Sound System Latest Upgrade for University Stadium
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — When Bob Davie was hired to take over the Lobo football program after the 2011 season, he was tasked with changing things up … the product on the field, the student-athletes in the community, and in the classroom. He has done just that, improving UNM’s wins 400%, having his student-athletes constantly giving back in the community, and nearly doubling the number of Academic All-Conference selections.
For the fans of UNM football, the change is noticeable and dramatic. But while all of those changes were going on surrounding the culture of Lobo football, there were changes for the players and fans inside and around Lobo football in the form of major stadium enhancements and upgrades.
In 2012, UNM received a brand new FieldTurf playing surface, considered by players and coaches as one of the best in the NCAA. In 2013, University Stadium saw the largest scoreboard in the Mountain West installed behind the North end zone and in 2014, a state of the art Athletic Performance Center was opened, giving UNM’s team access to the best in strength, conditioning and athletic performance.
In 2015, in time for UNM’s annual Rio Grande Rivalry game with New Mexico State, the latest enhancement to University Stadium will debut, and to Lobo fans, it will be music to their ears. Literally.
UNM has partnered with Daktronics of Brookings, South Dakota, to install a new full-range audio system at University Stadium. Installation has been ongoing since UNM’s last home game with Tulsa University, and all systems point towards go for its debut on October 3.
“We are really looking forward to enhancing the fan experience with our new Daktronics sound system,” said Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs. “From The Howl Zone to the Lobo Prowl to in-game fireworks to our new video board, this is another enhancement to the stadium that will allow our fans to have a great in-game experience.”
“We are very excited about adding a state-of-the-art sound system to University Stadium,” said Tim Cass, COO at University of New Mexico. “This is a long time coming as the old sound system had lived much past its lifespan. The stadium upgrade will certainly enhance the game-day experience! Special thanks have to go to Scott Dotson and Matt McKernan who handle facilities from our staff as well as Anthony James Partners for all their hard work and long hours to meet the installation schedule.”
Anthony James Partners (AJP) was proud to partner with UNM to help design, procure and manage the construction oversight for the new sound reinforcement system at University Stadium. AJP is an Owners’ Representative that provides A/V and strategic business consulting as it relates to technology. Combined backgrounds in technology, design, procurement, venue operations and construction create efficiencies in their process and give AJP unique insight when approaching large projects such as this.
The new top-of-the-line, custom Daktronics audio system will be integrated into the existing video and scoring system for maximum effectiveness at every event. The system consists of 13 total Danley Sound Labs speakers mounted in two clusters in vertical cabinets, one on each end of the scoreboard and driven by 40,000 watts of power.
In phase two of the project slated for later this season, Daktronics will also replace all club level and press box suite speakers and provide a new digital audio console, all in the name of enhancing the fan experience. These audio upgrades will provide clear, intelligible speech and a powerful audio experience for Lobos fans throughout the stadium.
“We’re excited to continue our strong partnership with University of New Mexico for these audio upgrades at Branch Field at University Stadium,” said Brady Jacobsen, Daktronics sales representative. “This project is sure to improve the overall experience at every football game and other events. We’re looking forward to hearing the impact this fall.”
“The university planned on a full sound system replacement when the new video board was installed,” said John Olsen, Daktronics audio sales representative. “We helped them plan ahead by providing a structural design that would accommodate a new sound system when the timing was right for them. This helped to spread costs over several years. It is a unique capability that Daktronics can bring to every project.”
Sound plays a unique role in the game day experience, and having a new sound system that is completely compatible, and completely integrated with the video board will only enhance many of UNM’s in-game features such as the New Mexico Man, video board promotions, and of course, the music.