UNM begins University Stadium improvements with video board replacement

It measures 80 feet by 32 feet — hardly small by any definition.

But at least to Fernando Lovo, it’s the start of something much bigger.

New Mexico has begun replacing the video board behind the north end zone at University Stadium, the first in a series of planned upgrades to the 64-year-old football stadium’s fan experience.

The new video board will be ready by the Lobos’ home opener against Idaho State on Sept. 6, according to a release from the school. Lovo, UNM’s first-year athletic director, said Wednesday that the new board cost around $1.5 million, and will be paid for with the $11.5 million in capital outlay funds allocated to UNM athletics during this year’s legislative session.

The video board’s pixel panels are being replaced to provide “sharper images and an enhanced atmosphere,” according to the release; the size of the board itself will not change as part of the renovation. The first video board was installed in 2013.

“When I first got here, I looked at some various high-level things that needed to be addressed quickly, and that was one of them,” Lovo said. “Our video board was over 10 years old and those exterior boards, once they get past that, they’re living day by day.”

The remainder of the capital outlay funds will be dedicated to a “multi-step” process improving University Stadium and its fan experience, Lovo said. The Lobos’ first-year athletic director did not share specifics, but promised “unique initiatives” for fans inside and outside the stadium.

Further changes to University Stadium could be in store. Lovo said UNM has sent out a request for proposal to solicit architects’ assistance with a possible renovation plan. The AD cited larger concerns (the stadium’s lack of concourses) and smaller, amenity-based issues (improving restrooms and concessions) as potential areas for improvement.

“These are simple things that unfortunately cost quite a bit of money to fix,” he said. “But if you start chipping away at some of those things, I think the experience gets better.”

Regarding the in-game fan experience, Lovo said he wants UNM’s scripting of music and public address announcements to remain “dynamic” with what’s happening on the field.

“It can’t be sterile … Of course, the more fans and more butts we get in seats at University Stadium, the better everything will get,” he added. “But we got to be really mindful about scripting our games and having some flexibility in our scripts to be able to react to the momentum and the ebbs and flows of a football game.”