Cal was all over the new additions to the Palestra back on June 10 — check it out here (after the note on Paul Cusick) — but for those who'd like to read a bit more, we have the press release from ANC Sports. The company has taken up the challenge of giving the Palestra an updated look without compromising its traditional feel that has earned the venue's nickname: "The Cathedral of College Basketball."
The new scoreboards will have the capability of displaying "in-depth statistical analysis" and video, and there will also be see-through shot clocks at the top of each backboard. Fancy.
To the Penn hoops fans out there, what are your thoughts on the additions?
Read the press release after the jump.
ANC Sports Partners with UPENN to Renovate the Historic Palestra
New technology preserves nostalgic atmosphere while introducing fan features
(Purchase, NY August 22, 2011) - ANC Sports Enterprises has partnered with theUniversity of Pennsylvania to enhance the game-day atmosphere at The Palestra with two new Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision® video displays.
Home of the University of Pennsylvania men's and women's basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams, The Palestra will open the 2011-12 NCAA season with advanced technology which preserves the venue’s historic identity while providing fans with detailed information and real-time statistics.
“We are not changing the traditional atmosphere of the venue, rather bringing generations together with the ability to connect teams of yesterday with today’s teams within the arena’s bowl,” said Steve Bilsky, athletic director at University of Pennsylvania. “We are being extremely careful to enhance the game-day environment while not disturbing the integrity of The Palestra, including using technology that is capable of creating a nostalgic feel.”
ANC’s unique VisionSOFT™ operating system will enable the displays to mimic the look of the current fixed digit scoreboards, feature in-depth statistical analysis, or dissolve into full-motion video of memorable events which make up The Palestra’s storied history. The patented software is also capable of creating the appeal of an old manually turned scoreboard, a unique feature which enabled the Seattle Mariners’ out-of-town scoreboard to be named the best in Major League Baseball by ESPN.com.
The new video system will consist of two Diamond Vision video screens at either end of the venue, positioned in the same area as the current scoreboards. The East wall will feature the larger of the two video displays, measuring 16’ high by 28’ wide, while a 3’ high by 24’ wide video strip and new fixed-digit scoreboard measuring 6’ high by 24’ wide will be introduced to the West wall.
“ANC is proud to be a part of the renovation of one of the most famous arenas in sports,” said Jerry Cifarelli, president and chief executive officer of ANC Sports Enterprises. “We look forward to introducing technology which will help extend the lifetime of The Palestra by incorporating new fan features while preserving the venue’s historic atmosphere.”
Not foreign to innovation, The Palestra was one of the first arenas in the United Statesto be constructed without interior pillars blocking the view. The latest video system renovation will actually improve sightlines for fans with the addition of new see-through shot clocks on top of each backboard.
The new video displays will be able to interface with the DLP® Digital Courtside Signage System, which ANC installed at The Palestra during the 2010-11 season. Through the partnership with the University, ANC will operate the entire signage system during all events while creating statistical templates, sponsor acknowledgements, and team graphics to be featured on the displays.
About ANC Sports
ANC Sports Enterprises, LLC, is the industry leader in team and venue services, providing integrated signage, design, and marketing solutions for sports and commercial facilities. ANC Sports and its divisions: ANC Technologies, ANC Design, and ANC Marketing, offer Light Emitting Diode (LED), rotational and fixed visual displays; advanced media control systems; signage operation and maintenance; advertising sales and marketing consultation; graphic design; and printing production. ANC Sports provides signage solutions for 200 plus venues/stadiums in North America. For more information on ANC Sports, please visit its web site atwww.ancsports.com.
This is very encouraging. A few questions crossed my mind
1) Not all games are on TV. How will Penn handle the internal feed for video on new boards?
2) Who will be responsible for the video feed? Will this be handled by the AC Office? Or does ANC Sports staff the operations?
3) Will the technology be deployed for other sports in Palestra, such as WBB, VB, and Wrestling?
Good reporting as always from Kevin Esteves. Bravo!
FOJL
Fine! I was dreading a high-tech scoreboard, featuring a cheese steak race between Pat's and Geno's, judged by Sal Monella.
FOJL,
The video will come from the Penn Sports Network feeds that broadcast all the games online. The Marketing department handles that area of Penn Athletics. The boards will be used for all sports when they compete in the Palestra; that includes VB, MBB, WBB, Wrestling, and sometimes Gymnastics.
As for the cheesesteak race, if it were to happen, I assume Abner's would be involved as they are a Penn Athletics sponsor, I believe......
Good feedback by our Silcox.
With regards to Abner's -- they might be the longest running Penn Athletics sponsors ever. Not sure what that means in the big picture given the paltry sponsorships pulled in by Nelligan.
Speaking of Nelligan, what is the duration of their current contract?
Does this mean we will see an improvement in the currently crappy, not-worth-the-subscription streaming feeds? If so then bring on the cheesesteak races!
Rodney brings up a great point with his contribution.
Does Penn actually release statistics as to the number of subscribers to the PSN feed?
The Buzz (no pun intended) is that it is grainy and sporadic and not worth the fee. One friend told me it was a "JV operation". That doesnt surprise me if the uninspiring Mike Mahoney and his AC stooges (Dolan and Dormant Dorman) in Weightman have their fingerprints on this operation.
As I said earlier, the PSN operation falls under the marketing department and Josh Craggs, not the athletic communications crew, though they are involved with some of the videos that they host and do interviews for. I've heard anecdotally that they do in fact have a significant subscription base, including a lot of family members of athletes who want to follow their kid's (for example) team.
I admire Craggs actually. He has many inherent challenges -- most notably the lack of a decent budget to do his things. Craggs seems much more competent than Andy Head. And he probably delivers more value to DRIA than the overpaid Felici.
With regards to the subscription base -- do you think its in the 100s? 1000s? Any way you can investigate?
FOJL
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