SVSU to Add Field Turf and Lights to Wickes Stadium in 2011

Release courtesy of Matt Woodbury, SVSU Sports Information Director

UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University Board of Control approved a $1.5 million proposal by the athletic department to fund a project that would add a synthetic field turf surface and stadium lights to Harvey Randall Wickes Stadium for the start of the 2011 season.

"We are very excited about these facility additions and its immediate impact on our University and our athletic programs," commented athletic director Mike Watson.

The project is set to begin in spring of 2011 after the football team concludes its spring practice schedule on April 16 and would be finished by mid August, just in time for the start of the 2011 season in early September.

"These additions will not only create a great environment for our student-athletes, but also all of the fans who will be attending the games," commented head football coach Jim Collins.

SVSU was one of three schools in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) that did not have a synthetic playing surface, this addition will not only benefit collegiate athletics, but will allow the University to bring in and host events for students that have been limited in the past by the surface or lack of lights.

"Over the past few years there has been an increased demand for night games from our student population and with these upgrades we have answered their call," added Watson. 

SVSU intends to play all home games in 2011 under the lights, with the first game likely being on September 1, 2011.  The Cardinals last played a home football game under the lights in 1998 when they hosted Fairmount St. (WV) as part of the "Red Feather Game" series that was sponsored by the Fordney Club of Saginaw County at Arthur Hill HS.