Del Valle High School Wall Graphics Makeover

Introduction

Del Valle High School wanted its athletic wing to reflect the energy, pride, and expectations of Cardinal athletics. Instead, students and visitors were met by long stretches of plain white walls that felt more institutional than inspiring.

After introducing a new Cardinal logo, the Texas school partnered with BIGSIGNS to bring that identity into the facility through custom ClipGrip™ Wall Graphics and coordinated athletic branding. Sixteen large graphic displays featuring school imagery and motivational messaging transformed the high-traffic hallways into a more engaging environment for athletes, students, faculty, alumni, and visitors.

The project gave Del Valle a practical, budget-conscious way to strengthen school branding while creating a visible daily reminder of the values behind its athletic programs.

The Challenge

Before the makeover, the walls throughout Del Valle High School’s athletic wing were dull, empty, and largely disconnected from the school’s athletic identity.

Girls Athletic Director Tawni Angel compared the appearance to an old hospital. The white hallways served their functional purpose, but they did little to celebrate Cardinal athletics, motivate student-athletes, or communicate the importance of sports within the school community.

The challenge was especially noticeable because the athletic wing was not used exclusively by athletes. Students who did not participate in sports regularly passed through the same hallways, making the space an important opportunity to share the athletic department’s pride and values with a broader audience.

Del Valle initially considered painting the walls or filling them with photographs and other decorative elements. However, the athletic department recognized that covering the large amount of available wall space through those methods could become time-consuming and difficult to coordinate.

The school also needed to work within a realistic budget. Like many athletic departments, Del Valle had to balance facility improvements with other program priorities, reallocate available funds, and seek donations to help complete the project.

At the same time, the school had recently developed a new Cardinal logo. The athletic department wanted to introduce that identity thoughtfully rather than simply placing it on a wall without broader input or a cohesive plan.

The opportunity was to create a polished visual system that could:

  • Liven up the athletic wing

  • Introduce the new Cardinal identity

  • Motivate student-athletes

  • Build pride across the school

  • Fit within the available budget

  • Cover substantial wall space efficiently

The BIGSIGNS Solution

Del Valle High School partnered with BIGSIGNS to create a coordinated athletic wall graphics plan that would make a strong visual impact without requiring major structural changes.

The planning and design process lasted approximately two to three months. During that time, BIGSIGNS worked closely with Angel and the school to refine the project, organize the selected ideas, and develop graphics that aligned with Del Valle’s identity and budget.

Collaboration played a central role. Coaches and students were invited to contribute ideas for the graphics, including motivational phrases that represented the work ethic, attitude, and standards the athletic department wanted to encourage.

The strongest concepts were shared with BIGSIGNS, which helped translate them into eye-catching designs featuring the school name, Cardinal logo, and motivational messaging.

Regular communication ensured that the school remained involved throughout the process. Angel recalled exchanging more than 100 emails and phone calls with BIGSIGNS while the plans were being finalized. That detailed coordination helped Del Valle feel confident that the finished graphics would accurately represent its goals.

The resulting installation included 16 graphic displays throughout the athletic wing. ClipGrip™ Wall Graphics gave the school a practical way to introduce large-scale branding across the previously empty hallways and create a more professional visual experience.

The supplied project information also identifies BrandPad™ Gym Pads among the products used. Together, these branded facility elements supported a more unified athletic environment and helped carry the Cardinal identity beyond a single wall or display.

BIGSIGNS did not renovate or construct the athletic wing. Its role was to enhance the existing school facility through custom graphics and athletic branding.

Products Used

The Del Valle High School athletic branding project included:

  • ClipGrip™ Wall Graphics

  • BrandPad™ Gym Pads

The athletic wing featured 16 coordinated graphic displays incorporating school branding and motivational messaging.

Project Highlights

  • Athletic wing hallway transformation

  • Sixteen custom graphic displays

  • New Cardinal logo integration

  • Motivational messaging for student-athletes

  • Input from athletes and coaches

  • Collaboration with faculty and administrators

  • Budget-conscious facility improvement

  • Branding visible to the broader student population

  • Graphics completed in time for the fall semester

  • Foundation for future stadium and field branding

The Results

The athletic wall graphics created an immediate improvement in the appearance and atmosphere of Del Valle High School’s athletic wing.

What had previously been a series of plain white hallways became a coordinated branded environment that celebrated Cardinal athletics. The school name, new logo, and motivational phrases gave the space more energy while reinforcing the standards Del Valle wanted its student-athletes to represent.

The transformation also influenced how students felt about the area.

“They love it, and they’re very territorial about that area.”

Angel initially worried that the graphics might be damaged because they were installed in busy school hallways. Instead, student-athletes took ownership of the space and made an effort to protect the displays.

That sense of responsibility reflected the larger success of the project. The graphics were not simply decorations added by the administration. Athletes, coaches, faculty members, school leaders, and other stakeholders had contributed to the process, creating broader support for the final result.

The impact extended beyond current students. Alumni returning to Del Valle noticed the change and responded positively to the improved appearance.

“They take good care of those banners, and there are a lot of alumni who come back and are in awe that these things look so nice.”

The graphics also helped introduce the new Cardinal logo in a more deliberate and memorable way. Rather than unveiling the updated identity without context, Del Valle incorporated it into a facility project supported by the school board, superintendent, coaches, athletes, faculty, and administration.

Angel credited that inclusive process with helping the project succeed.

“It’s really been a morale boost for these students. And because so many people were involved—the athletes, coaches, faculty and administration—it really was a successful project.”

The athletic wing makeover also established momentum for future facility branding. Del Valle began considering new signage and athletic windscreens for its football stadium, with the possibility of similar improvements at its baseball and softball fields.

Lessons Learned

Begin With a Clear Branding Goal

Del Valle’s project was not simply about filling empty walls. The school wanted to introduce a new Cardinal logo, motivate athletes, and strengthen pride throughout the athletic department.

Defining those objectives early helped guide the messaging and design process. Schools should decide what they want a space to communicate before selecting imagery, slogans, or products.

Involve the Entire School Community

Del Valle invited coaches, athletes, faculty members, administrators, the superintendent, and the school board into the process.

This broad involvement created stronger support for the finished graphics and helped ensure the project represented the school rather than one individual or department.

Use Student and Coach Input Strategically

The motivational phrases displayed in the athletic wing came from ideas contributed by people connected to the programs.

Inviting participation can produce more authentic messaging, but schools should still organize and narrow the suggestions before design begins. Sending the strongest ideas to a professional design partner keeps the final environment cohesive.

Maintain Regular Communication

The extensive communication between Del Valle and BIGSIGNS helped prevent uncertainty and kept the school involved throughout the project.

Facility branding often includes several design decisions, including logo placement, messaging, scale, visual hierarchy, and installation location. Consistent communication helps customers understand each step and reduces the likelihood of surprises.

Plan Around the Budget

Del Valle funded the project by reallocating money from different accounts and receiving donations.

Schools do not always need to complete every facility improvement at once. A phased strategy can begin with high-traffic, high-impact areas and expand to stadiums, fields, gymnasiums, and other locations as funding becomes available.

Prioritize High-Traffic Spaces

The athletic wing was used by athletes and non-athletes alike, giving the graphics exposure to a large portion of the school community.

Hallways, entrances, locker room approaches, gym corridors, and common areas often provide valuable opportunities to reinforce school identity throughout the day.

Consider Long-Term Ownership

Angel’s concern about possible damage proved unfounded because students viewed the branded area with pride and took care of it.

When athletes are included in the process and recognize themselves in the finished environment, graphics can encourage a greater sense of ownership and respect for the facility.

Why ClipGrip™ Wall Graphics?

Large, empty walls can make an athletic facility feel unfinished, even when the surrounding programs are successful.

ClipGrip™ Wall Graphics help schools turn underused wall space into a professional branding environment. Custom designs can feature school logos, team imagery, motivational language, program values, historical achievements, or other approved content.

For athletic wings, hallways, gyms, locker room approaches, and common areas, wall graphics can help:

  • Replace plain walls with high-impact branding

  • Reinforce school colors and logos

  • Introduce a new athletic identity

  • Motivate student-athletes

  • Improve the visitor and alumni experience

  • Create a more professional facility appearance

  • Communicate program values

  • Build a consistent identity across multiple spaces

Del Valle used ClipGrip™ Wall Graphics to cover significant hallway space more efficiently than a collection of unrelated photographs or decorative items. The coordinated designs made the athletic wing feel intentional, energetic, and connected to Cardinal athletics.

Why BrandPad™ Gym Pads?

Gym padding is an important functional element, but it can also contribute to the overall appearance of an athletic facility.

BrandPad™ Gym Pads give schools the opportunity to combine practical facility needs with custom branding. Logos, colors, messaging, and approved graphics can help protective padding coordinate with wall graphics and other athletic signage.

When used as part of a larger branding plan, gym pads can strengthen visual consistency and turn another necessary surface into a meaningful expression of school identity.

Why BIGSIGNS?

BIGSIGNS helps schools, universities, parks departments, sports venues, and athletic organizations transform ordinary facility surfaces into professional branded environments.

The BIGSIGNS process combines award-winning design, custom manufacturing, premium materials, nationwide experience, and close customer collaboration. Each project is developed around the organization’s facility, goals, approved identity, timeline, and budget.

From athletic wall graphics and gym pads to locker room graphics, windscreens, banners, bleacher wraps, and stadium signage, BIGSIGNS can support a single-space improvement or a phased campus-wide branding program.

For Del Valle High School, that collaborative process helped turn empty hallways into an environment that athletes respected, alumni admired, and the entire school community could support.

Ready to Transform Your Facility?

Your athletic spaces should communicate the pride, discipline, and identity of your programs.

Whether you are refreshing an athletic hallway, introducing a new logo, improving a gym, or planning a larger school branding initiative, BIGSIGNS can help you turn plain surfaces into meaningful visual experiences.

Request a FREE Mock-Up today and see how custom wall graphics and coordinated athletic branding can energize your facility, motivate students, and bring your school identity to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can athletic wall graphics include school logos and motivational phrases?

Yes. Custom graphics can incorporate approved logos, colors, program values, motivational messaging, athletic imagery, and other school-specific design elements.

Are wall graphics suitable for high-traffic school hallways?

Wall graphics can be used in busy athletic wings and corridors when the product, placement, and installation method are properly matched to the facility. Schools should also consider traffic patterns and ongoing care during planning.

How should a school begin planning an athletic hallway makeover?

Start by identifying the branding goals, priority locations, approved logos, preferred messaging, available budget, and stakeholders who should participate in the process.

Can a facility branding project be completed in phases?

Yes. Schools can begin with high-impact areas such as athletic hallways or gym entrances and add locker room graphics, windscreens, banners, field signage, and other products over time.

Can BIGSIGNS coordinate graphics across different athletic facilities?

Yes. BIGSIGNS can help develop a unified visual strategy for hallways, gymnasiums, stadiums, baseball and softball fields, locker rooms, and other athletic spaces.