In August 2023, Gibson Southern High School football players were brought into their season with a brand new scoreboard to adorn their field. The previous scoreboard served Gibson Southern Titan football for 11 years, according to Gibson Southern Athletic Director Nick Hart.
“Over the years, the electrical part of it was just getting towards the end of its life,” he said.
Being quite old, the previous scoreboard had a few functional difficulties toward the end of its use on the field. As it began to cause more unease for Hart and the football program, the school board decided to make the investment and buy a replacement.
“We have probably needed one for the past five years,” Hart said. “We were getting to the point where you were hoping and praying every Friday that [the old scoreboard] would turn on and work. It kind of lived out its life. We probably should have replaced it a little bit before to be safer.”
When approached about purchasing a new scoreboard, the main goal of the school board was to get something that would have an appealing design while maintaining a realistic budget. It was important to them to find something that showcased Gibson Southern’s school spirit.
“We quoted some different things through the scoreboard company,” Hart said. “You know, we made the best financial and practical decision that we could. We wanted to get the nicest thing that we could within budget and what was realistic.”
Many of the football players at Gibson Southern agree that it was a necessary investment.
“I feel like we needed one,” senior football player Teagan Baker said. “Ours was kind of outdated, and I like the achievements at the bottom of it.”
Others appreciate the benefits it gives them, such as the visual clarity of the lights.
“I think it’s really nice, and it looks good,” senior football player Jack Rose said. “Some advantages could be [that] you can see the time at the other end of the field now, which could be useful. It’s a little bit bigger, and it takes up a little bit more space, which fills up some blank areas and looks nicer.”
Most of the football team appreciates the design of the scoreboard, feeling that it makes Gibson Southern look professional.
“It looks pretty sick,” senior football player Brayten Reinhart said. “It gives a good look to the high school and makes us not look like we’re 40 years old.”
