GIA to get new video board system

It was a long time in the making, but Oklahoma State's winter sports teams will be playing under a state-of the art video/scoreboard next season.

The school made the announcement of the 25 feet tall by 32 feet wide system today, and head men's basketball coach Travis Ford couldn't be happier.

"We are thrilled about the installation of a new video scoreboard in Gallagher-Iba Arena," Ford said. "With the team we have returning next season, along with the best fans in the country, the new scoreboard will help with fan interaction and make the atmosphere in Gallagher-Iba Arena even more exciting.

"Gallagher-Iba Arena is one of the greatest collegiate sports venues in the country, and certainly one of the best basketball arenas anywhere. The fans deserve a scoreboard that will enhance their total game-day experience and make watching the games in person a special event."

The school's release describes the system thusly: The new scoreboard will have three separate "levels", including a ring display on the bottom, which will be three-feet tall and more than 62 feet in circumference. Above the ring display in the center zone will be four large video displays, each measuring more than nine feet tall and nearly 17 feet in width. The top level of the scoreboard will feature eight auxiliary displays, each measuring six feet in height and more than 10 feet across. The upper displays will be utilized for advertising and in-game statistics.

The project is a joint venture between OSU, Cowboy Sports Properties and electronics-maker Daktronics. Installation will begin in mid-July and has an expected completion date of mid-September.

Discussion of replacing Gallagher-Iba Arena's dated scoreboard/videoboard setup had been taking place since before Ford was hired.