As of January of 2024, William S. Hart Union High School district has approved district-wide field lights for all high schools. Saugus High School built lights for football, soccer, and more clubs and sports on the fields over the summer. But the administration has just told coaches recently that they are unable to use them until all high schools in Santa Clarita have them. Saugus Football Coach, Mr. Bornn’s opinion on not being able to use the lights has been unanswered but he did say that it is not in his place to say anything about not using them. He has also said because of the limited space at Saugus and the multiple sports and clubs that need them, these lights will allow the football team to practice later during the day because of the hot weather. Especially all the other sports and clubs that need the field will benefit from these lights. The lights are going to allow more sports to play later during the day and get more time for players of all sports to practice.
Incoming freshman, Ben Mormary, has said that he is glad to have the lights. He is trying out for the soccer team and all he has said is that they hope they will not have to practice in the heat after tryouts. He’s hoping that after tryouts that when they are practicing on the field they will be able to practice during the later times because of the lights on the field. The lights give an opportunity for all students to play during cooler times during the day. The lights can also be seen as protection for the student athletes from any injuries. This means that it also protects student athletes from heat strokes, passing out, etc.
Mr. Hougo, our assistant principal, has said that lights are paid by the district. The lights are paid through a bond measure with the district. The district has put field lights up because they thought it would be better for us just to have lights instead of building a stadium in every high school. For every stadium, it would cost about 13 to 15 million dollars. The question we ask: is it worth it to invest our money and try to get a stadium? Another reason for the field lights is because Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has demanded for practice to be moved for a later time in the afternoon or evening. This may be because of the recent temperature occurring in Santa Clarita and in general California.
