RUSTON ? Louisiana Tech Athletics Director Jim Oakes announced Wednesday that an effort is underway to upgrade the lights at Joe Aillet Stadium this season.

Oakes confirmed that bids for the new upgraded lighting system have been sent out this week and that the university is expecting completion of the project before the final two home games of the year.

Tech President Dr. Dan Reneau approved the project to move forward in order to keep the nationally televised game against Fresno State on Nov. 24 on campus.

?We all appreciate Dr. Reneau making this important project a reality,? Oakes said. ?It is a costly proposition but one that will certainly be important for the athletic program. The enhanced lights and new turf will make Joe Aillet Stadium a much better venue for our football and soccer programs and our fans.?

Oakes said he expects the upgraded lighting system will be installed between the Oct. 21 home against Utah State and the Nov. 18 home game against Nevada. With this accomplished, Oakes confirmed that the home finale against Fresno State which is scheduled to be televised on ESPN2 would be played in Ruston.

?We are planning on playing the Fresno State game in campus,? Oakes said. ?The effort is underway to bring our lighting system at Joe Aillet Stadium up to ESPN specifications. Unless something unforeseen occurs, the game will be played in Ruston.?

Oakes said the new lights would be installed using the existing lighting structures at the stadium.

Head coach Jack Bicknell said that although he sees the benefits of playing games in Shreveport at Independence Stadium, he believes that his seniors should play their final home game on campus.

?It will be nice for our seniors to play their last home game in Ruston; under the new lights and on the new turf and on national television,? Bicknell said. ?It will be great for those guys.?