A light on Cat-Griz

After receiving an anonymous donation of $500,000, MSU has begun the installation of field lights in Bobcat Stadium.

Just in time for the annual Cat-Griz game against the University of Montana, four 110-foot light poles will be posted in the four corners of the stadium.

“We won’t need to use the lights Saturday, but they’ll be turned on at half- time to make sure everything goes well,” said Bill Lamberty, assistant director of media relations for the Athletic Department. “The fans will get to see them. We may even use them the second half — it’s something we’re talking about.”

An original part of the stadium’s upgrade plan, it wasn’t until gaining the donation that funding for the lights was secured. Other benefactors have contributed to the project,which will cost over $1 million.

“We don’t see donations like this too often,” Lamberty said. “It happens when there’s a goal out there.”

It will take three more 140-foot lights, along with concourse lighting, over the coming weeks to meet lighting requirements for television broadcasts and hosting of evening games.

“In the future it might be advantageous to play a night game every now and then,” Lamberty explained. “The first game of the season could potentially be a Thursday night, giving a couple days between the first and second game. For now, though, giving the team more practice time is the biggest deal of all.”

In previous years, the team has had to schedule their training into the limited daylight hours because of the early darkness brought on by Daylights Savings time.

“Having lights now makes it possible for the team to get that extra 45 minutes in and stay on their normal schedule,” Lamberty said. “It will lead to better preparation.”