Seminole High School, Seminole, TX

During a basketball game, a local business owner approached the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Greg Poynor, to explore sponsoring a video scoreboard for the 5,000-capacity football stadium, Wigwam Stadium, and the 2,000-person gymnasium, home to Leland “Buck” Caffey Court.

With support from the Superintendent, Poynor set out to raise funds. “The response from local businesses was overwhelmingly positive,” said Poynor. “We quickly secured enough interest from sponsors to justify purchasing the scoreboards.”

Poynor’s research led him to Watchfire, which had recently acquired Spectrum Scoreboards, a Houston-based company known for being the Texas high school scoreboard vendor of choice.

“As an athletic director I have encountered many scoreboards, but videoboards were uncharted territory,” he explained. “Watchfire and Spectrum were a perfect fit. Spectrum is a mainstay in high schools and understands the sports world, and Watchfire is an expert in manufacturing top-quality digital displays.”

According to Tanner Moore, instructional coach of the boy's basketball team, the S3.9mm 10' x 16' Watchfire videoboard enhances both game-day excitement and practice efficiency. “During a recent practice, I looped a play from a recent game that needed extra attention. Replaying that video throughout practice had a greater impact on the team’s performance than traditional coaching methods ever could.”

Poynor sees the videoboard as more than a visual enhancement; it creates an immersive experience for fans and players. During football games, the Watchfire S10mm 14' x 32' videoboard with the Watchfire audio system showcases videos, commercials, and community messages. Connection to the community is further strengthened through sponsored segments by local businesses that highlight players.

The introduction of video boards has brought a dynamic element to other school activities, including pep rallies, senior night events, and graduation ceremonies. The Watchfire video boards are not only showcasing students; they are empowering them to work behind the scenes.

Central to the project's success is the enthusiastic involvement of students, who have taken on roles operating the cameras and managing the programming. This hands-on experience provides invaluable practical skills, preparing students for future professional careers and giving them an advantage in the digital age.