Something had to give. The scoreboard had become like the old truck that you loved all your life, but it only worked on certain schedules, never at the most critical times. Thirty seasons had come and gone and the original scoreboard at the Odessa College Sports Center was literally functioning on one leg. Replacement parts were difficult, if not impossible to find and repair was constantly required.
Solutions to the problem were as scarce as rain in West Texas, particularly in light of the current national and state dwindling budgets for higher education. Serious brainstorming sessions occurred, that included designs and estimates for a new scoreboard. Ultimately, the solution to the problem centered around a sponsorship campaign, granting advertising rights to those companies willing to purchase a position on the potential scoreboard.
Odessa College President Gregory D. Williams and OC Athletic Director Wayne Baker developed a list of potential sponsors and hit the road soliciting sponsors. The new scoreboard would be mounted on the east wall of the Sports Center, with a nine-foot by 13-foot virtual video display in the middle of the scoreboard. The simple replacement of the existing scoreboard had become a quest for Odessa College to have a premier, state of the art video scoreboard that could be utilized for all events held in the Sports Center. The impressive result of the fundraising effort and the sponsors' support is a 20-foot by 23-foot video scoreboard that is sure to be the envy of institutions throughout Texas.
The receptiveness of the community was a mirror reflection of what those who work at Odessa College already knew - Odessa, Texas has a great desire to support Odessa College. Ten sponsors purchased advertising space on the video scoreboard, which in effect allowed Odessa College to replace the aging system, without Odessa College having to fund the improvement. Western National Bank, Investment Corporation of America, Optimus Physical Therapy, Subway, Texas Refreshments, AmeriPride Linen Services, Wagner Supply, McMinn's Furniture, Fuddruckers, and Odessa Conventions and Visitors Bureau graciously stepped forward to assist Odessa College with this project, which will benefit the entire college and community that OC serves.
In addition to static advertising, each sponsor receives individual 30-second commercial spots during events held at the Odessa College Sports Center. Promotions of the college and community also play during the events, providing additional entertainment value to those in attendance at the Sports Center.
The video scoreboard was manufactured and mounted by NEVCO scoreboards of the Houston, Texas area. Representing NEVCO throughout the project was Troy Burns. Burns stated, "The video scoreboard at Odessa College is the largest indoor video scoreboard that NEVCO has put into service."
One additional issue remained, scoreboards must be visible on both ends of the floor, and the large display on the east end of the court did not make Odessa College in total compliance with the NCAA rules of basketball/volleyball. Once again, community support stepped forward. This time the Odessa College Wrangler Club rode to the rescue. The Wrangler Club is the community and college support group that exists to raise funds and contribute to the success of Odessa College athletic programs and student-athletes. The Wrangler Club purchased an eight-foot by 20-foot scoreboard to be mounted on the west end of the Odessa College Sports Center main court.
Renovations to existing facilities will always be a quandary for two-year institutions and Odessa College is very fortunate to have the support of the OC administration, Wrangler Club, the community and the generosity of sponsors to assist in the upkeep and renovation process. The result is a multiuse video scoreboard of which everyone in the Odessa College service area can be extremely proud.
