Jesuit High School of Sacramento is thrilled to announce that the County of Sacramento has approved its stadium lighting project. On June 4, 2024, the Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to uphold the unanimous approval vote by the Planning Commission earlier this spring. The installation of permanent stadium lights at Marauder Stadium marks a significant milestone for the school and its athletic program.

Established over 60 years ago, Jesuit Sacramento has long been a pillar of academic and athletic excellence in the Sacramento community. Despite its rich history, the absence of permanent stadium lighting has posed challenges for multiple sports, often placing athletes and spectators in high heat during mid-day events. The effort to seek a Use Permit Amendment for permanent lighting began in 2021 and has gone through an exhaustive environmental review and all phases of the county processes.

The now-approved project will install four permanent stadium light poles housing state-of-the-art LED lighting with computer control technology to preserve the night sky and limit spill. These lights will not only illuminate the field with precision and enhance visibility for players and spectators but also dramatically cut off any impact on the surrounding neighborhood area. The approved lighting plan also includes additional fixtures to ensure code-compliant lighting for the bleachers and pedestrian pathways surrounding the stadium. This comprehensive approach will enhance the overall safety and transform athletics and the student life experience at Jesuit, bringing a new era of excitement to our community.

With the county approval now official, Jesuit Sacramento and our valued community will move forward in earnest to advance the project both physically and financially. The needed infrastructure and installation plans will be finalized while school leadership focuses on fundraising efforts.

“The journey to get to this point has been long and arduous, but it has been made easier because of great partners – including all at Jesuit High School, our partners in the neighborhood, and our partners at the County of Sacramento,” said Chris Alling, Jesuit High School’s president. “We know the addition of lights in Marauder Stadium will obviously benefit our students and their families, especially our student-athletes, but it is our sincere belief that it will also enhance the neighborhood and the greater community beyond Jesuit High School.”

The first Friday night football game in Marauder Stadium will be on August 30, 2024, vs Rio Americano High School. Jesuit will still host the game, even if the construction and installation of the permanent lights still need to be completed, using commercial industrial-grade temporary lights.

“We look forward to engaging with local businesses to create a great community environment around Friday night football games. Football, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field programs have roughly 400 student-athletes that use the stadium.  Operating an entire athletics program with stadium lights will allow all student-athletes equitable access to practice and games without mortgaging class time. Today is a day that will be looked back on as a historic moment in time for those programs. We look forward to seeing how this impacts them positively moving forward,“ shared Athletic Director Hank Weinberger.

To learn more, join the mailing list to stay informed of our campaign progress, be the first to know how to get tickets to night events, and read past news updates on the lengthy process for project approval that began in Spring 2021 all at www.JesuitHighSchool.org/Lights.