Mountaineer athletes wont be the only oneslighting it upthis coming season. New state-of-the-art score/video boards, complete with high-resolution video and expanded messaging capabilities, also will be part of the fan experience at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium and the West Virginia University Coliseum.

Under a partnership between the WVU Foundation and Panasonic, the global electronics maker is installing two new video board systemsone in the Coliseum and one in the football stadium.

The two systems, each valued at approximately $5 million, are being made available to WVU in part through a generous commitment from alumnus Ben Statler and his wife, Jo, and a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

This partnership presented a wonderful opportunity for the University,said R. Wayne King, WVU Foundation president and CEO .The Foundation, consistent with its mission, is pleased to make this possible with the help of private support from our donors.

Panasonic, together with WVU , will use the new video board systems as a showcase to feature the latest state-of-the-art video and audio technology, officials said.

These systems are designed to engage and inform everyone at the event and are equal or better in quality to any professional sports venue,said Keith Hanak, group director, Panasonic System Solutions Co.West Virginia University and its fans will experience an unparalleled technological evolution this season, and the beginning of a new era in WVU sports history.

Athletics officials are excited about the additions, and believe the new video boards will greatly enhance the fan experience at both venues.

We think fans are really going to enjoy these improvements,said Russ Sharp, senior associate athletic director at WVU .The video boards will add a whole new dimension, increasing the sizzle and excitement at both the Coliseum and Puskar Stadium. Weve had a great working relationship with all the parties involved, and look forward to the fall sports season getting under way.

The new video board systems not only will enhance the experience for fans, but more importantly, provide opportunities for increased revenue for the athletic department from advertising, Sharp added.

The Puskar Stadium makeover includes a new video system that is three times wider than the current south end zone system and with higher resolution LED quality. Two LED fascia boards running down each sideline will provide in-game statistics, scoring, messaging and sponsor advertising. A new south bowl auxiliary board also will be installed.

The new Coliseum center-hung video board will feature a four-sided, LED video replay system. The four video boards will provide replays and live event coverage, in-game scoring statistics, special messaging and sponsor advertisements. Two round LED halo boards will be located above and below the new center-hung scoreboard, and two new LED auxiliary boards will be installed behind each basket.

A new state-of-the-art directional sound system and lighting system also will be installed in the Coliseum.

Both video board projects are scheduled for completion in time for the start of the fall sports season.

About Panasonic System Solutions Co.

Panasonic System Solutions Co., unit of Panasonic Corp. of North America, is a world leader in professional electronics providing innovative systems solutions for a wide range of business applications including industry leading i-Pro IP and analog video surveillance solutions through its Security Systems division; imaging devices for the medical, industrial and entertainment industries through its Vision Systems division; point-of-sale workstations and drive-thru communications systems for the quick-service and hospitality industries through its Information Systems division; and large-screen LED digital signage, digital sports coaching systems and integrated technology solutions through its Systems integration division. Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Corp. of North America is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE:MC) of Japan. For information on Panasonic products, visit www.panasonic.com . Additional information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom .