The Daktronics Experience

With a new CEO set to lead the company, we sat down with Ramesh to hear more about him. He shares details of his past work experience, his journey to Daktronics and his family. We also discuss his first impressions of the Brookings community and his visit to our corporate headquarters.

Links:

• YouTube Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_7iG_itES4 
• News Announcement: https://investor.daktronics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/daktronics-appoints-ramesh-jayaraman-president-and-chief 
• Bio: https://investor.daktronics.com/board-directors/ramesh-jayaraman-jayaraman 
• LinkedIn Profile: https://investor.daktronics.com/board-directors/ramesh-jayaraman-jayaraman

January brought big partnerships, record-breaking displays and exciting momentum across the industry.

From connecting students with real-world gameday production through a new partnership with the American Association of Professional Baseball to massive new video boards at the University of Illinois, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Virginia Tech, there’s plenty to recap. We also welcomed a new addition to the Daktronics team. Matt and Justin break down all the highlights from January 2026.

Links:

• Daktronics Partners with American Association of Professional Baseball to Connect Students with Real-World Career Game-Day Experience
• Winnipeg Blue Bombers Improve Game-Day Experience with Daktronics Video Displays
• Daktronics Hires Thomas Welling to AV Channel Partner Team
• Illinois, Daktronics Install Largest Video Display in College Football
• Virginia Tech Improves Live Event Experience at Cassell Coliseum with Daktronics Displays

When the professional world interacts with students, everyone wins! Working to make this happen, Lior Kolton, Group Account Executive with the Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum, introduced Theatre Day in 2025 and is excited for the event’s second year coming up in April 2026. He joined us to tell us all the details and so much more.

Links:

• Contact Lior for more information: 414.908.3773, Lior.kolton@bucks.com 
• Daktronics at Fiserv Forum: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/photos?k=Milwaukee%20Bucks&project=198612&media=WP-022296
• DakClassroom: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/markets/sports/high-schools/dakclassroom 

For this special edition of the podcast, we had Alicia Jeffreys join us for our Women In Sports Online Event. She's the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Detroit Pistons and shares her oversight of multiple verticals, from content creation to brand strategy to social media to game presentation. She also digs into how she manages a diverse team, develops talent, fosters a collaborative work culture and demonstrates effective leadership through times of change.

Links:

• Women in Sports Webpage:  https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/events/women-in-sports
• Women in Sports News Release: https://www.daktronics.com/news/daktronics-women-in-sports-online-event-returns-in-august-2025

If you love college football, you're going to love this quick road trip with Justin and Matt as they take you to every stadium featuring Daktronics technology and event support this bowl season! From Atlanta and Miami to Texas and California, Daktronics is powering the biggest moments in college football. 

Discover the story behind Plastic Arts Signs as Justin and Matt talk with the company’s General Manager, Al Jakobi. He shares the company’s journey from 1969 to the present, including evolving with the technology from neon signs to today’s cutting-edge digital displays. Hear about their recent success at the Sign Design Contest and about the Pen Air Credit Union project that’s turning heads. 

Links:

• Sales Expo 2025 Strengthens Sign Company Partnerships and Showcases Design Excellence
• Plastic Art Signs Website: https://plasticartssigns.com/ 

Hear from a seasoned production specialist and his experience of 20+ years in live event production as Justin and Matt sit down with Francisco Castillo. He’s worked with the champion LA Dodgers, the Intuit Dome’s double-sided Halo display for the LA Clippers, and so many more amazing teams and venues. He dives into the challenges and excitement of directing major sports and entertainment events. Tune in for stories, lessons and advice from one of the industry’s most versatile professionals. 

Links:

• Intuit Dome Project Highlight: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/markets/sports/major-league-sports-installation/intuit-dome 

Join Justin and Matt as they look back on a big month for Daktronics. From the University of Richmond upgrading the Robins Center with a new display system and Park Outdoor celebrating its 50th digital billboard, to an upcoming Women in Sports event and Dak Prescott’s gift transforming Haughton High School, there’s plenty to cover. We also recap the three podcast episodes released in November, featuring insights on game presentation, DakClassroom and major display upgrades.

Links:

• Park Outdoor Celebrates 50th Digital Billboard with High-Visibility Upgrade Near Syracuse
• Women In Sports Online Event in December to Focus On Fostering an Environment of Excellence
  • Registration Link: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/events/women-in-sports
• University of Richmond Upgrades Robins Center with Daktronics Display System
• Prescott Field: How Dak Prescott’s Gift Sparked a New Era at Haughton High
• (VIDEO) Prescott Field Dedication at Haughton High School

Matt and Justin sit down with Mary Rathburn, Assistant AD for Marketing and Fan Engagement at Elon University, and Patrick Cunningham, Director of Live Broadcast Production for Elon Sports Vision. to take you behind the scenes of how a mid-major athletic department runs a broadcast operation, video board show and fan experience strategy all at once, and often from the same control room. From student-run productions to viral in-game moments, this episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to produce a modern college athletics experience.

Topics Covered

• How Elon runs broadcast and in-venue production simultaneously
• Why preparation off the field is the secret to smooth game days
• How a two-person marketing staff drives fan experience across 17 sports
• The role students play in producing over 135 broadcasts per year
• How Elon’s centralized control room handles multiple venues
• What “idea hacking” means — and why great producers steal (the right way)
• The story behind the viral free-throw distraction moment
• How student crews won a national broadcast award
• Why the “Snack Cam” should never be allowed
• How support systems and testing keep things running smoothly
• Why being willing to fail is critical to creativity
• How video boards are being used for:
  • Fan engagement
  • Sponsor value
  • Weather updates
  • Game timing information

Links:

• Elon Sports Vision captures first College Sports Media Award
• 244 – Hitting the Ice at the University of Minnesota Duluth with Dylon Field
• 39 - The Importance of Video Displays in Minor League Baseball with Katie Dannemiller (Greensboro Grasshoppers)

In this episode, we’re joined by Lucas Dahlberg, Game Presentation talent and student at the University of St. Thomas. Lucas shares how his journey began with running a high school video board and quickly grew into building full game-day productions, leading student crews, and now working hands-on in a brand-new D1 facility.

He talks through his progression from Elk River High School to St. Thomas, what it was like opening a brand-new arena, and how he landed a role with the Minnesota Wild… all before finishing his first year of college.

Lucas also breaks down how he builds shows using Daktronics tools like Show Control, what he’s learned from watching productions at every level, and why giving students access and ownership is so important for growing the industry.

Topics Covered

• How Lucas got his start with video boards as a high school freshman
• Growing an entire student-run events team from scratch
• Transitioning to the University of St. Thomas and producing D1-level shows
• Building the first-ever game presentation for the new Lee & Penny Anderson Arena
• Working promotions for the Minnesota Wild and how that changed his perspective
• Idea “hacking” — pulling inspiration from pro venues and college gamedays
• The tools he uses every day, including Daktronics Show Control
• Advice for students and schools wanting to get into live event production

Whether you're in athletics, production, or just love hearing about passionate young talent in sports, Lucas’s story is a great look at the next generation of game-day creators.

Links:

• University of St. Thomas Athletics: https://tommiesports.com/ 
• DakClassroom: ht tps://www.daktronics.com/en-us/markets/sports/high-schools/dakclassroom
• Camino: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/products/software-and-controllers/show-control/products/camino 
• Show Control: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/products/software-and-controllers/show-control