TALLAHASSEE, FL—Florida A&M University’s football and basketball venues recently received major video technology enhancements courtesy of Anthony James Partners (AJP) and LED video provider SNA Displays. Highlights of the upgrades include a new endzone video scoreboard and LED ribbon board at the Rattlers’ Bragg Memorial Stadium and a new LED centerhung at the university’s Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center.
AJP led the technology refresh at both venues as owner-representative and technology consultant to FAMU, the No. 1-ranked public HBCU in the U.S. according to U.S. News & World Report, selecting SNA Displays to provide indoor and outdoor LED video technology.
“Unlike larger schools that tend to take on major upgrades more regularly, this was a new process for Florida A&M,” said Jeremy Lomax, AJP’s senior project manager. “FAMU trusted us to design a foundation and permanent scoreboard, replacing rental equipment they’d been using and truly expanding their in-house capabilities. The university was able to host Florida’s high school state championships recently, and having the right infrastructure in place to be able to host marquee events like that will continue to pay off in the future. Similarly, thanks to the LED video upgrades at Lawson Center, the arena is now capable of putting on better in-house events and shows for the university’s student body and athletes.”
Bragg Memorial Stadium
Enhancements to Bragg Memorial Stadium came just in time for FAMU’s football program, which hosted the 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game in December, a game the Rattlers won on the way to an 8-0 conference record, a 12-1 season, and a 2023 Celebration Bowl championship.
The new LED video scoreboard is located behind the north endzone of Ken Riley Field and measures 33 feet high by 77 feet wide. SNA Displays and Bumgarner Construction removed the previous steel structure used for static signage, constructing a new three-pole pylon display structure for the main videoboard. Phoenix Signs provided new static signage, channel letters, and decorative cladding.
Mounted to the façade of the Galimore-Powell Fieldhouse behind the south endzone, the new LED ribbon board is four feet tall and extends 182 feet. The ticker-style board is primarily used for score, time, and other in-game statistics.
SNA Displays also provided a 23-foot-long field-level LED video display in each of the four corners of the stadium. All screens at the stadium employ 10 mm EMPIRE™ Exterior video display technology.
“Working on this kind of stadium renovation from the ground up is much more complex than typical retrofits,” said Jason Helton, executive vice president for SNA Displays. “From new construction, new foundations, new steel, new electrical and data, and of course new LED signage, Bragg Stadium has a fresh look and feel for Rattlers fans to enjoy. Florida A&M Athletics took the necessary steps to improve the fan experience here, and it has definitely paid off.”
Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center
Next door to the stadium at the Al Lawson Center, SNA Displays removed an outdated centerhung and installed a new LED centerhung system featuring 6 mm BOLD™ Interior video technology. The enhanced centerhung consists of four LED screens and a 360-degree LED ring. Each of the four main displays is 8’8″ x 12’7″, while the lower ring is 2’4″ x 53’6″.
SNA Displays partnered with Eastern Sign Tech to fabricate and install channel letters, Rattlers logos, and snake-skin cladding to the centerhung as well as shot clocks and other scoring and timing equipment.
Additionally, SNA Displays provided two LED courtside tables, each 2’4″ x 20’6″.
For more information on FAMU’s recent LED video upgrades, visit case studies for Bragg Memorial Stadium and the Al Lawson Center.
About SNA Displays
SNA Displays is a leading LED video display manufacturer for sports and live-event venues, out-of-home (OOH), commercial real estate, retail environments, museums and commissioned digital art, workplaces, new construction, retrofits, and many other applications. With a focus on quality, technical and construction expertise, and dependable service, we have worked alongside technology partners to design and build some of the largest and most recognizable LED video installations in the world. Discover how Dreams Live Digitally® at snadisplays.com.
About Anthony James Partners
Anthony James Partners (AJP) is an industry-leading Owner’s Representative and Technology Consultant that specializes in large-scale technology design and acquisition. AJP works with top professional sports teams, college campuses and facility managers across North America and Europe. Key services include Infrastructure Review, Design, Financial Modeling, Procurement, and Construction Administration. Technology disciplines include LED Display Systems, Broadcast TV and Video Replay, Structured and Broadcast Cabling, Audio, Wi-Fi, DAS, Distributed TV, Event and Specialty Lighting, and more. Visit anthonyjamespartners.com to learn more, or connect with AJP on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Florida A&M University
Founded October 3, 1887, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is a public, historically Black university located in Tallahassee, Florida. What distinguishes FAMU from other universities is its legacy of providing access to a high-quality, affordable education with programs and services that guide students toward successfully achieving their dreams. FAMU is part of the State University System of Florida and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
In addition to the main Tallahassee campus, FAMU has several satellite campuses across Florida. These include the College of Law in Orlando and the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, which has sites in Crestview, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Miami. Learn more at www.famu.edu.
