MEN'S BASKETBALL: Aztecs' home gets scoreboard facelift

State-of-the-art 26-foot by 15-foot LED scoreboard added to Viejas Arena

By Edward Lewis, Sports Editor

Published: Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Updated: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Glenn Connelly / Photo Editor

When the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians’ 10-year, $6.9 million naming rights agreement with SDSU went into effect on July 1, Viejas Arena received a new four-LED video display scoreboard.

San Diego State men’s basketball sophomore forward Tim Shelton has never been a wristband- or headband-wearing guy. He’s always preferred a more humble basketball game attire.

But now that SDSU’s Viejas Arena has a new, state-of-the-art scoreboard — which will make Aztec players more visible than ever – Shelton has had to rethink some parts of his on-court style.

“Maybe I’ll make sure I shave a little bit more,” Shelton joked.

When the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians’ 10-year, $6.9 million naming rights agreement with SDSU went into effect on July 1, Viejas Arena received a scoreboard makeover. The home of Aztec basketball replaced its $1.2 million octagonal scoreboard with a 26-feet-high-by-15-feet-wide, four-LED video display goliath. The new center-hung scoreboard features the latest Daktronics LED video technology, which provides SDSU fans the ability to see live and recorded video images from any seat in the arena.

“That new scoreboard is phenomenal,” head coach Steve Fisher said. “Our players were standing out there looking at it, mouths open, and I said, ‘Won’t it look a whole lot better when my picture’s on all four sides?’ And they all said, ‘Yes, it will.’”

While the Aztecs may have agreed with Fisher then, Shelton had his own ideas for using the new scoreboard last Friday at SDSU’s first practice of the season.

“I’m trying to play video games in here,” he said with a laugh. “It’s really cool, though. It’ll be great for the fans to look at. It makes the gym so much better. With the kind of program we have, it exemplifies it pretty well.”

For the past 12 seasons, Cox Communications paid the university more than $5 million for the naming rights to the arena. But on June 30, that deal expired, giving way to Viejas’ new 10-year agreement. Viejas Arena Director John Kolek told the SDSU Alumni Association that more than 200 signs will need to be changed from Cox to Viejas.

Though the most notable change to the arena this season will undoubtedly be the scoreboard.

“The new center-hung will generate an electric atmosphere in our arena for our fans,” Kolek said in a press release. “This updated technology will be a win-win for fans and sponsors.”

Aztec fans can get their first glimpse of in-game scoreboard action at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, when SDSU takes on California Baptist in an exhibition match.

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Katie

Wed Nov 4 2009 17:41

The school is going through such tremendous budgets cuts, faculty are being laid off, classes are being cut, degrees are being cut, faculty have to take mandatory time off of classes and fees are being increased...and $2 million was spent on a SCOREBOARD? That's sad. Glad SDSU and Viejas have their priorities straight.

Juan

Sat Oct 31 2009 00:53

For the person who stated that the Thomas & Mack, "has had one for 20 years"... newsflash, LED video boards are relatively new technology. In fact it was just last year when the T&M was updated with an LED video scoreboard. Up until last year the T&M had an old school center hung scoreboard just like Cox Arena had. No, this new scoreboard at SDSU is not exactly unique it's pretty cool and something fans and players (ie, potential recruits) will love. And there aren't too many other college arenas on the west coast that have something like this, not in the MWC, WAC or Pac-10. Enjoy!

SDSU Jeff

Thu Oct 29 2009 03:38

Jay,

If you dont have something positive to say i suggest you do one of two things: A- keep your mouth shut... or B- go back to UNLV and be a fair weather fan!

I've never been more excited for SDSU basketball. Having grown up a ball boy and being brought up with SDSU spots in my blood, i love the fact that this team seems stronger, hungrier and more powerful than any other basketball team in the past. For that matter, we look more athletic as well! Here's to the great season ahead fellas and i look forward to watching you courtside, as well as, in the NCAA tourney this March!!

Jay

Wed Oct 28 2009 00:00

Big deal, like this is the only arena with one of those. UNLV's Thomas and Mack has had one for 20yrs.

Julie

Thu Oct 22 2009 00:17

Hey Tim,

It is your new Aunt Julie and Family. Tell Aunt Gina ,Curtis etc that Julie and Bob said hi. Looking forward to watching you this year. Will miss Mehdi playing but we will see him next year.

The Adams

Stan

Wed Oct 21 2009 22:47

can they use the board along I-8 , a little more to promote games

sancarlosaztec

Wed Oct 21 2009 16:43

I'm happy for all the money the Viejas tribe is funneling to the Aztecs. That scoreboard is a thing of beauty. You won't believe it until you see it in person. I'd like to know how they plan to use the cylindrical scrolling display at the bottom? I do hope that with the new scoreboard we don't lose all of the stats that used to be located on the corner sections of the old octoganal scoreboard. If the stats are on the scroll then you will have to wait. One of the benefits of the old was you could look up at anytime and get the info at a glance. Please keep that with the new board!

sancarlosaztec

Wed Oct 21 2009 16:42

Jim

Wed Oct 21 2009 15:08

I'm liking this new arena name more and more. Turning out to be a very positive, refreshing look and feel associated with this new relationship with the Viejas tribe.

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