The Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, is set to transform its visual infrastructure with a comprehensive upgrade of its video board system. The initiative aims to deepen fan engagement and provide a more immersive experience for both spectators and athletes during basketball, hockey and other events.
A Modern Visual Landscape
The centerpiece of the project is a new center‑hung main video board that replaces the previous installation with a sleek, convex array of four high‑resolution LED faces. This design delivers improved resolution, immersive viewing angles and a contemporary aesthetic that aligns with the arena’s diverse event schedule.
Alongside the main board, the arena will feature expanded 360‑ribbon displays that have grown from 16‑inch to 36‑inch modules. Pixel density across these ribbons has surged from roughly 400,000 pixels to more than 2.6 million, delivering crisper imagery. Under‑belly screens have also been added to serve courtside fans and the team bench area.
The upgrade includes 43 new vomitory displays installed throughout the lower and upper seating bowls, providing additional visual content for fans moving through the venue and enhancing the overall atmosphere.
Planning and implementation are being overseen by Anthony James Partners in collaboration with Osborn Engineering, with Daktronics selected as the manufacturer and installer of the LED systems. The work is scheduled for completion by September 2026, just in time for the upcoming basketball and hockey seasons.
Coaches have voiced enthusiasm for the changes; Jake Diebler, head coach of the men’s basketball team, said the new boards will deepen fan engagement, while Kevin McGuff, women’s basketball coach, highlighted the improved atmosphere for players and spectators alike. Steve Rohlik, head coach of the ice hockey program, echoed the sentiment, noting that the enhanced visuals will benefit both fans and athletes.
The project follows a recent audio system upgrade designed by Anthony James Partners and integrated by C.V. Lloyde Audiovisual, which added new line arrays, a back‑of‑house audio network and a modern mixing console to support the center’s diverse event schedule.
University officials, including Ross Bjork and Dave Watroba, expressed confidence that the upgrades will reinforce the Schottenstein Center’s reputation as a premier venue for collegiate sports and entertainment.