Warriors to get new scoreboard in new location
Staff writer
Spectators at Marion football games this fall may wonder, for a few seconds, where on earth the scoreboard went.
The Warriors are getting a new scoreboard, paid for through a $40,000 donation from Marion National Bank.
The scoreboard will be at the northwest rather than the southwest corner of the field, so those in the bleachers will turn their heads left rather than right to see it.
The bank’s donation also covered the cost of a timekeeping scoreboard at the pool in the Sports and Aquatics Center.
The school did not previously have a scoreboard at the pool.
Superintendent Justin Wasmuth said the football scoreboard’s location would be a visual and auditory improvement.
Previously, those sitting in or in front of the Marion Athletic Center concession stand and locker rooms would have their view slightly obstructed by scoreboard poles.
“The other thought is that the sound system goes towards the north, and the people behind it at the MAC couldn’t hear it.” Wasmuth said. “Now, the sound will come from the north, and everybody can hear it in the complex.”
The new scoreboard will be installed later this week. The old scoreboard, purchased in 2014, will come down.
Marion National paid for the previous scoreboard as well as the current scoreboards on the baseball field, softball field, and Marion Sports and Aquatics Center’s hardwood court, bank president Ryan Edmundson said.
“It’s a great way for us to give back to the school,” Edmundson said. “I think the most important part of any community is having a quality school.”
Wasmuth said the old scoreboard was ready to be replaced.
“If you get close enough, it’s getting pretty weathered,” he said. “We had to get a couple of transmitters replaced last year just to get it through this year.”
Wasmuth declined to provide the amount donated by Marion National to the school for the two scoreboards. Edmundson later provided the figure.