Teamwork Lights up Touchdown Tower

A Facilities Management team was highlighted during a recent UC Davis football game for their work on the shining refurbishment of “Touchdown Tower.”

Touchdown Tower is the nickname for the water tower located near UC Davis Health Stadium. This fixture of the UC Davis skyline received a major update this year that included repainting, upgraded ladders and platforms, the addition of two UC Davis logos, and — most excitingly — the installation of blue and gold LED lights. These lights have quickly become a dazzling component of celebrating Aggie athletic achievements, as they're lit after football and other key sports wins. In a recent, notable example, the tower shone in UC Davis colors after Aggie Football’s nationally televised win its NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoff game against the University of Rhode Island, on Dec. 6.

To acknowledge the role the lighting crew played in bringing this display to life, David Trombly, Derek Denson, Seth Young, Miguel Duran and Tom Ryan were brought down on the field during a football game against Sacramento State on Nov. 22.

The game's announcer thanked the crew for working tirelessly on the new victory lights:

Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to UC Davis spirit. Fans, make sure to always keep an eye on Touchdown Tower to know when the Aggies are victorious!"

More on Touchdown Tower's Transformation

Story Behind the Tower's Transformation

Collaborations between Facilities Management, Campus Planning, FOA Communications and Athletics resulted in complete repainting of the tank, two added logos, colorful LED lights, new safety equipment and more. 

 

Protecting a Towering Landmark

In June, workers raised scaffolding and then fully wrapped the tower before preservation work that included a full exterior repaint, replacement of safety systems, recoating of the tank's interior, and installation of LED lights.

New Tradition for Aggie Victories

Fans leaving the Homecoming football game saw the water tower light up the Davis skyline for the first time, to celebrate UC Davis' victory — a clear reminder of game-day energy for Aggie Athletics.

History of Campus Water Towers

An exhibit at Shields Library gathered the history of campus water towers, which have been the tallest structures on campus for more than a century, serving as both symbols and water management tools.

 

A version of this article first appeared on the Facilities Management website.