Saturday night’s victory was Tuskegee’s second consecutive win of the season and a powerful illumination of Tuskegee’s bright future
“In one word? Exciting!” said Rev. Dr. James P. Quincy, III smiling wide. The president of the National Tuskegee Alumni Association joined a steady stream of event- goers making their way to the Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium, undeterred by some pre-game rain and wind blowing through before the start of Tuskegee’s first -ever home night game.
As evening turned to night, generations of students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters basked in the bright glow of the new LED stadium lights, made possible by a partnership with Alabama Power, which also includes mechanical upgrades to four Emory dorms, lighting upgrades to the Kresge Center and ongoing evaluation of other facilities across the campus.
Cross-functional teamwork between the Macon County Board of Education, the Macon County Sherrif’s Office, the Alabama Department of Public Safety, and Tuskegee Mayor Tony Haygood, as well as Tuskegee University’s newly expanded police department, ensured crowd safety and orderly traffic flow.
Whether they were hugging and catching up, cheering on the players, jamming in the Shed with the Golden Pipers, or enjoying funnel cakes the size of a dinner plate, thousands of fans were there to help make history.
“It’s a great new experience for everybody, to bring people together,” said Aloni Lewis, a sophomore business major from Houston, Texas. “The lights definitely add to the experience, 100 percent!”
While the Golden Tigers delivered a decisive performance, shutting out Central State 34-0, the lights punctuated each touchdown and pumped the energy to new levels.
Otis McDaniel ’70 remembers what it was like to be on the field years ago when things were very different.
“We didn’t have the lights, and we didn’t have the turf, but we earned every point, and we earned them well,” said the former Tuskegee defensive end, 2006 Tuskegee Hall of Famer. The proud alum was also a member of the first Boston Patriots team to play in the NFL, after the franchise merged into the league through the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
“My hat is off to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen,” he added, proudly beaming at his Tuskegee HOF ring.
For Kyla Robinson, a freshman nursing major from Tampa, Florida, her memories of Tuskegee football will begin with this historic night. “It’s my first football game! Everyone is doing a great job. The lights look amazing.”
“I did not miss a game when I was here and wouldn’t have missed this,” said Ruby Powell Smith ’14. Joined by a row of friends in lawn chairs she added, “I have always supported Tuskegee, and continue to support financially, as well. I love what Dr. Brown is doing.”
“This game meant more than lighting up the field. These enhancements elevate both the practice and game time experience for our football, baseball and softball athletes,” said Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO. “We will continue to seek excellence always - on the field and in our classrooms as we train our students to solve the world’s most complex problems.”
© 2025 Tuskegee University
