Light it up!

When Mercersburg Academy students returned from summer vacation this year, they found a landmark addition to campus—lights on Regents Field. For the first time in school history, student-athletes can compete at night, bringing the community together and heightening school spirit. 

The lighted turf field finally became a reality last summer, but the project had been in motion for over a year. “The level of participation in the Annual Fund from our parents and alumni over the last couple of years certainly provided the resources for this project,” said Chief Advancement Officer John Richardson. “It was the collective generosity of those who support Mercersburg through the Annual Fund and the idea of creating a better student experience that helped make this project come to fruition.”

Starting construction in the summer created challenges. Athletic Director Lauren Jacobs explained: “We have a really big summer program here, and because they use our facilities and spaces, that created the biggest conflict.” Each summer, Mercersburg Academy hosts a variety of camps, including several athletic programs. “Honestly, trying to rearrange for any of the teams was hard. If there were a soccer camp or a lacrosse camp here, they would [usually] use the turf,” Jacobs continued. As a result, many teams practiced on the grass fields while construction on the lights moved forward.

The impact has been immediate for Blue Storm athletes. 

“Under-the-lights matches have been one of the best experiences I've had so far,” said boys varsity soccer player Trace Russell ’28. “It's a very surreal feeling, and I love the extra bit of pressure and intensity it adds to the games. It gives me the urgency of needing to perform as if I'm under a constant spotlight.”

This updated facility has already created a collection of “best memories” for players and spectators. For boys varsity soccer goalie Will Choi ’26, it occurred against Spring Mills High School. “My save within the last ten seconds of the first half was my best moment of this season,” he recalled. “Every time I did something, I could hear the fans' support. The cheer and the positive vibe was getting to me.” Simon Brennan ‘26 agreed, “During our under-the-lights game against Spring Mills, when we scored, you could hear the crowd cheering for you – it was special.”

Lilly Killinger, captain of the girls varsity soccer team, reflected on her team’s white-out game. “It was really cool to see how many people showed up, especially since people don’t usually show up to girls soccer,” she said. Teammate Skye Neme-O'Connell ’29 actually identified her favorite memory as a fan: “When the girls varsity soccer team watched the boys varsity game. Everyone showed so much school spirit, and many spectators had come to watch.”

The most significant impact, expressed by athletes and fans alike, is the increased sense of community. “One of the things I think Mercersburg has had room to improve on was supporting each other's athletic events, because so many games and meets have overlapped, hence harming the attendance,” said Choi. “Turf games under the lights are when I can feel the whole community rally behind our team, and it absolutely brings the community together strongly.” 

Quentin McDowell, Head of School, agreed, stating, “Athletic competitions can provide a rallying point for a school community, but we often schedule competitions for our teams at the same time. Having lights gives us the ability to play after dark, which can invite larger crowds.”

The turf lights have illuminated many spectacular moments for students, but there are a few drawbacks. Michaela Singer, head coach of the field hockey team, explained, “A field hockey ball can be difficult to track in the light when lifted into the air. Additionally, night games later in the season are often cold, making it painful to complete a drive on the ball.” 

These difficulties make games more challenging, but students and coaches still view the lights as a great addition. Skyler Clark, head coach of boys varsity soccer, joked, “I mean, I wouldn’t want a faculty house right next to the turf flights. But no, I think, all in all, it adds a lot to the community.”

Beyond just organized sports, the lights are reshaping student life, too. With the turf now open for recreational use on weekend nights, students have a new space to gather, play, and socialize. “Having access to the turf has been very fun,” said Russell. “My friends and I will sometimes go and play football and do other activities on the field, which have made some great times.” 

Neme-O'Connell mentioned that she has “used the extended boundaries a couple of times, and they provide a little more freedom, which is really nice.” This new freedom offers a simpler, unstructured way for students to decompress and connect outside of dorms or academic buildings. 

For a school always looking to boost school spirit, the lights are a powerful and visible step. Seren Gibbs ’28, a member of the field hockey team, noted, “I love going up there and watching people play soccer, or playing with my friends.” As Michelle Zhang ’28 agreed. “It gives students an opportunity to have a really good experience, whether you're playing or watching, and it's just cool overall to be able to hang out with friends."