Release: Permanent Lights to be Installed at Michigan Stadium

Submitted by Brian on

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ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved today (Sept. 16) the request for permanent lighting at Michigan Stadium. The athletic department will have the lights installed prior to the playing of the Big Chill at the Big House, an outdoor hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State, on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010.

“The addition of permanent lights will improve the quality of viewing experience for our fans,” said Athletic Director Dave Brandon. “We take great pride in having the best game day experience in college football and this will further enhance that position.

“Short term there will be a cost savings on the rental fee associated with bringing in lights for the Big Chill and long-term it eliminates the need for lights to be brought in every time we play a 3:30 p.m. football game,” added Brandon.

The permanent lights will allow the Michigan Athletic Department to have the lights already in place for 3:30 p.m. games. It will eliminate the need for shutting down lanes of traffic on Main Street to utilize rented cranes to hoist lights unto the facility and gets rid of the generator along the concourse, thus improving the foot traffic and parking issues in and around the stadium.

In addition, the lights will allow the football team to practice at the Big House in the late afternoons and early evenings during the months of October and November. They can also practice at the venue in preparation for road night games.

The total cost of the project is $1.8 million. Funding will be provided from Athletic Department resources.

Michigan will play its first-ever night game at the Big House against Notre Dame on Sept. 10, 2011. The Wolverines have never played a prime-time game at home in the history of the program. All 33 previous night games have been played on the road or at a neutral site.

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Comments

Bleedin9Blue

September 16th, 2010 at 5:41 PM ^

Considering how much the renovation cost, I expected lights to cost more than "just" 1.8 million.  I had read several times that the reason lights weren't included in the initial renovation was to save money but adding 1.8 on top of 336 doesn't seem like a large change.

Either way, I'm quite happy with this.  I'm sure that they'll find a way to put them up such that they look nice and go well with the overall "feel" of the stadium.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the ND game since I'm the best man in a friend's wedding... in Ohio... that starts at 5:30.  Yeah.  Who gets married during football season!?!

MichiganPhotoRod

September 19th, 2010 at 6:43 PM ^

While $336 IS an impressive number, the renovations were actually $226.  What's $110 million among friends?

Lights will most certainly add an even more incredible feel to a stadium that has defined incredible since 1927.

The next incredible moves... the installation of HD boards and second decks on north and south ends with 10,000 additional seats each.

TheOracle6

September 16th, 2010 at 6:38 PM ^

I have always been for this.  Finally!!! The night game atmosphere is something that is going to add even more noise to the stadium especially because the wine and cheese crowd will be home asleep.  Epic WIN!

imablue

September 16th, 2010 at 10:31 PM ^

They may have had the electrical system outfitted already.  They should, to be safe, add in a back up generator just in case of the unlikely event of a power failure. Can you imagine 110,000 people trying to grope their way out of the Big House?, That comes to mind because I heard it happen once while listening to a HS football game.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

September 17th, 2010 at 12:20 AM ^

Hm.  I actually expected more wailing and gnashing of teeth and "oh goody lights will make it easier to see the black jerseys we're getting."  The arrival of night games to Ann Arbor is a welcome sight.

BrewCityBlue

September 17th, 2010 at 12:48 AM ^

though i am a traditionalist by nature, i can't help but be excited by this. I'm so jacked for 9/10/11.. hey, 9, 10, 11 that's pretty cool.... Ahhh, that's why that one dude was getting married, because his chic liked the cool number thingy with the date. My fiancee's the same way but i talked her out of it when i found out it is a lot cheaper to get married in january.

I digress...

what's the deal with the golf course tailgating? I thought i heard "they'd never have a night game because of the tailgating and other logistical concerns" though now that i think of it, after a game a couple years ago they had some (though few) portable lights out on the golf course to help people get to their vehicles and keep tailgating, er... get out of the golf course.

in any case, i'm pumped.