Powering a Friday Night tradition
High school football in the state of Kentucky is more than a weekly trip to your team’s stadium. It’s a tradition that’s rich with history in the commonwealth, and one that cooperatives like Salt River Electric are proud to support. Cooperatives power the “Friday night lights” in 89 counties across the state.
The action gets underway in just a couple of weeks on Friday nights for the Bardstown Tigers, Bethlehem Eagles, Bullitt Central Cougars, Nelson County Cardinals, North Bullitt Eagles, Spencer County Bears, Thomas Nelson Generals, Washington County Commanders and the Bullitt East Chargers, one of the defending state champions.
Salt River Electric supplies electricity to six local high school football facilities. We’re proud to be the power source that makes “Friday night lights” possible for all the schools we serve.
Many associate Kentucky with basketball, and while we do love it, Kentuckians have been passionate for football for just as long, if not longer. The Kentucky Encyclopedia explains that the first college game occurred here in 1880, with high school football debuting in 1893.
By 1914, football was commonplace at most large high schools. Smaller schools later followed suit, with the majority of Kentucky high schools fielding a team when the first state championship games were held in 1959.
Friday night football games wouldn’t happen until the 1950s and 1960s for most schools in Salt River’s service area. By then, most rural homes and businesses had access to electricity through their co-op membership. Schools were also powered by co-op electricity, but their football fields weren’t equipped with lights. One by one, communities rallied around their hometown teams by raising funds to buy field lights that co-op employees often would help install.
Co-op electricity lights up stadiums, locker rooms and parking lots. We power scoreboards and public address systems. We’re also the power source for concession stands that crank out hot foods and cold beverages for fans. The high school football season kicks off later this month. And like the teams we serve, Salt River Electric is conditioned and ready for a great season.