June 10, 2002

The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) has finalized plans to install a new, state-of-the-art football scoreboard in Memorial Stadium this summer. The new board will include a much-anticipated video display screen capable of showing instant replays and other live features in Memorial Stadium.

"Our fans have indicated a strong desire of having a video board in Memorial Stadium, and we are happy to be able to bring this new feature to them," said UI Director of Athletics Ron Guenther. "We hope it will help improve the already great atmosphere of Illinois football Saturdays."

The board, designed by Daktronics, Inc. of Brookings S.D., will sit in the same location as the previous Memorial Stadium scoreboard, on top of the north wall of the facility. The main portion of the board will be 48-feet tall by 68-feet wide. The main video screen will be in the center of the board and will have a viewing area of 22'-8" x 29'-5".

In addition to the main scoreboard area, the north wall of Zuppke Field will be improved with four new 17-foot high illuminated photo panels. With these new photo panels, the entire north end of Memorial Stadium will be enhanced by the 48' x 174' scoreboard structure. During the 2002 season, Illinois will use the photo panels to honor legendary Fighting Illini players who have gone on to be a significant part of the Chicago Bears tradition. Large backlit photos of George Halas, Red Grange, Dick Butkus and J.C. Caroline will flank the scoreboard.

The new $1.8 million board will be paid for entirely by corporate sponsors, who will receive recognition both on the main scoreboard and affixed to the new photo panels. Ticket prices have not been increased to pay for the board and no ticket surcharge has been implemented.

"We are very pleased to be able to meet the needs of our fans without having them carry the financial burden for the new board," said Guenther. "Our corporate partners have made this board possible for our fans, and in turn, these companies will be able to receive exposure in the stadium. The only signage in Memorial Stadium for our games will be located in the north end next to the new scoreboard."

The DIA has Fighting Illini football sponsorship opportunities available for this fall. In addition, the University is also able to provide the same prime scoreboard signage for all Chicago Bears games at Memorial Stadium.

Companies that wish to receive more information about Illini and Bears scoreboard sponsorships should contact the University of Illinois DIA Corporate Sponsorship Office at 217-333-2474.

The current football scoreboard is scheduled to be dismantled in June. The new board will be installed in mid-July and is scheduled to be operational in time for the Aug. 10 Chicago Bears preseason opener.