As the lights dimmed in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center, a 10-second countdown appeared on the video screens above the court.
As the numbers hit 0, those gathered below were then treated to a selection of Lions basketball stats (such as “3 MIAA Championships” and “4 NCAA D2 National Tournament Appearances) and a montage of game highlights and players designed to get the blood pumping.
Athletics Director Jared Bruggeman talks about the features of the new video scoreboard.
The scoreboard, revealed on Thursday, Dec. 5, was made possible through an anonymous, $250,000 donation that was announced in October. It was designated by the donors for the specific purpose of constructing the new scoreboard.
Manufactured by Nevco, a video scoreboard company based in Greenville, Ill., it is 8.5 feet tall and 10.5 feet wide. It features four 40-square-foot LED video screens, each one approximately 5 x 8 feet in size.
“This puts us at a whole other level,” Athletic Director Jared Bruggeman said, noting that it can be used not only for athletic events, but also for concerts, ceremonies and other activities.
Students from athletics and the Department of Communication have been trained to run the scoreboard, and a control room has been constructed with the assistance of students and staff from KGCS-TV.
The scoreboard was set to make its official debut as the men’s basketball team opens up MIAA play and hosts the visiting Nebraska-Kearney at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5.