Panasonic Teams with Virginia Tech on Video Boards for Football, Basketball

Panasonic Eco Solutions North America announced that it has been selected by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) Athletics Department to upgrade the existing video scoreboard structure in Lane Stadium with a new high definition LED display and replace two existing video scoreboard cabinets in Cassell Coliseum with larger, higher quality LED video displays. The project is anticipated to be completed this month, in time for the football season’s first home game on September 7.

A rendering of the new video board planned for Lane Stadium.

“We are committed to bringing the best possible game experience to our fans, which includes providing them real-time statistics, replays, sponsorship messaging, and engaging audience participation activities,” says Jim Weaver, Virginia Tech, Director of Athletics. “Panasonic offered us a way to achieve our objective with their video scoreboard solution, which will be larger and better than what we currently have, something we know will appeal to our incredible fans.”
Lane Stadium, the home of Virginia Tech Hokie football, will install a new 19mm pixel pitch Surface Mount Diode (SMD) outdoor LED video scoreboard system with a true high definition display. The videoboard, which is 45.35 feet high by 95.75 feet wide, will be integrated with a new control system that allows layers of real-time video and audio to be instantly served along with game scores, statistics, news, and other information.

A rendering of the new video board planned for Cassell Coliseum.

The university’s basketball team will also enjoy an upgraded video scoreboard system in Cassell Coliseum. The existing scoreboards on both ends of the arena will be replaced by 18.11 foot high by  29.13 foot wide 10mm pixel pitch SMD indoor LED video scoreboards with four 9.45 foot high by 12.6 foot wide 10mm pixel pitch SMD LED boards to the left and right of the main screen, all integrated with a new control system. Additionally, the renovation will showcase a scoring system, which includes shot clocks and locker room clocks among other features. The state-of-the-art display will not only enhance the fan experience, but provide additional sponsorship revenues inside the venues as well.

“With these upgraded video scoreboards, Virginia Tech will enhance the fan experience and provide an expanded platform for sponsors,” says Richard Ballard, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Panasonic Eco Solutions North America. “With the fully integrated systems, Virginia Tech will have greater game day flexibility in activating messaging, real-time statistics and live playback of events.”

Virginia Tech, founded in 1872, is a leading research institution with the largest full-time student population in Virginia. The university has a robust athletics program, with Lane Stadium considered to be one of the loudest stadiums in the country, thanks to a highly active fan base.