Collegio Online

Issue date: 6/12/08 Section: Front Page

Media Credit: Courtesy rendering

A new video screen display is scheduled to be installed at the Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium this fall. The scoreboard display is to be installed by Daktronics Inc.
According to Daktronics officials, the video display, at 40 feet tall and almost 70 feet wide, will be the largest at any NCAA D-II stadium in the United States. Cost of the project is estimated at $1.7 million, to be paid by private donors.
"Because the new video display will be such a tremendous addition to the stadium and all the people who use the stadium, there were a number of donors who were eager to step forward and make this project a reality," said Kendall Gammon, major gifts officer at the PSU Office of University Development.
The current scoreboard has not been updated since 1988. While it displays the clock and score using incandescent bulbs, the Daktronics display works on light emitting diodes, or LEDs. The high-tech screen allows for displaying color animation and graphics as well as prerecorded and live video.
The display will not be limited to football games, says Chuck Broyles, athletic director.
"This project will benefit not only our football program, but our track and field program as well," Broyles said. "Other university departments and organizations as well as additional outside events will benefit from its use."
The new video board might improve PSU's chances at becoming host to such events as the Shrine Bowl, according to a university press release. In addition, PSU officials are considering using the video display as part of the university's emergency notification system. Another possible use suggested by the PSU Student Activities Council is an outdoor movie screen in the stadium.
Officials at Daktronics say that in quality and size, the scoreboard is equal to or even surpasses those at many D-I programs.
"We're pleased to partner with the university to bring the sights and sounds of 'the Pitt' to a level that will rival Division I facilities," said Brady Jackson, of Daktronics sales.
Other midwestern universities using this kind of display are Kansas State University, the University of Missouri and the University of Iowa, although none equals the size of PSU's.
Construction and installation of the screen will be under way throughout the summer and will be completed in time for Family Day and the first football game on Sept. 13 vs. Missouri Southern.

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