Days adorned with diamonds and exhibitions
University of Oklahoma and Reading Fightin Phils Embrace Modern Video Technology in Stadiums
The University of Oklahoma (OU) and the Reading Fightin Phils have embraced modern video technology in their stadiums, enhancing the fan experience and showcasing their branding.
At Love's Field, home to the Oklahoma Sooners softball team, OU's softball program has seen significant success, with the team winning their first national title in 2000 and multiple titles since. To complement this success, two 10mm canopy displays, roughly 3.5x7 feet, deliver game-related information and sponsorship messaging. During non-collegiate softball events, these displays can serve as scoreboards. Optimizing the use of Love's Field year-round helps decrease wear and tear on the principal display.
The university worked with Daktronics to deploy a custom LED video scoreboard in the shape of the state of Oklahoma. The main portion of the scoreboard is approximately 27 feet tall and 55 feet wide, and displays full 16:9 video. The bottom section of the scoreboard outlines the Red River and is reserved for information on balls, strikes, and sponsorships. Two fixed-digit scoreboards show both scores and important stats.
Potter, Love's Field's director, invests a significant amount of time in remaining up to date on trends in video technology. He believes the timing was right to try something different with the Love's Field video display, as there are no specialty-shaped boards on campus. Positioned behind the batters on each side of home plate, there are two 2.5x8.5-foot, 6mm backstop displays that run animations, graphics, and messages from OU sponsors.
Meanwhile, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, PA, Daktronics worked with the Reading Fightin Phils on the design, manufacture, and integration of LED video and ribbon displays. The Daktronics 15 HD display at FirstEnergy Stadium features variable content zoning, allowing for the screening of one large image or multiple zones. The Fightin Phils production team started learning the Daktronics Show Control system around Thanksgiving 2023 to operate the new video displays.
Best practices for implementing video and graphics presentations in collegiate softball or minor league baseball stadiums often include high-quality, large-scale video displays, integrated graphics and video content, audience engagement features, sound and lighting synchronization, operational coordination, customization and branding, and tailoring graphics and video content to reflect team/venue branding and enhance sponsor visibility. While no direct details from the search results are available, both organizations likely follow these standard best practices, possibly augmented by investments in modern digital infrastructure and creative content production.
In summary, the best practices center on combining advanced display technology with engaging, well-coordinated content and operational reliability. For precise case details on Oklahoma and Reading Fightin Phils, specialized facility or front office sources would be needed beyond the provided search results. Perry Grave, regional manager at Daktronics, finds the most rewarding part of the Love's Field project to be watching the displays on game day. Love's Field hosts events such as youth camps and practices throughout the year.
- The University of Oklahoma and the Reading Fightin Phils have incorporated digital signage technology in their stadiums, implementing large-scale video displays that showcase game-related information, sponsorship messaging, and branding.
- At Love's Field, the Oklahoma Sooners softball program utilizes two 10mm canopy displays during sports events and non-collegiate events, while the custom LED video scoreboard, shaped as the state of Oklahoma, showcases full 16:9 video, score updates, and sponsorship information.
- The Reading Fightin Phils, meanwhile, have integrated LED video and ribbon displays at FirstEnergy Stadium, featuring variable content zoning and the Daktronics Show Control system for smooth operation during sports events and other stadium events.
