High School Stadiums Light Up To Support Essential Workers

CHICAGO — Friday night lights returned to high football stadiums across the south suburbs last week, absent the crowds that generally pack lit up football fields on Friday nights during the fall. Now, high schools such as Mount Carmel, St. Rita, Brother Rice and Marist had their fields lit up to support first responders, healthcare workers and all essential workers during the world's fight against the new coronavirus.

This Friday night, several Illinois High School Association schools with football fields also plan to take part in the movement that Mount Carmel was among the early adopters of.

On Friday night, @IHSA_IL schools throughout the state will turn on their lights as a part of #LightsForTheFight to support their seniors & those on the frontlines facing the pandemic.

Learn more about the initiativehttps://t.co/pLHxkwQ7jp #IHSA pic.twitter.com/cMpmlcSZVE
— IHSA State (@IHSAState) April 16, 2020

Two Fridays ago, Mount Carmel challenged a number of other high schools, as well as some colleges and professional sports teams, to light up their own fields in support of those working during the pandemic.

Mount Carmel challenges - @BrotherRice @StRitaHS @StLaurenceVikes @PCHS_Celtics @LoyolaAcademy @MaristChicago @NorthwesternU @UChicago @ChicagoBears @whitesox @NHLBlackhawks @Illinois_Alma @DePaulPrep @MontiniCatholic @marmionacademy @SaintXavier @Cubs pic.twitter.com/GzUraAoDze
— Mount Carmel H.S. (@MountCarmelHS) April 10, 2020

By the following Friday, a number had honored those workers by having their stadium lights on for 20 minutes and 20 seconds at 8 p.m.

"It was also a message of hope that the sports and activities we all hold close to our hearts will return soon," Mount Carmel spokesman Tony DiFillipo said.

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Mount Carmel Athletic Director Dan LaCount initially put the invite out via a video shared on Twitter. Brother Rice, Marist, St. Laurence, St. Rita, Montini, Andrew and Warren all participated. Also, Joliet Catholic lit up their Victory Tower and Loyola Academy "responded back that they were there in spirit as they don't have lights at their stadium," DiFillipo said.

"It was an awesome way we can come together and support those on the front lines."

Here's a look at a couple of the other neighborhood favorite schools all lit up.

Brother Rice:

Brother Rice #LightsFortheFight to honor our first responders, medical professionals and those serving our community. @MountCarmelHS pic.twitter.com/8vkVOvps5N
— Brother Rice Chicago (@BrotherRice) April 11, 2020

St. Rita:

St. Rita is behind you Chicago! #LightsForTheFight pic.twitter.com/oU6rLCtst3
— St. Rita Football (@StRitaFootball) April 11, 2020

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