UC Davis has not one, but two water towers — and while most people recognize the one on Interstate 80, it's the other tower near UC Davis Health Stadium that's now in the spotlight. Affectionately known as the “Touchdown Tower,” this 162-foot-tall utility landmark was just completely restored 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 urgently needed maintenance.
“This work is primarily about preservation and safety,” said Tom Ryan, project engineer for facilities management at UC Davis. “Water towers are exposed to wind, rain and sun 365 days a year. Without regular maintenance, the steel begins 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. The tower stood wrapped in white protective film for months during the trial.
When the upper portion of the film came off just in time for the start of fall home football games, the tower revealed its fresh new paint and bright lights – while the lower framework and protective film remained in place a little longer. Even half-dressed, the touchdown tower attracted everyone's attention.
A brilliant idea takes shape
“At first we just planned to repaint the tower and the UC Davis lettering,” said Joshua Morejohn, executive director of utilities and engineering at Facilities Management, “but the idea evolved.”
Athletics wanted to display its “CA” logo toward 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 was received by the Chancellor, the challenge was to do both.
Easier said than done.
Lucas Griffith, executive director of campus planning and sustainability at Design and Construction Management, determined the placement of each logo by walking across campus and examining sightlines from key vantage points – from the University Credit Union Center and the infields to Hutchison Drive and the stadium. One of the design challenges was to ensure that the two logos did not visually compete; Ideally, viewers will see a clear marking depending on their location. Griffith then worked with FOA Communications creative director Andrew Larsen to finalize the layout and direction plan.
“Now you can see the UC Davis wordmark from the University Credit Union Center and infields, and the Athletics logo from the stadium or as you approach campus from Hutchison Drive,” Griffith said.
Light the way
Originally planning on using static white lighting, the team opted for remote-controlled, color-changing LED lights.
“If we’re going to get LEDs anyway, why not make them programmable?” Morejohn said. “Now the tower can flash blue and gold after landings.”
During installation, utility and campus planning staff tested the lights on the Thursday before the home's opening, but quickly discovered they were mounted too low and too close to the tower – the Athletics logo did not illuminate as planned. Overnight, Facilities Management's machine shop built custom brackets to raise and angle the lights, better illuminating the tower's logos.
“We tested again on Friday and had it ready by game day,” Griffith recalled. When the Aggies scored a late touchdown this weekend, the tower glowed blue and gold for the first time.
“This is our Eiffel Tower,” one employee joked.
The debut of the new lighting during Homecoming was not only a technical achievement, it was also the beginning of a new Aggie tradition. “It’s a simple but effective way to connect what’s happening in the stadium with the rest of campus,” Athletics Director Rocko DeLuca said in “UC Davis lights the water tower, ushering in a new Aggie tradition.”
“The lights give everyone, whether they’re at the game or across town, a chance to feel part of the victory.”
The project's success reflects a campus-wide collaboration – a collaboration that transformed operational recovery into a symbol of connection between UC Davis and the broader Aggie community.
Built to shine responsibly
The new LEDs are energy efficient and specifically designed to illuminate only the tower, reducing light pollution. “This project shows how collaboration across campus can create something truly special,” Griffith said. “It’s about both responsibility and pride.”
The restoration is complete and the lights shine in the touchdown tower Now it stands as a proud counterpart to its better-known sibling on I-80 – two campus towers, each playing an important role and together symbolizing the spirit that makes UC Davis shine.
The people behind the lights
It took an experienced facilities team to bring the tower's new look to life. Project Manager Jaime Vasquez, Senior Lighting Electrician Derek Benson, and Electricians Seth Young and Miguel Duran played key roles in bringing the design to reality and making every detail shine.
When last-minute adjustments were needed to perfect the light angles, John Eldeen and Andrew Peart of Building Maintenance Services' sheet metal, welding and machine shop made bespoke brackets and extensions at short notice to ensure the lights were ready in time for the home's opening. Her supervisor, Albert Bacchini, coordinated the quick turnaround that contributed to the success of the debut.