Baseball Field Lights 2020
Timmy Maggs

The Future Is Bright For CUI Athletics

By Ben Rosehart
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5: 14-16

These scripture verses resonate even more this week with the Concordia University Irvine family.  For the first time ever, new lights at multiple CUI sports facilities were all turned on simultaneously Tuesday evening.  The lights were installed over the summer.

It was a dress rehearsal with empty fields, but it was also so much more.  You could picture in your mind a goal being scored, the chatter from the nearby Eagles dugout, the crack of the bat and the roar of a baseball soaring over the fence. 

Light flooded the baseball and softball fields as well as the track that surrounds the home turf of the CUI soccer and lacrosse teams.  Counting the CUI men’s and women’s track and field teams as well as both cross country squads, these lights will directly impact 10 CUI athletic programs.

Lights Baseball Softball Soccer Track Lacrosse Field
An aerial view of the CUI baseball field, softball field and turf track facility lit up with the newly installed lights
To say we are excited would be an understatement. The ability to compete and practice under the lights is a game changer for our outdoor sports. Not only does it allow our student-athletes to be in the classroom longer, these lights allow our teams to compete in an exciting new environment and give a better opportunity for more of our family, friends and community to come out and support our Eagles!
CUI Athletics Director Crystal Rosenthal

The upgraded facilities will help influence recruiting.  Many current CUI Eagles are looking forward to competing under the lights and it is a great selling point for potential student-athletes eager to join the Concordia family. 

The installation of lights at these three heavily-used locations on campus give greater flexibility for CUI to schedule more sporting events throughout the school year.  Soccer doubleheaders and lacrosse games have traditionally taken place on weekday afternoons and Saturdays, but now with a wider amount of scheduling options, the Eagles can host more games later into the evening. Baseball and softball twin bills often are held midday on weekdays and can now be scheduled later in the day to better accommodate all parties involved.  This should also decrease conflicts with classes for many CUI students, fans and staff who wish to attend on weekdays. 

The presence of these lights also helps lengthen the availability of the fields for practices and workouts. 

“I cannot thank Tim Odle and his team enough for taking charge on this project, and the University and Dr. Thomas for supporting this tremendous enhancement,” added Rosenthal.  “These lights help our entire department to look towards brighter days ahead!”

While CUI Athletics anxiously prepares for a return to play for its teams, these shining lights represent the hope that our first night games featuring our beloved Green and Gold will arrive soon. 

#CUITogether 

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