Over Homecoming Weekend, students, alumni and fans were greeted with a major new feature at DiSanto Field—a state-of-the-art, arena-sized videoboard installed in the southwest corner of the stadium.
The new videoboard made its official debut during the men’s and women’s soccer matches as well as the football game against Allegheny College on Oct. 11, enhancing the game-day experience with live footage and graphics. Case Western Reserve University’s James C. Wyant Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education, TJ Shelton, noted that the installation of the videoboard had long been a priority and marked a significant milestone for the university’s athletic facilities.
“The video board was always top of mind when I got here,” Shelton said. “That was kind of an area that we felt like we could potentially get donor support. We were targeting Homecoming weekend and were able to pull that off. I think we plugged it in Wednesday or Thursday and got it operational and it worked out perfectly on Saturday.”
Previously, DiSanto Field relied on a traditional scoreboard located on the north end. According to Shelton, the decision to install the new videoboard was driven by a desire to enhance the fan experience. During its first weekend in use, the board displayed game scores and timing information, along with a live video feed. Following key plays, it featured dynamic graphics similar to those seen in professional sports stadiums, adding a new level of excitement to the atmosphere. Currently there are no plans to remove the old scoreboard, which has been there since the opening of DiSanto Field in 2005.
Notably, the new videoboard prominently features the title “Spartan Stadium” across the top. Although the field has long been named in honor of Fred DiSanto, a CWRU Athletics alum, the stadium itself had never previously been given an official name, until now. Beneath the screen, a dedication recognizes James C. Wyant, a 1965 alumnus and longtime benefactor of the university, for whom the Wyant Athletic and Wellness Center is also named. The videoboard’s installation not only formalizes the stadium’s naming but also creates new opportunities to enhance the spectator experience, including player introductions, instant replays and other professional-level features.
“Everything is there now, it is just a matter of operating [the videoboard] at a high level,” Shelton said. “It has all the bells and whistles for sure.”
In addition to the videoboard, CWRU also upgraded the outdoor deck at the Wyant Athletic and Wellness Center with televisions and space heaters, further enhancing the comfort and experience for spectators.
“The TV’s and heaters [are] just to enhance the fan experience,” Shelton said. “We do events up there, and it might be a bit chilly, so guests can still enjoy the game from the balcony and have a little bit of heat from that perspective.”
These installations are part of a broader series of upgrades to CWRU’s athletic facilities over the past year. DiSanto Field received new inlays, infill and comprehensive regrooming and a new sound system, while both Veale Recreation Center and Wyant Athletic and Wellness Center were outfitted with updated cardio and weight equipment. At Nobby’s Ballpark and Mather Park, the university upgraded pitching mounds and expanded batting cages. Horsburgh Gymnasium saw improvements with new lighting and refreshed CWRU-branded logos. The Veale Natatorium also underwent significant enhancements, including new lighting, diving boards, lane lines and a modern timing computer system.
“We don’t just do things to keep up with the Joneses,” Shelton said. “For me, it’s performance, extending the life on things. Some of the items were 10 to 14 years old, and we were having a hard time repairing them because those parts don’t work anymore. We serve not only athletics, but recreation, sports clubs, intramurals and physical education classes. So it makes sense to try and keep those things upgraded and/or replaced.”
Shelton expressed his gratitude for the CWRU community and alumni, noting their continued commitment to supporting and reinvesting in the university long after graduation.
“We have great donor alumni and parent support, and all of these initiatives could not be done without them along with the university support,” Shelton said.
Looking ahead, Shelton said that future upgrades to CWRU Athletics will be guided by priority and need, noting that the list of planned improvements is extensive.
“We’re not replacing things just to replace, but what needs to be replaced from a safety perspective,” Shelton said. “There’s always an opportunity to support our programs through facility enhancements. You cross something off and there’s always something else added.”