Southwest's quarterback Max Roberts was sacked by Washburn's Corey Puterbaugh during the third quarter. /Kyndell Harkness, Star Tribune
Gary Lehman drives a UPS truck from 8 a.m. to as late as 8 p.m., hours not conducive to watching his son, Aden, play football for Minneapolis Southwest. Catching a 3:30 p.m. home game — the typical start time at Southwest Stadium at Pershing Field, which has no lights — requires Lehman “to take a whole day off or miss work.”
Things were easier Friday. Jodi Wishart, the Southwest Alumni Foundation president, coordinated the first home game under the lights in the school’s 71-year history. Six generator-powered lighting units, three on each side, lit up the field, creating an event that inspired players, parents and alumni alike.
Southwest failed to achieve its on-field objective, losing 24-12 to Washburn and falling for the 26th consecutive time to the rival Millers. But the lights and the later start time sparked interest and brought crowds not usually seen at Pershing Park. Southwest activities director Ryan Lamberty estimated Friday’s crowd at 3,000.
“The place is packed; I’m a happy girl,” Wishart said. “There are a lot of different alumni, parents and newer alumni. It’s a great mix and that’s what city schools are about.”
Wishart, a 1990 Southwest graduate, paid the $1,000 for renting the lights out of her pocket. She also purchased other finishing touches such as purple lights (the school’s primary color) and stadium flags. Lamberty said the school paid about $1,000 for other expenses, including extra security.
Two alums donated material and labor to paint the press box purple. Scoreboard lights were replaced, a new sound system was installed and purple and white spotlights gave the bleachers a dance floor vibe. Lakers’ players took the field with steam jet blasting above their heads and at their feet. An impromptu halftime fireworks display came from a house across the street.
The rented lights created a few on-field issues. Passing plays were tricky and the back corners of end zones were dark. Southwest’s Camden Knuckles slipped into the darkness to catch a first half TD pass.
Knuckles later said he was disappointed with the outcome, but he also understood the big picture.
“It was a great joy seeing all our fans,” he said. “We really wanted to thank them and the alumni by coming out with a win, but we came up short.”
Phil Fischer, a 1966 graduate whose 98-yard interception return against Henry in 1965 remains the longest touchdown in school history, said Friday he “thought the field would be a little brighter.” But he, too, enjoyed seeing the large crowd, something he remembers from his playing days.
“The stands would be full and you’d have kids standing on their bike seats to see over the fence,” Fischer said. “City sports were a pretty big deal back then.”
The game was a big deal Friday at Fischer’s home in Edina. About 30 friends and Southwest alums met for a tailgate party then rode a school bus to the game.
Community members also helped make the game special. Ed Schaefer, a 1992 Edina graduate, lives across from the Lakers’ temporary practice fields at Linden Hills Park and “adopted” them this fall by purchasing and hanging a purple “Beat Washburn” banner on Monday for the players to enjoy. It was hung above the press box for Friday’s game.
Part two of a weekend under the lights for Lakers’ athletic teams takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday as the boys’ soccer team plays host to rival South in a match-up of two top-10 soccer programs. Last season, the football team won a share of its first Minneapolis City Conference title since 1974. And the Lakers’ soccer team reached the Class 2A state championship game.
“There’s a collection of people from past years paying attention to soccer and football more than ever,” said Jamie Plaisance, a 1992 Southwest graduate and current boys’ soccer coach. “Now we have a stage for both programs. ... It’s a big block party, a weekend-long class reunion.”
Count Lehman among those impressed by the evironment — and convenience.
“The atmosphere is great,” he said. “It’s a lot better than an afternoon game.”