Sam Houston State University will see new scoreboards at Bowers Stadium, Johnson Coliseum and Bearkat Softball Complex.
The new additions are products of a partnership between Wismer Distributing Company’s Jim and Tonya Ferris, Ann Wismer and Michael Landolt in Baytown, Kurt Stevenson of Steven Beer Distributing Company in Trinity, Anheuser-Busch and the SHSU Department of Athletics.
“We greatly appreciate this generous gift in support of the Bearkat football, track and field, basketball, volleyball and softball programs,” SHSU President Dana G. Hoyt said to Bearkat Athletics. “The new boards will add a new dimension of entertainment, excitement and energy for our fans on game days.”
Bowers Stadium’s new scoreboard will be the biggest scoreboard in the Football Championship Subdivision. It will stand at 32 feet, 4 inches by 79 feet, 6 inches. The board will include full LED lighting, 15 mm, high-definition video display for live video, custom animation, color graphics along with statistics, time and results.
“I’m really excited for [the scoreboard], and I’m sure the squad is too,” SHSU football sophomore cornerback Sammy Webb said. “It’s going to be awesome looking up at that big video board and seeing that play you just made. That’s just a little piece of how us winning benefits us in different ways.”
Webb added that he believes the new scoreboard could attract more fans to the games as the Kats strive to look the part of being the best team in the FCS.
“All we do is win, so why not show it and have that swagger?” he said. “I mean it makes sense for the best team to have the biggest scoreboard, right? Sam Houston is here and we aren’t going anywhere for a while.”
As for Johnson Coliseum, it will replace its current scoreboard with a new 17 feet, 9.3 inches tall by 31 feet, 1.6 inches wide scoreboard. The scoreboard will include a 10 mm video display for live video for its basketball and volleyball games. The coliseum is already set to see $9.5 million in renovations after a Texas State University Board of Regents decision in February.
“I’m really excited they are getting this done for the next season,” SHSU volleyball middle blocker Shelby Genung said. “It’s going to be a great addition to our coliseum, and it’s just exciting that we are getting all these renovations. I think having prerecorded videos for game warm ups will pump the girls up and encourage our fan base to stay involved”
The scoreboard for softball will stand at 23 feet, 11.2 inches tall by 27 feet wide with a live video screen.
Jim Ferris and Stevenson are alumni of SHSU. Jim Ferris said he is honored to be able to help SHSU in such a major upgrade to the university. Stevenson added his excitement to give back to the university.
“Sam Houston State University is fortunate to have wonderful alumni and friends who give at such a high level to help this university succeed,” Bobby Williams, SHSU director of athletics, said.
“Major projects of this type take a total team effort. We are very appreciative of our partnership with our university president, university advancement, the athletic department and especially the individuals who have made this possible with their generous gifts.”
The scoreboards are set to be finished by the fall 2015 semester.
