Orono, Maine – Maine Athletics is excited to reveal the significant audio and visual improvements at Harold Alfond Sports Arena for the men's and women's ice hockey opening games.
 
Fans returning this fall will experience an even more electric atmosphere inside the facility as the men's ice hockey team takes on RPI on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. while the women's ice hockey team hosts New Hampshire on Friday at 2 p.m.
 
The new high-definition center hung display, additional LED end zone displays, and enlarged north LED ribbon board showcase the Black Bears' action at a higher quality than ever before. Fans at center ice, in the seating bowl, and in the suite and student section levels can now enjoy more enhanced viewing opportunities, no matter the distance.
 
"The Alfond Arena is one of the best environments in NCAA Hockey, and these enhancements will only further the fan experience on game day," says Maine men's ice hockey head coach Ben Barr. "We are committed to providing the best game day experience possible for the Alfond Faithful that are so supportive to our program."
 
The University of Maine and ANC, an AV integration company across college campuses and professional sports venues nationwide, completed the upgrades to the digital display network alongside many improvements to the NCAA Division I facility over the summer. The upgrades' most exciting feature is the new 4mm LED Scoreboard, each side measuring 11.02 feet high by 18.9 feet wide. As a focal point of the arena, the new scoreboard makes the action on the ice look incredible.

"We are ecstatic for the new video board upgrades at Alfond Arena," says Maine women's ice hockey head coach Molly Engstrom. "We are grateful for the effort that has been made to start making improvements to the arena. It's a thrilling time for Maine hockey."
 
In addition to the main center hung display, the two 6.3 feet high by 25.2 feet wide suspended end zone displays were upgraded to 6mm, and the existing north ribbon board display was expanded 160.93 feet wide for over 1 million pixels of crisp 6mm fascia content. ANC's dynamic LiveSync content management software controls all the new displays.
 
In collaboration with ANC Studios' graphics department, the Black Bears will reveal dynamic new team graphics, ensuring that the upgraded technologies bring the energy to Alfond Arena alongside more content opportunities, including real-time stat updates, dynamic sponsored content, game day action, and significant, high-intensity graphics and videos. The historic student section and loyal fans now have more game-day atmosphere fuel for this season. They can look forward to more visual experiences for the wide variety of recreational events also to be hosted within the venue.
 
"We are very excited to partner with the University of Maine in their efforts to modernize this important venue and improve the atmosphere for student-athletes and their devoted fans," said Jerry Cifarelli Jr., CEO of ANC. "This is the beginning of a long-term relationship with the university that will result in unmatched technology and a heightened experience for Black Bears fans. We can't wait to see what else they transform on campus next."
 
UMaine Athletics is a signature initiative of UMS TRANSFORMS the Harold Alfond Foundation's historic $240M investment in the University of Maine System. The new high-definition scoreboard and enhanced LED lighting are part of the vision to boldly reshape the UMaine athletics infrastructure with best in class facilities and convening venues at the state's flagship university in Orono for the benefit and well-being of students and all of Maine.
 
 
-UMaine-