Baylor announces improvements throughout McLane Stadium

WACO, Texas (FOX 44) – Baylor Athletics has announced an eight-figure project to upgrade features at McLane Stadium.

This project includes the installation of upgraded and additional video boards, the construction of new production control rooms and the addition of a high-end hospitality structure ahead of Baylor’s football season this fall. Baylor Athletics says these improvements address a variety of needs that will modernize the facility.

The LED screens and main video board, which were original to McLane Stadium since its construction in 2014, have been upgraded to enhance both the functionality and visual elements of the fan experience. A high-quality video screen is being added to the rear of the main video board structure to increase revenue opportunities and enhance the South Plaza game-day experience.

Baylor Athletics says the south end zone of McLane Stadium will become even more of a focal point during games as a premium hospitality pavilion will be added beneath the video board, providing a one-of-a-kind experience as well as a view of the action from the berm. The construction of new production control rooms on the east side of the stadium will allow Baylor to produce multiple broadcasts at once and fully centralize operations.

Daktronics is bringing technical enhancements in the form of seven new LED displays, a higher-resolution display on the main videoboard structure and on the rear videoboard facing the South Plaza. Fans will also enjoy a new auxiliary video display on the north end of the stadium, two ribbon displays and two field-level displays.

Baylor Athletics’ media rights partner, Playfly Sports Properties, is breaking ground on a new premium hospitality clubhouse in the south end zone beneath the video board, allowing for three air-conditioned suites with views of the field, each accommodating 50 guests. The primary function of this temporary structure will be corporate hospitality. General seating in the berm will remain available, with the clubhouse elevated and positioned to the rear of the berm area, allowing for ample general admission seating closer to the field.

The McLane Stadium production control rooms will allow Baylor Athletics’ creative staff, led by the BaylorVision team, to produce broadcasts for numerous Baylor Athletics events from a centralized location and make them available to various network television partners to produce their broadcasts. The production control rooms will include two broadcast control rooms and two video board control rooms. The facility will feature isolated suites for audio, replay, video shading and engineering. The latest technology has been incorporated into this new state-of-the-art facility. The fan experience will be further enhanced with the addition of new cameras, lenses and super slow motion capabilities. Space is also set aside for the future construction of a studio for creative services and live production.

Baylor Athletics said the main scoreboard will measure 47 feet high by 107 feet wide and will upgrade the resolution from a 15HD to 10HD pixel layout, significantly improving image quality and brightness. The auxiliary board on the north end of the stadium will measure ten feet high by 49 feet wide and is a new element at McLane Stadium to provide fans with additional stats and scores from around the country.

Once completed, the rear video display board will face the south plaza and sailgating area. It will measure 38 feet high by 80 feet wide and feature the same high resolution as the main video display. The display will help fans stay connected during the game day experience.

Additionally, Baylor Athletics said two ribbon screens and two field-level screens will be upgraded. Each will feature the same high-resolution capability. The ribbon screens along the east and west side of the field will extend the entire length of the sideline seats and continue to enhance the on-site experience.