University officials unveil other upgrades
Williams-Brice Stadium will finally have its high-definition video board — and sooner than originally expected.
The university’s board of trustees gave final approval for the installation, which athletics officials say will likely occur prior to the 2012 season. It was originally expected to arrive before 2013. All told, the board will cost about $6.5 million and range 36 feet by 124 feet, according to the athletics department.
“Not one tax dollar” is going into the project, said athletics director Eric Hyman. The majority of the project will come from private donations, but some athletics operating funds may support the project as well, Hyman said. The board would be the third largest in the Southeastern Conference, according to athletics officials.
The project faces several rounds of state approval in the coming months. If the board isn’t finished before 2012, USC would use its existing board until the work is complete.
“We’ll cross that bridge when and if we get to it,” Hyman said.
The board will have a 10-year life span, according to the university.
It won’t be the only new aspect in 2012, as university officials plan to unveil their much improved farmers market “premium tailgating” area.
The board of trustees also gave final approval to a complete overhaul of USC’s softball stadium. The project — expected to cost around $8 million — will increase capacity from 700 to 1,350. It will also include a new press box, a new team support room, backstop netting, new dugouts and new restrooms.
The current field is the smallest in the SEC, according to USC. The work is expected to be complete in 2013.