SASF History

It often begins with something as simple as a dream...

SASF is a non-profit organization founded in 1993 by a group of individuals who had an idea to build a sports facility and cultural center celebrating the cultures of Asian and Pacific Islanders. The project became known as "The Quest" to build an Asian community/recreational facility, serving the needs of youth through recreational programs and seniors who would have a place to socialize and instill cultural pride within our youth. Read the entire journey of how an idea turned into a collective community project, with hundreds of volunteers as well as community organizations and prominent community leaders supporting "The Quest" from the inception until the facility was built and opened in 2007.

Original SASF Dreamers

Rodney Kunisaki Explains How SASF Became a Reality

Rodney Kunisaki was in his early 30s when he became Director of Programs of SASF. He was Board President from 1997 to 2001 and helped guide SASF to where it is today. Inspired by SASF's vision, he threw himself at organizing community support for the development of SASF's present day sports facility.

Ellen Kwong and the Joy of Serving

She's was an unlikely power broken, but 20 years ago Ellen Kwong helped raise $1,000,000 from the Bel Air Wong Family to build SASF's sports facility. Now in her 90s, Ellen tells how it happened and how her father put her on a course to serve others.

  • The Journey of "The Quest" (PDF)

    • In July 1993, a group of seven (7) individuals of Asian ancestry began envisioning a gym targeting the Sacramento Asian Sports community. This inaugural group was led by Jerry Chong, Eddie Fong, Robert Fong, Don Lee, Ray Lee, Barry Lim, and Rod Yung. Their support came exclusively from individuals involved with the Chinese Community Church Sports program and the Sacramento Warlords Basketball Organization with hosting the inaugural fundraising basketball New Year Classic tournament. Although this first tournament was small, it was an overwhelming success, attracting local teams as well as teams from the Bay Area and San Jose.

    As the concept of building a gym began to gain momentum, it became apparent that broad community support would be imperative for this massive project and the idea of building a gym grew to build a facility where not only sports could be played but a place where community events could also be hosted. This became the Quest for a community/recreational facility. Fundraisers and activities began to take on a new direction of "community events," reaching far and wide for volunteer support regardless of their organization affiliation to pursue the common dream to build a community/recreational facility.

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