Eastland High School in Lanark, Ill., dramatically upgraded the fan experience by embracing a growing trend in high school sports, marrying tradition with technology for the gym’s scoring system. The Eastland Cougars installed a hybrid scoreboard from Watchfire to get the best of both worlds.

“Our old scoreboards just weren’t keeping up,” said Athletic Director Scott Hartman. “We wanted something modern, reliable, and from a company with a strong reputation. Watchfire delivered exactly what we were looking for.”

Hartman’s vision came to life with a 14-foot-wide high-resolution videoboard integrated within a traditional scoreboard framework, complete with player stat panels and a mascot themed topper.

The 3.9mm videoboard is used to display hype videos, starting lineups, highlight reels, and sponsor messages, creating a professional, college-like atmosphere during games. Meanwhile, the fixed digit scoreboard provides familiar at-a-glance scoring. Together, the systems are intentionally designed to complement one another.

A similar 10-foot-wide videoboard-scoreboard combination mirrors the setup on the opposite side of the gymnasium, giving everyone in the facility the ‘best seat in the house.’ To complete the upgrade, Eastland added new shot clocks and backboard lights.

A standout feature for Eastland has been Watchfire’s Ignite Sports® software. Hartman noted it is intuitive and easy to use, allowing staff and students to quickly learn and operate the videoboards display without extensive training.

With Ignite Sports, the Eastland team can create ad zones and features sponsor logos to offset the cost of the investment while strengthening community partnerships. Plus, the software makes the videoboards multi-use, allowing them to be easily incorporated into a variety of events, including graduation ceremonies.

Since the installation, Eastland High School has experienced a noticeable increase in student and parent engagement. By upgrading to Watchfire, Eastland High School has raised the bar for the overall game-day experience, bringing more excitement, school spirit, and community connection to every event.