{"id":3236,"date":"2019-09-06T13:34:15","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T17:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/campusconnection\/?p=3236"},"modified":"2019-12-05T12:46:37","modified_gmt":"2019-12-05T17:46:37","slug":"lights-and-night-games-return-to-titan-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/campusconnection\/2019\/09\/06\/lights-and-night-games-return-to-titan-field\/","title":{"rendered":"Lights \u2014 and night games \u2014 return to Titan Field"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Titan<\/p>\n

For the first time in nearly 55 years, University of Detroit Mercy\u2019s outdoor varsity athletic teams will play home contests under lights.<\/p>\n

Detroit Mercy today announced the installation of permanent lighting at Titan Field, located in the northeast corner of the University\u2019s McNichols Campus. The lights \u2014 four poles each housing an array of LED lights \u2014 will be officially unveiled on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m., when Detroit Mercy\u2019s men\u2019s soccer team hosts University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.<\/p>\n

The state-of-the-art addition is one of the initiatives in The Campaign for University of Detroit Mercy, a $100-million fundraising effort that supports student scholarships, academic programs, faculty research and facilities. The campaign, which marks a significant milestone in the University\u2019s history, reached its $100-million goal in January 2019, one year ahead of schedule; it will conclude on Dec. 31.<\/p>\n

The total cost of the lighting project is $600,000, funded completely through philanthropic gifts from nearly 30 donors.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very thankful to the more than 30 alumni who quickly funded this important project. Our student-athletes are the primary beneficiaries because they will have more options to practice and play,\u201d\u00a0said Antoine M. Garibaldi, president of Detroit Mercy.<\/p>\n

Titan Field is home to Detroit Mercy\u2019s NCAA Division I varsity men\u2019s and women\u2019s soccer and men\u2019s and women\u2019s lacrosse programs. Each of the University\u2019s 17 varsity athletic programs uses Titan Field and its facilities for training, conditioning and offseason workouts.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe addition of lights shows a sign of progress and that Detroit Mercy is making things happen,\u201d said Robert Vowels, Jr., Detroit Mercy\u2019s director of Athletics. \u201cI think this is one of the wonderful ways to enhance student-athlete welfare and experience. We\u2019re trying to put our stamp on the Detroit Mercy experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SideviewThe installation of lights headlines the initial phase of Detroit Mercy\u2019s Athletic Village project, a $2.25-million investment in the University\u2019s student-athletes and the community. Detroit Mercy is continuing its fundraising to complete the Athletic Village and create an endowed maintenance fund to help preserve the upgrades for years to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to give our student-athletes and fans the best possible experience at Detroit Mercy,\u201d said Jason Varlesi, director of Development for Athletics at Detroit Mercy. \u201cThanks to many generous donors, step one of our vision of an all-encompassing Athletic Village is in place. For us to come together and make our vision a reality for our student-athletes, fans and Detroit Mercy community is an amazing feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n

This lighting project also illuminates the ongoing efforts of the institution as it repositions itself as one of the region\u2019s top higher education assets. For 18 straight years, Detroit Mercy has been listed in the top tier of Midwest Best Regional Universities in the U.S. News & World Report\u2019s \u201cBest Colleges.\u201d<\/p>\n

Detroit Mercy has made remarkable strides in recent years. The University has received support and implemented numerous programmatic, capital and neighborhood enhancements, including:<\/p>\n