Daktronics Boosts Fan Experience Through Video in Collegiate, Professional Venues

In the midst of a busy summer, Daktronics recently announced four major projects spanning collegiate and professional sports.  The company recently partnered with Arkansas State University, the University of Louisiana, the University of Denver, and the St. Louis Cardinals to upgrade their video offerings and enhance the game-day fan experience.

Arkansas State University has partnered with Daktronics to make improvements to Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, AK, before Red Wolves fans pack the facility to cheer on their football team this fall. Approximately 1,600-square-feet of LED video display will be added to the north end zone along with a custom audio system, delay-of-game clocks and locker room clocks.

“We’re happy to partner with Daktronics for a new video board, sound system and control room that are second to none in quality to any other football stadium in the country,” said Arkansas State University Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir. “We believe that our fans and students deserve the best and that’s why we chose to make an investment in the best quality. We believe enhancing the game-day experience for our audience is one of our first priorities.

The north end zone display measures approximately 32 feet high by 50 feet wide and features a 15HD pixel layout. Keeping with the industry standard, it is capable of showing one large image to highlight live video and instant replays. It can also be divided into multiple windows to show a variety of graphics, animations, statistics and sponsor messages. The display provides multiple levels of protection from outdoor elements and incorporates excellent image clarity and contrast with wide angle visibility.

The custom audio system will be integrated with the video and scoring system to provide full-range sound reproduction as well as clear and intelligible speech. Daktronics audio offers high quality audio systems for integration with any display system, indoors or outdoors.

A Daktronics standard fixed-digit scoreboard measuring 8 feet high by 32 feet wide will be installed to keep fans informed of the score, game time remaining, quarter, time outs remaining and other statistical information. The four additional game clocks will be located at each end of the field and in each locker room to assist with game flow and informing teams of time remaining during breaks in the action.

To control all of this equipment, the university has asked Daktronics to provide an HD control room on campus that will integrate the entire audio/visual system, including the scoreboard and timing system, at Centennial Bank Stadium.

The University of Louisiana also partnered with Daktronics Inc. on its new LED video display at Cajun Field on campus in Lafayette, LA. The upgrade in visual equipment will boost the overall experience for everyone in the stadium on game day.

“Enhancing the game experience for our fans and sponsors at Cajun Field has been a priority for us and we are excited to partner with Daktronics with the addition of a new state-of-the-art video board,” Director of Athletics Scott Farmer said. “With tremendous success on the football field during the past three seasons, the new video board will provide us with opportunities to engage Ragin’ Cajuns fans while creating new inventory and adding value for our loyal sponsors.”

The new video display will feature a 15HD pixel layout and measure 30 feet tall by 54 feet wide. It will feature exceptional contrast for excellent image clarity and pristine graphics while providing wide angle visibility to appeal to every seat in the stadium. The technology also includes multiple levels of protection from the elements in an outdoor setting.

The display can be configured to show one large image for live video and instant replays, but can also be divided into multiple sections to show a variety of graphics and animations, statistics and scoring information, and advertising and sponsorship messages.

The University of Denver is showing Pioneer fans their commitment to providing top-notch sporting experiences at Magness Arena and Hamilton Gym as the school has partnered with Daktronics to design, manufacture and install new LED video displays on campus in Denver, CO.

“Our student-athletes and fans will be in for a treat this upcoming season as we unveil the latest video and scoreboard technology inside Magness Arena and Hamilton Gymnasium,” said Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes. “We are so fortunate to have one of the best sports facilities in the region to call home and realize after more than 15 years of service our scoring technology and boards are at their end. Daktronics was the original installer of some of our boards 15 years ago and is still an industry leader in this sphere. We are proud the company has been selected again to move us forward.”                           

Magness Arena will receive an entire centerhung configuration composed of 10 individual LED displays, all featuring 10 millimeter line spacing, suspended above the court. The four main displays will each measure approximately 9 feet high by 16 feet wide. The ring on the top will measure 2 feet high by 69 feet wide and the bottom ring will measure 2 feet high by 51 feet wide. The corner shrouds, used mainly for sponsor messaging, will measure approximately 9 feet high by 3 feet wide at the top and narrowing as the displays angle toward the bottom to fill the gaps between the main displays.

The main displays in will be capable of showing one large image for live video and replays, but they can also be separated into separate window to show additions statistics, game information and sponsor messages.

Two additional video displays will be installed in opposite corners of the arena with the same capabilities as the main display. Both displays will feature 10 millimeter line spacing and measure approximately 8 feet high by 17 feet wide.

The university’s Hamilton Gym also will be receiving a new end wall video display featuring 10 millimeter line spacing and measuring 8 feet high by 35 feet wide to show live video and instant replays to fans. The display can also be windowed to show additional content similar to the main centerhung displays listed above.

Focusing on enhancing the fan experience, the St. Louis Cardinals and The Cordish Company, developers on the project, turned to Daktronics of Brookings, S.D., to design, manufacture and install five additional LED video and ribbon displays at four different locations at the new St. Louis Cardinals Ballpark Village.

The displays provide additional live video, replays and game statistics to keep fans entrenched in the action throughout the facility. The displays also provide additional advertising and sponsorship opportunities for brands to send their messages to a captive audience.

     The following equipment has been installed at Ballpark Village for the 2014 season:

·      One ribbon display measuring 2 feet high by 152 feet wide and featuring 15 millimeter line spacing. This display will be located inside Ballpark Village Live Plaza.

·      One ribbon display measuring 15.5 feet high by 29 feet wide and featuring 6 millimeter line spacing. This display will also be located inside Ballpark Village Live Plaza.

·      Two ribbon displays measuring 3.5 feet high by 63.5 feet wide, each featuring 15HD pixel pitches. These displays will be located on the Cardinal Nation seating deck.

·      One video display measuring 12 feet high by 20 feet wide and featuring 10 millimeter line spacing.  This display will be located at the Field of Dreams adjacent to Ballpark Village Live Plaza.

All of these displays incorporate the excellent image clarity and contrast which has become synonymous with the Daktronics brand. They also incorporate wide angle visibility while providing multiple levels of protection from the elements.

“We’re excited to partner with the St. Louis Cardinals and The Cordish Company to install these new LED displays as enhancements to the Ballpark Village experience,” said Ryan Kuzman, Daktronics sales representative. “These displays are not only a great addition to the overall game-day experience, but they also bring a new level of entertainment to patrons visiting Ballpark Village year round.”

Daktronics LED video and messaging display technology offers a long lifetime with minimal maintenance and low power consumption, providing value and excitement for years to come.