Case Study
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR
OVERVIEW
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA), located in Conway, Arkansas, is a dynamic public university with a strong reputation for academic excellence and a competitive athletics program. UCA’s athletic department hosts a wide variety of events, including football, soccer, and track and field, drawing significant crowds of students, alumni, and local community members.
Prior to 2023, UCA faced challenges in delivering real-time, visually engaging content during outdoor athletic events. With their existing outdoor scoreboard showing limited, basic information, the university sought to upgrade their facilities to provide a more interactive, dynamic experience for spectators. UCA’s goal was to create an improved fan experience, increase community engagement, and enhance the overall atmosphere at sporting events.
In response, UCA chose to install the Next LED Signs Outdoor Digital Scoreboard, a state-of-the-art digital solution that offers a range of features and functionality to meet the university’s goals.
CLIENT: University of Central Arkansas
PITCH: STAX 9.5MM
PIXEL MATRIX: 896px x 608px
The Challenge: Overcoming Static Game-Day Limitations
Prior to the upgrade, UCA’s athletic department faced significant obstacles in audience engagement and operational efficiency:
- Outdated Scoreboard Functionality: The legacy system displayed only basic stats, making it difficult to maintain fan interest during breaks in play. Limited Interaction: The old hardware could not support dynamic content such as social media feeds, live player stats, or vivid sponsor advertisements.
- Durability Concerns: Arkansas’ unpredictable climate required a rugged, weather-resistant solution that the existing scoreboard lacked, leading to reliability issues.
The Solution: High-Resolution, Weatherproof Digital Scoreboards
UCA implemented a cloud-managed digital solution designed to transform the game-day atmosphere:
- Full-Color Mult OKew system is built to withstand high winds, heavy rain, and direct sunlight, ensuring consistent performance year-round.
“Recently, our university partnered with Next to deliver a high-quality digital signage solution for our baseball and softball stadiums on a very tight timeline, and their team exceeded our expectations to ensure that we were ready for opening day. The digital scoreboards added to the student athlete experience and fan experience at our Baseball and Softball games that had been missing prior to installing these boards.”
— Darrell Walsh University of Central Arkansas
The Results: Increased Revenue and Operational Efficiency
The installation of the Next LED Signs Outdoor Digital Scoreboard has had a transformative effect on UCA’s athletic events and the overall fan experience. The following results highlight the positive impact of the new system
Enhanced Fan Experience
The high-resolution, full-color display has significantly improved the fan experience by making the game more visually engaging. Spectators now enjoy vivid graphics, detailed player stats, video highlights, and sponsor ads, all contributing to a more entertaining and interactive atmosphere during games.
Increased Fan Engagement
The ability to display fan-centric content, such as social media feeds, trivia games, and live polls, has boosted fan interaction. Fans feel more connected to the event and the university, leading to a more lively and engaged crowd.
Improved Communication
Real-time updates of game stats, player information, and sponsor messages have greatly improved the flow of communication. Fans can now follow the game with ease, stay up-to-date on key events, and interact with the scoreboard throughout the game. This has reduced confusion and enhanced the overall enjoyment of the event.
Revenue Generation Through Sponsorships
The dynamic nature of the digital scoreboard has opened new opportunities for UCA to generate revenue through sponsorships. Local businesses and corporate partners now have a high-visibility platform to promote their brands during events, making sponsorships more valuable.
Increased Attendance and Community Involvement
The upgraded scoreboard has contributed to greater community involvement in UCA’s athletics programs. The enhanced game-day atmosphere has led to increased attendance at outdoor events, as fans are drawn in by the modern and exciting features of the new scoreboard.
Durability & Reliability
The weather-resistant design of the Next LED scoreboard has proven to be reliable in the face of Arkansas’ unpredictable weather. The scoreboard has performed consistently, even in heavy rain or extreme heat, and has required minimal maintenance.
Cost Savings
UCA has benefited from lower maintenance and operational costs, as the digital scoreboard is energy-efficient and requires less upkeep compared to traditional mechanical systems. This has resulted in long-term savings for the university’s athletics department.
Want more information?
Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Scoreboards
How do digital scoreboards increase revenue for universities?
Dynamic digital displays create high-visibility platforms for local and corporate sponsors. Unlike static signs, these boards allow for rotating advertisements during games, significantly increasing the value and variety of sponsorship packages.
What are the benefits of LED scoreboards for fan engagement?
Full-color LED boards improve the fan experience by integrating live social media feeds, trivia, and video replays. This interactive content fosters a stronger connection between the community and the university’s athletic programs.
How does solid-state signage reduce university costs?
Modern digital scoreboards are more energy-efficient and require significantly less maintenance than traditional mechanical systems. This engineering results in long-term operational savings for university athletic departments.
Reliability & DurabilityThe weather-resistant design has proven reliable in the face of Arkansas’ extreme weather, performing consistently in heavy rain and heat with minimal maintenance.