Dix Stadium To Go High-Def In 2008
5/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
KENT, Ohio - Kent State recently chose Daktronics, Inc. of Brookings S.D., and its industry leading HD-X light emitting diode (LED) video technology to provide the new scoreboard as part of the Phase II renovations going on at Dix Stadium. The agreement will provide KSU with new integrated systems not only for football, but indoor track & field as well.
“We are looking forward to the enhancement of the gameday experience with the new displays, the ability to have instant replay and interacting more with our fans is very exciting for our administration, staff and athletes,” KSU Facilities and Operations Manager Cynthia Stone said. “We decided to continue our relationship with Daktronics after positive feedback we received from updating our arena scoreboards at the M.A.C. Center. Their customer service is superior and with the addition of the football and indoor track scoreboards, our entire athletic venues will all have Daktronics scoreboards.”
Dix Stadium, home to Kent State football, will be one the first collegiate facilities to showcase Daktronics HD-X technology. The new HD-X video display will measure approximately 36 feet wide by 20 feet high and will feature resolution on 16 millimeter (.63”) line spacing. The video screen can serve as one giant display or be divided into multiple zones (windows) to show a wide variety of statistics, information, graphics, animation and video.
The Golden Flashes will be the first team in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) to incorporate Daktronics HD-X technology. The product line features ultra-wide viewing angles, increased contrast with deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, and world-class video processing for improved image quality. Using the latest LED and control system technologies, Daktronics large screen displays present live and recorded video images, colorful animations and vivid graphics.
The integrated display will also include a ProAd® LED display measuring 60 feet in length. Flanking both sides of the video screen will be custom LED football scoreboards providing basic game information. Spectators will hear crystal clear audio through a Sportsound® sound system. Sportsound®, a division of Daktronics, provides sound systems ensuring excellent sound projection, clear and intelligible speech and a powerful audio experience.
Additional improvements to the stadium will include a plaza and concessions area encompassing the scoreboard on the south side, new entrance, ticket and concession areas on the west side as well as a new fence line with brick pillars around the stadium. In addition, entryways will now feature decorative bricks, new graphics will be added to the stadium, HVAC improvements will be made to the President's and Blue & Gold loges and 30 new ADA parking spots will be added. The total cost of Phase II is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $4 million.
As part of the agreement, Daktronics will also upgrade Kent State's indoor track and field facility, located in the Fieldhouse adjacent to Dix. Runners and fans will be informed of timing results on a large video/message display measuring approximately 14 feet wide by eight feet high.
Kent State opens the 2008 season on Aug. 30 in Cleveland Browns Stadium against Boston College in the FirstMerit Patriot Bowl. The Flashes, who return 15 starters, then kick off their five-game home schedule on Sept. 13 against Delaware State in Dix Stadium. To purchase season tickets, contact the KSU ticket office at (330) 672-2244. Plans start at $45. For information or to purchase tickets for the Patriot Bowl, visit www.patriotbowl.com or call 216.621.0600.
To advertise on the new scoreboard, please contact Angela Adams, General Sales Manager, Kent State ISP Sports Network at (330) 672-8418.
