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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
University of Michigan Installs EverLast® Energy-Efficient
Induction High Bays in New State-of-the-Art Wrestling Facility
Jackson, MI– April 21, 2010 – The University of Michigan is a perennial leader in the world of college athletics, and a big part of this success can be attributed to their multi-million dollar sports facilities. In October 2009, the University of Michigan unveiled its new state-of-the-art wrestling practice facility. The new Wolverine training center is among only a handful of stand-alone wrestling facilities in the world. The Bahna Wrestling Center is a $5.5 million, 18,000-gross-square-foot building that includes a two-story indoor practice area with three regulation wrestling mats. It also features athletic medicine areas, strength and conditioning space, a locker room and storage area.1
No expense was spared when it came to the quality of materials used in the construction of the new facility, especially when it came to lighting. After testing fixtures from several different manufacturers, the University decided to go with EverLast® 400w Induction high bay fixtures from Jackson, Michigan based lighting manufacturer, Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc.
Metal halide high-bay fixtures have been the method of choice for illuminating gymnasiums in the past, but EverLast® Induction light fixtures are quickly changing that. Unlike metal halide fixtures that buzz and take up to five minutes to fully illuminate, induction fixtures are instant-on and soundless.
EverLast® Induction technology is essentially a fluorescent lamp without electrodes. High frequency energy from the electronic ballast is sent through wires, which are wrapped in a coil around the ferrite inductor, creating a powerful magnet. The induction coil produces a strong magnetic field that travels through the glass and excites the mercury atoms, which are provided by the amalgam (a solid form of mercury). The excited mercury atoms emit UV light, and just like a fluorescent tube, the UV light is up-converted to visible light by the phosphor coating on the inside of the tube. Since induction lamps do not have components that can burn out, they are rated at 100,000 hours, lasting longer than 100 incandescent, 5 HID, or 5 typical fluorescent lamp changes.
"Everyone at the University of Michigan, including the wrestling head coach Joe McFarland, loves the color and clarity of light produced by the EverLast fixtures," said Russ Stipanovich, Electrical Foreman for the project.
In addition to being energy-efficient and virtually maintenance-free, EverLast® induction fixtures produce a high quality and clarity of light that helps reduce glare and eyestrain. "Wrestlers are on their backs a lot of the time, so it was important to choose a light that wouldn't cause momentary blindness during a match," Mr. Stipanovich said.
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