Source: Daktronics
Olympic Regional Development Authority returns to Daktronics for technology needs
BROOKINGS, S.D. – Feb. 7, 2017 – The Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) representing the Lake Placid Olympic Center in New York has returned to Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota, for their scoreboard technology needs. After more than 37 years, the four-sided centerhung scoreboards used in Herb Brooks Arena 1980 Rink during the famed 1980 Olympic men’s hockey game are being replaced with new LED video displays.
“When that scoreboard read 4-3, the United States over the then Soviet Union during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, the nation did believe in miracles. For 37 years, the board has registered countless scores for NHL, minor, junior, collegiate, high school and tournament games,” added ORDA president/CEO Ted Blazer.
Blazer continued, “The new board will allow for more crowd interaction for the fan and create new memories and experiences.”
While gone, the scoreboard won’t be forgotten as one scoreboard section will be returning to where it was manufactured in Brookings, South Dakota, at Daktronics headquarters while another panel will be on display at the lake Placid Olympic Museum. Locations of the remaining two panels have not been determined.
“This is an iconic site, not only in the history of USA Olympics, but also in the history of Daktronics as the project represented a significant accomplishment for our company as our first major event on the international stage,” said Jim Morgan, Daktronics project engineer on the original installation and current member of the board of directors. “Daktronics was a much smaller company at the time, so providing scoring and timing for our first Olympics was a very fun and exciting challenge. Many of us watched the game in 1980 and experienced the miracle ourselves. It’s something we have a strong connection to and we are honored to bring the venue into the next generation of live event entertainment.”
The new centerhung features four identical video displays, each measuring more than 7 feet high by 12.5 feet wide. These displays will employ 6-millimeter line spacing to provide crisp, clear imagery to every seat in the venue.
The new displays are capable of meeting fan’s expectations for live video, instant replays, up-to-the-minute statistics and other game information. The variable content zoning feature allows each display to show one large image or to show multiple windows of differing content, statistics or sponsorship messages.
Daktronics will also be including its powerful Show Control System with this installation. This industry-leading system provides a combination of display control software, world-class video processing, data integration and playback hardware that forms a user-friendly production solution. For more information on Show Control, visit www.daktronics.com/show.
The previous scoreboards stood the test of time as they were operational prior to the 1980 Olympic Games through 2017 giving hockey fans at all levels of competition scoring, timing and other statistics for 37 years.
Herb Brooks Arena 1980 Rink will also receive two fixed-digit scoreboards along the seating fascia and the adjacent USA Rink and 1932 Jack Shea Arena will each receive a fixed-digit scoreboard on the end walls of their arenas.
About ORDA
Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speed skating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.
About Daktronics
Daktronics helps its customers to impact their audiences throughout the world with large-format LED video displays, message displays, scoreboards, digital billboards, audio systems and control systems in sport, business and transportation applications. Founded in 1968 as a USA-based manufacturing company, Daktronics has grown into the world leader in audiovisual systems and implementation with offices around the globe. Discover more at www.daktronics.com.
