From High School Video Boards to Division I Hockey: The Remarkable Journey of Lucas Dahlberg

Lucas is a freshman at the University of St. Thomas. He is already heavily involved in game presentation and live event production at the collegiate level. He is also working with the Minnesota Wild. All of that would be impressive on its own, but it becomes even more remarkable once you hear how early and how intentionally his journey began.

Lucas got his start during his freshman year of high school at Elk River in Minnesota. His school had just installed new video boards, and instead of waiting for someone to tap him on the shoulder, he walked up to the staff and asked if he could run them. That simple act of initiative opened the door to everything that followed.

From there, he taught himself as much as he possibly could. He searched YouTube for Daktronics tutorials. He experimented with graphics. He studied other venues and shows to understand how professional game presentation worked. He dove into the world of live event production with the kind of determination that many people do not find until much later in their careers.

Each year of high school brought something new. With upgraded systems came bigger ideas. With bigger ideas came more responsibility. Before long, Lucas was running cameras, building scripts, operating video boards, directing live streams, leading promotions, hosting contests on the ice and managing multiple pieces of the show at the same time. He did so much by himself that he eventually realized he needed help, so he took the next step. He built a student team.

By the time he graduated, Elk River had more than 25 students involved in running events. Some of them are now pursuing sports-related careers because of the opportunities Lucas helped create. The impact he made on his high school was not small. He left behind a system and a culture that is still active today.

So, when he arrived at the University of St. Thomas, he was not a beginner. He was ready.

Lucas quickly became involved with Tommy Athletic Productions and immediately began helping with football, volleyball, hockey and any team using video displays. This year, St. Thomas opened a brand-new Division I facility with an impressive display system that includes centerhung video displays, rings and ribbon boards. Lucas played a major role in building the first ever show for that venue.

He told us he logged 45 hours that week on top of school, preparing content, building out Show Control, testing elements and ensuring the entire experience came together seamlessly. When fans arrived on opening night, the line stretched all the way to the road. The atmosphere inside the building matched the anticipation. The show Lucas helped produce delivered exactly what a brand-new DI arena deserves. The crowd reactions confirmed that it all paid off.

That combination of pressure and excitement is something he thrives on. You can hear it in the way he talks about fans seeing themselves on a massive display for the first time or the satisfaction of watching an intro video bring an entire arena to life. He takes pride in giving people an experience they will remember, and that mindset is one of the biggest reasons he already feels well ahead of his age.

On top of his college work, Lucas is also part of the Minnesota Wild promotions crew. Even though he is not in the control room for them yet, the experience is teaching him something equally important. Being on the ice and in the crowd allows him to see fan engagement from another angle. He understands the purpose behind game presentation in a deeper way because he is living it from multiple sides.

During our conversation, one thing became very clear. Lucas does not wait for opportunities. He creates them. He asks questions. He takes initiative. He studies the industry closely and constantly looks for ways to improve. He idea hacks. He takes inspiration from other venues and finds ways to make his own shows better. He sees something new, he pulls out his phone and he starts thinking about how to adapt it. That level of curiosity is what separates someone who uses a system from someone who will eventually lead an entire production team.

Talking with Lucas was incredibly refreshing. It reminded me how much talent is emerging in the next generation of producers and operators. He represents exactly what happens when students are given access to equipment, encouraged to explore and empowered to make creative decisions. It is also a great example of why schools and venues benefit long term when they invest in training and student involvement.

Lucas has already accomplished more before finishing his first year of college than many people do several years into their careers. And the most exciting part is that he is only getting started.

Whether he ends up leading game presentation for a major professional team, building signature video board shows in college athletics or operating in a high-profile sports entertainment environment, one thing is absolutely certain: Lucas has a bright future in live event production.

I truly cannot wait to see where he goes next, and I have no doubt we will all be hearing his name again.

Listen to the Full Episode

To hear Lucas tell his story in his own words, including the challenges, the excitement, and the passion he brings to every production, listen to the full episode of The Daktronics Experience Podcast. It is an inspiring conversation and well worth your time.