NSU Teams up with Daktronics Sports Marketing on New Integrated System

Brookings, S.D. – June 30, 2008 – High-tech scoreboards, digital message centers and colorful stadium graphics will bring big-league excitement to small-town Louisiana as Northwestern State University (NSU, Natchitoches, La.) teams up with Daktronics Sports Marketing (DSM) to install a number of exciting upgrades throughout its athletic facilities this year. The announcement comes following a successful sponsorship campaign developed by DSM and the NSU Foundation which secured approximately $2 million in long-term advertising commitments from area businesses—a new revenue stream which will eventually pay for the project in its entirety.

"The quality of the equipment produced by Daktronics is recognized worldwide for being top notch, but what has really impressed me has been Daktronics' reputation for service after delivery,” stated NSU Athletic Director Greg Burke. “The association between Daktronics and its customers does not stop after the installation process, and that is very meaningful."

"Working with Greg Burke, the NSU Foundation, and the state of Louisiana was a true pleasure," stated DSM Development Director Bobby Dedmon. "I am proud of fact that NSU Athletics will be able to provide world-class equipment in its venues because of the real partnership formed between DSM and NSU Athletics."

A state-of-the-art, video-enhanced scoreboard and a high quality audio system at NSU’s Turpin Stadium will highlight the project, entertaining NSU football fans with live game footage, instant replays and video vignettes while filling the stadium with booming game-day audio. The University’s Prather Coliseum (NSU basketball/volleyball) will also receive substantial upgrades with new end wall scoring displays, full-color message center, and a high-tech scorer’s table capable of screening live stats and digital advertisements.

The University’s baseball and softball facilities will also see considerable upgrades as their out-dated scoreboards are replaced with state-of-the-art scoring units complete with embedded message centers. Additional upgrades will include a new track scoreboard at the Ledet Track and Field Complex and a new soccer scoreboard at the Demon Soccer Complex featuring more detailed statistical data.

"Completing a project of this scope in a smaller community like Natchitoches took dedication, patience and perseverance by everyone involved," stated Dedmon. "Without the full commitment of NSU, the Natchitoches community and DSM, this type of equipment would have been unrealistic. It amazes me how all the moving parts came together to make this project a success."

Overcoming a number of challenges posed by the university’s small market environment, Dedmon and the DSM sales team worked patiently with the NSU Foundation to seek out and secure enough corporate sponsorship funds to pay for the state-of-the-art equipment and the installation of the multiple systems.

"The assistance that Bobby Dedmon (DSM Project Manager) and the DSM staff provided throughout the sales and planning process was priceless," stated Burke. "I really appreciated how they stuck with our University as we worked through the details of the project."

The new scoreboards are scheduled to be fully-operational just in time for the 2008-09 athletic season, bringing forth an exciting new era in NSU athletics.