DETROIT (2/28/2020) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's lacrosse team will make some history next week as the Titans play the first-ever home lacrosse night game in school history.
The Titans will square off against Robert Morris on Wednesday, Mar. 4, at 7 p.m.
Back in the fall, installed permanent lighting at Titan Field and hosted night men's and women's soccer games.
The state-of-the-art addition was one of the initiatives in The Campaign for the University of Detroit Mercy, a $100-million fundraising effort that supports student scholarships, academic programs, faculty research and facilities. The campaign, which marks a significant milestone in the University's history, reached its $100-million goal in January 2019, one year ahead of schedule.
The total cost of the lighting project was $600,000, funded completely through philanthropic gifts from nearly 30 donors.
"I am very thankful to the more than 30 alumni who quickly funded this important project. Our student-athletes are the primary beneficiaries because they will have more options to practice and play," said Antoine M. Garibaldi, president of Detroit Mercy.
Titan Field is home to Detroit Mercy's NCAA Division I varsity men's and women's soccer and men's and women's lacrosse programs. Each of the University's 17 varsity athletic programs uses Titan Field and its facilities for training, conditioning and offseason workouts.
"The addition of lights shows a sign of progress and that Detroit Mercy is making things happen," said Robert Vowels, Jr., Detroit Mercy's director of Athletics. "I think this is one of the wonderful ways to enhance student-athlete welfare and experience. We're trying to put our stamp on the Detroit Mercy experience."
The installation of lights headlines the initial phase of Detroit Mercy's Athletic Village project, a $2.25-million investment in the University's student-athletes and the community. Detroit Mercy is continuing its fundraising to complete the Athletic Village and create an endowed maintenance fund to help preserve the upgrades for years to come.
Lights had not been present at the University's outdoor athletic facilities since 1971, the final year of its football stadium's existence. The University has not hosted an outdoor varsity athletic event at night since Nov. 6, 1964, when its football team defeated Virginia Military Institute, 28-7, in its final season as a program.
