$800,000 for a High School Scoreboard??

[DrEdward]

Birdville ISD has announced that they will be spending $800,000 on a new scorebaord for their football stadium at Birdville High School. Plus a sound system they claim can be heard for miles. Wow! I can't imagine why that is important. It's up to them as how they spend their money, but that amount of money just seems way over the top to me. Can it really be the case that advertisers are willing to spend that much more money than they otherwise would have on the former scoreboard? I know the scoreboard salesmen will say yes, but I am a bit dubious of that claim.

[MHSfootball]

Birdville ISD has announced that they will be spending $800,000 on a new scorebaord for their football stadium at Birdville High School. Plus a sound system they claim can be heard for miles. Wow! I can't imagine why that is important. It's up to them as how they spend their money, but that amount of money just seems way over the top to me. Can it really be the case that advertisers are willing to spend that much more money than they otherwise would have on the former scoreboard? I know the scoreboard salesmen will say yes, but I am a bit dubious of that claim.
Thats a load of money. Depends on how big the screen is? And that is gonna be a helluva sound system.

[jtk1519]

Birdville ISD has announced that they will be spending $800,000 on a new scorebaord for their football stadium at Birdville High School. Plus a sound system they claim can be heard for miles. Wow! I can't imagine why that is important. It's up to them as how they spend their money, but that amount of money just seems way over the top to me. Can it really be the case that advertisers are willing to spend that much more money than they otherwise would have on the former scoreboard? I know the scoreboard salesmen will say yes, but I am a bit dubious of that claim.

The new scoreboard that was installed at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene a couple of years ago cost $500,000 (and that didn't include any sound system) and features a high-def video screen which was at the time (and may still be) the largest of any high school stadium in America.

http://abilenevisitors.com/meeting_events/images/Web--Shotwell-2.jpg

It's actually not hard to recoup the investment via advertising. I would be interested to see what the Birdville board will look like. I think the new trend is high-def screens so I would expect to see costs continue to rise, but so long as the Dr. Pepper/7 Ups and Frito Lays of the world are willing to pony up several thousand dollars a year to put their ad on these boards, districts will continue to build bigger and more extravagant boards.

[jtk1519]

This is the rendering from the FWST...

http://media.star-telegram.com/smedia/2009/01/23/22/260-Birdville_scoreboard_01-24-2009_NortheastE_2BRA9BO.standalone.prod_affiliate. 58.jpg

According to that FWST article, Daktronics (the scoreboard maker) raised enough money to cover the $1.4 million cost of new boards in Conroe in 12 weeks. They expect to make $100,000-$200,000 a year over 10 years with the Birdville board.

[farmerfan]

Birdville ISD has announced that they will be spending $800,000 on a new scorebaord for their football stadium at Birdville High School. Plus a sound system they claim can be heard for miles. Wow! I can't imagine why that is important. It's up to them as how they spend their money, but that amount of money just seems way over the top to me. Can it really be the case that advertisers are willing to spend that much more money than they otherwise would have on the former scoreboard? I know the scoreboard salesmen will say yes, but I am a bit dubious of that claim.

That is going to be some nice commission check for that salesman. That one deal is right about $300,000 over my annual quota. :notworthy

[SLC]

Dragon Stadium needs a video scoreboard..I'm tired of seeing the lightbulb Dragon.

[slcdragonfan]

Glad to see the proposed scoreboard still has the score and other game pertinent data, not just advertising.;)

I miss the days of a sing on the back of the baseball fence with the name of a local company. A sample day in future advertisers dreams:

"Kids, take out your Dr. Pepper textbooks and turn to page Frito 25. On the Sony 'magiscreen', after the GM 'History moment', you will notice the Williams-Sonoma 'study notes for the week'.

And, before you leave, be sure to renew your Travelocity parking sticker at the American Airlines desk in the office." That is all....

[abileneeagles311]

The new scoreboard that was installed at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene a couple of years ago cost $500,000 (and that didn't include any sound system) and features a high-def video screen which was at the time (and may still be) the largest of any high school stadium in America.

http://abilenevisitors.com/meeting_events/images/Web--Shotwell-2.jpg

It's actually not hard to recoup the investment via advertising. I would be interested to see what the Birdville board will look like. I think the new trend is high-def screens so I would expect to see costs continue to rise, but so long as the Dr. Pepper/7 Ups and Frito Lays of the world are willing to pony up several thousand dollars a year to put their ad on these boards, districts will continue to build bigger and more extravagant boards.
i'm pretty sure it's second now. but first in the state.... i'm not sure what school has the biggest

[abileneeagles311]

Birdville ISD has announced that they will be spending $800,000 on a new scorebaord for their football stadium at Birdville High School. Plus a sound system they claim can be heard for miles. Wow! I can't imagine why that is important. It's up to them as how they spend their money, but that amount of money just seems way over the top to me. Can it really be the case that advertisers are willing to spend that much more money than they otherwise would have on the former scoreboard? I know the scoreboard salesmen will say yes, but I am a bit dubious of that claim.
800,000 seems completely outrageous.

[Favpack]

I've actually come back around to the perspective of just how utterly stupid this all is. Granted, yes, you probably can re-coup a good chunk of it - but it's still stupid to think that Texas remains at the absolute "slightly above Mississippi" educational gutter - yet, we act all proud about our scoreboards.

Totally misplaced emphasis in our grand state.

[slorch]

I've actually come back around to the perspective of just how utterly stupid this all is. Granted, yes, you probably can re-coup a good chunk of it - but it's still stupid to think that Texas remains at the absolute "slightly above Mississippi" educational gutter - yet, we act all proud about our scoreboards.

Totally misplaced emphasis in our grand state.

ask someone in the know about the financials of the recent addition of the bigscreen and the advertisements at Abe martin...


It is money VERY well invested by the school district.

[DrEdward]

ask someone in the know about the financials of the recent addition of the bigscreen and the advertisements at Abe martin...


It is money VERY well invested by the school district.

I'm not so sure about that. BISD already has a video board with full replay capabilities. It too is already sponsored. So, just for analytical purposes, let's assume that BISD generates $50,000 per year currently in advertising from it. Let's further assume that that the new score board will somehow cause sponsors to pony up an additional $50,000 per year, as has been suggested is possible. That means that the incremental revenues attributable to this investment in a new scoreboard amount to only the incremental $50,000, not the $100,000, as the district would presumably have received that revenue from the current board advertising. Even without discounting the cash flows and assuming that the sponsors will continue to pay the additional $50,000, that results in a pay back of 16.2 years. If we took the net present value of those outyear revenues into account, the payback years would only increase. This does not strike me as a great investment by the district in Birdville's case.

Traditionally, the soft drink companies have been major contributors to scoreboard sponsorships. That has come to an absolute halt in many districts and a much reduced payout in others. I am sure other folks will step up, but the revenue flows are certainly more uncertain that they once were.

To make this even a remotely reasonable proposition, it would appear that either the scorebaord maker or a third party must come up with the $810,000 up front. That would at least shift a good deal of the financial risk to them and away from the district. Of course, that means that the adevertising revenues would go that manufacturer or third party until the payment was made.

[PCW Cats]

I also don't remember this stadium hosting that many playoff games, so I agree that it doesn't make any sense. Some districts across the state are in pay and hiring freezes. Surely someone is being criticized for this?

[Favpack]

I also don't remember this stadium hosting that many playoff games, so I agree that it doesn't make any sense. Some districts across the state are in pay and hiring freezes. Surely someone is being criticized for this?

One would think - worst economic nightmare in 60 years.

[CyFallsMom]

It's a lot of money - especially in this economy and the world we live in. But, I understand when money is earmarked for a project - it's in the budget anyway. I do know this - when I go to a stadium outside of CFISD, I hate when I can't see replays!!! But then, we are spoiled.

[Favpack]

Lufkin has a nice scoreboard. I'm for it - it provides a big chunk of money toward scholarships, however, where do you draw the line? If $800k is good, $1.1M must be better. Why not go for $2 or 3M?

Nobody really answered my point or question? Are the scoreboards helping us get above 47th in the US for test score averages? No - they are not.

[Firebird]

Lufkin has a nice scoreboard. I'm for it - it provides a big chunk of money toward scholarships, however, where do you draw the line? If $800k is good, $1.1M must be better. Why not go for $2 or 3M?

Nobody really answered my point or question? Are the scoreboards helping us get above 47th in the US for test score averages? No - they are not.

IMHO, the scoreboard issue is more of a symbol of what's wrong rather than an actual cause. As many have pointed out, these things probably do (or did in more flush times) pay for themselves and more eventually.

The real issue is that we have school boards who spend their time thinking about how to outgun the guys across town in the new stadium and scoreboard races. I wonder if they spend as much time at their meetings concerning themselves with graduation rates. I think it's a symbol of how HS football in Texas represents the best and worst of us. The best in the community ties it fosters and sustains, the involvement of parents, friends, relatives in the lives of our young, the discipline and toughness and value of hard work it teaches, the virtues of competition and striving. The worst is the misplaced priorities (how much praise we heap on our valedictorians as compared to our all-district DE), the Texan penchant for wretched excess, the penchant for valuing winning over striving, and more.

[Favpack]

IMHO, the scoreboard issue is more of a symbol of what's wrong rather than an actual cause. As many have pointed out, these things probably do (or did in more flush times) pay for themselves and more eventually.

The real issue is that we have school boards who spend their time thinking about how to outgun the guys across town in the new stadium and scoreboard races. I wonder if they spend as much time at their meetings concerning themselves with graduation rates. I think it's a symbol of how HS football in Texas represents the best and worst of us. The best in the community ties it fosters and sustains, the involvement of parents, friends, relatives in the lives of our young, the discipline and toughness and value of hard work it teaches, the virtues of competition and striving. The worst is the misplaced priorities (how much praise we heap on our valedictorians as compared to our all-district DE), the Texan penchant for wretched excess, the penchant for valuing winning over striving, and more.

At my oldest's HS graduation - I think the valedictorian and salut. speeches were warmly received... but what I remember most is Leonard Hewitt, our all-state db crossing the stage -- he got a huge ovation, and the Vice Principal and LH did a cool little jivey handshake - which everyone thought was cool.

It was all a joke - Leonard never graduated - he couldn't pass TAKS. He lost a full ride to Tech because he couldn't get a HS diploma. That's not an indictment of Lufkin or even Leonard - it's what's wrong - period. Hundreds of good athletes every year lose out on full rides because they don't get accepted to the U. that offered. Pathetic.

[mojotrain]

I thought 150,000 to clone a dog was dumb.

[DrEdward]

Lufkin has a nice scoreboard. I'm for it - it provides a big chunk of money toward scholarships, however, where do you draw the line? If $800k is good, $1.1M must be better. Why not go for $2 or 3M?

Nobody really answered my point or question? Are the scoreboards helping us get above 47th in the US for test score averages? No - they are not.

Of course, they do not. But then I am absolutely unconvinced that spending ever increasing amounts of money is the answer to better education. If it were, then school systems like Washington, D.C. (among the most expensive in the U.S.) would be among the best in the country and it is demonstarbly the case that they are not. If you want improved educational results, it is clear that first the students themselves must care and recognize the value of an education. Second, the parents must care and be actively involved. (The first may indeed be a product of the second.) Third, the teachers must be involved as well and passionate about their subjects, not simply going through the motions.

[Firebird]

Of course, they do not. But then I am absolutely unconvinced that spending ever increasing amounts of money is the answer to better education. If it were, then school systems like Washington, D.C. (among the most expensive in the U.S.) would be among the best in the country and it is demonstarbly the case that they are not. If you want improved educational results, it is clear that first the students themselves must care and recognize the value of an education. Second, the parents must care and be actively involved. (The first may indeed be a product of the second.) Third, the teachers must be involved as well and passionate about their subjects, not simply going through the motions.

Money can do little to nothing about number one or two, but I often wonder how passionate and involved our teachers would be, and the quality of the applicants, if their salaries came a little closer to the HC salary......

[DrEdward]

Money can do little to nothing about number one or two, but I often wonder how passionate and involved our teachers would be, and the quality of the applicants, if their salaries came a little closer to the HC salary......

At one time, teachers were a relatively underpaid lot. However, in the past several years, that has changed substantially. In the metromess anyway, a 21 year old fresh out of undergraduate school can receive a starting salary in the mid to upper $40,000 to $50,000. That, of course, can be supplemented by additional stipends. Of course, one must also keep in mind that teachers' salaries are not quite the equivalent of private sector salaries in at least two ways. First, they are typically for a nine month contract, so to place them on a calendar equivalent basis, the above figures must be adjusted upward. That would imply that a starting salary of $45,000 on a nine month basis is roughly the equivalent of a private sector position at $59,900 or $54,000 should the contract be on a ten month basis. Second. a teacher's salary also reflects what amounts to a quite a generous retirement system, in many cases, if not most, much more generous than the private retirement system. Currently, it is easily possible for a teacher to retire at upwards of 80% of the payrate, while private sector pension plans are being curtailed and/or eliminated. This is not a factor simply to be dismissed.

So we can look at the impact of changes in teachers pay on educational attainment as we do have data on these variables and others over time.

[15Adragon]

Of course, they do not. But then I am absolutely unconvinced that spending ever increasing amounts of money is the answer to better education. If it were, then school systems like Washington, D.C. (among the most expensive in the U.S.) would be among the best in the country and it is demonstarbly the case that they are not. If you want improved educational results, it is clear that first the students themselves must care and recognize the value of an education. Second, the parents must care and be actively involved. (The first may indeed be a product of the second.) Third, the teachers must be involved as well and passionate about their subjects, not simply going through the motions.

This.

[Firebird]

At one time, teachers were a relatively underpaid lot. However, in the past several years, that has changed substantially. In the metromess anyway, a 21 year old fresh out of undergraduate school can receive a starting salary in the mid to upper $40,000 to $50,000. That, of course, can be supplemented by additional stipends. Of course, one must also keep in mind that teachers' salaries are not quite the equivalent of private sector salaries in at least two ways. First, they are typically for a nine month contract, so to place them on a calendar equivalent basis, the above figures must be adjusted upward. That would imply that a starting salary of $45,000 on a nine month basis is roughly the equivalent of a private sector position at $59,900 or $54,000 should the contract be on a ten month basis. Second. a teacher's salary also reflects what amounts to a quite a genreous retirement system, in many cases, if not most, much more generous than the private retirement system. Currently, it is easily possible for a teacher to retire at upwards of 80% of the payrate, while private sector pension plans are being curtailed and/or eliminated. This is not a factor simply to be dismissed.

So we can look at the impact of changes in teachers pay on educational attainment as we do have data on these variables and others over time.

True enough, but I think it is worth noting that we are willing to pay a coach who does no classroom teaching at all upwards of 2X that. Truly a commentary on what we think is important.

[mojotrain]

True enough, but I think it is worth noting that we are willing to pay a coach who does no classroom teaching at all upwards of 2X that. Truly a commentary on what we think is important.

Can you imagine 15,000 parents showing up to watch a math class every friday, the teacher knowing she/he has nine months to make them the best or near the best in the state or else get booted.

[DrEdward]

True enough, but I think it is worth noting that we are willing to pay a coach who does no classroom teaching at all upwards of 2X that. Truly a commentary on what we think is important.

Yes, but also a comment on relative scarcity between head football coaches and teachers just out of college.

Even more than the coaches salaries, I find myself stunned by the salaries being paid to the superintendents, especially in the larger districts. Those can run 5x to 7x the teachers' salaries and the districts can still be an absolute mess.:(

[Firebird]

Can you imagine 15,000 parents showing up to watch a math class every friday, the teacher knowing she/he has nine months to make them the best or near the best in the state or else get booted.


Can you imagine a kid getting a job that allows him to pay taxes with a line on his resume that says "15-0 State Football Champion"?

Let's not pretend this is more important than it is and which instruction is actually preparing these kids for life.

[Firebird]

Yes, but also a comment on relative scarcity between head football coaches and teachers just out of college.

Even more than the coaches salaries, I find myself stunned by the salaries being paid to the superintendents, especially in the larger districts. Those can run 5x to 7x the teachers' salaries and the districts can still be an absolute mess.:(

Isn't that also a comment on the relative scarcity of superintendents as compared to teachers and head football coaches? ;)

I just find the whole thing fascinating. An expense like this, which benefits an extracurriculur program, is not even blinked at, and justified under the return on investment. I wonder, if the school board wanted to dedicate 800,000 a year on scholarship money for undepriviliged kids to attend college, what the reaction would be. My bet would lots of shouting, even though I would wager that the chances of that making a return on investment in the form of tax dollars is pretty high.

There's no

[E-Vol-ution]

In all fairness.....an extracurricular program that generates a buzz in the community will also most likely bring up the academic amenities as well being that attention is usually the prerequisite towards actions otherwise deemed mundane.
Can you imagine 15,000 parents showing up to watch a math class every friday, the teacher knowing she/he has nine months to make them the best or near the best in the state or else get booted.

[Firebird]

In all fairness.....an extracurricular program that generates a buzz in the community will also most likely bring up the academic amenities as well being that attention is usually the prerequisite towards actions otherwise deemed mundane.

If that were the case, then Texas wouldn't be ranked just above Mississippi in education. Pretty easy to show how that doesn't work. Football creates a buzz a buzz about football, nothing more.

[E-Vol-ution]

You are discussing overall.....there are great institutions of learning in both states. Responsibility is the key word on this topic. A know all care less attitude towards education or sports will result in just that.If that were the case, then Texas wouldn't be ranked just above Mississippi in education. Pretty easy to show how that doesn't work. Football creates a buzz a buzz about football, nothing more.

[DrEdward]

Isn't that also a comment on the relative scarcity of superintendents as compared to teachers and head football coaches? ;)

I just find the whole thing fascinating. An expense like this, which benefits an extracurriculur program, is not even blinked at, and justified under the return on investment. I wonder, if the school board wanted to dedicate 800,000 a year on scholarship money for undepriviliged kids to attend college, what the reaction would be. My bet would lots of shouting, even though I would wager that the chances of that making a return on investment in the form of tax dollars is pretty high.



Yes, you're correct. The stunning part is that many of the districts paying out these huge salaries to superintendents do not perform at all well for their students, or in the case of a DISD for their taxpayers either.

[DrEdward]

If that were the case, then Texas wouldn't be ranked just above Mississippi in education. Pretty easy to show how that doesn't work. Football creates a buzz a buzz about football, nothing more.

One can have a really good football program in the absense of $810,000 expenditures on scoreboards. I do believe it is possible for a good extracurricular program, including football, to have a very positive spillover effect on the balance of the educational duties of a school.

[Firebird]

One can have a really good football program in the absense of $810,000 expenditures on scoreboards. I do believe it is possible for a good extracurricular program, including football, to have a very positive spillover effect on the balance of the educational duties of a school.


I agree with that, too....which is why I support extracurriculur programs in their proper place.

[mojotrain]

Can you imagine a kid getting a job that allows him to pay taxes with a line on his resume that says "15-0 State Football Champion"?

Let's not pretend this is more important than it is and which instruction is actually preparing these kids for life.

No silly, the teachers prepare students for jobs that allows them to pay taxes. Thats been going on for a while. The exception being, If they happen to go into goverment as a career. Presently, as a goverment offical the less you follow tax laws the higher position you recieve. I wonder where those dims got their education? Those tricky Ivy schools, I bet.

Kids who want to get a good education are getting one. They always have. Those who don't care won't improve no matter how much money you pile on a teacher. Those failure numbers are increasing but not because of teacher pay. That reason is for someone to argue on another channel.

Permians coaching staff teachs and they all teach solid courses. They also guarantee that the kids are in each and every class. They are judged every friday night by 15,000 people who pay to see the results. Failure means go somewhere else. I admit they have a captive group to work with and slackers and gimmys are sent home. Teachers don't have that luxury. They are forced to take what walks in the door and they have no control over that. Goverment, you know! I don't think they can be terminated short of molesting a child thats unlike college teachers who can't be terminated for anything, period.

Some people pay 5.00 to see brittany or madonna climb a pole for something of percieved of value. I can't begin to begrudge a football coach 80,000 plus a year.

[15Adragon]

No silly, the teachers prepare students for jobs that allows them to pay taxes. Thats been going on for a while. The exception being, If they happen to go into goverment as a career. Presently, as a goverment offical the less you follow tax laws the higher position you recieve. I wonder where those dims got their education? Those tricky Ivy schools, I bet.

Kids who want to get a good education are getting one. They always have. Those who don't care won't improve no matter how much money you pile on a teacher. Those failure numbers are increasing but not because of teacher pay. That reason is for someone to argue on another channel.

Permians coaching staff teachs and they all teach solid courses. They also guarantee that the kids are in each and every class. They are judged every friday night by 15,000 people who pay to see the results. Failure means go somewhere else. I admit they have a captive group to work with and slackers and gimmys are sent home. Teachers don't have that luxury. They are forced to take what walks in the door and they have no control over that. Goverment, you know! I don't think they can be terminated short of molesting a child thats unlike college teachers who can't be terminated for anything, period.

Some people pay 5.00 to see brittany or madonna climb a pole for something of percieved of value. I can't begin to begrudge a football coach 80,000 plus a year.

IMO, a head football coach has more accountability than a teacher who in turn has more accountability than an administrator. The product of the HC is on the field every friday night. That is a tremendous amount of accountability relative to the pay especially when compared to jobs in the private sector. Administrators are unfortunately less accountable. It usually takes a media investigation to uncover poor decisions or less than ethical behavior.

Note - I am not trying to minimize the importance or the accountability of the teachers. They are critical. I am just making a point about the visibility and coverage a HC gets.

[Firebird]

No silly, the teachers prepare students for jobs that allows them to pay taxes. Thats been going on for a while. The exception being, If they happen to go into goverment as a career. Presently, as a goverment offical the less you follow tax laws the higher position you recieve. I wonder where those dims got their education? Those tricky Ivy schools, I bet.

Kids who want to get a good education are getting one. They always have. Those who don't care won't improve no matter how much money you pile on a teacher. Those failure numbers are increasing but not because of teacher pay. That reason is for someone to argue on another channel.

Permians coaching staff teachs and they all teach solid courses. They also guarantee that the kids are in each and every class. They are judged every friday night by 15,000 people who pay to see the results. Failure means go somewhere else. I admit they have a captive group to work with and slackers and gimmys are sent home. Teachers don't have that luxury. They are forced to take what walks in the door and they have no control over that. Goverment, you know! I don't think they can be terminated short of molesting a child thats unlike college teachers who can't be terminated for anything, period.

Some people pay 5.00 to see brittany or madonna climb a pole for something of percieved of value. I can't begin to begrudge a football coach 80,000 plus a year.

Odessa is an excellent example of a town that has always maintained a proper perspective of the importance of high school football, I'll give you that much.

[HUM398]

The new scoreboard that was installed at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene a couple of years ago cost $500,000 (and that didn't include any sound system) and features a high-def video screen which was at the time (and may still be) the largest of any high school stadium in America.

http://abilenevisitors.com/meeting_events/images/Web--Shotwell-2.jpg

It's actually not hard to recoup the investment via advertising. I would be interested to see what the Birdville board will look like. I think the new trend is high-def screens so I would expect to see costs continue to rise, but so long as the Dr. Pepper/7 Ups and Frito Lays of the world are willing to pony up several thousand dollars a year to put their ad on these boards, districts will continue to build bigger and more extravagant boards.

Humble has the exact same scoreboard....except you may a bit larger Screen

[slorch]

Lufkin has a nice scoreboard. I'm for it - it provides a big chunk of money toward scholarships, however, where do you draw the line? If $800k is good, $1.1M must be better. Why not go for $2 or 3M?

Nobody really answered my point or question? Are the scoreboards helping us get above 47th in the US for test score averages? No - they are not.

the flipside of that is are they taking away money from academics, and I would submit the answer of "no," until kids start using their "AT&T Scantron" for the taks test or coming to the Woodforest Science lab at college Park.

I guess my question is, " Would the discretionary advertising money spent on endorsements be equally available as an academic resource?" i don't think it would be, simply for the diminished return advertisers would recoup.

people propose that it is a zero sum game, but there are two different games being played with this money, in my estimation. the scoreboard money doesn't dilute the money available for academic progress. In fact if it helps the advertisers grow, it does increase school funding through taxes. it's a concept that everyone that voted for Obama doesn't get either, so don't be embarrassed.

[oldmojo94]

Birdville ISD has announced that they will be spending $800,000 on a new scorebaord for their football stadium at Birdville High School. Plus a sound system they claim can be heard for miles. Wow! I can't imagine why that is important. It's up to them as how they spend their money, but that amount of money just seems way over the top to me. Can it really be the case that advertisers are willing to spend that much more money than they otherwise would have on the former scoreboard? I know the scoreboard salesmen will say yes, but I am a bit dubious of that claim.
is the field still gonna be 100 yds long??:D

[DrEdward]

is the field still gonna be 100 yds long??:D

Plus they have seen fit to add 10 yards at each end for endzones. :rolleyes::D But it sure sounds like they want folks at other stadiums several miles away to hear their play calling.

[country club]

Wouldn't it be cool if Dr.Pepper and Pepsi would SPONSOR a Science Lab, so students could see how Carbonated Water dehydrates cells and how High Fructose Corn Syrup metabolizes in the body?

[svhorns]

Wouldn't it be cool if Dr.Pepper and Pepsi would SPONSOR a Science Lab, so students could see how Carbonated Water dehydrates cells and how High Fructose Corn Syrup metabolizes in the body?

lol. that there is funny.

[slorch]

people that question these moves are the ones UCONN Men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun likes to talk with...

"Get some facts, and back to me!!!" LMAO!

[DrEdward]

people that question these moves are the ones UCONN Men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun likes to talk with...

"Get some facts, and back to me!!!" LMAO!

:confused:

[slorch]

:confused:


A reporter recently implored jim Calhoun that he should take a reduction in pay with the current financial climate. The UConn coach even gave him a chance to recant his question but the reporter repeated it.

The big Huskie then unloaded on the guy reminding him what the UConn basketball programs produce as far as revenue and he chided the reporter to get some facts and get back with him...

same thing with the scoreboards. in the end, they produce more than they cost.

[DrEdward]

A reporter recently implored jim Calhoun that he should take a reduction in pay with the current financial climate. The UConn coach even gave him a chance to recant his question but the reporter repeated it.

The big Huskie then unloaded on the guy reminding him what the UConn basketball programs produce as far as revenue and he chided the reporter to get some facts and get back with him...

same thing with the scoreboards. in the end, they produce more than they cost.

As I estimated in post #12, in the case of an $800,000 investment by the district, payback on a non-discounted present value basis would be achieved in 16.2 years. So yes, the revenues would eventually catch up. But that is a pretty long break even period considering their current scoreboard didn't make it anywhere near that long. Much better off to let the manufacturer front the costs and have them at risk to collect the advetising revenues until the scoreboard is paid for.

[slorch]

As I estimated in post #12, in the case of an $800,000 investment by the district, payback on a non-discounted present value basis would be achieved in 16.2 years. So yes, the revenues would eventually catch up. But that is a pretty long break even period considering their current scoreboard didn't make it anywhere near that long. Much better off to let the manufacturer front the costs and have them at risk to collect the advetising revenues until the scoreboard is paid for.

true. How easy is that to pull off though?

"I want to try your product, and if there is enough support, I'll even buy it from you..."

The financing can happen in a couple different ways, but these larger schools do get a return on their initial investment because most of the communities in Texas are very supportive and businesses know that scoreboards/ radio coverage of games/ ect advertising is a tough marketing dollar to beat.

[DrEdward]

true. How easy is that to pull off though?

"I want to try your product, and if there is enough support, I'll even buy it from you..."

The financing can happen in a couple different ways, but these larger schools do get a return on their initial investment because most of the communities in Texas are very supportive and businesses know that scoreboards/ radio coverage of games/ ect advertising is a tough marketing dollar to beat.

The degree of difficulty depends upon the market your school is selling to. For a number of schools, it is not all that difficult evidently to arrange such financing. Certainly scorebaord manufacturers at the upper end of the spectrum, which is what we are talking about here, have an interest in having their product purchase by schools, so it is in their interest to work with districts to arrange some sort of risk sharing arrangement. Even if it were not possible to do on a 100% basis, any such reduction of the money going out the door upfront is in the interest of the school district.

[Wypirates03]

Lufkin has a nice scoreboard. I'm for it - it provides a big chunk of money toward scholarships, however, where do you draw the line? If $800k is good, $1.1M must be better. Why not go for $2 or 3M?

Nobody really answered my point or question? Are the scoreboards helping us get above 47th in the US for test score averages? No - they are not.

Then send your kids to a school that can provide?

[Matthew 2000 Eagle]

Question;

Will this scoreboard be for the Birdville FAAC on Precinct Line? Or, will it be for the Old Birdville Stadium on Belknap? The reason I ask is because, the FAAC already has a video board with instant replay. It was the first high school stadium in the state of Texas to have one. Birdville Stadium, of course, doesn't have one.

[DrEdward]

Question;

Will this scoreboard be for the Birdville FAAC on Precinct Line? Or, will it be for the Old Birdville Stadium on Belknap? The reason I ask is because, the FAAC already has a video board with instant replay. It was the first high school stadium in the state of Texas to have one. Birdville Stadium, of course, doesn't have one.

The one under discussion is for the Birdville FAAC, adjacent to Birdville High School. As I understand it, a new scoreboard without the videos will also be placed at the old stadium by Thomas on Belknap. I forget how much the later was to cost, but it has already been voted on by the board. I think that one was in the range of $50,000.

I agree that the Birville FAAC already has a video replay system, but the Birdville folks say that it is not adequate and continually requires ongoing repairs. But $800,000 would provide a great many repairs. But the fact that they already have a video replay system in place is the principle reason I believe they are overestimating the incremetal revenues derivable from a new board by way of advertising, as I set forth in an earlier post.

[Matthew 2000 Eagle]

The one under discussion is for the Birdville FAAC, adjacent to Birdville High School. As I understand it, a new scoreboard without the videos will also be placed at the old stadium by Thomas on Belknap. I forget how much the later was to cost, but it has already been voted on by the board. I think that one was in the range of $50,000.

I agree that the Birville FAAC already has a video replay system, but the Birdville folks say that it is not adequate and continually requires ongoing repairs. But $800,000 would provide a great many repairs. But the fact that they already have a video replay system in place is the principle reason I believe they are overestimating the incremetal revenues derivable from a new board by way of advertising, as I set forth in an earlier post.

Oh, okay! Thanks for the confirmation Doc!

[Drag Goon]

Maybe Carroll can get a good deal on the old one. I always thought it was pretty cool when we were in that district.

Could this be to try and get more playoff games since Texas Stadium is no longer available. Do stadiums make much money on playoff games?

[DrEdward]

Maybe Carroll can get a good deal on the old one. I always thought it was pretty cool when we were in that district.

Could this be to try and get more playoff games since Texas Stadium is no longer available. Do stadiums make much money on playoff games?

Not really. I forget the rental on Dragon Stadium for a playoff game, but it is in the range of $2,000 and that would include the extra ammenities that Carroll provides to both schools utilizing the facility.. That keeps in affordable for smaller schools to utilize. Of course, we also generate revenues from concession and parking, but again, it is not a lot of money. Counting on attracting playoff games is going to be rather an iffy proposition in attempting to justify a new scoreboard. Still, at this point, I would much prefer an upgraded sound system to a new scoreboard and they are far less expensive.

[Eagles]

C'mon men...we are stopping on a stupid thing.
800k, for a scoreboard, are a lot of money for a HS stadium. A scoreboard doesn't make a football game, doesnt make a team, doesn't make that emotion of a football match, doesn't make nothing, except to spread an huge idiot sense of majestic.
However a stadium does not become famous because of its scoreboard, but becouse of the battles that are waged within...on that field.


Are the scoreboards helping us get above 47th in the US for test score averages? No - they are not

right :notworthy

[bob1122]

The new scoreboard that was installed at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene a couple of years ago cost $500,000 (and that didn't include any sound system) and features a high-def video screen which was at the time (and may still be) the largest of any high school stadium in America.

Humble has the exact same scoreboard....except you may a bit larger Screen


Forney has the exact same scoreboard too. Got ours in 2003, so no HD it's just a screen that doesn't even work now. I doubt Humble's is bigger then Abilenes, and I doubt Abilene's is even HD.

[AbEagleFan]

The new scoreboard that was installed at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene a couple of years ago cost $500,000 (and that didn't include any sound system) and features a high-def video screen which was at the time (and may still be) the largest of any high school stadium in America.

http://abilenevisitors.com/meeting_events/images/Web--Shotwell-2.jpg

It's actually not hard to recoup the investment via advertising. I would be interested to see what the Birdville board will look like. I think the new trend is high-def screens so I would expect to see costs continue to rise, but so long as the Dr. Pepper/7 Ups and Frito Lays of the world are willing to pony up several thousand dollars a year to put their ad on these boards, districts will continue to build bigger and more extravagant boards.

The screen at shotwell is high def? hmmmmm

[okt0ber]

800k for a scoreboard? That seems low to me, actually, compared to what I've seen in Houston and San Antonio.... Why not if it pays for itself?

[CCDawgs]

The screen at shotwell is high def? hmmmmm

I wanna say the screen at Rose Stadium in Tyler is the biggest!

http://www.olenwilliamsinc.com/Installs/Football/Tyler/giants.jpg

[da hawaiian]

Sure hope we can schedule a few playoff games there when it's done