Hulman-George family gives $2 million for new video boards at the Hulman Center
The Hulman-George family has made a $2 million gift to Indiana State University for a new scoreboard and an array of other high resolution video boards at the Hulman Center.
ISU honored the Hulman-George family and announced the gift during Thursday night’s men’s basketball game against Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
“On behalf of the entire Hulman-George family, we are proud of our long-standing commitment to the community through the Hulman Center,” said Tony George, an ISU alumnus. “It was the passionate commitment of Tony Hulman for the community to have a place for public meetings and gatherings. Over the past 50 years, great memories have been created, and the recent renovations will ensure another 50 years of guest experiences enjoyed. We are happy to provide support for the information and communications system that will enhance the experience for all who attend events at the Hulman Center.”
The boards, expected to be operational in spring or early summer, will vastly improve on the current video boards, which have been in use for the past 13 years.
“Visitors to the Hulman Center for all kinds of events will notice a big difference,” said Nancy Rogers, Vice President of University Engagement. “It will make a significant impact on the experience of being in the Hulman Center.”
President Deborah J. Curtis thanked the Hulman-George family members for their longtime support of ISU.
“The Hulman-George family has been a generous benefactor of Indiana State University for generations,” Curtis said. “We are so grateful that they have decided to support this spectacular addition to the building that carries their name. It will touch many thousands of people for everything from commencements and sports to concerts and community events.”
The new video boards will come from Daktronics, a leading supplier of audiovisual systems for sports, business, and transportation.
In the middle of the arena, the Hulman Center will have two hanging video boards measuring more than 14 by 24 feet and two hanging boards measuring more than 9 by 16 feet. For basketball, the 14 by 24 boards will face the sidelines and the 9 by 16 boards will face the baselines.
The 9 by 16 boards are bigger than the current boards and can be moved to hang from other parts of the arena for different events.
That, however, is only the start. New boards will be installed above the floor-level openings at the four corners of the arena. There will also be two new scorers tables with video boards in front. The north and south ends of the arena, between the two levels of seating, will have ribbon boards measuring more than 96 feet wide.
“This generous gift by the George family showcases the commitment and priority that the university has toward Indiana State men’s and women’s basketball and athletics as a whole,” ISU Athletic Director Sherard Clinkscales said. “All of the enhancements allow us to put the finishing touches on one of the top basketball facilities in the Missouri Valley Conference. It sets both the men’s and women’s basketball programs up for success and will help create a fantastic environment for our home games in the future.”
The Hulman Center opened in 1973 and received a $50 million renovation that finished in 2020. The renovation included a new exterior facade and a glass entrance at the south end that adds square footage and event/meeting space; new restrooms and concession stands; a multi-purpose suite overlooking the floor; new lighting and improved acoustics; and efficient new utility systems.
The facility has been host to countless ISU sports events, including the 1979 men’s basketball team that featured Larry Bird and finished second in the nation. Concert performers at Hulman Center have included Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, KISS, Van Halen, Tim McGraw, and Kenny Chesney.
The Hulman Center is used for ISU and high school commencement ceremonies, the Special Olympics, fund-raisers, dinners, meetings, speeches, and other community events.
