The Aquilian September 2017 Volume 80, Number 1
Gonzaga College High School Men For Others Since 1821
19 Eye St, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Photo By: Rylan Madison ‘18
Friday Night Lights By: Jack Martino ‘20 Editor On Friday, September 8th, the Gonzaga varsity football team played their first night home football game in school history on Buchanan Field. While they lost to Viera from the east coast of Florida 21-6, the game was a historic moment for Gonzaga sports. According to Gonzaga’s president, Father Stephen Planning, SJ, the original plan was to construct the lights along with the rest of The Eye Street Renewal Project of 2014, but “we were so concerned with getting the garage and field built
and if we included lights, it could delay it. As soon as we finished the garage we turned our attention to see if we could get lights on the field.” Father Planning did all the work to get the permits to install the lights for Buchanan. While night games are nice, the lights were put in to “maximize the amount of time that people can use [the field],” said Father Planning, “It also allows us to get more usage out of the field.” There are two different settings on the lights. There is the full brightness seen from when the lights turn on until about 9:45 PM. At that point in the evening the lights
drop to 20% power, which means that a reduced number of lights are illuminated for each pole. The lights have a time restriction, which was part of the long process of getting the lights approved prior to construction. They turn off completely at 10:00 PM regardless of what’s happening on the field. “So we need to make sure night games are completed before the lights shut off,” said Father Planning. According to SGA president Matt Gannon, the lights are “90 feet high,” but Father Planning says no one is sure of how tall they actually are. Father Planning said that the
joke comes from a pep rally about the new lights and “I was giving a basic announcement that they were going to be ninety feet high.” The joke eventually made its way into a chant at the game. The reception for the lights was as bright as the lights themselves. There was a great turnout for that historic game against Viera, currently ranked 43rd nationally, and the players had a lot of fun too. Students, faculty, and players alike loved the electric climate at the game. Sophomore Anthony Dmytrijuk enjoyed the amazing feeling at the game. “The camararderie was great,” said Anthony, “and even
Eye Street Clubs, p.3
Summer Service Trips, p. 4
Summer Reading Books, p.5
New Faculty/Staff, p.8
though we lost, it was still a fun experience for everyone at the school.” Gonzaga Athletic Director Joe Reyda loved “the outstanding atmosphere. We had a great crowd and there was a lot of energy on campus.” Sophomore guard Luke Petitbon said “It was an awesome atmosphere to play in and something I will remember forever, but I wish we could have given the students, faculty, and fans a win.” The football team beat Georgetown Prep 40-0 on Saturday the 17th, and it looks like winning won’t be a problem, even if the lights aren’t on.