Images: Baylor Athletics
Baylor University has announced an eight-figure upgrades project for McLane Stadium which will incorporate an overhaul of its video board offering, as well as a new premium hospitality structure.
The upgrades are due to be delivered ahead of the new college football season this autumn, meeting a variety of needs that will update the 50,000-capacity facility which opened in 2014.
Daktronics is providing technical improvements in the form of seven new LED displays, a higher-resolution display on the main video board structure, and the backside video board facing the South Plaza. Fans will also be offered a new auxiliary video display on the north end of the stadium, two ribbon displays and two field-level displays.
The LED ribbon board displays and the main video board display, which were original to McLane Stadium since its construction, have been upgraded to enhance both functionality and the visual elements of the fan experience.
The main video board display will measure 47 feet high by 107 feet wide and will improve the resolution from a 15HD to 10HD pixel layout, significantly improving image quality and brightness. The auxiliary board at the north end of the stadium will measure 10 feet high by 49 feet wide and is a new element at McLane Stadium to provide fans additional stats and scores from around the country.
Once completed, the backside video board display will face the South Plaza and tailgating space and will measure 38 feet high by 80 feet wide featuring the same high resolution as the main video display.
In addition, two ribbon displays and two field-level displays will be upgraded. Each will feature the same high-resolution capability. The ribbon board displays along the seating on the east and west side of the field will span the length of the sideline seating.
The south end zone of McLane is intended to become even more of a focal point during games, as a premium hospitality clubhouse will be added beneath the video board on the Dimmitt Garrison Family Berm, providing what Baylor claims will be a one-of-a-kind experience along with a Berm-view of the action.
Baylor Athletics’ multimedia rights partner, Playfly Sports Properties, is behind the new premium hospitality clubhouse that will incorporate three climate-controlled, field-view suites with each accommodating 50 guests. The primary function of this temporary structure will be geared toward corporate hospitality. General seating in the Berm will remain available with the Clubhouse raised and placed at the back of the Berm area.
In addition, the construction of new production control rooms on the east side of the stadium will allow Baylor to produce multiple broadcasts at one time and fully centralise operations.
Baylor vice-president and director of intercollegiate athletics, Mack Rhoades IV, said: “These new elements will enhance what is already one of the best venues in college football. Each element has been carefully researched and selected to help us maintain an elite experience throughout McLane Stadium.
“We are grateful for the support of the Baylor Family, which allows us to invest in our facilities, and are deeply thankful to our partners from around campus, including the offices of Business and Finance, Construction Services, Facilities Management, BUPD, ITS, and others who lend their time and expertise to projects like this.
“Additionally, our strategic partnership with Playfly Sports Properties and relationship with Daktronics have helped bring all of this to reality ahead of the upcoming season.”
Baylor, which is located in the city of Waco in Texas, officially opened its new $212m (£165.5m/€195.8m) arena in January.
The venue, known as the Paul & Alejandra Foster Pavilion, or ‘The Foster’ for short, is located in Waco’s Riverfront district and has a seated capacity for 7,000 fans, with additional standing-room-only areas for around 500 spectators.
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