Our History
From a Sacramento basketball program to a broader academic and mentoring movement, Team SAGE has always used athletics as a pathway to achievement.
Building scholars through sport
Team SAGE became a model for combining organized basketball with tutoring, college preparation, mentoring, and community support.
Through a joint venture with the Salvation Army known as Project Tip-Off, Team SAGE helped provide tutoring services and college preparation to more than 380 young people in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood.
Academic support was provided through Target: Excellence and included tutoring, SAT and CAHSEE preparation, and college recruiting guidance. Tutoring was available at the Salvation Army Reading and Computer Lab and at selected school sites.
Players who were not maintaining at least a 3.30 GPA were required to participate in tutoring to remain eligible. Team SAGE ultimately achieved an overall program GPA of 3.70.
A strategic community partnership
The Salvation Army partnership gave Team SAGE access to the facilities and resources needed to expand both athletic and academic programming.
Daily tutoring and college readiness
Students received structured academic assistance, test preparation, recruiting guidance, and access to computers and classrooms.
Six teams across multiple age groups
Team SAGE operated six teams, including 11U, two 14U teams, 15U, 16U, and a high-school team, supported by regular practice facilities and transportation to regional events.
Learning from those ahead
Peer-to-peer mentoring
Team SAGE partnered with Sacramento High School’s varsity basketball team to create teach-and-learn experiences between older and younger players.
Academic excellence
The partnership reinforced strong study habits, accountability, good sportsmanship, citizenship, and community service.
Career exposure
Professional role models helped students think about college choices, academic majors, and future careers.
Leadership development
Older student-athletes strengthened their own leadership skills by mentoring and supporting younger Team SAGE participants.
Organizations that helped Team SAGE grow
The Salvation Army
Provided practice space, classrooms, computer-lab access, and transportation to regional events.
Target: Excellence
Delivered tutoring, test preparation, college recruiting support, and broader academic guidance.
Sigma Pi Phi
The Gamma Epsilon Chapter of The Boule adopted Team SAGE and provided professional role models and career guidance.
100 Black Men of Sacramento
Helped secure additional weekly practice facilities and served as a source of mentors as the program expanded.
Milestones in Team SAGE history
Team SAGE begins
The organization launches in Sacramento with a focus on using basketball to reinforce academics, discipline, and personal development.
Salvation Army partnership
Team SAGE expands tutoring, college preparation, practice access, transportation, and computer-lab support for youth in Oak Park.
Sacramento High School partnership
Older varsity athletes and younger Team SAGE players participate in reciprocal mentoring and leadership development.
Professional mentors join the mission
The Boule and 100 Black Men of Sacramento help expand mentorship, facilities, college awareness, and career exposure.
Continuing the SAGE legacy
Team SAGE continues building scholar-athletes through academics, athletics, accountability, mentoring, and community partnership.
Help write the next chapter
Your support helps Team SAGE continue the work started through Project Tip-Off and expand opportunities for the next generation of scholar-athletes.