The Daktronics Experience

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 

What’s it like to add 23 LED displays totaling 20,000+ square feet on a college campus? We sat down with Iowa State University’s Tyler Rutherford, Associate AD of Digital Media and Cyclones.tv, and Philip Manley, Associate Director of Game Presentation, to hear all about it. From a massive new display at Jack Trice Stadium for football to a continuous centerhung display at Hilton Coliseum, there were some big changes in the past year. They also dive into digital content with Camino, production capabilities with Show Control and so much more.

Links:

• Daktronics news release: https://www.daktronics.com/news/led-display-upgrades-from-daktronics-will-improve-cyclone-fan-exper… 
• YouTube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWRe1HJfd4E 

Join Justin and Matt as they cover a packed month of announcements,10 news releases in total! From professional sports venues and universities to transportation hubs and international projects, the team recaps all the highlights and stories that made headlines in September.

News Releases:

• Daktronics Introduces All Sport Pro for Fixed-Digit Scoreboards
• CHI Health Center Omaha Refreshes Digital Video Experience with Daktronics Displays
• Daktronics Delivers 80-Foot Viewing Experience at Circa Kentucky Downs
• Daktronics Brings Messaging Opportunities to Pedestrian Bridges at Yas Bay Waterfront, Abu Dhabi
• Collaborative AV and Daktronics Partner to Upgrade Auditorium Experience at Marine Corps University Quantico
• OG&E Coliseum Brings Video Focus to Live Events with Daktronics Centerhung System
• Prospera Place Elevates Atmosphere With One of the Largest Centerhungs in CHL from Daktronics
• Eye On Crime Increases with Daktronics, High Point Networks Collaboration for Pueblo Police Department’s Real-Time Crime Center
• Daktronics Releases Data Studio Volleyball for 2025 Season
• University of Kansas Kicks Off Football Season with Huge Stadium Improvements Including New Daktronics Video Display

We're back with another special edition of the podcast for our Women In Sports Online event! Nadalie Walsh is our guest with eight years under her belt as the gymnastics coach at the University of Illinois. She leans on her experiences there as well as Utah State, Ball State and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh as she empowers women in sports to reach their highest potential.

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-set-for-april-2025
  
  

Join hosts Justin and Matt as they dive into six standout Daktronics projects from June 2025. From college and high school athletics to international smart city upgrades, this month’s highlights show the wide reach of our display technology.

Links:

• University of St. Thomas Brings Light to New Multipurpose Arena with Daktronics Displays
• Roadways in Riyadh Municipality Inform Drivers with 36 Daktronics LED Displays
• Daktronics Announces First-Annual DakClassroom Student Showcase Award Winners
• Assumption High School Expands Sports Media Opportunities for Young Women
• Wake Forest University Brings Elevated Volleyball Experience with Daktronics Displays
• Continuous Centerhung Coming to the University of Nebraska at Omaha from Daktronics

When thinking about a complete audiovisual experience, the audio portion has a lot of details going on in the background to make sure your experience is a positive one. To hear how we deliver the booming audio and ensure you hear every announcement clearly, Justin and Matt sat down with John Olsen, Daktronics National Audio Sales, and Dave Sturzenbecher, Daktronics Audio Applications Engineer. They share the types of venues and locations where we install our sound systems, the levels of competition at live event venues that we can help with, the customization and design-build capabilities for our audio systems, and so much more.

Links:

• Daktronics Audio Webpage: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/products/audio-systems

In this episode, Justin and Matt recap the highlights from May 2025, including several exciting Daktronics news releases. They cover the upcoming Women in Sports online event set for June. Plus, hear about recent display upgrades across the country including the University of Delaware softball, Auburn football, Centreville Bank Stadium and Huron High School. These all enhance the fan experience with Daktronics technology.

• Women In Sports Online Event in June Focuses On Insights from Coaching and Athletics Business Experience
  • Registration Link: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/events/women-in-sports
• University of Delaware Brings Large Video Upgrade to Softball Games with Daktronics Technology
• Auburn University Adds to Football Experience with Daktronics Upgrade
• Daktronics Brings LED Displays to Life for Centreville Bank Stadium
• Huron High School Elevates Live Event Experience with Daktronics Digital Display Installation

Join us as Justin and Matt dive into the latest Daktronics projects and product updates from April 2025. They break down multiple installations, including new LED video displays for the Akron RubberDucks, Chesapeake Baysox and UNC Wilmington. They also cover the massive upgrade at Allstate Arena, a groundbreaking partnership with the Tennessee Titans’ new Nissan Stadium and a cutting-edge esports setup at Syracuse University. Plus, they introduce Live Switch, a new video production tool aimed at high schools and small-scale productions. Whether you're a sports tech enthusiast or just love seeing how digital displays transform fan experiences, this roundup episode brings you all the highlights.

Tennessee Titans - Nissan Stadium Rendering

Links:

• Allstate Arena Lights Up for Audiences with 30 LED Displays from Daktronics
• Daktronics Introduces Live Switch, a New Video Production Switcher for High School Marketplace
• Tennessee Titans Bring ‘Ring Of Fire’ to Game-Day with 37-Display Super System at the New Nissan Stadium
• UNC Wilmington Bringing LED Video Experience to Brooks Field from Daktronics
• Improved Baseball Experience Headed to Chesapeake Baysox with Daktronics Installation
• Akron RubberDucks Improve Stadium Experience with Daktronics Displays
• Direct-View LED Video Walls from Daktronics Bring Esports and Gaming to Life at Syracuse University

With Syracuse University looking to deliver the ultimate gaming and esports experience, they selected Daktronics for two massive video displays. To hear about all the aspects of the project and the entire gaming space, Justin and Matt visited with Joey Gawrysiak, Syracuse Executive Director of Esports, and Sean Kelly, Syracuse Director of Esports Production and Outreach. They shared the intention of the space, how it operates and how the displays help bring it to life for audiences.

Links:

• News Release: https://www.daktronics.com/news/direct-view-led-video-walls-from-daktronics-bring-esports-and-gaming-to-life-at-syracuse-university 
• YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/N8L8wWh7HpA?si=TcWBHi2d0yvTP3in 
• Syracuse Esports Website: https://www.syracuse.edu/campus-life/sports-recreation/esports/