Introduction

California State University Stanislaus wanted its athletic facilities to communicate the same level of commitment, pride, and professionalism that its coaches and student-athletes brought to competition.

As part of a broader renovation of the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms, the university partnered with BIGSIGNS to strengthen its athletic identity through custom WallskinPSV™ Locker Room Graphics and a MojoMat™ Custom Floor Mat.

The finished spaces replaced an outdated, worn appearance with more polished and motivating environments. The new branding helped California State University Stanislaus create locker rooms that student-athletes could take pride in while giving coaches more impressive spaces to show prospective recruits.

The Challenge

When Athletic Director Michael Matoso began evaluating the university’s athletic facilities, the basketball locker rooms were in clear need of improvement.

The women’s locker room included worn carpet, cold metal lockers, and aging furniture. The overall appearance did not reflect the university’s commitment to its student-athletes or create the kind of environment coaches wanted to present during recruiting visits.

At the same time, the athletic department’s visual identity was still developing. Matoso described the existing branding as being in an “elementary state” and wanted to create a more consistent, professional image across the university’s athletic programs.

The challenge extended beyond improving two rooms. California State University Stanislaus needed a long-term facility branding strategy that could strengthen school pride, support recruiting, and guide future upgrades across multiple venues.

Facilities are among the most visible signs of an institution’s investment in athletics. Prospective student-athletes evaluate more than coaching staffs and competitive records. They also notice the condition, appearance, and atmosphere of the spaces they may use every day.

For California State University Stanislaus, the opportunity was to complement the planned locker room renovations with custom athletic graphics that made the improvements feel complete.

The BIGSIGNS Solution

Matoso began working with BIGSIGNS during the summer of 2012 to develop a broader strategy for rebranding the athletic department.

Rather than focusing only on a single wall or room, BIGSIGNS spent several days on campus taking measurements throughout multiple athletic facilities. This comprehensive approach gave the university information it could use for immediate projects while also supporting future facility branding plans.

For the renovated men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms, BIGSIGNS provided WallskinPSV™ Locker Room Graphics designed to strengthen the university’s identity within the spaces used most frequently by student-athletes.

The custom graphics complemented the university’s investment in new flooring, seating, lockers, and video equipment. BIGSIGNS did not construct or renovate the locker rooms; its role was to elevate the completed spaces through custom branding elements that helped connect the improvements to the athletic program’s identity.

A MojoMat™ Custom Floor Mat added another branded touchpoint, reinforcing the university’s image from the moment athletes, recruits, and visitors entered the space.

The project demonstrated how environmental graphics can help bring a renovation together. New fixtures and finishes improved the function and comfort of the locker rooms, while the branded graphics gave the spaces a stronger sense of purpose, personality, and school pride.

Products Used

The California State University Stanislaus locker room branding project included:

• WallskinPSV™ Locker Room Graphics

• MojoMat™ Custom Floor Mat

These products helped the university add a professional athletic identity to the newly improved basketball locker rooms.

Project Highlights

• Men’s and women’s basketball locker room branding

• NCAA university athletic facility enhancement

• Custom WallskinPSV™ Locker Room Graphics

• Branded MojoMat™ Custom Floor Mat

• Recruiting-focused athletic environment

• Coordinated planning for future facility improvements

• Campus measurements collected for long-term branding

• Branding integrated with new lockers, seating, flooring, and video equipment

The Results

The renovated and branded locker rooms created an immediate change in how student-athletes experienced the facilities.

The previous spaces had felt worn, uncomfortable, and disconnected from the image the university wanted to project. After the renovations and branding enhancements, athletes entered environments that felt more polished, modern, and representative of the institution’s investment in their programs.

Matoso said the response from student-athletes was highly positive.

“The student-athletes absolutely loved it. Our athletes have stopped me and said thank you because it looks so amazing. It makes them feel good about themselves and what they’re walking into.”

That reaction illustrates one of the most important benefits of athletic facility branding: it can affect how athletes feel about their program every day.

The upgraded locker rooms also created stronger recruiting environments. Coaches gained facilities they could confidently show prospective players, while the university gained another way to demonstrate its commitment to the overall student-athlete experience.

As Matoso explained:

“Part of it was branding, and the other part is with today’s kids, your locker room is such a big part of recruiting and having a facility that coaches can show off.”

The project also helped establish a foundation for future athletic facility improvements. Because BIGSIGNS measured several locations during its campus visit, California State University Stanislaus could continue planning additional branding upgrades as budgets and priorities allowed.

Rather than approaching every project independently, the university gained a clearer path toward a more unified athletic identity.

Lessons Learned

Develop a Campus-Wide Plan Early

One of the most valuable decisions California State University Stanislaus made was looking beyond the immediate locker room project.

By measuring and evaluating multiple athletic facilities at the beginning of the process, the university created a resource for future upgrades. This approach can reduce repeated planning work and help ensure that new graphics fit within a larger branding strategy.

Combine Facility Improvements with Branding

New lockers, floors, seating, and technology can improve function, but environmental graphics help give the finished space its identity.

Athletic departments planning renovations should consider branding early so graphics, colors, logos, and messaging feel integrated rather than added as an afterthought.

Prioritize Spaces Used in Recruiting

Locker rooms are among the most important spaces prospective student-athletes see during campus visits.

Professionally branded locker rooms can demonstrate institutional investment, reinforce team culture, and help recruits imagine themselves as part of the program.

Take Time to Understand Athlete Needs

Matoso emphasized the importance of determining what would best serve the university’s students before making final decisions.

Every facility has different users, priorities, and limitations. Athletic directors should consider how each space functions, who sees it, and what message it should communicate before selecting graphics or finishes.

Plan Improvements in Phases

Major athletic facility upgrades can be expensive. California State University Stanislaus used donations and long-term budgeting to support its projects over time.

A phased facility branding plan allows schools to begin with high-impact spaces while maintaining a consistent vision for future improvements.

Use Branding to Change the Facility Experience

The value of custom athletic graphics extends beyond appearance.

A well-branded environment can create a different feeling for athletes, recruits, fans, and visitors. As Matoso noted, thoughtful facility improvements can create a new “vibe” when people attend events or enter athletic spaces.

Why WallskinPSV™ Locker Room Graphics?

Locker rooms are central to team preparation, culture, and recruiting. They are places where athletes gather before competition, review strategy, build relationships, and represent their program.

WallskinPSV™ Locker Room Graphics help transform plain or outdated walls into professional branded environments that communicate pride and purpose.

Custom locker room graphics can feature school colors, logos, motivational messaging, program history, and other visual elements that support a team’s identity. They provide athletic departments with an opportunity to maximize existing wall space without relying on major structural changes.

For colleges, high schools, and sports organizations, WallskinPSV™ Locker Room Graphics can help:

• Create a more professional athletic environment

• Reinforce school and team identity

• Improve recruiting presentations

• Motivate student-athletes

• Complement locker room renovations

• Turn underused wall space into valuable branding

• Create a more memorable first impression

• Support consistent branding across multiple facilities

Wall graphics can also be coordinated with floor mats, signage, championship displays, and other athletic graphics to create a complete visual system.

Why BIGSIGNS?

BIGSIGNS helps colleges, universities, schools, and sports organizations enhance athletic environments through custom facility branding and professionally designed graphics.

The BIGSIGNS process combines award-winning design, custom manufacturing, premium materials, detailed measurement planning, and collaborative project support. This allows athletic departments to create solutions tailored to their facilities, programs, budgets, and long-term branding goals.

From locker rooms and weight rooms to arenas, stadiums, gyms, fences, hallways, and spectator areas, BIGSIGNS can help organizations develop a consistent identity across one space or an entire athletic campus.

California State University Stanislaus benefited from this broader approach. The immediate locker room project delivered visible improvements, while the campus-wide measurements supported future planning and expansion.

Ready to Transform Your Facility?

Your locker rooms should reflect the pride, ambition, and identity of your athletic program.

Whether you are completing a renovation, improving an outdated space, preparing for recruiting visits, or developing a broader campus branding strategy, BIGSIGNS can help bring your vision to life with custom athletic graphics.

Request a FREE Mock-Up today and see how WallskinPSV™ Locker Room Graphics and other BIGSIGNS facility branding solutions can help create a more professional, inspiring, and memorable athletic environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can locker room graphics be added during a renovation?

Yes. Athletic departments can coordinate custom wall graphics with new lockers, flooring, seating, lighting, and other improvements. Planning graphics early helps create a more cohesive finished space.

Do locker room graphics help with recruiting?

Professionally branded locker rooms can create a stronger first impression and help demonstrate a school’s commitment to its athletic programs and student-athlete experience.

Can WallskinPSV™ Locker Room Graphics include school logos and colors?

Yes. Graphics can be customized to reflect the school’s approved colors, logos, messaging, and overall athletic identity.

Can BIGSIGNS help plan branding for multiple facilities?

Yes. BIGSIGNS can evaluate and measure several athletic spaces as part of a larger facility branding plan, allowing projects to be completed in phases as priorities and budgets permit.

What other products can complement locker room wall graphics?

Custom floor mats, championship displays, weight room graphics, hallway graphics, banners, and other athletic signage can be coordinated with locker room graphics to create a unified facility experience.

The page can also be adjusted to feature a more product-focused H1 or place greater emphasis on recruiting and locker room transformation.