Dakota State University Turns to Daktronics for Esports LED Displays

Two dvLED displays installed to support esports and campus events

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Feb. 17, 2025 – Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota, has partnered with Dakota State University (DSU), in conjunction with AVI Systems, to design, manufacture and install two direct-view LED (dvLED) displays on campus in Madison, South Dakota. The newly constructed esports venue features the company’s latest in LED technology, Chip-On Board (COB), with one display on the end wall of the room while a separate gathering space features a display to supplement the experience during multiple university events.

“Partnering with Daktronics has allowed Dakota State University to enhance our esports program and elevate the experiences in the Beacom Premier Complex Heartland Captains Club,” said Tyler Steele, system administration manager of IT services at DSU. “These cutting-edge direct-view LED displays are not just distinctive additions to our facilities; they represent our determination to provide our students and community with state-of-the-art resources for competition, collaboration and celebration. Daktronics' innovative technology and commitment to quality perfectly align with our mission to create a vibrant, disciplined and forward-thinking campus environment.” 

“AVI Systems had the pleasure of providing DSU with AV solutions for a brand-new athletic facility on their campus in Madison, South Dakota. One of the standout aspects of this project was our collaboration with our technology partner Daktronics,” said Byron Jennings, associate project manager at AVI Systems in Sioux Falls. “Working side by side with them, we successfully installed two state-of-the-art video walls, creating a highly enriched environment for students.”

Video Display Details

Both displays measure approximately 7 feet high by 12 feet wide. The display in the esports room features a narrow pixel pitch of 1.8 millimeters and the display in the event space features a 0.9 millimeter spacing from pixel to pixel. This allows for high-resolution imagery during esports events, watch parties and other special events held in these areas. Click here to watch a video highlighting the DSU esports project.

“It is exciting to see these two displays operational in these spaces,” said Daktronics Sales Representative James Roehrl. “Partnering with AVI Systems out of Sioux Falls was great to bring the spaces to life for DSU.  I have already received comments from people attending different events at DSU that the displays look amazing. That is exactly what we hope to hear when doing a project, that our display technology enhances the experience for people. Using our newest technology of COB for contrast and durability, I look for these displays to continue to enhance people's experiences for years to come.”

In the esports area, gaming stations line the middle of the room with the display mounted to the end wall with seating around it for in-game viewing. The inputs can change quickly and easily to show first-person action or a floating viewer mode. It can also be used to show previous matches and other content supporting the esports team.

In the adjacent event space, the display is mounted to the wall to share live gaming feeds and additional esports content during hosted events. This facility is connected to the DSU stadium on campus and this event room is also located off the premium seating space to the football stadium. This means it can be used on game day to share live streams of the football game happening as a suite-style space. 

Due to the digital technology featuring HDMI inputs, content can be controlled easily between rooms or from a central control room within the building. This space, with dvLED technology, has the flexibility to serve all of the needs on campus at DSU.

Daktronics dvLED Narrow Pixel Pitch product line features pixel spacings ranging from 2.5-millimeters down to 0.7-millimeters to meet the specific needs of audiovisual customers in multiple applications.