Stadium to receive state-of-the-art scoreboard

The renovation project of the Shafter High School stadium is under way, with the demolition of the grandstands, press box and the surrounding track.

One of the highlights of the new stadium is going to be a state-of-the-art video scoreboard. Once completed, Shafter High will have the only one of its kind in the Central Valley.

The board will feature the usual graphics such as scores, first downs, time and also have space for advertising, showing instant replays, and slow motion. The board will measure 24.5 feet by 10 feet.

Coach Jerald Pierucci recently presented the outline of the project to the City Council. Daktronics is building the board. They are known for creating scoreboards on the professional and major college level, including the video scoreboard at the University of Southern California.

The scoreboard will cost $196,000, with another $60,000 for the sound system. Pierucci said that one unique feature of the board will be the sound. The sound system will be emanating from the board, with the sound going out to the entire stadium, making it possible to hear clearly anywhere in the stadium.

Pierucci said that the school has five major sponsorships available for $15,000 each. This would give the company advertising on the board itself.

Operations of the system will be handled by Shafter High students. Students from Pierucci's media classes will be trained and certified on the system. This will be an asset for the students if they decide to pursue a career in media.

Anyone who would like to be a part of the scoreboard can contact Pierucci at [email protected].