Lighted Fields Would Cost Almost $1 Million, Says Massie

University Liggett School’s outdoor sports teams are running into a problem, and that’s the absence of field lights. Without them, games must start earlier in the day, limiting attendance and weakening school spirit. Students and players are not happy about the fact that they are not able to have nighttime games and events at their school, but most are unaware how much money it would cost and how much labor it would take to be installed.

According to Student Body President Otto Massie, installing lights for just the football field could cost up to a million dollars, and even renting lights for a single game could cost from $50,000 to $80,000. 

According to Sports Venue Calculator, football field new lighting installation would cost about $880,000. 

But the lights would provide value, said some community members. 

Senior Liam Kurtz, a four-year football player, said, “It’s hard to play a football game at 4:30 because not everyone can make it right after school.” 

Another student, Malek Story, pointed out that early start times also prevent other athletes from showing support. “It led to a lot of students not showing up for these events because it was right after school.” 

Athletic Director Brian Anderson said, “It means everyone has to go very early. It also means you have to make some scheduling choices based on daylight savings time and getting darker sooner.”