Prats Field, home to the Knox soccer teams, has become the first Knox athletic venue with field lighting. Electrical work began on Sept. 8, with the lightpoles arriving on Sept.15. The first in-game usage of the lights was Tuesday, Oct. 7, when the men’s team bested the Monmouth College Fighting Scots 3-1.
Both the men’s and women’s teams share Prats Field, meaning that both teams must work on scheduling practices that fit the schedules of coaches, athletes, and even professors. Scheduling practices around classes has been an issue in the past, so the addition of lights allows for less complication in regards to practice schedules.
Knox College Women’s Soccer head coach Annie Gerdes spoke on the necessity of lights.
“Prats Field is the only outdoor field at Knox that is home to two different teams. Without lights, we can only use the field until sunset, which is earlier and earlier throughout the season. The lights allow us to provide an equitable experience to both teams and ensure we can provide high-quality training and games,” said Gerdes.
Coach Gerdes also highlighted that the installation of lights is an investment in academics, as well as athletic success, by the school.
“The new lights on our field are essential for us to strive for academic and athletic excellence. The ability to have night games prevents our players from missing classes. Our professors make every effort to support our student-athletes, and the lights allow us to support the professors and their mission,” Gerdes said.
In a press release published by Knox College, Vice President and Director of Athletics Justin Newell spoke about the importance of the lights and what they represented. Newell declared that while the lights will initiate the potential for evening games on the field, the main purpose of them is to contribute to student development. Coaches no longer have to share the field or schedule practices that may interfere with student-athletes’ class time.
Furthermore, Newell says that the lights aren’t solely a victory for athletics, but also for the whole of Knox, as they show the school’s dedication to its students and community in innovative ways, while also being considerate of the environment.
According to the press release, the lights are designed to reduce glare and keep light pollution to a minimum, allowing for the night sky to stay relatively unchanged for the quality of the observatory.
While the field’s new lights are primarily for the use of the soccer programs, the school is making steps to allow student organizations and club sports to be able to make use of the increased availability at Prats Field.
