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University of North Carolina Athletics
Smith Center To Debut Lighting Enhancements Friday At "Live Action"
October 11, 2023 | Men's Basketball
The Dean E. Smith Center will show off its most significant lighting enhancements since the arena opened in 1986 when the Tar Heels celebrate the start of the new season Friday (October 13) at "Live Action! with Carolina Basketball."
Brand new game lights, spotlights, laser projection units and additional technological improvements will provide fans and players in the arena a better look at the game and greater engagement and those watching on television/streaming a higher quality viewing experience.
The game lights, which include 88 TLC LED lights installed by Musco, offer more even coverage across Roy Williams Court and more detailed color accuracy. The installation of 24 RGBW (red, green, blue and white) lights allow the Smith Center's technical directors to completely wash the building in Carolina Blue during specific moments such as pregame introductions, special presentations, timeouts and victory celebrations.
Eight additional moving spotlights will bring the total spotlights to 16, allowing targeted sections of the court and crowd to be lit for those special moments.
Custom patterns that highlight the history and tradition of the University of North Carolina and Tar Heel Basketball – the interlocking NC, the Jumpman and Tar Heel – allow us to customize the system for a true Carolina look and feel.
Four laser projection units add increased depth and effects, including those "lights out" moments that Tar Heel fans already enjoy.
"The Smith Center is one of the most historic and great arenas in college basketball," says Carolina men's basketball head coach Hubert Davis. "We've also played here for nearly 40 years and the technology has improved and evolved, so the opportunity to install the newest lighting features will make it an even better experience for the teams and fans."
The LED systems, which were provided by funding from the Rams Club, will decrease energy consumption to light the venues, resulting in an increase in energy efficiency. The University has climate-related goals that include constant improvements to reach carbon neutrality by 2040. The Champion Sustainability Fund, run by the UNC Institute for the Environment and established by a gift from HanesBrand, also invested in the projects, which include the Smith Center, Kenan Stadium and Carmichael Arena.
Brand new game lights, spotlights, laser projection units and additional technological improvements will provide fans and players in the arena a better look at the game and greater engagement and those watching on television/streaming a higher quality viewing experience.
The game lights, which include 88 TLC LED lights installed by Musco, offer more even coverage across Roy Williams Court and more detailed color accuracy. The installation of 24 RGBW (red, green, blue and white) lights allow the Smith Center's technical directors to completely wash the building in Carolina Blue during specific moments such as pregame introductions, special presentations, timeouts and victory celebrations.
Eight additional moving spotlights will bring the total spotlights to 16, allowing targeted sections of the court and crowd to be lit for those special moments.
Custom patterns that highlight the history and tradition of the University of North Carolina and Tar Heel Basketball – the interlocking NC, the Jumpman and Tar Heel – allow us to customize the system for a true Carolina look and feel.
Four laser projection units add increased depth and effects, including those "lights out" moments that Tar Heel fans already enjoy.
"The Smith Center is one of the most historic and great arenas in college basketball," says Carolina men's basketball head coach Hubert Davis. "We've also played here for nearly 40 years and the technology has improved and evolved, so the opportunity to install the newest lighting features will make it an even better experience for the teams and fans."
The LED systems, which were provided by funding from the Rams Club, will decrease energy consumption to light the venues, resulting in an increase in energy efficiency. The University has climate-related goals that include constant improvements to reach carbon neutrality by 2040. The Champion Sustainability Fund, run by the UNC Institute for the Environment and established by a gift from HanesBrand, also invested in the projects, which include the Smith Center, Kenan Stadium and Carmichael Arena.
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