Spring Break
Kyle Field video boards draw mixed reactions
By: Stuart Womack
Issue date: 9/8/06 Section: News
 Wade Barker - The Battalion The Aggie football team gathers under the new video screen Saturday. The screen, which is the second largest in college athletics, made its debut during Saturday's game, along with new ribbon boards. |
The debut of the video and ribbon boards at Kyle Field Saturday has led to conflicting opinions over the value of the new features.
Bill Byrne, director of athletics, said most of the feedback he has received from students has been positive, but some have voiced criticisms.
"Most of the reactions I've heard are positive; although we had received some negative comments over the intensity of the ribbon boards drawing attention from the game," Byrne said. "We realized last Saturday that the stadium lights are old and dark by comparison."
Byrne said that the ribbon boards will be dimmed for the next game.
John Keehan, Class of 1955, said the new boards were a big distraction that made it difficult to participate with the band, yells and the game in general.
"Kyle Field is a sacred place, with a lot of tradition," Keehan said. "Gaudy commercialism does not belong there."
Keehan said that he viewed the boards as being a money making issue without regard for tradition.
Senior psychology major Bryan Burrets said he believes in time, the boards will prove to be a change for the better.
"The ribbon boards were very distracting, but the video board fit very well with the repertoire of Kyle Field," he said.
Burrets said instead of featuring crowd shots, the video board should display the yell leaders in order to enhance participation.
"I think it will do wonders for recruiting," he said.
Logan Yeats, senior biology major, said he was displeased with the flashing display of advertisements throughout the game.
"I didn't appreciate the constant, imposing flashes from the ribbon board advertisements," he said. "This is Kyle Field, not Las Vegas."
Brandon Verzal, director of Twelfth Man Productions, said installing the new boards was meant to generate revenue for the Athletic Department without raising ticket costs and to enhance game experience.
"We feel that video and ribbon boards are a fan enhancement that make the game more enjoyable by providing opportunities to view replays, statistics and general entertainment elements," Verzal said.
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