Daktronics Outfits Central Michigan University’s Kelly/Shorts Stadium With Video, Audio System

Daktronics has partnered with Central Michigan University to design, manufacture, and install a new video and audio system at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The project is set to be completed this summer and will be fully operational for the 2019 football season.

“The addition of this video board and audio system along with other enhancements will make Kelly/Shorts Stadium one of the premier venues among our peers in college football,” said Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Michael Alford. “This upgrade will allow us to provide a first-class experience for our fans during games and will be a big part of our complete overhaul of the football game presentation. This structure will also be used year-round with recruiting, campus events and community engagement.”

The new LED display will measure 32 feet high by 100 feet wide to bring 3,200 square feet of visual real estate to events held at the stadium. The entire scoreboard structure will measure 39 feet high by 120 feet wide. The LED portion of the scoreboard will feature a 13HD pixel layout, the premier technology for outdoor sports used at many professional facilities including Ford Field.

“The new audiovisual system will make a great impact on game day and for additional special events at Central Michigan University,” said Ryan Stratton, Daktronics sales representative. “We’re honored to be working with the university on this project as they continue to improve the experience for their viewers in and around the stadium. We’re looking forward to seeing the new technology in action this year and for many years into the future.”

The new display will be located in the south end of the stadium and will be capable of variable content zoning which allows it to show one large image or multiple different zones of content at the same time. It can feature live video, instant replays, statistics and game information, graphics and animations, sponsorship messages, or any combination thereof.

The new custom audio system features 16 speakers that will deliver a clear, crisp sound production to every seat in the stadium.

A fixed-digit scoreboard is a part of the project to provide standard game information including things such as score, time remaining, down and distance, and more. The structure will also feature 3D, backlit lettering and a camera platform along the top of the structure, and a 35-foot high by 120-foot wide branded mesh graphic on the back to greet fans as they arrive in Mount Pleasant.

In addition to the equipment installation, Central Michigan will also receive a content package that will be produced and delivered by Daktronics Creative Services.

Daktronics will also be including its Show Control System with this installation. This system provides a combination of display control software, world-class video processing, data integration and playback hardware that forms a user-friendly production solution.