DURHAM, N.C. – Demonstrating a continued effort to enhance fan experience, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) unveiled improvements to McDougald-McLendon Arena on Wednesday (Oct. 14), including new LED lighting, a high-performance flooring system and plans for a four-panel, center-hung video scoreboard.

"McDougald-McLendon Arena has a storied and celebrated history with a number of sports legends having nurtured their talents here," said Dr. Debra Saunders-White, NCCU Chancellor. "These extensive and impressive upgrades will provide a more dynamic fan experience and contemporary practice and playing environment for our student-athletes and our entire athletics program. The new lighting, flooring and scoreboard will also allow us to enhance key university events, including Commencements, Convocations and other activities that occur throughout the academic year in the arena."
 The first change completed was the replacement of low-efficiency lighting fixtures with new high-efficiency, high-performing LED lighting fixtures by Cree, Inc.  This was done as part of a UNC system-wide project that included the NCCU campus.
 
Up next was the installation of an MVP flooring system from Robbins Sports Surfaces installed by Foster Specialty Floors. Replacing the original hardwood floor from when the facility opened its doors in 1950, the Robbins MVP system focuses on optimizing biomechanical interaction between athlete and floor by minimizing vibration and maximizing uniformity of play and ball bounce. The new playing surface positions NCCU as a leader in the state, according to Michael Foster, President of Foster Specialty Floors.
 
"Foster Specialty Floors is very proud to have provided North Carolina Central University with THE most biomechanically-sophisticated maple sports floor system in the entire State of North Carolina," said Foster.
 
The first event on the new surface will take place on Wednesday (Oct. 14) when the NCCU women's volleyball team hosts Gardner-Webb University at 7 p.m.
 
The video scoreboard by Daktronics, Inc., which will be installed in December, features four LED video display panels (12'5" wide x 7'3" high) with overall dimensions of 19-feet wide by 16-feet high. Each display features 10 millimeter line spacing for crisp, clear imagery with wide-angle visibility that can be enjoyed from every seat in the arena.
 
"We're excited to partner with North Carolina Central University on this technological upgrade for their newly named McDougald-McLendon Arena," said Corey Williams, Daktronics sales representative. "We know this installation will improve Eagles' fans experiences at games and other events held in the arena. We're looking forward to the seeing the completed project in action near the end of 2015."
 
Based on the projected timeline, the video scoreboard is expected to be ready for use at the NCCU men's basketball home game on Dec. 29 when the Eagles host Montreat College at 7 p.m.
 
Once the enhancements are complete, the facility will have a fresh look and functionality.
 
"The upgrades to McDougald-McLendon Arena are in line with our plans to renovate our existing facilities," said Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree, NCCU Director of Athletics.  "Chancellor Saunders-White has been extremely supportive of our efforts to provide our student-athletes and students the very best.  I know that our students, university family and community will be delighted to see new lighting fixtures, a beautiful floor and now a video scoreboard, which will allow us to not only improve our game-day experience, but provide additional video production capabilities for all events held in the McDougald-McLendon Arena."
 
 
About Cree
Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor solutions for wireless and power applications. Visit www.cree.com.
 
About Robbins Sports Surfaces
Robbins Sports Surfaces, a family owned business, is the premier supplier of high performance maple and synthetic sports flooring systems to the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, arena, education, religious and fitness markets.  In more than 65 nations on six continents, athletes compete and practice on millions of square meters of Robbins' sports surfaces.  Professional and amateur alike know that when they play on a high performance Robbins' system they'll be able to play at peak levels, safely and comfortably. Visit www.robbinsfloor.com.
 
About Foster Specialty Floors
Foster Specialty Floors was established in 1924, in Detroit, by C.G. Foster. Today, it is owned and operated by his fourth generation family and provides specialty and athletic flooring surfaces throughout the upper Mid-west and the Carolinas. Visit www.sportsfloor.org.
 
About Daktronics
Daktronics helps its customers to impact their audiences throughout the world with large-format LED video displays, message displays, scoreboards, digital billboards and control systems in sport, business and transportation applications. Founded in 1968 as a USA-based manufacturing company, Daktronics has grown into the world leader in audio-visual systems and implementation with offices around the globe. Discover more at www.daktronics.com.
 
About North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Flagship programs include the sciences, technology, nursing, education, law, business and the arts. Founded in 1910 as a liberal arts college for African-Americans, NCCU remains committed to diversity in higher education. Our alumni excel in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. Visit www.nccu.edu.