Central Michigan University Teams Up with DSM on New Video, Scoring and Signage Display Systems at Kelly/Shorts Stadium and Rose Arena

Brookings, S.D. – Aug. 6, 2007 – Daktronics Sports Marketing (DSM) and Central Michigan University (CMU) announced today that Kelly/Shorts Stadium (CMU Football) and Rose Arena (CMU Basketball), will be upgraded with new, fully-integrated Daktronics scoring, timing and video display systems along with custom-designed graphic elements and concourse artwork. The $2 million system is expected to be installed and operational in time for the 2007 sports seasons. The upgrades were made possible due to a comprehensive marketing partnership developed by CMU and DSM that aimed to upgrade the university’s facilities with custom-designed equipment and artwork while providing ample advertising opportunities for local sponsors.

By offering full-color graphic advertising panels on the equipment and artwork throughout the facility, CMU and DSM will finance the massive project by selling advertising opportunities to area businesses. This will give businesses an exciting opportunity to reach the enormous Chippewa fan base, all while easing some of the financial burden that will come with the large-scale upgrades.

"This has been a very exciting project to work on with DSM," said Associate Athletics Director Nick Williams. “With their help, we were able to design and install state of the art video systems and scoreboard units. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner to help us move CMU Athletics to the next level.”

DSM Senior Salesman Gene Beck quarterbacked the effort working closely with the university to develop a marketing plan that aimed not only to maximize revenue for university’s sports properties, but also to help secure the necessary funding to help pay for the upgrades in their entirety and eventually provide a steady flow of revenue for the university’s academic and athletic programs for years to come.

"Working with the CMU Athletic Department was a great experience for me,” Beck said. “The Chippewas have outstanding athletic programs and are continuing to amplify their position in the Mid-American Conference. This project will further assist them in doing just that."

The major components of the new system will include two full-color Daktronics ProStar® light emitting diode (LED) video displays mounted on custom-designed football scoreboards and marquees to be installed at Kelly/Shorts stadium, the home of CMU football. The stadium will also be decorated with wayfinding signage to direct fans to their seats and provide sponsors with concourse and seating bowl exposure. Other upgrades will include a smaller scoreboard to be mounted above one of the stadium’s concession stands as well as a newer, more modern scoreboard to replace the existing Daktronics scoreboard in the south end-zone.

Rose Arena, the home of Chippewa basketball, will also be receiving substantial upgrades. The new system will feature a pair of fully-integrated basketball scoring and statistic displays, complete with full-color GalaxyPro™ message centers that will be capable of presenting player profiles, sponsor advertisements, and video clips. The home sidelines of the arena will also be upgraded with a set of three ProTable® digital displays, a new interactive scoring table capable of showing full-color graphics, statistics, and advertisements. The three units will interlock as one large table to entertain fans with dazzling graphics and live statistics, all while providing sponsors with ample game day exposure. The stands and concourse of the arena will also be revamped with a number of full-color graphic marketing elements that will aim to invoke a sense of Chippewa pride, while providing numerous exposure opportunities for sponsors.

The main football scoreboard has already been installed. The remaining components are scheduled to be fully operational in time for the Fall 2007 sports seasons.

About DSM

DSM is a division of Daktronics and a full-service sports marketing agency. DSM assists colleges and universities, stadiums and arenas, as well as high schools and professional teams enhance their facilities by generating maximized revenues through corporate partnerships. DSM’s nationwide team of professional sports marketing specialists lead in the creation of innovative multi-media marketing packages, and facilitate all contacts and presentations on behalf of the clients, at little or no cost. Recent success stories include Gonzaga University (Spokane, Wash), University of North Texas (Denton, Texas), North Dakota State University/FargoDome (Fargo, N.D), Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, TX), Weber State University (Ogden, UT) and Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL). For more information, log on to www.daktronics.com/dsm.