Board OKs high-tech scoreboards

By the start of next year's Michigan football season, both Michigan Stadium and Crisler Arena will have Internet-compatible video screens, replacing the current scoreboards in both arenas, if a proposal is approved by the University Board of Regents today.

The Board in Control of Intercollegiate Athletics passed the proposal last night.

"The video screens at the stadium are made of a number of components," said Thomas Cecchini, director of marketing and communications for the Athletic Department, who organized the proposal.

The project's components include the installation of video scoreboards - two large boards in Michigan Stadium and four smaller boards that will replace the current dot matrix boards at Crisler - along with Internet capability and production facilities, Cecchini said.

The total cost of the system is estimated at $7.9 million. But unlike other universities with similar video systems, the University will not accept advertisements to adorn the new boards

"This will be an Athletic Department venture. We will take funds from the resources and reserves we currently have," Athletic Director Tom Goss said. "There will be no scoreboard advertising in Michigan Stadium.

"Michigan is one of the two (college) stadiums we know of to have no commercialism in their stadiums. We think it is critical that we maintain a commercialism-free stadium," he said.

Goss said the cost of the new arena system will not hinder the progression of other projects currently planned within the Athletic Department.

"We see this as a revenue stream that will enable us to accomplish some of the other priorities on the project list," Goss said.

Alumni will be offered Internet subscriptions, which will allow them to view game replays, coach interviews and highlights from Michigan's athletic history. The site should generate revenue for the University, Cecchini said, adding that potential advertisements on the service also would generate funds for the University.

"The Internet provides the content we can take to our alumni for a fee," Cecchini said. "As you put that on the Internet, there are other ways to make revenue with advertisements."

Eventually, video segments of all 23 Michigan varsity athletic teams will be able to be placed on the Internet, and a cable station for the system's use could be down the road, Goss said.

"All of those would be brought online in due time," Goss said.

In addition to using the video system for athletic functions, board members suggested that it could be used for other large-scale events. For instance, the annual commencement ceremony held in Michigan Stadium could be recorded and broadcast internationally via the Internet and possibly televised as well.

Walter Harrison, secretary and vice president for University relations, added that the system also may provide an alternative to watching the commencement ceremony in the stadium during inclement weather.

"We can say to them, 'If you don't want to go into the stadium, you can go into Crisler'" Arena, said Harrison, adding that a broadcast could reach a larger audience.

Although the University is not the leader in video scoreboard implementation, Goss said it is leading the way in the combination of scoreboards and the Internet.

"Michigan was the first stadium to have electric scoreboards. We were not the first stadium to have video boards, but we will most likely be the first university to tie it into the Internet," Goss said.

In less than two years, the Athletic Department will begin to train students to run the multi-million dollar media system, Cecchini said.

"The operational cost will depend on how long it will take to train students," Cecchini said. "After the first year and a half, we will start to train our own students and other interested personnel."

Harrison said the program has the potential to be an educational asset to the University.

"There's a real learning opportunity for students who are thinking about sports broadcasting or sports management," Harrison said.

The proposed production facilities for the system will be housed in Crisler Arena. But the board is considering other locations as well, Cecchini said.

- Daily Staff Reporter Katie Plona contributed to this report.

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