July 22, 2009

Pocatello, ID --- Hey, we can have a kiss cam after all. Director of Athletics Jeff Tingey has announced that a new nearly $200,000 video display board, measuring nearly 12 feet by 16 feet will be installed prior to the 2009 football season, replacing the old video board that has only been used as a reader board for text displays for the past 10 years. The Daktronics board is sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission, who will have a display panel above the board, and have also had a logo on the ISU website for the past month or so. The contribution by the Idaho Potato Commission is the largest corporate donation in the history of ISU athletics.

"The Idaho Potato Commission is thrilled at the upcoming unveiling of the new electronic video board that proudly displays our Famous Idaho Potatoes logo", said president of the Idaho Potato Commission Frank Muir. "The video board underscores the importance of agriculture, especially potatoes, in Pocatello and surrounding communities. Also, ISU annually hosts many sports events that bring visitors from around the country to Pocatello....what better way to welcome them to Idaho and to remind them where the best potatoes in the world come from!"

The Idaho Potato Commission Video Board, or SpudVision, will allow for a greater fan experience inside Holt Arena, as ISU's multi-camera webcasting crew can now utilize the board for game action and replays. SpudVision will also allow for advertising to go on the board in place of reading public address announcements, and it will aid in various promotions, as well as allow fans to keep up with game statistics and player information.

The active area of the board measures 11-feet, 6-inches high by 15-feet, 2 inches wide, and it will be 220 lines of resolution high by 288 columns of resolution wide, and it is HD ready. It will utilize LED grids of red, green, and blue, and the board will also be utilized for other events besides ISU football.

"We are very excited about the opportunities that the Idaho Potato Commission Video Board will afford us as it will open a whole new chapter of possibilities," said Director of Athletics Jeff Tingey, who spearheaded the effort. "Much thanks needs to go to Frank Muir and the Idaho Potato Commission. We are very grateful for their generosity donating the funds for the board and in partnering with the University in this project."

Idaho State opens the home portion of the schedule on September 26 against Central Washington.