Bradley University Stadium Graphics Makeover

Introduction

Bradley University has built a proud athletic tradition dating back to the school’s founding in 1897. With 15 NCAA Division I teams competing in the Missouri Valley Conference, the university wanted its athletic facilities to reflect the strength, history, and growing visibility of the Bradley Braves.

The softball and soccer venues offered an immediate branding opportunity. Both facilities were surrounded by exposed chain-link fencing that served a practical purpose but did little to communicate school pride or create a memorable game-day environment.

Bradley University partnered with BIGSIGNS to transform those ordinary fence lines into custom stadium graphics featuring school colors, logos, photography, championship recognition, and program-specific messaging. DuraMesh™ Custom Vinyl Mesh Banners became the foundation of the project, supported by PressBoxWraps™ and Duraflex™ Scoreboard Wraps as part of the university’s broader athletic branding strategy.

The result was a more polished and recognizable environment that enclosed the venues, strengthened the Bradley identity, celebrated athletic achievements, and created a visual system that could extend across multiple facilities.

BIGSIGNS did not construct or renovate Bradley University’s athletic venues. Instead, the project demonstrates how strategic custom graphics can enhance existing fields, fences, scoreboards, and press boxes without requiring major structural changes.

The Challenge

Bradley University’s athletic programs continued to grow in visibility and achievement, but portions of the softball and soccer facilities did not yet reflect the caliber of the teams competing there.

Bare chain-link fences surrounded both venues. Although functional, the fencing created an unfinished appearance and provided little connection to the Bradley Braves brand.

Associate Athletic Director for Communications Bobby Parker recognized that these highly visible surfaces could serve a much larger purpose.

Bradley did not want to install ordinary mesh screening simply to cover the fences. The university wanted the graphics to communicate everything that made the athletic program distinctive, including:

  • Bradley University colors

  • The Braves logo and visual identity

  • Athlete and program photography

  • Conference and championship recognition

  • The history and tradition of Bradley athletics

  • A consistent theme that could extend to other facilities

The project also needed to address several different audiences. Students, athletes, coaches, fans, boosters, alumni, recruits, visitors, and opposing teams would all encounter the graphics.

Bradley’s challenge was to create a professional stadium branding system that improved the appearance of the venues while telling a meaningful story about the programs that competed there.

The BIGSIGNS Solution

Bobby Parker contacted BIGSIGNS to explore how custom stadium graphics could elevate the softball and soccer facilities.

BIGSIGNS worked directly with Parker to understand Bradley University’s branding goals and identify the visual elements that mattered most. The project focused on transforming the existing chain-link fencing with custom DuraMesh™ Custom Vinyl Mesh Banners.

Rather than treating the project as simple fence coverage, BIGSIGNS approached the graphics as an opportunity to build a recognizable Bradley environment.

Project Manager Paul VanDusen collaborated with Parker to develop a cohesive “Bradley” look that incorporated school colors, logos, photography, championships, and program achievements. The design established a common theme that could be used across multiple athletic facilities, helping each venue feel connected to the larger Bradley Braves identity.

The DuraMesh™ graphics served both a practical and visual purpose. They helped enclose the venues while turning long stretches of fencing into prominent branded displays seen by athletes, spectators, campus visitors, and passersby.

As Parker explained:

Bobby Parker, Associate Athletic Director for Communications
“While the windscreen project serves the practical purpose of enclosing the venue, the graphic displays provide the opportunity to showcase the championship caliber program for thousands of eyes daily.”

The project also included PressBoxWraps™ and Duraflex™ Scoreboard Wraps, giving Bradley additional opportunities to create coordinated branding on prominent stadium structures.

Together, the products helped establish a more complete athletic environment rather than a collection of disconnected graphics.

Products Used

The Bradley University stadium branding project included:

  • DuraMesh™ Custom Vinyl Mesh Banners

  • PressBoxWraps™

  • Duraflex™ Scoreboard Wraps

These products supported a coordinated branding strategy across athletic fencing, press boxes, scoreboards, and other highly visible venue features.

Project Highlights

  • NCAA Division I athletic facility branding

  • Custom graphics for Bradley University softball and soccer venues

  • DuraMesh™ graphics installed along existing chain-link fencing

  • School colors, logos, photography, and championship recognition incorporated into the design

  • Coordinated visual theme created for use across multiple facilities

  • Press box and scoreboard branding included in the broader project

  • Graphics designed for fans, athletes, recruits, alumni, and campus visitors

  • Practical fence coverage combined with high-impact visual storytelling

  • Public recognition of team achievements and program history

The Results

The completed stadium graphics gave Bradley University’s softball and soccer facilities a more professional, distinctive, and unified appearance.

Previously exposed chain-link fences became large-format visual displays that immediately communicated where the games were being played and which program the venues represented.

The graphics also gave Bradley a public platform for celebrating championships, team accomplishments, and athletic tradition. Rather than keeping that history limited to trophy cases or internal spaces, the university placed it where athletes, fans, recruits, visitors, and community members could experience it every day.

The new branding strengthened the connection between the facilities and the Bradley Braves identity. It also helped the university establish a repeatable visual theme that could support future stadium graphics and facility improvements.

Parker reported that the response was highly positive:

Bobby Parker, Associate Athletic Director for Communications
“The windscreens have been very well received and we continue to get compliments on the displays.”

The project created benefits beyond appearance. For student-athletes, the graphics served as a visible reminder of the programs, achievements, and traditions they represented.

Bradley Soccer’s “Leave a Legacy” philosophy became especially meaningful when player accomplishments were displayed throughout the venue.

Bobby Parker, Associate Athletic Director for Communications
“The Bradley Soccer program is built on a foundation of ‘Leave a Legacy’ and the players are proud to have their accomplishments recognized in such a public fashion.”

By surrounding the fields with school identity and championship recognition, Bradley created an environment that reinforced pride for current athletes while honoring those who helped build the programs.

Lessons Learned

Develop the Branding Vision Before Designing the Graphics

A successful stadium graphics project begins with a clear understanding of what the facility should communicate.

Bradley wanted more than fence coverage. The university wanted the graphics to represent its colors, logos, athletes, history, championships, and overall athletic identity.

Defining those priorities early helped BIGSIGNS develop a design theme that could work across several products and venues.

Use One Theme Across Multiple Athletic Facilities

When every field or building follows a different visual style, the athletic department can feel fragmented.

Bradley created a common design language that could extend beyond the softball and soccer venues. Consistent colors, graphic treatments, typography, and imagery helped establish a recognizable Bradley Braves experience.

Plan Important Details for Long Viewing Distances

Championship rings, trophies, logos, and other recognition elements may appear large during the design process but look smaller once installed across a field or stadium.

Parker noted that he would have made the rings and trophies larger if completing the project again.

This insight is valuable for future customers: important design elements should be evaluated according to their actual viewing distance. Graphics viewed from seating areas, roads, fields, or opposite fence lines often need larger images and simpler layouts than graphics viewed up close.

Prioritize the Story, Not Just the Surface

Fence graphics are most effective when they communicate something meaningful.

Bradley used the available space to recognize championships, showcase athletes, reinforce program values, and celebrate its identity. This approach created a stronger emotional connection than a repetitive logo pattern alone.

Design for Multiple Audiences

Athletic graphics influence more than game-day spectators.

Student-athletes, coaches, recruits, alumni, boosters, campus visitors, opposing teams, and community members may all see the finished installation. Understanding these audiences helps determine which messages, accomplishments, and images deserve the greatest prominence.

Consider Future Achievements

Championship recognition graphics should support future growth whenever possible.

Bradley viewed the project as part of an evolving athletic story. As Parker said when discussing the scale of the rings and trophies:

“Here’s hoping to add to those totals in the very near future.”

Schools and universities planning similar projects should consider how new achievements may be incorporated into future graphics or facility branding phases.

Pay Attention to Every Detail

Accurate logos, approved colors, image quality, placement, scale, and viewing direction all influence the finished result.

Parker summarized the planning process clearly:

“Developing a vision and then determining how that vision can be portrayed to the public is important. And always pay attention to the details.”

Why DuraMesh™ Custom Vinyl Mesh Banners?

Chain-link fencing surrounds many softball fields, soccer fields, baseball fields, stadiums, and athletic complexes. While these fences serve an important operational purpose, they also create one of the largest available branding surfaces in a sports facility.

DuraMesh™ Custom Vinyl Mesh Banners help transform exposed fencing into a professional display that can support both practical venue coverage and school branding.

Custom athletic fence graphics can help organizations:

  • Establish a stronger home-field identity

  • Display school colors, logos, photography, and messaging

  • Recognize championships and program accomplishments

  • Improve the appearance of existing chain-link fencing

  • Create a more complete game-day environment

  • Strengthen school spirit and athlete pride

  • Make facilities more memorable for recruits and visitors

  • Coordinate branding across several sports venues

  • Maximize existing facility surfaces without structural renovation

For Bradley University, DuraMesh™ graphics provided a flexible way to surround its softball and soccer facilities with school spirit while sharing the history and achievements of the Braves.

Why Combine Fence, Press Box, and Scoreboard Graphics?

A branded fence can transform the perimeter of a field, but the strongest stadium environments use several prominent surfaces together.

PressBoxWraps™ allow schools and universities to turn press boxes into recognizable stadium landmarks. Duraflex™ Scoreboard Wraps help extend school colors, logos, sponsor recognition, or program messaging to another major focal point.

When fence graphics, press box wraps, and scoreboard graphics use one coordinated design system, the venue feels more intentional and professional from every viewing direction.

Organizations planning similar projects may benefit from exploring athletic windscreen products, fence graphic collections, scoreboard branding, press box wraps, measuring guides, installation resources, and related Facility Makeover pages.

Why BIGSIGNS?

BIGSIGNS partners with schools, colleges, athletic departments, parks, recreation facilities, and sports venues nationwide to enhance existing facilities through custom branding and graphics.

The team combines award-winning design, collaborative planning, custom manufacturing, premium materials, nationwide experience, and responsive customer service.

From DuraMesh™ Custom Vinyl Mesh Banners and PressBoxWraps™ to scoreboard graphics, wall graphics, banners, and complete athletic facility branding programs, each project is developed around the customer’s identity, venue, audience, and goals.

Whether the opportunity involves one fence line or a coordinated multi-facility branding initiative, BIGSIGNS helps customers turn ordinary surfaces into environments that inspire pride and create lasting recognition.

Ready to Transform Your Facility?

Bare fences and unbranded stadium surfaces do not have to define the experience of your athletic program.

Custom fence graphics, press box wraps, scoreboard branding, and coordinated stadium displays can turn existing facility features into powerful expressions of school identity, athletic tradition, and championship pride.

Request a FREE Mock-Up from BIGSIGNS and see how your colors, logos, photography, achievements, and messaging could transform your athletic facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can athletic fence graphics include school logos and photographs?

Yes. Custom graphics can incorporate approved school logos, colors, photography, program messaging, and championship recognition based on the project’s design goals.

Can fence graphics be used at more than one athletic venue?

Yes. A coordinated design system can be adapted across softball, soccer, baseball, football, tennis, and other athletic facilities while maintaining a consistent school identity.

What should be considered when designing championship graphics?

Viewing distance, image scale, contrast, available fence space, and room for future achievements should all be considered. Important rings, trophies, dates, and titles should be large enough to remain visible from the intended viewing areas.

Can fence graphics coordinate with press box and scoreboard branding?

Yes. Coordinating DuraMesh™ graphics with PressBoxWraps™, Duraflex™ Scoreboard Wraps, banners, and other stadium graphics can create a more complete and professional venue.

Does BIGSIGNS construct or renovate athletic facilities?

No. BIGSIGNS enhances existing athletic facilities through custom graphics and branding products. Construction, structural renovation, and other capital improvements are separate from the facility branding services provided by BIGSIGNS.