TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State and Eastern Illinois have agreed to move their Sept. 2 season opener in Terre Haute to Thurs., Aug. 31, at 7 p.m., the first game under a new lights system that will be installed at Memorial Stadium.
 
The two schools agreed to resume their 115-year-old rivalry back in April 2016 with a four-year home-and-home starting this fall.
 
"We're really excited to announce this," said Director of Athletics Sherard Clinkscales. "Adding night games to our repertoire will add value to the fan experience at our home games, and upgrading the lighting there will also help both our football and women's soccer teams that use Memorial Stadium for practice and games."
 
What hastened the move is the planned installation of brand-new Musco Total Light Control LED lights at Memorial Stadium.
 
"The lights will help enhance the football and soccer programs moving forward," said Athletics Facilities and Operations Manager Dennis Darke. "This was an upgrade that we greatly needed and we can't thank President Bradley and (University Senior VP of Finance) Diann McKee enough. This will allow us to have more flexibility in the future with regards to scheduling, and having home night games will enhance the game atmosphere immensely for our student-athletes."
 
The last night football game held at Memorial Stadium was vs. St. Joseph's on Sept. 4, 2010, and the last Thursday night game was vs. Quincy on Aug. 27, 2009.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Football team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.