From Functional to Branded: Babson College’s Athletic Windscreen Project with BigSigns.com
Athletic facilities don’t always need a multimillion-dollar renovation to look fresh, modern, and cohesive. Sometimes, a strategic upgrade done thoughtfully and cost-effectively, can dramatically improve how a campus feels. One of the simplest tools for that transformation is the athletic windscreen. These screens, often seen lining baseball outfields, tennis courts, and training spaces, provide both practical benefits and powerful branding opportunities.
Babson College, one of the nation’s leading business schools and a competitive Division III athletics program, proved just how impactful windscreens can be when used creatively. Featured in Windscreens Spruce Up Babson Athletic Fields by Coach & AD Magazine, Babson's project is now a reference point for how schools can upgrade their facilities with minimal disruption and maximum visual payoff. Working with BigSigns.com, the college introduced new windscreens across five major athletics locations, bringing unity, energy, and identity to spaces previously dominated by plain chain-link fencing.
This is the full story of how Babson turned a functional necessity into a branded experience, using the athletic windscreen not just as a barrier, but as a canvas.
Key Takeaways:
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Babson used athletic windscreens to refresh its facilities quickly and affordably without major construction.
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Custom screens across five fields created a unified, branded look that strengthened school identity.
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Precise measurements and design reviews proved essential to achieving a clean, professional installation.
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The project received strong positive feedback from athletes, coaches, and alumni for its visual impact.
- Babson’s experience shows that windscreens are a cost-effective way for any athletic program to elevate its campus aesthetics and branding.
A Campus in Transition: Why Babson Needed a Refresh
Babson College, located in eastern Massachusetts, supports more than 400 student-athletes competing across 22 varsity programs. While the school is in the process of planning two major new buildings, one slated to house varsity locker rooms, training facilities, and equipment rooms, and another envisioned as a community fitness and recreation centre, the completion of those projects was still a long way off. In the meantime, the athletics department wanted to uplift its existing facilities without overextending its tight budget.
According to Josh MacArthur, Babson’s Director of Athletics and Recreation, the athletic department was searching for a way to “dress up the facilities and highlight some of the school’s brands” until the new buildings were ready. A full-scale renovation wasn’t feasible but enhancing the look of the athletic fields was both needed and realistic.
That’s where the idea of upgrading the windscreen came in. While many people think of a windscreen as just a utilitarian piece of equipment, Babson saw an opportunity to reimagine the campus aesthetic using a solution that combined function, durability, and brand expression.
Project Scope: Five Facilities, One Cohesive Look
The athletic department commissioned BigSigns.com to create new windscreens for five major locations across campus:
These areas previously relied on standard chain-link fencing, which provided no colour, branding, or sense of identity. BigSigns.com supplied customised athletic windscreens featuring the Babson College name and its Beavers mascot, delivering an immediate visual upgrade.
MacArthur noted that the department had seen BigSigns.com’s work “through the publications” and felt confident that BigSigns.com’s design and marketing team could deliver the concept they envisioned, not only for the windscreens but also to match a new graphic being installed in the weight room. The goal was to establish a consistent visual language throughout the entire athletics environment.
The Transformation: From Functional to Branded
What made Babson’s project stand out was the shift from purely functional fencing to a unified branded experience. Instead of blending into the background, each fence now featured bold, crisp graphics that reinforced Babson’s identity.
The athletic windscreen became more than a wind reduction tool. BigSigns.com created screens that integrated Babson’s distinctive green palette, the Beavers logo, and clean typography. Every screen served a dual purpose: enhancing visibility and bringing the personality of Babson Athletics to life.
For student-athletes walking out to practice or competing in front of fans, the sense of pride became immediate. Coaches and visitors felt the difference. Even alumni began commenting on how upgraded and intentional the facilities now looked.
Material and Installation: What It Took Behind the Scenes
Behind every great athletic windscreen installation lies careful measurement, thoughtful material choice, and attention to detail. Babson’s project was no exception.
MacArthur admits the first challenge was measuring the fencing. The team initially used a measuring wheel, commonly seen on tracks, but the results weren’t precise enough for BigSigns.com’s production specifications. They had to re-measure every site manually using tape to ensure accurate sizing. Precision is critical for screens of this scale; even a few inches off can cause sagging, misalignment, or installation issues.
Another unexpected issue emerged during installation. The back of the windscreens was a blank white, something the department didn’t anticipate visually. To address this, they purchased additional windscreens to ensure a uniform appearance from all angles. This experience offered a key lesson for future buyers: always review front-and-back design options before manufacturing.
Despite these hurdles, the installation went smoothly and the end result exceeded expectations.
Brand Consistency & BigSigns.com’s Role
Babson didn’t simply want windscreens, they wanted cohesive athletics branding. BigSigns.com’s design team provided continuity between the windscreens and the new weight room graphic, ensuring every surface carried a unified look. The vendor’s experience with sports branding and large-format printing helped guide Babson through material selection, graphic layout, and installation planning.
BigSigns.com recommended durable outdoor materials suitable for multi-sport environments, including breathable fence mesh and reinforced finishes to withstand windstorms and frequent handling. Given that one of Babson’s old screens had been destroyed in a severe storm, long-term durability was a priority.
Thanks to the branding expertise BigSigns.com brought to the project, Babson achieved an elevated aesthetic without exceeding budget or delaying facility use.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Like any real-world facilities project, Babson encountered obstacles along the way, but each one became a valuable lesson for future upgrades.
Measurement Accuracy Matters
Using a measuring wheel created inconsistencies. For an accurate athletic windscreen fit, tape measurement proved essential.
Be Aware of Reverse Sides
The white backside of the windscreen caught the team by surprise. Buyers should always clarify whether double-sided printing is needed, especially for spectator-heavy areas.
Sightline Changes Affect Spectators
Before the upgrade, softball spectators often stood behind the outfield fence to watch games. Once the windscreens were installed, visibility became limited. While the upgrade was necessary, MacArthur later reflected that leaving certain openings could have balanced both aesthetics and fan experience.
Despite these minor challenges, the team was overwhelmingly pleased with the outcome.
Reaction and Impact: What the Babson Community Said
The new windscreens quickly became a talking point on campus. MacArthur shared that he received enthusiastic responses from student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and fans soon after installation. Many commented on how much more “finished” and professional the fields looked.
In his words, “We received a lot of terrific comments right from the start.”
The windscreens didn’t drastically reduce wind flow, after all, their primary purpose was branding. But they significantly transformed the atmosphere and energy around the fields. Facilities that once looked plain or inconsistent now reflected the identity of Babson Athletics.
For a school competing in a strong Division III conference, these kinds of branding improvements can make a genuine difference, not only in the experience of student-athletes but also in recruiting, donor engagement, and community perception.
Why Windscreens Matter for Every Athletic Program
MacArthur summed it up perfectly: “It’s not like the windscreens really cut down on the wind, but it does create a different feel.”
That “different feel” is exactly why so many schools are turning to windscreens. An athletic windscreen elevates the aesthetic of an entire space. It ties together facilities that might have been built at different times. It highlights school pride. It gives spectators and athletes a sense of belonging. And importantly, it can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of structural upgrades.
For programs working within tight budgets, windscreens provide:
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A fast, visible improvement
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Enhanced branding and consistency
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Opportunities to add sponsors for revenue
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Low maintenance requirements
- A professional backdrop for photos, tournaments, and media
Without the downtime or complexity of construction, a windscreen project becomes a high-impact investment.
How BigSigns.com Can Help Other Schools & Facilities
Babson’s success story underscores how effective a well-executed windscreen project can be. BigSigns.com continues to help institutions across the country elevate their facilities using custom athletic windscreen solutions. With expertise in fence screen fabrication, fence mesh printing, outdoor materials, and large-format design, BigSigns.com supports programs from initial concept to delivery.
Schools can choose from mesh or vinyl materials, full-colour graphics, reinforced edges, and precise sizing to ensure long-term performance. Whether you need a single outfield screen or a campus-wide branding overhaul, BigSigns.com has the capabilities to deliver professional, cohesive results.
Final Thoughts
Babson College proved that small upgrades can yield significant improvements, especially when those upgrades reinforce pride, identity, and cohesion across athletic spaces. The athletic windscreen project wasn’t monumental in scale, but it reshaped the campus experience for athletes and fans while providing a practical, durable enhancement to multiple facilities.
If your school or organisation is looking to refresh its sports environment without diving into a major construction project, consider taking inspiration from Babson. A well-designed windscreen project can redefine the look and feel of your facilities in ways that matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does an athletic windscreen typically last?
Most high-quality windscreens last three to seven years depending on material and exposure.
2. Can windscreens be customised with logos or colours?
Yes. BigSigns.com specializes in full custom printing for school branding, sponsors, and team logos.
3. Does an athletic windscreen reduce wind significantly?
Mesh windscreens reduce wind minimally but provide visual privacy and a consistent playing backdrop.
4. Can I install windscreens myself?
Yes, smaller installations are DIY-friendly, but large installations benefit from professional alignment.
5. What sports benefit most from windscreens?
Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, tennis, and football practice fields all use windscreens for branding and facility enhancement.
