Ford Center Revamps Visual Experience with Daktronics LED Display Project

20 displays totaling 3,000+ square feet were added to the venue in Evansville

BROOKINGS, S.D. – July 17, 2024 – To bring a revamped visual experience to live events, Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, selected Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota, to design, manufacture and deliver 20 LED displays totaling more than 3,000 square feet in 2024. The centerpiece of the project hangs from the middle of the venue and features a continuous main video display wrapping around the centerhung structure to appeal to every seat in the arena.

“The Ford Center has always gone above and beyond expectations using our electronic signage to maximize the event and patron experience,” said Scott Schoenike, executive director at VenuWorks/Ford Center. “The new 360-degree scoreboard will give us even more flexibility to be creative and make every event even more special and personalized.”

Centerhung Display Details

The centerhung features a main continuous video display with rounded corners measuring nearly 15 feet high by 97 feet around and an upper ring display matching the shape of the main display measuring approximately 2.5 feet high by 97 feet around. A lower ring display in a circle shape measures nearly 2 feet high by 77 feet in circumference. All three centerhung displays feature 5.9-millimeter pixel spacing for delivering crisp, clear imagery to graphics, stats, animations and sponsorship messages. 

The main display is capable of variable content zoning allowing it to show one large image or to be divided into multiple zones of content. This includes live and pre-recorded video, instant replays and all the other engaging content audiences crave from live event experiences today.

“Daktronics is extremely excited to partner with the Evansville Ford Center on this project,” said Joe Hernandez, Daktronics sales representative. “This was a team effort to bring this venue a new and exciting look to a place that hosts various events throughout the year. Working with the staff at the Ford Center on a variety of options for the centerhung was a gratifying experience and for Daktronics to be able to bring it to life for the venue is extremely rewarding. We know the Evansville community and all visiting patrons will find the venue filled with excitement when the project is complete.”

Additional Display Details

Surrounding audiences in digital content, four ribbon displays were installed along the seating fascia. Each of these displays measures roughly 2.5 feet high and features 10-millimeter pixel spacing. These range in length from 193.5 feet long to 46 feet long and combine for 422.5 linear feet of digital display space. Each ribbon display supplements content on the main centerhung system while also providing the opportunity to highlight sponsors throughout events.

Closer to the action, seven courtside scorers tables can be used in any configuration to deliver more graphics, animations and statistics for any event. Each table measures roughly 2.5 feet high by 8 feet long and feature 5.9-millimeter pixel spacing. 

Rounding out the display installation, three double-sided displays were installed on the basketball hoop stanchions to deliver prime advertising real estate. Each of these six displays measures approximately 1 foot high by 4 feet wide and features 2.5-millimeter pixel spacing.

Daktronics is also including a complete Show Control solution. This industry-leading control system provides a combination of display control software, world-class video processing, data integration and playback hardware that forms a powerful yet user-friendly production solution. For more information on Show Control, visit www.daktronics.com/show. 

In addition to the equipment installation, the Ford Center will receive a content package to be produced and delivered by Daktronics Creative Services. 

Daktronics has grown with the sports industry from the company’s beginnings in 1968. Today, the company has integrated LED super systems in more than 50% of all professional sports facilities in the United States and Canada. For more information on what Daktronics can provide, visit www.daktronics.com/professionalsports.

About Ford Center

Located in Evansville, Indiana, the Ford Center is a beautiful, exciting, multi-purpose 11,000-seat arena and is the region’s center for sports and entertainment. The 290,000 square foot facility is home of the University of Evansville Aces Men’s basketball and the SPHL Evansville Thunderbolts Hockey. The arena floor has over 20,000 square feet of usable space and can be modified for basketball, hockey, concerts, conventions, rodeos, expos and a variety of other events.

Ford Center opened in November 2011 and has drawn attendees from all over the tri-state region. It has hosted a variety of events such as Aerosmith, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, Kenny Chesney, Ciruqe du Soleil, WWE SmackDown and many more. Our staff is committed to providing the highest standard of service and to ensure the best possible experience during each event.

Ford Center is managed by VenuWorks, a full management service to theatres, arenas and convention centers. In addition to its facility management service, VenuWorks manages food and beverage and operations, as well as performs feasibility studies, does consulting work and provides event booking and promotion services.