DeSoto Civic Center

For many years I have been in the arena industry and hearing the name Daktronics is like hearing Kleenex or Xerox as it has become a “household” name in our industry and that’s due to the tireless efforts that take place daily in Brookings, South Dakota. I have been a part of installs many years after the arena was in place to being on the front end of a $7 million dollar system in a new arena; so when I arrived at the DeSoto Civic Center about two and a half years ago, one project that I vowed to see to completion was the removal of an eye-sore of a center-hung scoreboard and antiquated back-lit signage inside the bowl arena. Being a government facility I knew there would be challenges that I faced in accomplishing this goal. Your sales representative Andrew Rice led me from day one sharing the same drive and enthusiasm to see the project through. He showed a lot of patience and a lot of faith as we assured and encouraged one another that we would get this job done. No matter when I needed him or what changes I needed made he came through every time.

Shortly after things we becoming quite evident that all was moving forward in the right direction I met Josh Howell, our project manager, and like Andrew, he showed extreme patience through every question, each change of direction and every out-of-the-box idea I came up with. Josh and I faced challenges from the start as we made changes from where video boards would go, how they would hang or affix to the wall and finally dealing with our very busy schedule here at the arena; yet he stayed even keeled and positive no matter what the challenge.

Mr. Morgan, it’s not an easy task to try and sell a $1.7 million dollar project to a CVB Board but walking our entire Board into the arena on June 9th and showing them a completed project with all the bells and whistles made the hair on my arms stand up. In no way, shape or form would this project have been possible if I weren’t for Andrew Rice and Josh Howell. I have always sung the praises of Daktronics from the first time I met and worked with Brent Stevens many years ago, but upon completion of this project I can’t sing the praises any higher, but I can tell folks that the Daktronics employees from top to bottom are first class and I now count Josh and Andrew both as friends.

Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence in your product and your staff. Maybe one day I will have the pleasure of meeting you face-to-face, but in the mean time, please allow me the pleasure of sending you this letter. I wish continued success to you, your staff and the entire Daktronics family; great job one and all and thank you Andrew and Josh.

Todd Mastry
Executive Director 
DeSoto Civic Center