Two seconds left on the clock. It's a one-point basketball game. The gym is electric. This game decides which high school basketball team makes it to state-level competition.
Just as the referee is about to hand a player the ball to inbound, the scoreboard turns off. Everyone knew the scoreboard was old and sometimes malfunctioned, but no one thought it would shut down at the most important point in the season. The team loses momentum as the officials and scorekeepers figure out how to get the scoreboard working again, and the crowd goes silent.
Although high school athletics do not have the same level of talent compared to college and professional sports, that doesn’t mean they don’t carry the same amount of energy and charisma. A high school’s biggest rivalry game can bring out the same spirit and emotions as the professional level. High school athletes and fans should be able to enjoy the game experience without technology like scoreboards and videoboards malfunctioning.
Below, you will read about the importance of a high-quality scoreboard and videoboard and what to consider when it's time to upgrade this essential sports equipment.
First Considerations
Why should a school purchase a new scoreboard? Modern school boards often feature Light-Emitting Diode (LED) technology that offers high video quality and screen definition. These features not only improve the event quality, but also allow more opportunities like sponsor packages and multi-sport use. When deciding to upgrade a scoreboard, it is important to research the different categories to understand what type best fits your situation.
For example, is it going in an indoor or outdoor area? Outdoor scoreboards need higher-brightness LEDs and more durable materials to sustain direct sunlight and different weather conditions. Whereas, an indoor scoreboard focuses less on durable materials and more on close viewing availability. Indoor scoreboards focus on integration within the gym layout to ensure good viewing from all angles. The strategic placement of the board within the gym is crucial so that people can easily see what's on the screen from any spot in the gym. Paired with this, high-quality LEDs are another factor to consider when working with an indoor scoreboard. Spectators are closer to the scoreboard when in a gym; therefore, the quality of the LEDs matters more. The audience can see every detail on the screen when inside.
Another important question to consider is what sports will utilize this board. If the venue hosts multiple sports programs, the scoreboard must be able to support multiple sport layouts on the screen. For example, the scoreboard should be able to display a shot clock for basketball and then also be able to show the different rounds and scores during a wrestling meet. These are two sports that occur during the same season and have a high chance of using the same gym and scoreboard.
Lastly, schools should consider the total cost of having and maintaining the scoreboard. Yes, there is the original purchase price, but then they also have to think about prices for installation, maintenance, and maybe even future software updates for the system. These are all expenses that come after purchasing the scoreboard itself, and schools should make sure their budget can afford those additional costs by deciding what type of scoreboard to purchase.
Beyond Sports
One benefit of upgrading to a newer scoreboard is to improve many different events that take place within a school. It can drastically boost a sporting event’s environment by making technology run smoother and keeping fans entertained. This alone can help bring in more fans and students to games, which not only supports athletic departments, but also the athletes themselves.
Newer scoreboards can also bring benefits to the education side of things. For example, schools can project videos and pictures on the board during assemblies, which can bring more energy and school spirit to the event, or a digital clock can be shown on the screen while students take the ACT in the gym. This can help students manage their time better when taking standardized tests. Lastly, the board can be used for events like band concerts that are held in a gym. Close-up videos of the musicians can be projected onto the board and make it easier for their friends and family to see them during the performance. No matter the use, it is important to have working technology that students and staff can use.
Impact on Student Career Exploration
School is a time when students can explore fields that interest them. They should have opportunities to gain experience and knowledge within those fields. When deciding what kind of scoreboard/videoboard to get, it is important to see how user-friendly the technology is. Will students keeping stats and scores be able to understand and operate the board during games? Educators should view buying new technology like scoreboards as also gaining more education and career-exploration opportunities for their students.
Along with considering students’ opportunities to practice scorekeeping, schools should also recognize the potential to broadcast video and clips. Students interested in creating content such as hype videos and player introductions get a chance to have their work displayed for the entire crowd to see. A scoreboard, used to show only numbers and lights, now becomes a digital stage for all students to showcase their talents, not just athletes.
Community Partnerships
A great way schools can generate revenue for expensive purchases like a scoreboard is through community sponsorships. Many local businesses near a school could be interested in some sort of sponsorship. If a new scoreboard has a video screen, then different sponsors can be projected on the screen at different times. This allows for the school to have more sponsors than if it were permanently attached to a traditional scoreboard. Accumulating more sponsors and partnerships means more funds for sports programs and other school functions. While the businesses might have a sponsorship ad that appears on the scoreboard, another way a school could showcase its sponsors could be through video announcements during breaks in the game or simulcast onto a live broadcast.
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These are useful tactics that help maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between the school and its community partners, which in turn brings in money for the school. Upgrading your school’s scoreboard system can positively impact students from the court to the classroom and give students a greater sense of belonging and community within the school.
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