2008 Woodie Awards
Light up the night
Allan Lewis
Issue date: 8/30/07 Section: Sports
The SIUE RecPlex at SIUE will illuminate for the first time Thursday as Campus Recreation introduces its new $150,000 lighting investment during the inaugural Campus Rec Lights Up the Night.
From 6:30 p.m. to midnight, food, giveaways and a DJ will be available for students free of charge to help promote Campus Recreation and to push intramural sports at the university. The athletic fields will also be open.
According to Keith Becherer, assistant director for recreational programs, the event will be held to introduce the new lights to the field and to remind students the athletic fields are not limited to intramural and club use.
"There are so many potential uses for these lights," Becherer said. "These facilities can be used for anything from Ultimate Frisbee to concert events."
The Rec Plex consists of two multifunctional fields that can be joined to make up a single regulation-size collegiate soccer field.
"We wanted to light up the fields due to the growing popularity of intramural sports," Becherer said. "Although it was not cheap, it was well worth it due to the potential use students will get out of it."
Recreation Specialist Nathan Scott saw the lighting project as a way to push league games later into the evening, since it is cooler during the evening.
"Sports are also more exciting under the lights," Scott said.
Tonight's event serves as a kick off to showcase Campus Recreation and intramural sports, as well as to show off the new lights. It also provides an opportunity for other student organizations to recruit and create awareness.
"It is more of an informal event," Scott said. "Tonight will place emphasis on the pick-up game and will allow students to just go out and play however they want."
Lights Up the Night offers a festive atmosphere and all students are encouraged to come out and participate as well as look into intramural sports.
Along with the night of recreation, students will be able to enjoy a free meal courtesy of Campus Recreation featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers and soft drinks. The night will also include a brief presentation and lighting ceremony.
For more information about Light Up the Night, contact Campus Recreation at 650-2348.
From 6:30 p.m. to midnight, food, giveaways and a DJ will be available for students free of charge to help promote Campus Recreation and to push intramural sports at the university. The athletic fields will also be open.
According to Keith Becherer, assistant director for recreational programs, the event will be held to introduce the new lights to the field and to remind students the athletic fields are not limited to intramural and club use.
"There are so many potential uses for these lights," Becherer said. "These facilities can be used for anything from Ultimate Frisbee to concert events."
The Rec Plex consists of two multifunctional fields that can be joined to make up a single regulation-size collegiate soccer field.
"We wanted to light up the fields due to the growing popularity of intramural sports," Becherer said. "Although it was not cheap, it was well worth it due to the potential use students will get out of it."
Recreation Specialist Nathan Scott saw the lighting project as a way to push league games later into the evening, since it is cooler during the evening.
"Sports are also more exciting under the lights," Scott said.
Tonight's event serves as a kick off to showcase Campus Recreation and intramural sports, as well as to show off the new lights. It also provides an opportunity for other student organizations to recruit and create awareness.
"It is more of an informal event," Scott said. "Tonight will place emphasis on the pick-up game and will allow students to just go out and play however they want."
Lights Up the Night offers a festive atmosphere and all students are encouraged to come out and participate as well as look into intramural sports.
Along with the night of recreation, students will be able to enjoy a free meal courtesy of Campus Recreation featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers and soft drinks. The night will also include a brief presentation and lighting ceremony.
For more information about Light Up the Night, contact Campus Recreation at 650-2348.
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