A new scoreboard system on the Perry Moore Scoreboard in The Walter Pyramid has been updated with newer light-emitting diode (LED) technology. The new system replaced the older Daktronics matrix board that had been broken for several years, which was used since The Pyramid’s opening on Nov. 30, 1994.
The two auxiliary ribbon boards on the opposite ends of The Walter Pyramid have also been updated with the new technology.
“Our feeling was that the technology was probably a little bit outdated, and it needed to have an overhaul or a new system put into place,” said Mark Edrington, general manager of The Walter Pyramid.
Features the old scoreboard system had like the clock, players, fouls and statistics are still present on the new scoreboard. The main difference, however, is that the new LED technology makes the new scoreboard a true video board with additional capabilities.
Because it is now a video board, photos, videos or other animations of players, coaches, logos and even corporate advertising can be added.
“It has the capability to do fan interaction stuff,” Edrington said. “Somebody could do a slam dunk and you would see a slam go up there in video animation.”
The two auxiliary ribbon boards also have these same types of capabilities.
Edrington said the board could theoretically be left on 24 hours a day, but due to the university’s energy consumption concerns, The Walter Pyramid staff chooses not to do so.
According to Edrington, this longer-lasting technology is an improvement from the old matrix board because the old board required significant maintenance for problems like broken bulbs. The older technology was very sensitive and if the scoreboard were slightly shifted, the bulbs would go out.
Other recent repair work done to The Walter Pyramid within the past six months has included painting projects on the outside and inside of The Pyramid and on its entrances.
Concerning the changes to The Walter Pyramid, Edrington said, “We’re really making an effort to embrace taking pride in our facilities, not only The Pyramid, but all of our facilities. I think that’s important – to present a good facility, to present a good product and to present a good image.”