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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Lights Going Up at Perry Stadium
August 10, 2001 | Football
Aug. 10, 2001
Bowling Green, Ohio - The first of four light standards at Perry Stadium was lifted into place Friday this morning and workers are hopeful to complete the process within a day or two.
Each standard is 160 feet tall and boast 64 fixtures on each pole with 1500 watts per bulb.
Permanent lights will give the BGSU athletic department the option of scheduling any home football game at night beginning with the 2001 season. In addition to the stadium lights, the project calls for additional safety lighting to be installed in and around outlying student parking areas and walkways on the far east side of campus.
"I believe that the option of playing at night will have a positive impact on attendance at our home football games, especially with our students," said BGSU Director of Athletics Paul Krebs. "The response from our students and supporters has been outstanding."
The Falcons will play their home opener, September 8 against Buffalo. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Lights also will allow the Falcons to host Temple (September 22 at 6 p.m.) and Miami (November 3) at 4 p.m. BGSU's contest with Toledo (November 23) is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., but MAC officials have asked BGSU to move the game to 11:30 a.m. so the game could appear on Fox Sports Net.
Temporary lights have been used for six previous night games since 1989. The average attendance at those games prior to the 2000 season was more than 21,000. Over the last 12 years, BGSU has averaged 14,582 fans per day game, while home night games have averaged 18,933 fans per game, an increase of more than 4400 per game.
New lights also will give the department the ability to host high school playoff games giving potential students another reason to visit and receive a positive impression of BGSU.
"I think this gives a boost to not only our department, but to the community and University as well," added Krebs. "We have earned a reputation as a gracious host to several high school championships and the potential economic impact will benefit everyone."
