West Virginia State University Shines Bright

Dickerson Stadium of West Virginia State University was built in 1963; and, thanks to recent funding by the Bernard H. and Blanche E. Jacobson Foundation and the Kanawha County Commission, a new artificial turf field with LED stadium lighting was installed as part of a stadium renovation project.

The stadium project began in August, but the lighting portion couldn’t begin until mid-September and had a very tight three-week construction schedule. The project had to be completed and operational for the homecoming football game on October 16, 2021. With such a short schedule, Musco Lighting, the industry leader in sports lighting, contacted I&Y Construction to get the project done correctly and on time. I&Y Construction was able to open a small window in their schedule to tackle the turn-key sports lighting project for Musco and the university.

In week one of construction, I&Y Construction’s crew trenched and installed conduit for the wire and data lines required for Musco’s TLC for LED sports lighting package with Show-Light+ ™. By the second week, the I&Y Construction crew installed four 36” diameter by 18’ deep boreholes and set four precast Musco foundations in their place. In the third and final week of the sports lighting project, the I&Y team assembled and raised four 90’ steel poles with the Musco LED sports lighting luminaries, installed the electrical gear, and completed the wiring for the entire system.

The I&Y Construction crew completed all the work and were done in plenty of time for WVSU’s celebrations. For the first time in the university’s long and prestigious history, the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets’ football team hosted their first ever night game. There was a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony prior to the game and the renovated stadium was newly christened as Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium. The university also demonstrated their new Musco Show-Light+ ™ System with a light show synchronized to music in between the third and fourth quarters.

West Virginia State University is the last stadium in the HBCU to install artificial turf and sports lighting to their Football field. So, it’s with great enthusiasm, WVSU Athletic Director Nate Burton has said, “The project will not only enhance the ability of our teams to recruit exceptional student-athletes from across the country, but it will enhance the ability of our current student athletes to prepare, train and compete for championships.”

I&Y Construction is always honored to be a part of these projects. Bringing Universities, Parks, Clubs and School Districts to a new playing level; not only for their athletes but for the fans, the communities, and their families.

I&Y Construction has done over 300 Sports Field Lighting projects in the Mid- Atlantic Region and has become the #1 trusted Musco lighting installer in the region. I&Y Construction prides itself on the quality and efficiency of service, as well as our experience, reliability, and knowledge of installing sports lighting.