ASU wins Best Game Day Technology Experience honor

July 25, 2017

The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and CDW-G, a leading provider of technology solutions to education, government and health care, have announced Arizona State University as the winner of the inaugural Best Game Day Technology Experience Award. ASU was chosen from a pool of three finalists and received the award for its “Smart Campus” initiative.

The Best Game Day Technology Experience Award will be presented by NACDA and CDW-G this fall, at an on-campus event hosted by ASU.

“We are humbled to receive this award from NACDA and CDW-G,” said Ray Anderson, vice president for university athletics. “The work being done on our Smart Stadium project is unparalleled and a testament to the investment our university leadership has made in ensuring Sun Devil Nation has an experience to match their passion. We are extremely fortunate to partner with our first-class University Technology Office on this project, and we look forward to continuing to test new technologies as we not only reinvent Sun Devil Stadium, but find new ways to interact with our fans and enhance their experiences.”

The award was designed to recognize NACDA member institutions in Division I, honoring athletics directors and their universities highlighting the ways technology plays a role in the fan experience. A five-person committee consisting of athletics directors across the country and representatives from CDW-G and NACDA aided in selecting ASU as this year's award winner.

ASU will receive a trophy and $25,000 in Microsoft and Cisco technology products and services from CDW-G.

“Arizona State University’s ‘Smart Campus’ initiative is aptly named. With cutting-edge IoT (Internet of Things) technologies in place, it effectively uses those devices and data to improve the stadium experience,” said Nicci Fagan, director of area sales for CDW-G. “We are proud to celebrate ASU’s innovation and excellence with the first annual Best Game Day Technology Experience Award.”

“Arizona State is setting a new standard for game-day technology on campus,” said NACDA Executive Director Bob Vecchione. “It is remarkable to witness the time, effort and creativity that goes into projects like ASU’s Smart Campus initiative. Congratulations to the Sun Devils athletics department for their groundbreaking efforts in enhancing the game day experience for fans and the campus community.”

For the 2016-17 Sun Devil Football season, Arizona State University (ASU) began its “Smart Campus” initiative, implementing Internet of Things technologies to enrich the game-day experience. ASU utilized the new technologies to improve operational insights for facilities, create a unique suite experience for stakeholders, and enhance the game experience for fans. Its primary focuses were Smart Parking, a Smart Noise Meter and a Smart Suite, all of which utilized an inter-networking of devices to collect and exchange data in new and meaningful ways.