Until recently, LHS sports were played only when rays of sunlight shined down on Marion Street fields. For years, the field has hosted Homecoming, Soccer Day, and even the annual LHS Powderpuff Game, proving to be a great venue for any outdoor sport that Lynbrook has to offer, but events could only go on during the day, due to a lack of artificial light sources on the field.
The process to get lights up at Marion Street all came down to one question: What could help create a better environment for sports here at LHS? After the addition of field lights on the North Middle School field, as well as renovations to the Marion Street playground, the district had been making efforts to improve the facilities the Owls spent so much time using. Athletic Director Joseph Martillotti expressed his excitement for what these lights bring, due to both the time it took to finally get them up and running: “At this point in the fall season, we’re scheduling games at 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM and we’re battling darkness, so the tail end of games are able to be lit up, and while we’re not going to play exclusively night games, it still makes everything easier because it allows the sports to not all be crammed into one field.”
Lynbrook athletes are no strangers to night games. Last season, the boys’ varsity football team played three of their four regular-season away games under the lights, including its sole playoff game against South Side High School. Players have experienced the atmosphere that night games can bring.
The lights not only enhance the players’ experience but also the fans’. “Friday Night Lights” are a hallmark of the high schools across the country, and Lynbrook varsity football coach David Yaker believes the lights will foster community involvement: “It’s about connection, and when you’re connected, you connect to the community and that’s what we want. We want the community out here.”
A great example of how lights affect a game was seen in last year’s playoff game at the end of the varsity boys’ lacrosse season: No. 7 Lynbrook vs. No. 2 Seaford. In a 7:00 PM game, the Owls fell behind early, trailing by two after one quarter. However, Lynbrook rattled off eight goals over the span of the next two quarters, leading into the final quarter of play, 9-5.
But the score was 10-10 as regulation ended. With the next goal being the last, both teams were looking to rally and book their spot in the semi-finals. Then suddenly, the lights turned off. The timer set for the lights ran out, putting the game on the back burner until they could be turned on again, preventing the exciting game from coming to a satisfying close.
Even though it may not have ended the way that he wanted it to, it was an experience to remember for coach William Luzzi, who is very excited to finally have the lights at Marion Street. “Night games are always fun because they bring a fun energy to the game. From bringing the fans out to the thrill of playing under the lights, we’re super excited to be able to host a lot of night games in the future,” Luzzi said.
The Owls play most of their home games throughout the week at 5:00 PM, leaving them with just enough time before the sun sets to still have light at the end of the match. With the addition of these lights, these games could be moved back to a later time slot, making it easier for the Lynbrook community to come out and cheer the Owls on. “The product on the field is a result of the connection with everybody else,” Yaker mused. “From the parents, to the administrators, the teachers, the custodians, the secretaries, the security guards, and the people in the community who are coming down to cheer us on, it’s a culmination of everything,” added Yaker.
