For years, student-athletes in Marin have faced a common challenge; limited daylight cuts practices short and restricts game schedules. While other schools enjoy Friday Night Lights, this experience remains out of reach for Redwood students due to the absence of field lights. Installing overhead lights on Redwood High School’s turf fields would extend practices and game hours, increase revenue from game ticket sales and foster a stronger sense of community.
The discussion about installing lights on school fields has been going on for years, especially since artificial turf was added in 2017 to allow year-round play. However, the field remains unlit. Supporters highlight enhanced athletic opportunities and increased revenue, while opponents raise concerns about noise, light pollution and neighborhood disruption. San Marin High School faced similar opposition before installing stadium lights. Their 2019 proposal, found on the Novato Unified School District website, imposed strict limitations, stating, “[t]he use of all stadium lights would be limited to approximately 152 nights of the year, approximately 83 of which would be games (this estimate includes the maximum number of playoff games that could be played in any given year). For most lighted evenings, the lights would be turned off by 8:30 p.m. or earlier. For approximately 15 or fewer nights per year, the lights would be cut off by 9:45 p.m. in the evening.” Redwood now has an opportunity to follow rewarding precedents while addressing community concerns.
Nighttime games attract larger crowds than morning or afternoon games, boosting ticket sales and revenue. Alton Lightsey, athletic director at Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, stated in an article by Wootton Common Sense, “Our best Friday night football game sold over $6,000 in tickets.” Redwood could see a similar financial boost, directly benefiting the athletic department. Additional revenue could fund new equipment, uniforms and facility improvements.
Limited daylight hours during the fall and winter seasons often force teams to end practices early, disrupting training schedules and increasing pressure on student-athletes. According to the Apple Weather App, the average sunset time in January is 5:16 p.m., making it difficult for teams to maximize training. As a Redwood soccer player, I have experienced shortened practices due to darkness, raising injury concerns. These disruptions could be avoided with lights, allowing extended sessions and flexible schedules. This need for extended practice hours is particularly relevant when considering local schools’ proposals for field lighting. For example, Marin Catholic’s proposal has one exception. Their lightning plan states, “[T]he exception to [overhead lights for sports practices] is that practices during November and February would extend to 9:00 p.m. to accommodate post-season football and in season soccer in the fall/winter (five teams using two fields with approximately two hours of daylight)…” This adjustment supports teams during months with limited daylight.
Opponents argue that stadium lights will increase noise, light pollution and nighttime disruptions. As reported in an article by the Jesuit High School’s student newspaper, Jesuit High School’s proposal faced opposition from neighbors who feared disruptions. The article reported, “[T]he school says the lights are needed to start playing Friday night football games, but neighbors say that will create a neighborhood nuisance.” A local resident, Elizabeth Hughes added, “A lot of the community is really struggling with ‘How am I going to put my kid down to sleep?’” These concerns reflect homeowners’ worries about quality of life.
However, modern lighting technology has significantly mitigated these issues. Musco Lighting, a qualified leader in stadium illumination, has designed systems that minimize glare and energy consumption. The company claims, “The system will dramatically reduce your carbon footprint, cutting your energy consumption by up to 80 percent. And with the virtual elimination of glare and wasteful light spill into the surrounding area, your neighbors will enjoy a welcomed curtain of darkness.”
While concerns from local residents are valid, they can be addressed through thoughtful planning. Marin Catholic’s lighting plan enforces strict time limits, balancing community needs with athletic benefits. An editorial by the Marin Independent Journal states that they have strict time limits, with lights turned off by 9:30 p.m. for games and earlier for practices, sometimes as early as 7:15 p.m.
Installing lights on Redwood’s fields would increase revenue, extend practice hours and strengthen school spirit. With proven technology and responsible policies, the school can enhance its athletic program while maintaining harmony with the community. A well-planned lighting system would illuminate a brighter future for student-athletes and the school community.
