Virginia Union uses technology to get football fans wired

Virginia Union uses technology to get football fans wired

From NCAA News
November 15, 2005

The 28th annual Gold Bowl featured Virginia Union University and Bowie State University in a gridiron clash.

Bowie State won the contest, 42-14, but it was more than just a game.

Since its beginning in 1976 as the Bicentennial Bowl, the game has become one of the biggest among historically black colleges and universities. This year, the October 22 event earned another distinction when a wireless network arranged for fans in the stadium to bring their laptops and palm devices to track game stats as each play unfolded.

The idea was a byproduct of a conversation between Jim Junot, sports information director at Virginia Union, and Robert Gray, manager of the information technology center on campus.

"We have a wireless campus. The IT center is in the process of upgrading its wireless service and I happened to get the equipment before the game," said Gray. "We were talking and we thought, why not just connect the whole stadium wireless and post stats and anyone in the world with Internet access can get live updates."

Junot said that although the weather was uncooperative -- the game was a rain-soaked affair -- response to the innovation has been anything but all wet. During the game, not only were fans treated to up-to-the moment statistical information, but also the home team coaches and the television commentators broadcasting the game took advantage of the set up.

Going forward, the school plans to make the same type of wireless network available for all home football, men's and women's basketball, and volleyball contests.