Behind the Scenes at Cameron Indoor Stadium: A Conversation on Duke's New Centerhung Scoreboard

As a lifelong Duke fan, recording a podcast at Cameron Indoor Stadium was an amazing experience. We sat down with Bob Wiseman and Zac Powell to discuss Duke's cutting-edge new center-hung scoreboard, blending modern technology with the rich history of one of college basketball’s most iconic venues.

Matt Anderson on 1/23/2025  

Categories: Pro Sports and Colleges

As a lifelong Duke fan, visiting the university and stepping foot into Cameron Indoor Stadium was a special experience. However, I wasn’t just a fan in the stands - the day before the game, I was on-site to record a podcast with two of Duke’s key figures responsible for the amazing transformation taking place in one of the most iconic venues in college sports. Bob Wiseman, Deputy Director of Athletics for Operations and Capital Projects, and Zac Powell, Associate Director of Venue Productions, joined me and Justin Ochsner to discuss the new centerhung scoreboard and other technology upgrades. Here are some of my key takeaways from our conversation. If you want to listen to the whole episode, you can visit the link below or look up “The Daktronics Experience Podcast” on your favorite podcast listening app.

 

FULL EPISODE: 237 – The Cameron Indoor Stadium Experience at Duke with Bob and Zac

The Story Behind the Upgrade

The need for an upgrade at Cameron Indoor Stadium was something that had been on Duke’s radar for a while. As Bob explained, Cameron is the "anchor of Duke athletics," and the stadium needed to keep up with fan expectations without losing the charm that makes it so iconic. Bob and Zac, along with their teams, embarked on a journey to bring a new level of technology into a venue that many call the cathedral of college basketball.

What surprised me the most during our conversation was the level of detail and thoughtfulness that went into this project. Bob recalled how they wrestled with the idea of adding something modern to a historic building. As he said, "Cameron Indoor Stadium is not going to give you that modern-day experience, but it does offer something much more - hallowed grounds where you can feel the history surrounding you." This balance of honoring tradition while embracing the future was critical to the project's success.

A New Era of Technology

Zac, who oversees Duke’s video board productions, walked us through the technical challenges of managing such a large-scale project. The new centerhung scoreboard boasts 5.5 million pixels - compared to the previous board’s 415,000 pixels - without drastically increasing the size of the display. It’s a subtle but powerful change, something Zac said was key to ensuring it fit within the venue’s confines.

This upgrade isn’t just in resolution; it’s about creating a fully immersive game-day experience. Zac noted, "Now, we really have a lot more creative freedom with what we can do to improve the game-day experience." This freedom allows them to enhance everything from live video to in-game stats, offering fans a richer, more interactive experience.

 

 

The Impact Beyond Game Day

Something that came up during our discussion that I was not expecting, was how this scoreboard is being used beyond game day. From hosting campus events to corporate presentations, the new display has quickly become a multi-use centerpiece for Duke. As Bob shared, "One of my staff suggested we lower it down for our all-staff town hall meeting, and the impact was tremendous. It’s the best display we have on campus, so why not use it for more than just sports?"

Duke’s athletic department is also using the board to create content for social media, promotional videos and even watch parties. Bob mentioned how the board has the potential to bring fans together for unforgettable moments, especially during events like the NCAA tournament where the team is playing away games.

First Time Use

For me, the most thrilling part of the podcast was hearing about the very first time the board was used during a game. Zac talked about the nerves that come with debuting something on this scale, especially for a venue as revered as Cameron Indoor Stadium. The first major event using the new board was Countdown to Craziness, Duke’s annual season tip-off event. As Zac recalled, "It was nerve-wracking, but everything worked as planned, and the fan response was incredible."

Being on campus that day, recording the podcast and hearing the stories of how this project came together, was a surreal experience. I’ve always loved Duke basketball, but now, I have a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes efforts that keep Duke at the forefront of college athletics.

A Look Ahead

As we wrapped up the podcast, Bob hinted at future enhancements still to come. While the new centerhung scoreboard is already a massive step forward, there’s talk of additional upgrades in the future including new boards for other parts of the stadium, improved sightlines and more ways to enhance the fan experience.

But for now, the focus remains on enjoying this exciting new era at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Whether you’re watching a game, attending an event or even giving a corporate presentation, the new scoreboard is a symbol of Duke’s commitment to staying at the cutting edge while preserving the historic feel that makes the venue so special.

 

Tune in to the Full Podcast Episode

If you’re as fascinated by the intersection of technology and tradition as I am, you’ll love our full conversation. Bob and Zac offer deeper insights into the challenges, successes and future plans for Cameron Indoor Stadium. Be sure to check out the full episode of The Daktronics Experience podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

 

FULL EPISODE: 237 – The Cameron Indoor Stadium Experience at Duke with Bob and Zac