A new Daktronics LED videoboard, now the largest and highest-resolution primary scoreboard in college sports, anchors a stadium-wide technology upgrade at Gies Memorial Stadium, the University of Illinois’ American football venue. The project, led by technology consultant Anthony James Partners (AJP), also encompasses Fulcrum Acoustic sound reinforcement, a SMPTE ST 2110 broadcast infrastructure and an Aruba Wi-Fi 7 network.
The South End Zone videoboard measures approximately 69ft high by 250ft wide, providing more than 17,300 sqft of active display area with a 10mm pixel pitch and around 16.1 million pixels, offering nearly 195 per cent greater resolution than the previous videoboard. Following a competitive procurement process managed by AJP, Daktronics was awarded the LED display package, part of a wider programme encompassing 16 displays and more than 26,700 sqft of LED technology throughout the stadium.
Michael Rowe, CEO of Anthony James Partners, said: “Projects of this scale are never about a single system. The goal is to look at the venue as a whole and design an integrated technology system that goes well beyond the video display – from the broadcast systems that drive it to the sound, Wi-Fi and infrastructure that support the fans and the overall experience.”
AJP designed a ground-up replacement of the stadium’s sound reinforcement system, centred on a large-scale point-source array using Fulcrum Acoustic AHS digitally steerable loudspeaker technology, supplemented by a distributed loudspeaker network in under-deck and acoustically shadowed seating areas. C.V. Lloyd Audio Visual completed the audio system installation and integration, with the system also extended to concourses, support areas and the stadium grounds.
The broadcast modernisation, completed in phases over two years, included a complete redesign of the production control room, transitioning from legacy 3G baseband technology to a SMPTE ST 2110 IP-based architecture and upgrading production from 1080i to 1080p, alongside new broadcast cabling throughout the stadium and rebuilt broadcast interface panels at the truck dock. TAB-M Solutions served as the control room integrator, while C.V. Lloyd Audio Visual served as the broadcast cabling integrator.
AJP’s high-density Wi-Fi programme covered approximately 90 per cent of the stadium and surrounding spaces, featuring an Aruba Wi-Fi 7 solution with around 900 under-seat access points and seven new intermediate distribution frames. MSB Consulting Engineers was awarded the engineering, installation and maintenance of the Wi-Fi solution.
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