it starts at,” Patrick said. “The talent is one thing but high character kids is what you want to be around. I can get the players, that’s not the hard part. It’s the character, it’s guys that wanna win and guys that wanna win at a high level. And we’ll do that here, I promise you that.
“We’re going to recruit from the inside out. We’ll recruit here locally and then build out from nationally and internationally.”
It didn’t take long for Patrick to get started recruiting from the NCAA transfer portal.
On Monday, he signed 6-foot-9 Australian forward Hunter Marks, a three-year starter who is transferring from Hartford. Several college basketball reporters were surprised Marks signed with the Hornets rather than a high-major school, indicating that the new Sac State coach got a steal of a prospect. Four days later Patrick reunited with Callum McRae, a 7-foot-1 Kiwi center who is transferring from UC Riverside.
Patrick brings many years of college coaching experience at several different stops with him to Sacramento. Since 2006 when Patrick retired from his playing career overseas, he has been an assistant coach at six collegiate programs.
In 2018, he got his first head coaching job at UC Riverside, where he spent two seasons. Patrick made an impact in his short stint with the Highlanders, as he currently holds the best two-year start in school history with a 27-38 (.415) record. In his second season at UCR, he led the team to a 17-15 record, which is the most wins in the program’s Division I era.
“This isn’t a steppingstone job for me,” Patrick said. “I’ve got two girls that are (in) tenth grade and sixth grade, we’re not trying to jump spots. If you look at my resume, I’ve kind of moved a little bit the last year or two but that’s not what we’re about. We’re about staying somewhere and staying here to make it last.”
With his experience, Patrick has brought in some great players over the years. He has recruited 19 players who have gone on to play professionally with 11 of them playing in the NBA. Seven of those players were selected in the NBA Draft and four were first round picks.
In 2016 while Patrick was at LSU, his godson Ben Simmons was selected with the first overall pick in the draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons has gone on to become the 2018 Rookie of the Year, a three-time All-Star and has been selected to the All-Defensive First Team twice during four seasons in the league.
"I am so excited for coach Patrick to take on the role as head coach at Sacramento State,” Simmons said in a Sac State news release. “He is one of the most underrated coaches and recruiters in the country. When I went through the recruiting process, there was never a doubt that I wanted to be coached by him. He is more than a coach, he is family. He cares deeply about his players, not only as it relates to basketball, but also life.”
Other current NBA players that Patrick has coached include Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies, Moses Moody of the Golden State Warriors and Patty Mills of the Brooklyn Nets. The 46-year-old Patrick has coached on five NCAA Tournament teams, four NIT teams and was an assistant coach on the Australian men’s national basketball team that won bronze at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
“I think if you win in the classroom, you win on the floor,” Patrick said. “This degree will help you longer in life because the ball is going to stop bouncing at some point. And this is a lifelong deal with me. I want to be at their weddings, when they have children, this is about a life term relationship, not just the four years that I’m going to be with these student-athletes.”
Patrick said that he is going to rely on his older players and prioritize playing defense and rebounding.
“Everybody wants to shoot and play offense,” Patrick said. “But they’ll tell you the first day of practice every morning we’re starting with bricks and getting after it. I promise you we’ll be one of the best defensive and rebounding teams not only in the Big Sky (Conference) but in the country, I guarantee that.”
The new Sac State men’s basketball coach addressed the size of the Nest at his introductory press conference. The 1,012 seat multi-purpose gymnasium that the Hornets play in is one the oldest and smallest venues in all of NCAA Division I college basketball.
“The gym doesn’t matter, it’s the people,” Patrick said. “If you’re going somewhere for just the gym, you ain’t going for the right reasons. (If we) get a real trust and relationship with these student-athletes, it doesn’t matter where they play at.”
Patrick will now attempt to do something that no Sac State basketball team, men’s or women’s, has ever done: Win a Big Sky Conference Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
“People say, ‘Why Sac State? Why would you take (the) Sac State (head coaching position)? You’re at a Power Five job.’ But I see this place being somewhere you can compete for Big Sky Championships yearly,” Patrick said. “I promise you we’ll win a lot of games here over at Sac State.”
Doctor to Run Canyons 100k Fundraiser for New Moms
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Local physician Dr. Timothy Phelan will run the Canyons 100k on April 23 to raise funds to expand health and nutrition programs for new moms at the Sacramento Life Center.
Phelan practices at Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom and has completed more than 50 competitive running events in the last 10 years, including road marathons and ultra-marathons. This is his fourth fundraiser for the Sacramento Life Center, raising more than $30,000 total in his previous 100k, 50k and 40k runs. Phelan hopes to raise $10,000 for the Sacramento Life Center during the Canyons 100k. To make a donation, visit SacLife.org.
“For 50 years, the Sacramento Life Center has offered a safe place for women to find the compassion and support they need to become a parent,” Phelan said. “I am proud to support this wonderful organization and its mission. I hope our community members will donate however much they can.”
Considered the birthplace of mountain ultra-trail running, the Canyons 100k is run over the most scenic and difficult sections of the Western States trail. The 100-kilometer (62.2 mile) route travels from downtown Auburn to the China Wall staging area campground, with more than 16,000 feet of ascent. Runners will experience panorama vistas of the Sierras and cross streams and wooden bridges through historic settlements like Michigan Bluff and Deadwood Cemetery, traveling the same trails prospectors and mules did more than 150 years ago.
“Dr. Phelan is a tireless advocate for pregnant women and new moms, and we are so grateful that he chooses to support the Sacramento Life Center through his competitive races,” said Marie Leatherby, executive director, Sacramento Life Center. “The pandemic and housing crisis have been especially rough on the moms we serve. Every donation will make an important difference for a local family.”
Now in its 50th anniversary year, the Sacramento Life Center’s mission is to offer compassion, support, resources and free medical care to women and couples facing an unplanned or unsupported pregnancy. The Sacramento Life Center’s licensed Sac Valley Pregnancy Clinic includes a primary clinic and mobile clinic that provide all services for free, including pregnancy tests, STD tests, ultrasounds, pap smears, well woman exams, patient advocacy for men and women, education and resource referrals. In 2018, the Sacramento Life Center achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, which ensures the group has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of high-quality health care. The nonprofit also offers a 24-hour hotline and program for women who have experienced pregnancy loss. For more information about the Sacramento Life Center’s Sac Valley Pregnancy Clinic, visit SVPClinic.com. For more information about the Sacramento Life Center or to make a donation, visit SacLife.org.
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - In recognition of SMUD’s customer service and vision for a carbon-free power supply by 2030, J.D. Power, a global leader in consumer insights and analytics, presented SMUD with its first-ever Power Certified Sustainability Leader designation.
Wednesday’s announcement of the exclusive J.D. Power designation speaks to SMUD’s track record of deep customer engagement, broad public awareness and strong advocacy surrounding energy programs and goals outlined in the 2030 Zero Carbon Plan, which will eliminate carbon emissions from the region’s power supply by the end of the decade.
“We’re proud to be leading the way toward a carbon-free economy and are honored with this J.D. Power certification,” said SMUD CEO and General Manager Paul Lau. “Our goals are to achieve ambitious sustainability results, while partnering with our customers to do the same. Through SMUD’s comprehensive Zero Carbon Plan, SMUD can continue to be a national and global leader for sustainability and carbon-free energy solutions that inspire change.”
To qualify for the J.D. Power Certified Sustainability Leader program, electric utilities must rank among the top performers in the Sustainability Index and in thorough surveys of the utility’s customers. SMUD also successfully completed a rigorous Operational Performance Assessment (OPA). The OPA assesses performance against recommended sustainability best practices that are grouped into four categories: management and leadership, resilience and adaptability, climate change mitigation and customer engagement and advocacy.
Over the next eight years, SMUD will continue to transform where the region’s power comes from. The 2030 Zero Carbon Plan is a wide-ranging blueprint toward a clean energy future that will retool or retire thermal plants, significantly increase the amount of renewable energy sources and battery storage, adopt new technologies that invite the community at-large to directly participate in carbon-reducing activities and expand partnerships and grant opportunities to offset costs and keep rates low.
This year, SMUD launched its first utility-scale battery storage facility in South Sacramento. With a capacity of four megawatts of electricity and eight megawatt hours of storage, it is enough clean renewable energy to power 800 homes. SMUD is on course to install up to 1,100 megawatts of new local short-duration battery storage by 2030.
SMUD will also invest $25 million to incentivize solar plus storage adoption with customer perks ranging between $500 and $2,500.
SMUD will achieve zero carbon in an inclusive and equitable manner through incentives, low-income programs and other community-first partnerships.
About SMUD
As the nation’s sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity to Sacramento County for more than 75 years. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. In 2020, SMUD’s power supply was more than 60 percent carbon free, and SMUD has a goal to reach zero carbon in its electricity production by 2030. For more information on SMUD’s Zero Carbon Plan and its customer programs, visit smud.org.
About J.D. Power
J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world's leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies.
J.D. Power has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company’s business offerings, visit JDPower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto shopping tool can be found at JDPower.com.
Women’s Empowerment Receives $25,000 from Kaiser to Help Unhoused Sacramento Women Secure Jobs
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Women’s Empowerment recently received $25,000 from Kaiser Permanente to empower women experiencing homelessness in Sacramento with the tools to secure a stable job that leads to a livable wage so they can provide a healthy home for their families during the pandemic.
Funding will support Women’s Empowerment’s employment-readiness program, including mental health assistance as well as domestic violence and substance use support groups.
“Kaiser Permanente has been a longtime funder of our programs, and we are honored that they continue to support our comprehensive work to ensure women and children can rise from homelessness during the pandemic and prolonged housing crisis,” said Lisa Culp, executive director, Women’s Empowerment.
Women’s Empowerment provides a two-month employment-readiness and empowerment program, paid job training, childcare and support services so all women and their children can break the cycle of homelessness. Women’s Empowerment offers the most comprehensive job-readiness program in the Sacramento area designed specifically for women experiencing homelessness, and their children. On average, 70% of women in the program find housing during the ongoing housing crisis. Last year, 142 job placements were achieved by Women’s Empowerment graduates. Since its founding in 2001, the award-winning organization has graduated 1,740 women and their 3,864 children. Women’s Empowerment is funded through private donations from the community and grants. To make a donation, visit Womens-Empowerment.org.
“At Kaiser Permanente, we believe everyone deserves a safe and healthy place to live. Stable housing is critical to health,” said Trish Rodriguez, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento. “We are proud to support the work of organizations like Women’s Empowerment so they can provide resources for women to have a healthy home, stable employment and support for their overall well-being.”
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. It is recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of members and communities served. Kaiser currently serves almost 12.5 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Kaiser Permanente’s expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, visit About.KaiserPermanente.org.
California State Railroad Museum Begins Multi-Phased Front Lobby Renovation
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – A multi-phased renovation project is now underway in the lobby of the California State Railroad Museum.
Once finished, the renovation efforts will result in a completely refreshed, redesigned, and reinterpreted space to welcome community from near and far. On average, the California State Railroad Museum welcomes nearly 300,000 visitors during a typical year.
The exciting lobby renovation and redesign will allow for a better flow for visitors arriving at and departing from the Museum with easy-to-follow wayfinding signage. As a focal centerpiece to the refreshed lobby, the large interior wall that first greets visitors will feature eye-catching railroading images and compelling video plus provide resource-rich and regularly updated information about new exhibits, related content, directional information and more. The spacious layout and thoughtful utilization of space will also better accommodate special events and evening gatherings for interested groups and organizations looking for unique venue locations.
Throughout the renovation process, efforts will be made to minimize impacts to the visitor experience. Periodically, the front desk check-in area, public access points and pathways will need to be adjusted and/or visitors may be redirected through the main hallway or through the East Theater to arrive at the Transcontinental Railroad Gallery. All elevator and stairs will still be accessible for public use throughout the duration of the renovation process.
While subject to change, the first phase of the lobby renovation is scheduled for completion by the end of 2022 and the full multi-phase project by the end of 2024.
For more information about the California State Railroad Museum and Foundation, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum.
Subscribe to California State Parks News online at www.parks.ca.gov/news or email us at newsroom@parks.ca.gov.
California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.
About the California State Railroad Museum Foundation
The mission of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation (CSRMF) is to generate revenue and awareness on behalf of its destinations, while supporting the preservation, interpretation and promotion of our railroad heritage. The Foundation provides funding for ongoing support of numerous programs, both at the museum's Old Sacramento location and at the historic park in Jamestown, Calif. For more information, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum
ABC10 Recognized with Series of Prestigious Awards for Excellence in Journalism
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – ABC10, a TEGNA-owned media station, continues to be recognized with a number of impressive awards for excellence in journalism, including a coveted 2022 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award which is considered one of the most prestigious honors in the industry.
The series of outstanding national and regional awards are reflective of ABC10’s focus on delivering investigative reports and in-depth storytelling to keep viewers informed about important issues that affect their lives.
"We have nurtured a newsroom culture centered on tackling complicated topics, sharing impactful ‘deep dive’ stories with important context, and holding the powerful accountable,” said Risa Omega, President & General Manager of ABC10. “While we’re very honored to be known as the most awarded newsroom in Northern California, we’re most proud of how our in-depth coverage is helping to shed light on key issues that positively impact the lives of our viewers.”
ABC10 was recognized with the following awards for news stories that aired in 2021:
- Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for "FIRE-POWER-MONEY: Holding PG&E Accountable,” an investigative series (in development for multiple years) by ABC10 reporter Brandon Rittiman on Pacific Gas & Electric's role in the deadliest wildfire in California's history;
- Peabody Award Nomination for “FIRE-POWER-MONEY: Holding PG&E Accountable”;
- James Madison Freedom of Information Award for the “Price of Care: Investigating California Conservatorships,” an investigative series (a full year in development) by ABC10 reporter Andie Judson focused on the state’s complex conservatorship system and the multi-billion-dollar industry;
- RTDNA 2021 National Edward R Murrow Award for “FIRE-POWER-MONEY Season Two” for Large Market Best News Series;
- RTDNA 2021 Region 2 Edward R Murrow Awards (2) for Bartell’s Backroads “Modesto’s Blind Bowler” and for “FIRE-POWER-MONEY”;
- NATAS SF/NorCal Regional Emmy Awards (8) for the following:
- “Making sense of government corruption and corporate crime” by Brandon Rittiman, Writer
- “Modesto's Blind Bowler” by John Bartell, Reporter; Tyler Horst, Photojournalist
- “George Washington, Milkmaids, and Herd Immunity!” by Brandon Rittiman, Director/Writer; Megan Jorgensen, Motion Graphic Designer
- “Bartell's Backroads: Animals of California series” by John Bartell, Reporter
- “District Attorney/Officer Involved Shooting Investigations” by Andie Judson, Reporter; Victor Nieto, Editor
- “California Props: Explained - with Brandon Rittiman” by Brandon Rittiman, Host/Writer; Samuel Platz, Photographer/Editor
- “Police prone position investigation | Unchanged policies cost lives and taxpayer money” by Andie Judson, Reporter
- “Bartell's Backroads: Desert oddity series” by John Bartell, Reporter/Host
ABC10’s award-winning news coverage is led by Director of Content Jill Manuel and Executive Producer of Special Projects Gonzalo Magana with outstanding efforts by a dedicated, diverse, and talented newsroom staff filled with investigative reporters, storytellers, photojournalists, editors, writers, creatives, and many others who work diligently behind-the-scenes.
To learn more about ABC10 and its mission, or to watch these award-winning special reports and other exemplary news stories, please visit www.abc10.com or www.youtube.com/c/ABC10.
About ABC10
ABC10 is an Emmy-award winning multi-media company that provides news coverage and entertainment programs for residents in a 16-county area reaching across Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto, as well as in Sierra Nevada and foothill communities in California. ABC10 strives to represent each community and viewer it serves through empowering storytelling, impactful investigations and diverse voices.
ABC10 is owned by TEGNA Media Inc., one of the most geographically diverse broadcasters in the U.S., with 66 television stations and two radio stations in 54 markets. Viewers can find breaking news, weather updates and much more on most platforms, including social media, the ABC10 mobile app, streaming on Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV, and at www.abc10.com.
Sacramento native Shaq Thompson hosts free dental clinic for students
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – As a young boy at Antelope Meadows Elementary School, Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson was shy and unconfident, all because of one crooked tooth.
Now as an adult with six seasons in the NFL under his belt, the 27-year-old is giving back to the community where he grew up. Thompson and TeamSmile recently hosted a free dental clinic on Thursday for students at Fairbanks Elementary School.
“The reason why I started this foundation event was I was just like you guys,” Thompson told a room of third graders. “I wasn’t able to go to dental care and get my teeth cleaned, I didn’t have none of that. I had, and still got a little bit of, a crooked tooth. I didn’t like my smile, I didn’t want to smile, I was just very not confident I would say. This is one of the reasons why I really started this was because once I got to the league, I was able to get my own dental health care and was able to take care of my teeth.
“Because you only got one set and it was very important for me to take care of my teeth and build my confidence back up,” Thompson said to the students. “So that’s kind of really why I started the program was to help people like me when I was younger that didn’t have a lot. I wanted to just help out and give back, show you guys that I care and that you guys have one set of teeth that you need to take care of (and) one gums. It builds a great routine and organization for your life.”
Among the students receiving dental care Thursday was third grader Kai Gallaread, 9, who was extremely pumped up to meet Thompson.
“I’m really excited because he is one of my favorite NFL players of all-time,” Gallaread proclaimed.
The 9-year-old shared a unique perspective on why it’s important to have good dental hygiene.
“Because getting a shot hurts,” Gallaread explained. “And if you don’t want to get a shot in your mouth then you have to take really good care of your teeth.”
Thompson spent the entire school day at Fairbanks on Thursday, visiting with many students. Fifth grader Nehemiah Gramajo, 10, was anticipating Thompson’s arrival at his school and wore a red San Francisco 49ers No. 7 Colin Kaepernick jersey for the occasion. Thompson began wearing No. 7 in the NFL last season, the number he wore while in college at the University of Washington.
“(Dental hygiene is important) because if you don’t take care of your teeth, it’s expensive to fix them again,” Gramajo said after taking a selfie with Thompson.
The six-year NFL veteran not only provided a dental check-up for the students, but also gave out autographed NFL footballs, Gatorade water bottles, electric toothbrushes and T-shirts. 8-year-old third grader Henry Lee was thrilled when he won a signed football in the drawing for his class.
Thompson grew up as the youngest of four boys to single mother Patrice Thompson, known to many as Patty, who passed away in 2019 at 57-years-old. Patty always wanted the best for her boys and moved them from North Highlands to Antelope when Shaq was in elementary school. The 27-year-old linebacker is unsure if he would’ve been holding such an event if his mom were still around.
“She would’ve loved it and probably would’ve been at every event if she could. She was supportive,” Thompson said. “Obviously, if she had still been alive, who knows if I would’ve been doing this right now. She was one of the reasons why I really wanted to do a foundation to give back is to keep her legacy, that’s why it’s called (the) ‘Thompson Legacy Fund,’ it’s really for her.
"She’s the roots of everything of all my brothers and everything of how we (are) still here (and) survived what we went through. She was the roots of it so that’s why one of my focuses is ‘know your roots’ of where you’re from.”
Thompson has grown up a lot since he was that shy and unconfident kid with a crooked tooth. Now as an adult with nice teeth, Thompson is confident, knows his Sacramento area roots and continues to make his mom proud every day.