Industry News

Chicago’s Gentile Arena given digital update by Daktronics

Loyola University Chicago in Illinois, US, has selected audiovisual technology specialist Daktronics to carry out major upgrade work at its Gentile Arena multi-use venue.

Under the agreement, Daktronics will manufacture and install 10 LED displays at the facility, which has a capacity of 4,486 and is home to the Loyola Ramblers men’s and women’s basketball teams.

The project includes a number of installations, with an LED ‘Space Ring’ to form the focal point of the initiative. This single ring-shaped display will hang above the centre of the court, feature 10mm line spacing, measure 4ft high by 81ft in circumference, and enable the university to show various statistics and graphics throughout events.

Other installations will include a new main display, which, mounted on the east end of the arena, will measure in at 10ft high by 24ft wide and feature 6mm line spacing. Auxiliary displays measuring approximately 8ft high by 19ft wide will be mounted on each side of the main display to provide extra information.

Two LED displays and four court-side LED scorer’s table displays will also feature in the project. A display will be mounted above each of the entrances to the playing floor at the ends of the arena, each measuring 3ft high by 18ft wide, while the scorer’s tables will come in at around 2ft high by 9ft wide.

In addition, as part of the new link-up with Daktronics, the university will receive content from Daktronics Creative Services, the firm’s in-house digital content production team.

Tom Sorboro, senior associate athletics director for external operations at Loyola University, said: “The state-of-the-art space ring, video boards and scorer’s tables will improve the overall fan experience and increase engagement at our basketball and volleyball contests.”

Joey Hulsebus, sales representative at Daktronics, added: “The overall production of the end wall video displays combined with the unique ring display will provide a great atmosphere for the university and its fans. We’re looking forward to seeing the completed installation this fall.”

Image: AJP