The Daktronics Experience

When it comes to women in sports, starting young is critical. That’s why Melyssa Jaskiewicz started Leveling the Fields. To hear about her journey in sports, from being the VP of Sales at Sideline Sports to Founder and Executive Director of Leveling the Fields, she joined Justin and Matt for a great conversation. It includes many more details and how she’s making a positive impact by fostering an environment with sports where girls can thrive and lead.   Links: Leveling the Fields: https://www.levelingthefields.org/     

For this special edition of the podcast, we had Katelyn Smith join our Women In Sports Online Event. She's the Athletic Director at Adams State University and shares her focus on fostering an environment of excellence in both academics and athletics. She's also talked about achieving a yearly total of more than 520 student-athletes maintaining GPAs above 3.0 and the school's annual presence in the top 20 of the Learfield Directors Cup standings dating back to 2021.   Links: Women in Sports Webpage:  https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/events/women-in-sports Women in Sports News Release: https://www.daktronics.com/news/women-in-sports-online-event-in-december-to-focus-on-fostering-an-e…   

As the College Basketball Madness tips off around the country, we take a look at what that means from a Daktronics perspective by bringing back David Reynhout, Daktronics Customer Success Specialist in the Live Events Business, to break it all down. We cover how many venues are featuring Daktronics equipment, how our services team supports those venues and so much more. We even dig into an industry-specific topic on which clock is official for those buzzer beaters! Spoiler alert – it’s not the timer you see at the bottom of the TV screen on the broadcast graphic.    

Follow along as Justin and Matt recap the month of February from a Daktronics perspective. They start with a baseball Spring Training site in Florida, move to a soccer stadium in California, and round things out with a mixed-use development and complete entertainment district for OCVIBE.   Links: Big Upgrade to Spring Training Experience with New Daktronics Displays at Phillies’ BayCare Ballpark Dignity Health Sports Park Improves Fan Engagement Through Daktronics LED Display, Control System Upgrade OCVIBE and Global Digital Display Firm Daktronics Announce Technology Partnership  

We're back with another special edition of the podcast with Lisa Pinkston joining our Women In Sports Online Event. She's the Athletic Director at Assumption High School, the largest all-girls Catholic school in Louisville, Kentucky. She shares her experiences of winning six state championships in one year across multiple sports, how they are thriving with an all-female production team and so much more.   Links: Women in Sports Webpage:  https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/events/women-in-sports Women in Sports News Release: https://www.daktronics.com/news/daktronics-women-in-sports-online-event-returns-in-october  

With a new CEO set to lead the company, we sat down with Ramesh to hear more about him. He shares details of his past work experience, his journey to Daktronics and his family. We also discuss his first impressions of the Brookings community and his visit to our corporate headquarters.   Links: YouTube Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_7iG_itES4  News Announcement: https://investor.daktronics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/daktronics-appoints-ramesh-jayaraman-president-and-chief  Bio: https://investor.daktronics.com/board-directors/ramesh-jayaraman-jayaraman  LinkedIn Profile: https://investor.daktronics.com/board-directors/ramesh-jayaraman-jayaraman  

January brought big partnerships, record-breaking displays and exciting momentum across the industry. From connecting students with real-world gameday production through a new partnership with the American Association of Professional Baseball to massive new video boards at the University of Illinois, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Virginia Tech, there’s plenty to recap. We also welcomed a new addition to the Daktronics team. Matt and Justin break down all the highlights from January 2026.   Links: Daktronics Partners with American Association of Professional Baseball to Connect Students with Real-World Career Game-Day Experience Winnipeg Blue Bombers Improve Game-Day Experience with Daktronics Video Displays Daktronics Hires Thomas Welling to AV Channel Partner Team Illinois, Daktronics Install Largest Video Display in College Football Virginia Tech Improves Live Event Experience at Cassell Coliseum with Daktronics Displays

When the professional world interacts with students, everyone wins! Working to make this happen, Lior Kolton, Group Account Executive with the Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum, introduced Theatre Day in 2025 and is excited for the event’s second year coming up in April 2026. He joined us to tell us all the details and so much more.   Links: Contact Lior for more information: 414.908.3773, Lior.kolton@bucks.com  Daktronics at Fiserv Forum: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/photos?k=Milwaukee%20Bucks&project=198612&media=WP-022296 DakClassroom: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/markets/sports/high-schools/dakclassroom   

For this special edition of the podcast, we had Alicia Jeffreys join us for our Women In Sports Online Event. She's the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Detroit Pistons and shares her oversight of multiple verticals, from content creation to brand strategy to social media to game presentation. She also digs into how she manages a diverse team, develops talent, fosters a collaborative work culture and demonstrates effective leadership through times of change.   Links: Women in Sports Webpage:  https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/events/women-in-sports Women in Sports News Release: https://www.daktronics.com/news/daktronics-women-in-sports-online-event-returns-in-august-2025  

If you love college football, you're going to love this quick road trip with Justin and Matt as they take you to every stadium featuring Daktronics technology and event support this bowl season! From Atlanta and Miami to Texas and California, Daktronics is powering the biggest moments in college football.   

Discover the story behind Plastic Arts Signs as Justin and Matt talk with the company’s General Manager, Al Jakobi. He shares the company’s journey from 1969 to the present, including evolving with the technology from neon signs to today’s cutting-edge digital displays. Hear about their recent success at the Sign Design Contest and about the Pen Air Credit Union project that’s turning heads.    Links: Sales Expo 2025 Strengthens Sign Company Partnerships and Showcases Design Excellence Plastic Art Signs Website: https://plasticartssigns.com/       

Hear from a seasoned production specialist and his experience of 20+ years in live event production as Justin and Matt sit down with Francisco Castillo. He’s worked with the champion LA Dodgers, the Intuit Dome’s double-sided Halo display for the LA Clippers, and so many more amazing teams and venues. He dives into the challenges and excitement of directing major sports and entertainment events. Tune in for stories, lessons and advice from one of the industry’s most versatile professionals.    Links: Intuit Dome Project Highlight: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/markets/sports/major-league-sports-installation/intuit-dome     

Join Justin and Matt as they look back on a big month for Daktronics. From the University of Richmond upgrading the Robins Center with a new display system and Park Outdoor celebrating its 50th digital billboard, to an upcoming Women in Sports event and Dak Prescott’s gift transforming Haughton High School, there’s plenty to cover. We also recap the three podcast episodes released in November, featuring insights on game presentation, DakClassroom and major display upgrades.   Links: Park Outdoor Celebrates 50th Digital Billboard with High-Visibility Upgrade Near Syracuse Women In Sports Online Event in December to Focus On Fostering an Environment of Excellence Registration Link: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/events/women-in-sports University of Richmond Upgrades Robins Center with Daktronics Display System Prescott Field: How Dak Prescott’s Gift Sparked a New Era at Haughton High (VIDEO) Prescott Field Dedication at Haughton High School  

Matt and Justin sit down with Mary Rathburn, Assistant AD for Marketing and Fan Engagement at Elon University, and Patrick Cunningham, Director of Live Broadcast Production for Elon Sports Vision. to take you behind the scenes of how a mid-major athletic department runs a broadcast operation, video board show and fan experience strategy all at once, and often from the same control room. From student-run productions to viral in-game moments, this episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to produce a modern college athletics experience. Topics Covered How Elon runs broadcast and in-venue production simultaneously Why preparation off the field is the secret to smooth game days How a two-person marketing staff drives fan experience across 17 sports The role students play in producing over 135 broadcasts per year How Elon’s centralized control room handles multiple venues What “idea hacking” means — and why great producers steal (the right way) The story behind the viral free-throw distraction moment How student crews won a national broadcast award Why the “Snack Cam” should never be allowed How support systems and testing keep things running smoothly Why being willing to fail is critical to creativity How video boards are being used for: Fan engagement Sponsor value Weather updates Game timing information   Links: Elon Sports Vision captures first College Sports Media Award 244 – Hitting the Ice at the University of Minnesota Duluth with Dylon Field 39 - The Importance of Video Displays in Minor League Baseball with Katie Dannemiller (Greensboro Grasshoppers)  

In this episode, we’re joined by Lucas Dahlberg, Game Presentation talent and student at the University of St. Thomas. Lucas shares how his journey began with running a high school video board and quickly grew into building full game-day productions, leading student crews, and now working hands-on in a brand-new D1 facility. He talks through his progression from Elk River High School to St. Thomas, what it was like opening a brand-new arena, and how he landed a role with the Minnesota Wild… all before finishing his first year of college. Lucas also breaks down how he builds shows using Daktronics tools like Show Control, what he’s learned from watching productions at every level, and why giving students access and ownership is so important for growing the industry. Topics Covered How Lucas got his start with video boards as a high school freshman Growing an entire student-run events team from scratch Transitioning to the University of St. Thomas and producing D1-level shows Building the first-ever game presentation for the new Lee & Penny Anderson Arena Working promotions for the Minnesota Wild and how that changed his perspective Idea “hacking” — pulling inspiration from pro venues and college gamedays The tools he uses every day, including Daktronics Show Control Advice for students and schools wanting to get into live event production Whether you're in athletics, production, or just love hearing about passionate young talent in sports, Lucas’s story is a great look at the next generation of game-day creators. Links: University of St. Thomas Athletics: https://tommiesports.com/  DakClassroom: ht tps://www.daktronics.com/en-us/markets/sports/high-schools/dakclassroom Camino: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/products/software-and-controllers/show-control/products/camino  Show Control: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/products/software-and-controllers/show-control 

To hear all about connecting with students at the high school level for video production, we spoke with Kyle Sydow, Daktronics High School Park and Rec Market Manager. He dives into DakClassroom, what it is and does, and what it provides for students and their communities. We also cover how this solution impacts high schools, colleges and even the professional levels of sports.    Links: 227 – Capitalizing on Future Opportunities via Crew Connect with Brandon Shih DakClassroom Webpage: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/markets/sports/high-schools/dakclassroom 

Join Justin and Matt as they look back on a big month for Daktronics! From the excitement of our annual Sales Expo and the record-setting installation at Oklahoma Softball, now home to the largest video board in all of college softball, to a full month focused on our Services team, there was plenty to cover. The duo also recaps the five podcast episodes released in October, featuring conversations with members of our Services group from across the U.S. and around the world.   Links: Oklahoma State Engages Fans with Largest LED Video Display in College Softball from Daktronics Sales Expo 2025 Strengthens Sign Company Partnerships and Showcases Design Excellence Daktronics Blog Site Services Podcast Episodes: 272 – Inside Daktronics Services with Marian Verhaert 271 – Inside Daktronics Services with Jack Pickett 269 – Inside Daktronics Services with Melissa Carson 268 – Inside Daktronics Services with Brandon Johnson 266 – Inside Daktronics Services with Thair Kayed  

Diving into the LED display upgrades for the Charlotte Knights, Justin and Matt are joined by Dan Rajkowski, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chris Poindexter, Director of Game Presentation and Production. They give the inside story for getting a new display system for the 2025 baseball season including the installation timeline, system capabilities and using Show Control with Camino. They even describe how they customized the production as the season went along.   Links: News Release: https://www.daktronics.com/news/charlotte-knights-revamp-digital-display-experience-with-daktronics  Charlotte Knights Website: https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights  Camino Webpage: https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/products/software-and-controllers/show-control/products/camino       

Rounding out our mini-series on Daktronics Services, Marian Verhaert, Service Manager for Europe, joins the podcast. She shares her role in supporting our customers, how the process works with the services team in her region, including multiple markets and applications, and more.  

Jack Pickett, account service manager for Daktronics in the southeast region, is the next to join our services mini-series! He shares experiences from his 22 total years with Daktronics, how important a service agreement is for our customers, what success looks like for him and the Daktronics services team, and so much more.