Friday Night Lights?

In 1965, amidst simmering racial tensions, riots and controversies surrounding Alexandria’s first integrated high school, a smaller battle was brewing over an athletic issue that still haunts the school today: lights on the football field. In the end, the Titans would lose this fight and lights were barred from being built. There was an agreement made between TC and the community that there would be no permanent lights. Unfortunately, this has meant no night football games for the Titans. TC is one of the few high schools in Northern Virginia that does not have the benefit of lights. Without any night games, many people from the Alexandria community, students and their families, miss out on Friday night lights. While other schools in the area rally around their teams with Friday night games, boosting school spirit, TC is left in the dark.

Recently there has been speculation that the TC Athletic department was going to rent lights for a night game against Oakton on Thursday September 17, 2009. However, because of a shortfall in fundraising, the game was pushed to an earlier time and no lights ever arrived. Members of the community like small business owners and citizens were going to be the donors to the football field light rental. “Alexandria City Public Schools is not funding the renting of the lights,” Bob Eavenson, Assistant Director of Athletics said. Renting lights is not out of the question however. The football program and its community of supporters are still planning to try and raise money for a game later in the season. “I know we are considering the West Potomac game on October 24,” Principal William Clendaniel said. With advancements in technology, now would be a good time for authorities to revisit the issue of lights on the football field.