USC’s New Scoreboard, Behind the Scenes

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — By now Gamecocks fans have noticed the mammoth-sized high definition (HD) video scoreboard towering over Williams-Brice stadium at each home game. But, how does it work? Just what makes it so grand? ABC Columbia shares a special behind-the-scenes look. It’s as grand at Williams-Brice stadium itself, arguably more of an attraction than the marching Mighty Sound of the Southeast, and it captures the plays of Gamecocks football in HD splendor. However, the behind-the-scenes task to operative such a massive monitor is for professionals only; no ‘bench-warmers’ allowed in the Control Room. Officials say the former control room was a third of the current control room’s size, making it one of the smallest in the SEC. A staff of 12-13 people were ‘stacked on top of each other.’ When the University decided to build the video board, they decided to do more than that; build a control room they can use for a long time. The 36 feet by 124 feet, $6.5 million scoreboard and the control room are two years in the making. State-of-the-art, green, equipment and a cohesive staff keep the play-by-play action seem flawless come game time. With the successful launch of the new scoreboard for football games, officials say they are looking beyond the grid iron…to use the new gear for other events like soccer, softball and volleyball. If the future is anything like the present, Gamecocks sports will give new meaning to ‘lights, camera, action,’ much to the delight of Gamecock Nation.