When first asked about the scoreboard, you can see the delight light up in Jones’ eyes. “It’s something we’re really excited for,” he exclaimed, pointing to the “possibilities to create” which come with it. The board has two main components, one of which is the ability to stream in live video from the school’s sports live streams. This move allows fans to be able to see the “cinematic shots of student-athletes captured by student-workers,” as Jones described, keeping them engrossed in the event’s biggest plays at all times. The biggest advantage of the livestream broadcast, however, might be the new ability for review on plays. Following the Athletics Department’s acquisition of cameras with the ability for “instant replay,” the scoreboard will now be able to showcase these shots on a larger screen. The crowd can now react to anything from a penalty to a first down ruling in real time, involving the fans in game-defining decisions and often igniting the home crowd. The feature was put to use three weeks ago in a football game against Alvernia to rave reviews, as the footage on the video board confirmed a first down for Ursinus on a crucial possession for the team. Through the board’s live stream capabilities, even more opportunity is created for engrossing the audience.
While the opportunities created with live video should create spectacular moments at Patterson Field, the most anticipated piece of the board may be the opportunities it creates with its “fan experience” component. Jones indicated the board’s ability to “get the fans and crowd involved in games” through different prompts as a huge asset, allowing workers to pump up the crowd in the key moments of a game. From general prompts like “Get Loud” to more sports-specific prompts like “Goal” and “Touchdown,” these prompts present the possibility to generate fan noise in a way Patterson Field has never seen. “We’ve already seen a positive reaction from the crowd,” reported Jones, giving the Bears a true home field advantage on key plays. The addition of prompts for audience engagement adds even more motivation for one of the best crowds in Division 3 Athletics, making it a worthy investment.
The last few months of the scoreboard have been thrilling, but Jones points to the department “just getting started” with the capabilities of the towering machine. Plans are in the works for the board to be able to showcase starting lineups, pictures of athletes for senior days, and even more for the 2025 season. “We’re excited to continue expanding with it,” exclaimed Jones, interjecting that “there’s a lot of fun to be had with it.” With a bright future ahead, Ursinus can ensure the den at Patterson field will be packed for years to come.