By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On Friday, Oct. 11, the Cazenovia Central School District will host a special varsity football night game on the Buckley-Volo Field.
The Cazenovia Lakers will take on Central Valley Academy at 6:30 p.m. under temporary lights.
This is the fourth year in a row that the school has organized games under the lights.
“Having a Friday Night Lights football game has been very popular with the students, families, alumni, and the faculty and staff each year,” said Michael Byrnes, district athletic administrator. “Most Central NY schools have Friday night home games . . . and are connected to the nationwide high school football night. Our kids — cheerleaders, pep band members and football players — look forward to having their home field on the Friday night news shows; seeing their game article [alongside] other Friday night games; and [having a] larger audience come out to see them.”
According to Byrnes, hosting night games requires considerable planning and effort.
Each year, permission to host such events must be granted by Superintendent Matthew Reilly and the school board.
The football program rents the lights using funds from the annual Bucky Bennett Golf Tournament and a number of sponsors.
Phil Cunningham of Cunningham Excavation, Inc. delivers the lights to and from the school grounds.
The night before the game, the grounds crew and a team of volunteers move the 12 lighting units into position.
The Cazenovia Police Department also plays a role in the event by monitoring the increased population and traffic in the village.
“It certainly takes a lot of time and effort for the one game, but it has been worth it each year,” Byrnes said. “I would look forward to a time when I could walk out back and simply flip some switches, but for now this works.”
According to Byrnes, the Cazenovia Athletic Association plans to sell a lot of hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza slices.
“Our concession stand usually doubles its profits for a night game on Fridays and that money benefits all of the sports teams,” he said. “We hope the community comes out to support the event and enjoy a night with friends and neighbors.”
Tickets are $3 for adults, $2 for students and $1 for senior citizens.
The admission gate will open at 5:30 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to avoid long waits.
Very limited parking will be available in the school lots. Additional parking will be available on the streets around the school and in the St. James Catholic Church lot off Sullivan Street.
Spectators are asked to park farther away and walk up to the school rather than park illegally on the grass or sidewalks.
“I’ve noticed people parking in unsafe places a few times around the school when there was plenty of parking available just down the street or at St. James Church lot,” Byrnes said.
To help position the lights during the Thursday night testing, email Byrnes at [email protected].
