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DSU and Daktronics Announce Campus Project

Madison, S.D. - August 24, 2005 –Dakota State University and Daktronics, Inc. today announced a project that will place electronic scoreboards and graphic displays at the University’s sporting venues, its student center, and at one of Madison’s main intersections.

 DSU President Dr. Douglas Knowlton is pleased to see the project reach this stage. “We are now able to offer an enhanced experience to our students and to the fans who attend a sporting event at Dakota State.  We are also expanding our capacity to communicate with the community.”  

The project is consistent with Dakota State’s mission of educating future technology leaders.  “Many of our graduates are employed with Daktronics,” commented Dr. Knowlton.  “We have a strong internship program for our undergraduates as well. It is a partnership that we are excited to continue.”  
 

DSU President Dr. Douglas Knowlton
addresses the crowd

The new scoreboards will be installed at Trojan Field, the DSU Fieldhouse and Flynn Field.  DSU Athletic Director Gene Wockenfuss says the new scoreboards will bring the fans closer to the game.  “With game statistics on display and video replay, fans are better informed and that makes them feel more connected to the game.” 

President Knowlton expects the display boards in the Trojan Center Marketplace and on the corner of Washington Avenue and Second Street to enhance communication with students and between the campus and the community.  “The display board on the corner of Washington and Second will not only point the way to campus, it will display announcements that will be of interest to the community, to visitors, and to students,” said Knowlton. “By announcing campus events and other news, the message center in the Student Center gives us another tool to connect with our students.” 

Daktronics Sports Marketing, a division of the Brookings-based Daktronics, Inc., has been working with Dakota State University to recruit corporate sponsorships for the scoreboards and display boards. All costs associated with the project are being covered through these corporate sponsorships. “Thanks to the significant and worthy contributions made by a number of Madison businesses, these vast campus and community enhancements have become a reality,” said Dr. Knowlton.  “With the advertising and marketing exposure to be gleaned by these organizations, we truly feel this partnership will be a win-win opportunity for both DSU and our corporate sponsors.”    Dr. Knowlton extended special recognition to Coca-Cola, the project’s largest corporate sponsor.  “As the exclusive beverage supplier for the DSU campus for the next ten years, Coca-Cola has enabled us to make this entire project a reality.”  

The project is expected to be completed later this fall.

Dakota State Athletic Director with displays of the new
signage.