Fans and Coaches React to Addition of Outdoor Mobile LED Screen at University of Indianapolis Football Games

Recently the University of Indianapolis has added a Jumbo LED Screen to their football production package.  I was there, working the NOMAD a couple of games after they first introduced the screen, and I wanted to judge the reaction of the fans and the staff.  What I found both surprised and inspired me.  The fans, as expected, loved the screen.  It gave them the close-ups and instant replays that they were missing, and gave them an overall sense of closeness to the action, no matter which seat they were in.  The production team now shows a fully produced video at the player introductions, with music to pump up the crowd, and the fans are now fired up now more than they have ever been, and they’re coming in at record attendance!

What I didn’t expect, however, was the coaches reaction.  Sometimes coaches at this level of college football don’t have coordinators up in the “booth”, to give the head coaches and the players a birds eye view of the action and formations.  They had to figure it out at ground level, with only a side view, which makes it very difficult to see the entire field and understand all the formations.  When we brought the screen in, they now had a birds eye view of the action with the high mounted cameras, and they were better able to dissect both offensive and defensive schemes on the fly, as if they were watching game film  According to the coaches, it’s contributing to their current winning season!

This kind of impact was totally unexpected, and honestly I feel proud to work in this industry.  I may not be helping develop the cure for cancer, or fighting crime in a drug zone, but I’m helping bring real fun and enjoyment to the fans, and actual tactical help for the coaches of the game.  As long as I helped people smile, my job is complete!

- Joe Kipfer