BGSU's Cochrane Field to add lights

[BGSU33]

Nice to hear the facility will be getting this done. Maybe baseball will be next. It would also be nice if something was done with the old tennis courts (like maybe even removing them) and that junk pile looking area next to them in between the ice arena and the soccer stadium. That area is really an eye sore right now.

Per the ST:

While not in the magnitude of the Sebo Athletic Center or the Stroh Center, Bowling Green’s Cochrane Field is undergoing some upgrades and additions to make the soccer facility one of the best in the area.
Through a donation to the women’s soccer team, wind screens, covered benches and World Cup-style goals have been added. The athletics department upgraded the scoreboard.
The next step is adding lights. After more than decade of discussion that project is going forward and the men’s alumni have come to the forefront to fund that improvement.
“I think we kind of got the ball rolling in terms of a facility update. If nothing else it provided some momentum to get the other stuff running,” said BG women’s coach Andy Richards, who has been at Bowling Green since 2000.
“It’s just fantastic. I’m so excited for all of us. It’s a big shot in the arm for both programs,” he added.
The construction for the lights is expected to start this month and be completed in 10 to 12 weeks.
“Really from the day I interviewed, it was one of the things that I brought up in my plan to rebuild the program, reconnect us with our tradition and get us back to where we need to be,” said BG men’s coach Eric Nichols, who will be starting his third season this fall.
“We are actually the last men’s Division I team in Ohio to get lights,” Nichols added. He said that when the original discussion started about adding lights, Bowling Green would have been the first school in Ohio to have soccer lights.
Nichols has been working to broaden the alumni network and putting that network to work in helping improve the facilities.
The cost of the lighting project is $400,000 and Nichols said that figure has almost been reached through donations. Two former players Gary Kovacs (1967-69) and Nan Chul Shin (1883-86) provided major leadership gifts for the project.
“We have about 45 alumni who have given,” Nichols said. “I think it really speaks to the power of the alumni network and the allegiance that our alums all across the world have to this place, BG soccer and the previous coaches.
“It’s all different eras and it’s a really powerful group. They want the program to be something they can be proud of. Now it’s our job to make sure that happens for them.”
If needed, the men’s and women’s programs could have fundraisers to help reach the $400,000 mark.
Richards said it’s more difficult for the women’s program to raise money, since the sport didn’t start at Bowling Green until 1997. The first senior to graduate was in 2000.
“We’re very grateful to the men’s alums and Eric to be the driving force behind this. We know we’re going to benefit greatly from it,” Richards said. “We have a few donations. They want to help, they just don’t have the ability to do so.”
There will be light standards erected at each corner of Cochrane Field. The four 50-foot poles will hold lights that will meet the NCAA minimum of 50 foot candles (a measure of the brightness of the lights) for television, said Jim Elsasser, BG’s associate athletics director for internal affairs.
“The process is underway right now. We are finalizing the construction documents,” Elsasser said. “We hope to have the project completed by the end of August so that we can begin to coordinate game times and host night activities.
“We’ve got an outstanding facility and lights will just provide one more feather in the cap for Cochrane Field.”
Nichols said the addition of lights will allow for later starting times, which will help market the team and allow the community to connect with the program.
“This gives a chance to get more people to our games,” Nichols said. “It gives us a unique opportunity to showcase what we have.”
The women’s team follows the Mid-American Conference scheduling model of Friday and Sunday games even with the non-conference games.
However, the lights could allow the women to schedule some mid-week contests and to start the Friday games later in the day, Richards said.
“I think we can get some fans and create a different atmosphere,” Richards said. “It’s a better game (under the lights).”
Elsasser said the lighted field will also give Bowling Green the opportunity to host high school tournament games.
“We have a great relationship with the OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association) from (hosting) basketball, football and baseball.” Elsasser said. “We’ll just provide them one more opportunity with a venue and the ability to play at night.”

[BGSU33]

Does anyone know if any work has started on this project yet?

[VDub26Falcon]

All I know is that watching GOOD college soccer under the lights is AWESOME! Went to see the Zips play Tulsa when the were ranked #1 and #2 respectively. Man, those guys know how to fill a soccer stadium!

[h2oville rocket]

Your athletic director is to be commended. He is doing a GREAT job!

[BGSU33]

Anyone....???

[threestooges]

No, work has not yet started on this project.

[Redwingtom]

Ummm....waterboy...I think it's pretty well all played out by now. Thanks.

[BGSU33]

No, work has not yet started on this project.

Anything yet?

[musicman2343]

No, work has not yet started on this project.

Anything yet?

Didn't see anything yesterday when on was on Forrest Creason; but then again, I wasn't really looking. I'll be out that way again soon so I'll let you know.

[brownnorangewokfu]

The project has just been bid out - the contracts will still need to be written and the materials ordered. You will not see any of the poles out there for at least a month. They may start some of the electrical power work, but most of the material will be long-lead items, so it will take some time yet.

[Dimes]

As long as they are up for the match vs. michigan. Get a tailgate going and some new Falcon Soccer traditions started!

[Bubba Bo Bob Brain]

Does anyone know if any work has started on this project yet?

Just asking, because there's not much left in August.
I really hope they don't do a half-a**ed rush job just to get it done on time.

[BGSU33]

Well, I was on campus yesterday (Tuesday) and it certainly didn't look like there were any lights at all at the field. I am guessing they are now going with portable ones for this game???

[Drago]

If they pay to bring in portable lights for this game then the department is even dumber than we thought. 6:00pm start probably doesn't need lights this time of year, but I don't know much about soccer, so maybe it does. Typical around here....I'm sure it's Greg Brandon's fault, you know, because of all the apr issues.

[Bubba Bo Bob Brain]

Maybe they can just unbolt the stadium lights on the west side and turn them to shine light on the soccer field.
I heard it will be another month before the lights are up. You'd think after the big headlines when we first heard about the lights someone would be good enough to give fans an update. But, then that someone would have to answer questions about the delay or blame and underling. Best to be quiet & hope the fans will forget about it. If I were a coach I wouldn't bring it up, either. I'd sure hate to look for a new job because the program is "moving in a new direction".