Tiger fans react to new $3.5 million scoreboard
COLUMBIA — Many Tigers fans were pleased to see — and hear — what the new scoreboard at Memorial Stadium had to offer.
The scoreboard made its debut at Saturday’s football game against Bowling Green. Fans, ranging from first-timers to those who have attended games for 15 years, had many good things to say about the stadium’s new addition.
“The scoreboard enhances the fans' experience because the video is of much higher quality, and the sound system is awesome,” Sean Hirshberg, 20, said. “Games have always been fun, but this will make it more enjoyable."
Hirshberg, who has attended MU football games for four years, said he liked the way the scoreboard was designed.
“It really fits Faurot Field. It doesn’t look out of place," he said.
Jeff Levinson, 21, has attended games for three years. He said the scoreboard says a lot about what the university thinks about its football team.
“It shows that the university is dedicated to the football team and the athletic department,” Levinson said.
Almost three times bigger than the old scoreboard, fans said the screen's size made it easier for them to see, regardless of where they were sitting.
“The numbers are very bright and clear,” Eric Schwarz, 30, said. “You can read them from every angle.”
Dawn McWilliams, 50, of Kansas City opted to watch parts of the game from the live screen.
“The camera crew is doing a good job at getting all the action,” McWilliams said.
For Joe Land, it was hard to remember what the old scoreboard looked like, but he said the new one was crystal clear.
“I wish my TV was that good at home,” said Land, 50, of Tulsa, Okla.
While many were happy with the size of the screen, some thought it could have been even bigger.
Andrea Swinea, 23, said she wished the screen would have used more of the space that was dedicated to advertisements. Throughout the game, eight small screens bordering the larger, live coverage screen flashed different advertisements.
“The ads are distracting,” said Swinea, who has been attending games for three years.
Jason Williams, who has been coming to MU football games for 10 years, had a different take on the advertisements.
“I like to see who’s still making money in Columbia,” Williams, 36, said. “ ... It’s got to pay for itself somehow.”
Cindy Hazelrigg, a longtime Missouri fan, said the scoreboard — with its $3.5 million price tag — was “an outstanding investment.”
“The sound is perfect,” Hazelrigg, 31, said. “We can hear everything very clearly. We love it.”
MU graduate student Erin Emerick, 22, said she thinks the university spent too much on the scoreboard.
“That money should be put towards the students’ education,” Emerick said.