UC Davis has not one, but two water towers — and while most people recognize the one along Interstate 80, it’s the other tower near UC Davis Health Stadium that’s now stealing the spotlight. Affectionately known as “Touchdown Tower,” this 162-foot utility landmark just completed a full restoration and now features two UC Davis logos and programmable LED lighting, transforming it into a new symbol of Aggie pride.

Preserving a Campus Icon

The project began in spring 2025 as a much-needed maintenance effort.

“This work is mostly about preservation and safety,” said UC Davis Facilities Management Project Engineer Tom Ryan. “Water towers are exposed to wind, rain, and sun 365 days a year. Without regular maintenance, the steel will begin to corrode.”

Construction crews sandblasted and repainted the entire structure, recoated the interior tank, and upgraded ladders, platforms, and fall-protection systems to meet OSHA standards. For months, the tower stood wrapped in white containment sheeting during the process.

When the top of the wrap came off just in time for the fall football home opener, the tower revealed its fresh new paint and gleaming lights — while the lower scaffolding and protective sheeting stayed on a bit longer. Even half-dressed, Touchdown Tower turned heads.

A Bright Idea Takes Shape

The illumination concept started with a dedicated Athletics donor who kept asking when the tower would shine.

“At first, we were only planning to repaint the tower and UC Davis wordmark,” said Facilities Management Executive Director of Utilities and Engineering Joshua Morejohn, “but the idea kept growing.”

Athletics wanted its “CA” logo facing UC Davis Health Stadium, while others preferred the consistency of the UC Davis wordmark — the same one seen on the tower along Interstate 80. When the proposal reached the chancellor, the answer was simple: “Let’s do both.”

Easier said than done.

Design and Construction Management’s Executive Director of Campus Planning and Sustainability Lucas Griffith determined each logo’s placement by walking the campus to study sightlines from key viewpoints — from the University Credit Union Center and the intramural fields to Hutchison Drive and the stadium. One of the design challenges was ensuring the two logos wouldn’t visually compete; ideally, viewers see one distinct mark at a time depending on where they stand. Griffith then worked with FOA Communications Creative Director Andrew Larsen to finalize the layout and alignment plan.

“Now you can see the UC Davis wordmark from University Credit Union Center and the intramural fields, and Athletics logo from the stadium or as you approach campus from Hutchison Drive,” Griffith said.

Lighting the Way

Originally envisioned with static white lighting, the team opted for remote-controlled, color-changing LED fixtures.

“If we’re getting LEDs anyway, why not make them programmable?” said Morejohn. “Now the tower can flash blue and gold after touchdowns.”

During installation, Utilities and Campus Planning staff tested the lights the Thursday before the home opener but quickly realized they were mounted too low and too close to the tower — the Athletics logo wasn’t lighting up as planned. Overnight, Facilities Management’s Machine Shop built custom brackets to raise and angle the fixtures upward, giving the tower’s logos a better wash of light.

“We tested again Friday and had it ready by game day,” Griffith recalled. As the Aggies scored a late touchdown that weekend, the tower flashed blue and gold for the first time.

“It’s our Eiffel Tower,” one staff member joked.

The debut of the new lighting during Homecoming didn’t just mark a technical achievement — it kicked off a new Aggie tradition. "It’s a simple but powerful way to connect what happens inside the stadium with the rest of campus," said Athletics Director Rocko DeLuca in UC Davis Lights the Water Tower, Launching a New Aggie Tradition. 

“The lights give everyone, whether they’re at the game or across town, a chance to feel part of the win.”

The project’s success reflects a campuswide collaboration — one that turned an operational restoration into a symbol of connection between UC Davis and the broader Aggie community.

Built to Shine Responsibly

The new LEDs are energy-efficient and precisely aimed to illuminate only the tower, reducing light pollution. “This project shows how collaboration across campus can create something truly special,” said Griffith. "It’s about stewardship as well as pride.”

With the restoration complete and the lights shining bright, Touchdown Tower now stands as a proud counterpart to its more familiar sibling along I-80 — two campus towers, each serving a vital role, and together symbolizing the spirit that makes UC Davis shine.

 

The People Behind the Lights

It took a skilled Facilities teams to bring the tower’s new look to life. Project Manager Jaime Vasquez, lead lighting electrician Derek Benson, and electricians Seth Young and Miguel Duran played key roles in transforming the design into reality and making every detail shine.

When last-minute adjustments were needed to perfect the light angles, John Eldeen and Andrew Peart from Building Maintenance Services' Sheet Metal, Weld and Machine Shop, fabricated custom brackets and extensions on short notice, ensuring the fixtures were ready in time for the home opener. Their supervisor, Albert Bacchini, coordinated the quick turnaround that helped make the debut a success.