Mackey video, audio to wow fans

Mackey Arena’s new video display scoreboard is as vivid as a Gene Keady scowl. Well, almost.

A $2 million electronic media project, begun in May, is nearly ready to thrill Boilermaker fans when the men’s and women’s seasons start in November.

"Both audio and video are taking a huge step up with the new systems," says Jay Cooperider, associate athletics director for communications. "Now they are what a great venue, great teams and great fans deserve."

The system’s visible features are a central scoreboard and speaker array; three "hustle boards," also known as statistics boards, near the perimeter of the seating; and tie-in to the floor-level wall scoreboards. It also includes cabling and control room equipment housed in another room in Mackey.

The focal point is the central video display, which can show live and recorded video on each of four screens, each 7 feet 6 inches by 13’2" and based on 12-millimeter pixel spacing.

The 2’5"-tall displays above and below each large display usually will have advertising, Cooperider says, but the ads can change out, and plans are to have all 15 boards in red, white and blue for the National Anthem.

"The operation will be similar to the Jumbotron in Ross-Ade Stadium," says Cooperider, who serves as executive producer. "We’ll have five live camera positions, instant replay, and prepared video segments, and a director will blend them in a timely and entertaining way."

The prepared segments may be from a coach’s remarks, from sponsors or earlier team highlights, for example.

The live cameras will show court action and provide new forms of audience participation.

The audio is, in a word, cleaner, Cooperider says. Speakers are behind the scrim above the central video displays. The system adds zoned flexibility such that, for example, a coach could address a clinic on a handheld microphone.

The video system is from Daktronics, Cooperider says, and stands in the mainstream of technology, thus allowing for upgrades and coordination.

The sound system is from Dodge Electronics. It is designed for even dissemination across the arena, using sound at 107 decibels.

Mackey has had numerous improvements since 1997. They have included roof repainting, new bleachers, renovated locker rooms, upgraded media facilities and hanging of championship banners and retired jersey banners.

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