COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A new and exciting era in Tennessee Tech soccer is officially underway, as construction has begun to install broadcast quality lights at the Tennessee Tech Soccer Field, as well as the practice football field adjacent to the Hooper Eblen Center. This project will allow the soccer team to play home night games for the first time in school history, with action under the lights set to debut in time for the start of the 2015 season. 

"This has always been our vision, and we are just thrilled that we will be able to play home night games beginning this fall," Director of Athletics Mark Wilson said on the newest project. "We strive to make each of our programs championship caliber on and off the field, and we believe this is a crucial step in evolving Golden Eagle soccer into one of the top programs in the Ohio Valley Conference."

Wilson's sentiments were echoed by second-year head coach Steve Springthorpe, who cited a whole host of benefits that will come with the latest upgrade.

"There's a lot to be excited about with this latest enhancement to our soccer facility," Springthorpe claimed. "Having lights on our field will allow even more fans to attend, especially the Tennessee Tech students, who will no longer have conflicts with classes. I know our team is looking forward to it as well; there is just something special about playing at home under the lights."

"The newest addition will also mean less missed class time for our student-athletes and more practice opportunities for the team," Springthorpe noted. "We are thankful that we have an administration that is this supportive of our program."

The project will force the university to close the South Parking Lot next to Eblen Center for the summer while construction is underway. "For the safety of students, campus visitors, staff and everyone who will be in the area, we are closing the South Lot," said Matt Dexter, Facilities and Events Manager. "We will keep the parking lot closed throughout the duration of the lighting project."

The lot is expected to be blocked into August. Updated information will be available on TTUsports.com, as well as via Twitter and Facebook posts.