The Lincoln Academy Boosters donated $22,000 to install a sound system on the newly erected light poles on the school’s William Clark turf field. From left: Lincoln Academy facilities director Casey Stevens ‘00, Booster President Dennis Prior ‘92, Head of School Jeff Burroughs, Booster Treasurer Darci Harrington, and Director of Community Engagement and Development Heather D’Ippolito.

Night games at Lincoln Academy will be a lot easier to see and hear thanks to new light poles that were erected last week on the local high school’s Clark Field.

The new lights will make play on the field significantly brighter for players, while actually reducing light pollution in the neighborhood, since they are remote controlled, and can be targeted more directly. LED technology also increases their energy efficiency.

Thanks to a donation of more than $20,000 from the Lincoln Academy Boosters, the turf field sound system is also being replaced and upgraded on the poles. This new system will make announcements during games much easier to hear.

“Booster volunteers were particularly aware of the sound issues on the field, because they could not hear announcements from their concession stand,” said Heather D’Ippolito, Lincoln Academy’s Director of Community Engagement and Development. “They understand as well as anyone how much we needed this upgrade. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work to raise the funds that make this donation possible.”

The LA Boosters raise more than $50,000 annually for the school’s student programs, including athletics as well as other extracurriculars like the debate and robotics teams, music program, and Talon student newspaper. Their funds are raised through concession sales at LA games, an annual auction, and other fundraisers throughout the year.

“We’re looking forward to playing our homecoming game under the lights this year,” said Head of School Jeff Burroughs, who also coaches the LA boys varsity soccer team. “I think both players and fans will find it a whole new experience from past years.”

2024 LA Homecoming is September 26-29. The schedule for this and other athletic events can be found on the Athletics Calendar. Anyone interested in volunteering with the Lincoln Academy Boosters should follow them on Facebook or Instagram, or check the Lincoln Academy Weekly Newsletter for volunteer shift links.