MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As the last 70-foot light pole connected to its 20-foot deep base Friday morning, the reality that Trinity was bringing back its varsity football program became more of a reality.
Five weeks from the home- and season-opener against Mapletown, Pa., most of the Warriors, comprised of 20 players, watched as the final touches were put on the brand new light fixtures surrounding the football field.
While it was never a doubt that the lights would be in place and ready by the first game, seeing the final product that will allow the Warriors to play under Friday night light’s is something head coach Marcus Law hopes will motivate his team heading into fall camp, which begins Aug. 5.
“It’s not just reassuring for me, it’s for all of those guys on the team,” Law said. “They’re about to go in the weight room and I’m telling you right now, see this makes me want to go harder. Seeing that the lights are here and we’ve got things happening … yeah, it’s not only exciting for the coaches but the players, as well.”
The lights were installed with a crane from Anderson Excavating and were purchased through Musco Lightning, known as one of the premier services for sports lighting. Musco helped introduce temporary lights at major colleges and professional teams around the world. In 1982, it set up lights at Notre Dame Stadium as the Irish hosted their first night game.
Since, Musco has installed permanent lighting at WVU, Notre Dame, Michigan and Ohio State and many more arenas and stadiums collegiately and professionally.
Trinity will feature four light posts — two on each side — which will supply LED lightning for not only football, but other sports played on the field including soccer.
“We really only got this thing started in February and it was just an idea,” Law said. “Now that we see some of those ideas come to fruition is awesome. I’m super excited and the kids are excited, so it’s just a blessing up here on the hill.”
Scheduling
Two changes were made to Trinity’s football schedule, including the addition of an eighth game.
First, the Warriors will now host Hannan at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6 rather than travel to Madonna. That evens the home and road slate at four each and is the only 7:30 p.m. start time of Trinity’s home slate.
After struggling to schedule more than seven games, Trinity was able to schedule an eighth game Sept. 20 at the Maryland School of the Deaf in Frederick. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.
