Vanderbilt Stadium Upgrades Enhance Fan Experience, Energy Efficiency

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For more than a decade, Vanderbilt University in Nashville has had one of the nation’s most successful baseball programs. As such, the university’s baseball games are popular and its stadium, Hawkins Field, is expected to perform well.

To meet its goals of improving both the fan experience and energy efficiency at Hawkins Field, Vanderbilt University recently made the switch to an all LED lighting system. Hawkins Field now features a lighting system that is expected to reduce energy use by as much as 75 percent while also enhancing the view from the stands.

Vanderbilt University partnered with global company Eaton, with U.S. headquarters in Cleveland, to complete the project. The power management company provides energy-efficient solutions to help customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. The new LED system designed by Eaton features Ephesus Stadium Pro lights and a DMX control system, which enables dynamic fan experience effects and increases operational flexibility, according to a statement by the company. The new lights at Hawkins Field offer instant-on capability, eliminating the warm-up period associated with more traditional metal halide lighting products. The updated system was first put to the test at the team’s opening season night game on Feb. 19 against the University of San Diego.

“Our new LED lights from Eaton’s Ephesus Lighting make Hawkins Field an even better place to play and watch a game,” said Kevin Colon, associate athletic director for Vanderbilt University, in a statement. “As we researched the LED lighting options available, it was clear to us that Ephesus Lighting had the best solution from the standpoint of lighting quality, operations flexibility and energy efficiency.”

Hawkins Field’s new lighting system reduces glare and improves uniformity, according to Eaton, creating a better stage for players and fans both in the stadium and those watching on high-definition television. The versatility of an LED system also allows for operational flexibility and the creation of programmable light shows for fan entertainment. Additionally, the system’s significantly lower maintenance needs will help keep operating costs low.

“Since we installed the first LED lighting system in a North American sports arena, facility operators have come to understand that our digital lighting solutions create an enhanced stage for fans and performers,” said Mike Lorenz, president of Eaton’s Ephesus Lighting business, in a statement.

Eaton first used LED technology on a North American sports facility in 2012, and recently completed an installation for the major league Texas Rangers. The company now estimates that its Ephesus Lighting luminaires have been operational for more than 200 million hours at both indoor and outdoor sports and entertainment venues across North America, including collegiate facilities at the University of Phoenix, Duke University and Cornell University as well as other professional stadiums in both the U.S. and Canada.