Bandit Lites Illuminates Neyland Stadium with Tribute in Light for 25th Anniversary of 9/11

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Friday night, Neyland Stadium became the setting for a powerful tribute marking the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, as Bandit Lites provided a large-scale Tribute in Light honoring the lives lost and the enduring spirit of those affected by the tragedy.

While Tributes in Light were presented in communities across the country, the installation at Neyland Stadium was a landmark moment as the first major 9/11 Tribute in Light presented at a stadium of this scale. Two towering columns of light rose above the stadium, creating a visual representation of the Twin Towers and offering a moment of reflection before the University of Tennessee’s game-day festivities.

The idea for the tribute originated with Bandit Lites Founder and Owner Michael Strickland, who reached out directly to University of Tennessee Athletic Director Danny White to propose bringing the iconic Tribute in Light to Neyland Stadium. White immediately embraced the idea, recognizing the significance of creating a moment of remembrance on such a massive stage. UT Associate Athletic Director Jimmy Delany then took the lead in implementing the plans, coordinating the many details necessary to bring the vision to life seamlessly. Behind the scenes, Bandit’s Alex Becker will serve as Lighting Director for the event, with Giff Swart leading the Bandit crew as Crew Chief. Together, the UT and Bandit teams have worked closely to ensure the tribute is executed with the scale, precision and reverence the occasion deserves.

“Twenty-five years later, the significance of September 11 is still deeply felt,” said Strickland. “We wanted to create something simple, powerful and respectful – two beams of light rising above Neyland as a reminder of the lives lost, the people who stepped forward to help, and the strength that followed. It’s an honor for Bandit to work with the University of Tennessee to bring this tribute to life.”

Bandit’s longstanding relationship with the University of Tennessee has helped foster a partnership that extends beyond traditional game-day production. Bandit provides lighting and production support for UT’s game-day experience, including the stadium’s dynamic light shows that have become part of the atmosphere inside Neyland Stadium.

The scale of Neyland Stadium presented a unique technical challenge: creating beams powerful enough to maintain their definition and visual impact across one of the largest stadiums in the country.

“We selected the Ayrton EAGLESTRIKE because its intensity and tightly defined beam could hold its shape across the enormous scale of Neyland Stadium,” said Bandit Lites Chief Technology Officer Jake Tickle. “Using two groups of five fixtures allowed us to create two powerful columns of light – a respectful and unmistakable tribute to the Twin Towers.”

The installation reflects Bandit’s broader role in creating memorable visual experiences at Neyland Stadium while demonstrating how concert and entertainment technology can also be used to mark moments of remembrance.

For Bandit Lites, Friday night’s tribute represents more than another lighting installation. It is an opportunity to use the company’s craft to create a moment of collective reflection – bringing together technology, place and memory in one of the nation’s most recognizable sporting venues. As an American company founded and headquartered in Tennessee, Bandit Lites is proud to be part of a tribute that honors the lives lost on September 11 and the strength, unity, and resilience of the American people.