Tuskegee University debuts new LED lighting tonight at Abbott Stadium, kicking off its 100th Homecoming weekend

Tuskegee University trustees, faculty, alumni, students and fans will mark a milestone tonight by celebrating the installation of new LED lights at Abbott Stadium.

The celebration will include a light show synchronized to music that will kick off the Golden Tigers' centennial homecoming weekend.

Athletic Director Reginald Ruffin thanked Alabama Power for installing the lights and training staff on how to operate them.

“This is more than just lighting up a field. “These lights will help Tuskegee student-athletes prepare for football, baseball and softball,” Ruffin said. “And it puts our teams in a position to host playoff games on campus in addition to championships!”

Ralph Williams Jr., vice president of Alabama Power's Birmingham division and head of the company's HBCU engagement, said these victories were no coincidence. Alabama Power's engagement strategy aims to create opportunities for all of the company's business units to support HBCUs, he said.

In addition to installing stadium lighting, Alabama Power's Energy Services division has completed mechanical upgrades to four Emory residence halls, lighting upgrades at the Kresge Center, and is currently conducting an ongoing assessment of other facilities on campus.

“Alabama Power’s partnership with HBCUs often takes the form of scholarships, mentoring, internships and jobs for students,” Williams said. “But since HBCUs have not always been adequately supported, there are opportunities to help provide infrastructure upgrades, and we are excited to see how this one project will pay off for Tuskegee University.”

Abbott Stadium, which holds 10,000 spectators, opened in 1925 and will house the university's 100 spectators^Th Homecoming game this weekend against Miles College. The stadium is named after former Tuskegee Tigers head coach Cleveland L. Abbott.

After a short program starting at 6 p.m. tonight, the stadium lights will be turned on to the public for the first time. Kick-off for the home games is at 1pm on Saturday and depending on how the game goes, it could be the first game to end under the new lights.

“Lights on the field mean more than night games; It enhances our students’ Tuskegee experience as we continue to upgrade the university with state-of-the-art equipment they can be proud of,” said Mark Brown, Ph.D., president and CEO of Tuskegee. “Many thanks to our alumni who supported this initiative. Thank you to Trustee (Jonathan) Porter (Senior Vice President of Customer Operations at Alabama Power) and Alabama Power. We are always grateful for your continued support.”