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Sam Houston State athletics have improved the baseball fan experience with the purchase of a new video scoreboard at Dan Sanders stadium.
SHSU alumnus Bud Haney and Don Sanders donated a combined $240,000 towards the instillation of a new Daktronics video board set for construction during the summer.
“We greatly appreciate this generous gift from Bud Haney and Don Sanders in support of the Bearkat baseball program,” Sam Houston State president Dana Gibson said. “The video board will add a new dimension of entertainment, excitement and energy for our fans on game day.”
To cover the remaining $60,000, sponsor advertising opportunities will be available on the 31 feet by 36 feet board to supplement the remaining deficit, SHSU Athletic Director Bobby Williams said.
Williams said if sponsoring funds are unable to cover the funds, SHSU Athletics will cover the cost from their general fund pool.
After several meetings with Gibson, Haney and Sanders made the donation in hopes to help make Bearkat baseball the next elite team in Texas.
“The new video board will help the vision for Sam Houston baseball of becoming the elite college baseball program in Texas,” Haney said. “This will be a first class video board for a first class baseball facility.”
According to Williams, the new video board will also improve recruiting techniques for SHSU baseball prospects.
“It helps with recruiting and facility improvement which is a big part of the recruiting process,” Williams said.
With SHSU athletic teams progressing into national spotlight over the past five years, Williams claims that Don Sanders is only the first venue for video boards within the program.
“We’re always looking to upgrade our video boards, some are more expensive than others and we’re always pitching to certain individuals to help us,” Williams said. “We’re still trying to get the coliseum and football and even softball to get a video board. This is just the first one.”
Construction is expected to be completed for the spring 2014 baseball season.