EVANSTON, IL—Northwestern University, a private research university just north of Chicago, is debuting its new Ryan Field football stadium including two 100-foot LED video scoreboards, this season. SNA Displays, a leading manufacturer of LED video systems, was selected to provide an integrated network of video screens throughout the venue, anchored by the two massive videoboards at either end of the stadium. In addition to the cutting-edge video experience, the new Ryan Field is much larger than its predecessor and will feature a state-of-the-art roof canopy that improves acoustics and shelters spectators from the elements.
The new home for the Northwestern Wildcats, a founding member of the Big Ten Conference, will have a capacity of 35,000. It comes exactly 100 years after the original Wildcats home, Dyche Stadium, was opened in 1926.
Anthony James Partners provided design and consultation services on behalf of the university, ultimately recommending SNA Displays to manufacture more than 7,000 square feet of LED video technology. SNA Displays also provided 275 indoor and outdoor TVs while sourcing an additional 50 play clocks and locker room clocks from OES Scoreboards.
Major highlights of the new video network include the north and south endzone LED videoboards, each measuring 45’ tall x 100’ wide (1,740 x 3,840 pixels) and sporting an 8 mm pixel pitch. Additionally, a new 10 mm mid-bowl LED ribbon on the upper concourse follows a three-quarter-circle arc for nearly 1,200 feet.
Other video network features include a tight-pitch outdoor 1.2 mm display measuring 8’10” tall x 23’7” wide in the stadium’s North Great Hall, multiple vomitory displays, and an additional 1,270 linear feet of LED ribbons.
“Northwestern and AJP designed a comprehensive video network into Ryan Field from the ground up,” said Barbara Barry, director of sports and live events for SNA Displays. “By considering video as part of the stadium’s infrastructure from the beginning, they were able to create a connected experience across the venue rather than treating the displays as standalone elements.”
Established in 1851, Northwestern University is the oldest chartered university in Illinois and has a total enrollment of 22,000 to 23,000 students, which includes roughly 9,000 undergraduate students and over 13,000 graduate and professional students. The original Wildcats home field was the first NFL-type stadium in college football.
Northwestern will host Big Ten rival Penn State for its inaugural contest at the new Ryan Field on Friday, October 2.
Learn more at SNA Displays’ Northwestern University Ryan Field case study page.
About SNA Displays
SNA Displays is a leading LED video display manufacturer across several market sectors including sports and live-event venues, out-of-home (OOH), commercial real estate, retail environments, museums and commissioned digital art, workplaces, new construction, and many others. With a focus on quality, technological and construction expertise, and dependable service, SNA Displays has worked alongside technology partners to design and build some of the largest and most recognizable LED video installations in the world. Discover how SNA Displays builds big on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Vimeo, or visit us at snadisplays.com.
About Anthony James Partners
Anthony James Partners (AJP) is a leading technology consulting firm specializing in the design and implementation of large-scale technology solutions. AJP collaborates with top professional sports teams, colleges and universities, and facility operators across North America, Europe, and the UK. Core services include facility audits, strategic planning, design, financial modeling, procurement, and construction oversight. Technology disciplines include LED displays, broadcast systems, audio, network infrastructure, structured cabling, DAS/Wi-Fi, event and show lighting, digital signage, and more. To learn more, visit anthonyjamespartners.com, or connect with AJP on LinkedIn or Instagram.
About Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a premier private research university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, and Doha, Qatar. It combines innovative teaching and world-class research with a global outlook. Learn more at northwestern.edu.