By Madison Kozera

Though a human necessity, light is often overlooked or taken for granted. While sunlight allows for exploration of the waking world, moonlight is softer, illuminating quiet moments in the night. Humans tend to not notice light’s importance until there is a sufficient lack of it, as seen with Saint Vincent College’s turf field, which was previously unable to be utilized to its fullest potential. The installation of Musco Sports Lighting, designed to illuminate the turf field after dark, grants the community the ability to use the field anytime, day or night, and fill this deficiency.

“The Musco Lights are a completely self-contained system,” Terrance Hill, assistant director of facilities, explained. “They feature a streamlined design [that] delivers convenience, minimized set-up time, and reduced labor and operating costs.” This “smart technology platform” lets the community safely access the lights when necessary.

The lights mix both function and fashion, as Dr. Jeff Mallory, C'06, G'13, executive vice president and chief operating office of the College, explains: “The new lights, especially at night, along with our Basilica, truly stand out along the campus skyline.”

“As a newer feature to campus,” he continued, “the faculty feel there is a certain appreciation in seeing them and to those who utilize them.”

SVC’s aesthetic is not the only aspect that has changed with the new addition, as they serve an additional purpose: the ability to host athletic events after dark.

Before, every athletic activity required daylight to be entertained, making hosting evening games a difficult endeavor. Now, everyone can enjoy the thrill of the game well into the evening.

“Since the lights have been installed, I think there’s been a positive aura around the turf field,” David Rahaman, C’24, a former member of the Men’s Soccer Team, highlighted. “Everyone can use them, and they’re something that the entire student body can benefit from. It provides a different feeling as a player to play under the lights. The mentality of going into a night game is definitely more electric and gets the team buzzing in the locker room.”

With raving reviews, SVC’s community remains grateful for the addition of the Musco Lights, and the newest source of iridescence brings the community closer together, one evening at a time.