University of Michigan Regents approve addition of lights to Michigan Stadium
Mary Lowry isn’t happy the University of Michigan will be adding permanent lights to Michigan Stadium.
But she’s not unhappy either.
“My husband and I watch a lot of the Saturday night games on TV and we really like the atmosphere, so I’ll thinking adding them here will be a lot of fun,” said Lowry, who lives less than a quarter-mile west of the stadium. “But I’m torn. Traffic is really bad here during day games. What’s it going to be like at 11 (p.m.)? I don’t really want drunk college students and other people from the game walking past my house that late.”
Michigan Stadium will have permanent lights.
Lowry and her neighbors will soon get a chance to see how night game will play out.
U-M’s Board of Regents this afternoon approved adding permanent lights to the stadium. The lights are expected to cost $1.8 million, to be paid out of athletic department funds.
The lights are expected to be in place this fall, well before December’s outdoor hockey game and next September’s night football game with Notre Dame, athletic department spokesman Dave Ablauf said.
When the stadium was renovated, spots for lights were included in four different places on the new structures that were built — roughly at each 20 yard line on each side of the stadium, Ablauf said. The stadium has long used temporary lights, especially for late fall game starting at 3:30 p.m.
The original plan was for those structures to house temporary lights, Ablauf said, but that changed over time.
No date has been set for construction to begin.
Athletic director Dave Brandon said in a memo to the Regents that he expects more opportunities for night game to come with the permanent lights. Brandon was not at the Regents meeting.
“The addition of permanent lights will improve the quality of viewing experience for our fans,” Brandon said in a press release. “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."
The lights will still be used for 3:30 p.m. games that need them, the department said.
The department also said in a press release that having the lights 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 October and November, the release said.
Wolverines fan Todd Washington of Grand Rapids said he’s excited for the lights and a chance for more night games, even if it means he won’t be getting home to Grand Rapids after a night game until well into Sunday morning.
“It’s going to give the university even more exposure,” he said. “People like to watch those night games all across the nation. It’s going to be great.”
While multiple Michigan Stadium neighbors said they’re excited to see the atmosphere surrounding night games, others said they had at least some level of concern about it.
“Let’s see — lots of sound late, all that light,” said Matt Tower as he walked his dog in the neighborhood on Thursday. “I’m interested in seeing how it works out.
“I don’t think it will be a bad thing, as long as it only once or twice a season.”
David Jesse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 723-623-2534.
Comments
Killroy
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 1:08 p.m.
I think regents are making a mistake. Instead of approving lights, they should force all ticket holders to purchase little flash lights (along with the bottled water)at the door for any games ending after dark. For a stadium holding 110 avid fans, that is a lot of money which they could use to give themselves raises. Pft! Another opportunity squandered. :)
heartbreakM
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 11:38 a.m.
Dwayne, I appreciate your last post. I don't reject changes to tradition through and through, if I can see an improvement in my life. But when tradition changes (or any change for that matter), I will question it as part of the discussion. The night game is sure an exciting place to be for the fan, but there are some downsides. And there are unanticipated problems, some of which have been voiced including problems for the neighbors, for out of towners, etc, and some that we do not yet know. Part of process should be exploring all of this. But I will say that there are some absolutes that I am sad to see go, and that will be non-day games in M stadium. The construction was one such thing which I thought was great, despite breaking tradition of no luxury boxes. The yellow ugly halo? Not so much (and I was not alone). Getting rid of the UGLI's exterior in favor of brick? A great tradition broken!! Tradition of team picking captains before the season? A tradition which I thought was very special for the players which RR inexplicably and arrogantly got rid of (fortunately partly restored this year after 2 years of post-season captain elections). Football helmet stickers? LC got rid of those to adhere to the tradition of "the best looking helmet in football", though I personally liked the way those stickers looked when OSU and UM line up. OSU-UM at the end of season? A tradition that I love, which the B10 left alone fortunately. Etc etc
Dwayne
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.
Maybe I missed something. Once the lights are in, they are no longer playing at noon or 330? I didn't hear the announcement that there would no longer be day games. The uniforms do change every couple of years and as far as helmets go, I was watching a game on the big ten network a few weeks/months back and they had those stupid stickers all over the helmets. I'm glad we abandoned that tradition. Listen, I hear what you are saying, but at some point you have to recognize that there is college football outside of Michigan. There are things and ideas that other programs have that Michigan misses out on for the sake of tradition. A night time game against Notre Dame, under the lights at home, a lifelong Michigan fan and you can't get excited about that? College Game Day parks itself at the scene of the best College Football location each weekend. I'm thinkin that next year, Notre Dame @ Michigan will be a candidate. Now they've been at locations in the past, at 11am EST when they air, for games that will actually be played at 8PM. Those places are packed during the broadcast, so I don't see an evening game changing anything that has to do with tailgating or pre-game activities.
heartbreakM
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 10:55 a.m.
You know, I think we should change the uniform while we are at it. WE could go all maize, like the basketball team. And our helmets are so, well, old fashioned. I think we could do better if they were all maize, too. We could display it all at our night schedule. My concern over night games include, first and foremost, abandonment of tradition (the game day, including 'day game' tradition at M stadium is among my favorite things to do going back years), but the other factors are also big time concerns.
Dwayne
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 10:44 a.m.
Well, I guess you have that "if the shoe fits" feeling, because actually I didn't even read your post. To claim that something goes against tradition, but then go on about how it's a logistical issue, that's confusing. If it's a problem with parking, drinking teens, etc, then it's not an issue of tradition. I have never understood the whole "money grabbing" thing. I suppose that the board of regents are just a bunch of rich, greedy, out of touch snobs who don't care about anything but lining their own pockets. No, not likely. I would imagine that they are trying to stay ahead of the curve (or in this case, run very fast to catch up), so that they can maximize the revenue coming into the University for every other department or program that needs funding, but can't charge 110,000 people to come see it. No, I wasn't addressing you at all, but now that you've engaged, I will say this. Your take that the big ten shares it's revenue, so it doesn't matter, is absolutely ridiculous. If every Big Ten school had that mentality, then the big pile that they divide at the end of the year would never get any bigger.
heartbreakM
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 10:23 a.m.
@tater: Your comments about "if you don't like it, move!!" are among the most anti-democratic and most selfish comments that I have seen. People who live nearby have major concerns, and should be allowed to voice them, without your dismissive rhetoric. @dwayne: I think you should not judge people (like me) who voice concerns. You have no idea how big of a fan I am, and your comments border on obnoxious. There are traditions, and there are changes for change sake. I state above that I am in the minority, but to people like you, I guess I am no fan because I am concerned about alcoholic behavior, parking issues, maintenance of some tradition, etc. I think this discussion has devolved completely and maybe you all are right. WE should bow down to the holy fans that rule this site and not be allowed to (a) criticize Rod for his on and off the field performance; (b) criticize the University for poor planning and money grabbing; and (c) question any move that we might not agree with, lest we be labelled the devil and all things Buckeye. To which I respond, "get a life people"
bunnyabbot
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 10:14 a.m.
even if every homegame was a night game we are talking 8 games, so what 8-10 evenings out of the year to be inconvienenced by traffic, noise and lights. Most people I know that live near the stadium make $200+ for parking cars in their yards, per game. Most people who walk through the neighborhoods before and after the games are curtious. Just wait until they start offering up the stadium for concerts!
Dwayne
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 10:07 a.m.
Why in the world did we ever go away from the leather helmets? No one cares about tradition anymore. And I am getting sick of the games being broadcast in HD, that's just ridiculous. I mean, come on. What are these people thinking? Just illustrating absurdity by being absurd. If you can't understand how exciting an evening game of Notre @ Michigan, under the lights, you honestly can't be much of a football fan. Seriously, does anyone watch Cincinnati @ NC State if that game is played on Saturday, instead of last night. Changes is good, folks. Let's not get all crazy about 'tradition', simply because we are afraid of change.
a2cents
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.
Interesting: Current parking rules allow yard parking only on game day. If the cars remain after midnight they are eligible for a ticket.... a money-maker for the city @ $25/
RWBill
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 9:24 a.m.
Epic. One of the most exciting games was the come back under the lights vs Sparty. This will give ABC another option to LSU for the widely watched Saturday night national game, beginning against the Eyorish next year. A couple of night games a year plus better late afternoon lighting without bringing in all the temporary equipment... win-win.
A2G
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 9:01 a.m.
So, where are all the cars going to park for a night game? A lot of parking is done on residetial lawns for day games. Very few of my neighbors who do this seem interested in doing the same thing for night games and having fans return late at night.
oldblueypsi
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 8:06 a.m.
alterego - with tongue in cheek, may I suggest that it will occur when the 3d deck is added, increasing the seating to 200,001.
Steve Pepple
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 7:46 a.m.
A comment was removed because it contained a personal attack against a source in the story.
a2cents
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 7:44 a.m.
One of the few benefits to me and my neighborhood just appeared. Tomorrow is game day and the street sweepers are hard at work. In the winter it's snow plows for hockey and basketball. The downside is that A^2 is providing extra service to spruce up for uom's needs (parking) and spending scarce $$$ to do it.
Brad
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 7:31 a.m.
Sure, just another dose of "common good" from the Regents. I bet none of them live near the stadium.
aareader
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 7:21 a.m.
Money "needs" win again and another tradition... "afternoon" football fades away. The belief there is will be only 1 or 2 night games is a myth. In just a few years most home games could be played at night. Just my 2.5 cents worth.
JGS
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 7:06 a.m.
Hail to the lights! Hail yes! Next up - Gordon "Red" Berenson Ice Arena (Make it happen Dave). Go Blue!
FlintMaize
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 5:49 a.m.
I am for it, but it is a big deal. Many are concerned because tens of thousands drive from several hours away for Michigan home games. Are more elderly alumni will have concerns with it or driving home at midnight or 1 in the morning. Although, I am for it and think it is great, I am not selfish and know that it will be a major concern for many.
a2cents
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 3:20 a.m.
The u's policy of marketing to hype attendance while at the same time reducing event parking is a burden on the community. The attitude towards neighboring residents appears to be somewhere between huh? and so-what? We're no stranger to the traffic mayhem caused by night games (hockey, basketball, soccer). Stay tuned... it's going to get worse (and worse...).
jameslucas
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 1:30 a.m.
Alcohol eduction for students and fans? now that sounds like a class students and fans could enjoy, I was at one of those classes, alot of wine, here is a trick when everyone else spits, don't its makes the class lot more enjoyable.
alterego
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 10:44 p.m.
When's the dome coming?
heartbreakM
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 10:12 p.m.
To those who say it will be a cash inflow to the university because of TV revenue: You are mistaken. The Big 10 splits all revenue, so it doesn't matter which big 10 team is one TV. They all get the same. The only additional revenue for Ann Arbor would be if people spend all day in Ann Arbor eating and drinking (likely) and getting more traffic tickets. I am in the minority who is sad to see this day come (though I knew it was inevitable). I really enjoy day games and hope that Michigan will still continue the tradition for nearly all of those games. I also hope that they get on the ball with alcohol education for its fans and students. Night games even more than day games are a big excuse for partying. I saw it at Penn State, I see it on TV in the Thursday night and Sat night games.
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 9:55 p.m.
This has all the appearances of being a plus, I'm sure it will be very annoying for the folks not into all this. It's easy to accommodate something like this if your into the whole scene if not, folks just try to bear with it, probably only couple times a year. Have any of you made the walk from downtown Pasadena to the Rose Bowl, I have at nite and those folks seem fine with it. They have a lot of stuff going on under the lites at the Rose Bowl each year.
a2citizen
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 9:52 p.m.
I moved from Detroit to a half mile from the stadium for football. I don't have a problem with the crowds, the drunks (hey, it was the tailgaiting that made college football Saturdays so popular). Just please-do NOT ever invoke the concept of tradition. It's just a shallow marketing concept.
jameslucas
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 9:02 p.m.
Norte Dame under the lights in Ann Arbor every other year, that is so right.
Dwayne
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 8:16 p.m.
Yohan, Really? I would imagine that money will be paid back several times over by this time next year. A nationally televised game against Notre Dame, at night with very few games competing against it. College Game Day will probably be there. Now that's going to be a paid day. I don't have any idea how many other departments the athletic department funds, but I'm guessing it's pretty much the cash register for a lot of the non-revenue departments, not to mention, other sports that don't generate revenue.
Jim Osborn
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 8 p.m.
Even Eastern Michigan University has permanent lights at its football stadium, So did my high school. OK, but not my elementary school or preschool. Of course a major university stadium should have lights.
yohan
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 5:42 p.m.
Does the U-Ms Board of Regents ever NOT approve the spending of money? Now that would be news! Seems like the Board of Regents is just a rubber stamp for the Athletic Dept.
michboy40
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 5:33 p.m.
I can understand how resdents close to the stadium would be concerned, but there are already a couple games per year that end in the dark, and the people that get drunk are going to do so regardless of the time of day. Like J424 says, we are talking about once or twice a year. The residents that I have heard complain ake it sound like it will be a 24/7 issue. Who would move next door to a 110,000 seat college stadium and expect to have piece and quiet every fall Saturday, with no drunk college students wandering around?
Kubrick66
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 5:24 p.m.
Finally. Welcome to 2010.
J424
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 5:08 p.m.
I cant believe people are making such a big deal out of this. We are talking about 1 or 2 nights out of 365. WHO CARES. I live 6 blocks from the stadium. So there will be drunk people partying until midnight on my street 1 or 2 days a year. So what. Every other college town has been dealing with this for years. I was at a night game in Madison a few years ago, and it was awesome. I cant wait for it to happen. To the people that dont like it...oh well..its happening, and it always will.
treetowncartel
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 4:43 p.m.
Maybe we could get one of the "Chowder Bowl" games here in early December? Brandond could use his in with Dominos and we could have the avoid the Noid Bowl game.