Six Secrets of Selecting LED Sports Lighting
Over the past decade, LED lighting has become a cost-effective and energy-saving solution for sports lighting projects. The rise of LED solutions has also put advanced special effects and light shows within reach of venues of all shapes and sizes.
Here are six secrets of selecting a reliable LED solution that enhances the player and fan experience at your facility.
1. ALL LED SPORTS LIGHTING IS NOT CREATED EQUAL
Every manufacturer’s LED equipment will perform differently. This is especially true in complex applications like sports lighting, where variables that influence system design include facility type and size, seating capacity, television/video broadcast video requirements, pole setbacks, community light ordinances, climate conditions, and proximity to neighbors. When selecting a lighting provider, look for a company with a history of R&D innovation and the flexibility to tailor their system to the unique needs of your facility.
2. SHOWS AREN’T JUST FOR PROS
On-field light shows used to be available primarily to the largest schools and professional stadiums. But the advance of LED technology has increased the accessibility of color-changing lights, special effects, and custom light shows synchronized to music.
When it was time to replace the 35-year-old halogen lighting on their baseball and soccer fields, Meridian Community College installed a new Total Light Control—TLC for LED™ system that includes Musco’s Show-Light® entertainment technology. Color-changing lights and advanced light-show effects pump up the crowd, energize players, and enhance the game environment.
“When the lights first started flashing our baseball players poured out of the dugout and were making a big deal about it,” remembers Meridian Community College President Tom Huebner. “I looked over at the coach and said, ‘That is why we got the lights.’”
3. A COMPLETE SYSTEM OUTPERFORMS PARTS AND PIECES
Many sports lighting manufacturers only sell LED fixtures, and then build out their system with pieces and parts from different suppliers. For the best performance and reliability, look for a complete system from a manufacturer that provides lighting, structural, electrical components, and integrated surge protection all built to work together.
When Ouachita Baptist University decided to upgrade the lighting at its Cliff Harris Stadium, Athletic Director David Sharp took a tour of Musco’s manufacturing facility in Muscatine, Iowa, and left feeling more confident than ever.
“Musco took me all the way from where they do the fittings for the bases, to the pole installations and fittings, to the wire coating for the electrical, to the process for securing the structural crossarms,” he said. “Seeing the whole process there, it was really easy to see why Musco is who they are—and I knew we had made the right decision in staying with Musco.”
4. RELATIONSHIPS MATTER
When you’re investing in a facility solution that is designed to last for decades, trust and relationships matter.
When it was time to upgrade to LED lighting at Chad Richison Stadium, the University of Central Oklahoma looked to the company that had installed the stadium’s previous HID lighting, as well as the lighting at their baseball, softball, and soccer fields.
Seamless installation, high-quality system performance, and reliable service motivated UCO to continue their relationship with Musco. Stan Wagnon, vice president for athletics, said the new LED lighting system will enhance the Bronchos’ home football games and provide lifelong memories for students and families who visit the stadium for the Oklahoma State High School football championships.
“My advice to anyone who’s looking for sports lighting is to go with a company you know has done [the work] before: A company you know you can trust,” Wagnon said. “For us, Musco has fit that bill.”
5. IT’S IMPORTANT TO MINIMIZE SPILL AND GLARE
Glare is light that ends up in your point guard’s eyes when she’s trying to make a clutch shot, or that causes an outfielder to squint as they’re looking for a fly ball. Glare is a close cousin to spill, which refers to any illumination that ends up in an unwanted area beyond the field of play – like a nearby park, waterway, or home. Controlling glare is important for comfort, visibility, and athletic performance, while limiting spill is important for protecting neighbors and the night sky. Musco’s solutions include patented optics and visor technology to evenly distribute light only where it’s intended.
6. NO SPORTS LIGHTING IS MAINTENANCE-FREE
Every sports lighting solution requires maintenance. It is important to be clear on the length and details of your system's warranty so that you know who is responsible for scheduling, performing, and paying for any necessary service. For comprehensive coverage, look for a combination of proactive system monitoring and a parts-and-labor warranty that is backed by a network of regionally based technicians who can provide timely service.
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