Introduction

Ohio University’s Convocation Center had already undergone a series of upgrades designed to modernize the fan and student-athlete experience. Even after improvements such as new video boards and broadcast-quality lighting, one highly visible opportunity remained above the arena floor.

The inner rings surrounding the catwalk were largely empty, leaving a substantial portion of the venue visually unfinished.

Ohio University partnered with BIGSIGNS to transform that overhead space with a custom Halo™ Banner Ringfeaturing school logos, colors, and timeless Bobcats messaging. The university also incorporated additional BIGSIGNS graphics into its broader athletic facility improvement plans, helping create a more polished environment at the arena and other prominent campus venues.

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The Challenge

Ohio University’s Convocation Center was more than 45 years old at the time of the project.

Although the facility’s age was not always obvious, maintaining a competitive arena required ongoing investment. The university was working through a five-year improvement plan that included incremental upgrades to concession stands, locker rooms, athletic offices, seating, and other visitor-facing areas.

The athletic department wanted each improvement to contribute to a more modern and exciting venue without requiring every change to be a major construction project.

One of the most noticeable opportunities was located high above the playing surface.

The inner rings of the catwalk surrounded the arena but offered little visual interest. The empty area made the upper portion of the Convocation Center feel incomplete, especially when compared with the updated technology and presentation elements closer to the floor.

Drake Bolon, Ohio University’s Director of Marketing and Sales, described the opportunity:

“One of our most unique projects was hanging graphics around the inner rings of the catwalk. We can’t say enough about how great they look, and they really fill in the arena and add in a great visual piece to space that was pretty empty for awhile.”

The project required more planning than its location might suggest.

Some banners measured as large as 10 feet in length, and the graphics needed to align correctly around a circular overhead structure. Even a small measurement error could affect spacing, visual continuity, and the finished appearance.

The university also expected the graphics to remain in place for many years. That made design selection especially important. The messaging needed to feel relevant well into the future rather than relying on coaches, athletes, or temporary campaign themes that could quickly become outdated.

The BIGSIGNS Solution

Ohio University selected BIGSIGNS to help turn the empty catwalk rings into a high-impact arena branding feature.

The primary solution was a custom Halo™ Banner Ring designed to wrap the inner rings of the Convocation Center catwalk. By using the existing overhead structure, the university gained a substantial branding surface without changing the arena’s architecture.

The graphics incorporated enduring elements of Ohio University athletics, including the school name, Bobcats identity, logos, and phrases connected to campus tradition. Messaging such as “Home of the Bobcats” and “Stand Up and Cheer,” a reference to the university fight song, helped reinforce school spirit throughout the arena.

The project required close attention to measurements, artwork placement, typography, and visual consistency. Because the banners followed the shape of the catwalk, every component needed to work both individually and as part of the complete ring.

Bolon explained how carefully the university approached the measurements:

“It was an instance of dotting all our i’s and crossing all our t’s. It was something we hadn’t done before in measuring something like that, and I can’t tell you how many times we went around and checked our measurements. If you were off by a couple of inches, it just wouldn’t look right out there.”

The arena graphics were one component of Ohio University’s broader facility enhancement program. BIGSIGNS graphics were also incorporated into other athletic spaces, including the football stadium façade, supporting a more consistent identity across prominent campus venues.

BIGSIGNS served as the facility-branding partner for these graphic improvements. The company did not construct or complete the Convocation Center’s broader renovations, lighting improvements, concession work, offices, locker rooms, seating, or other building upgrades.

Products Used

• Halo™ Banner Ring

• BleacherSkin™ Bleacher Wraps

• DuraLast™ Pole Banners

Project Highlights

• Custom graphics installed around the Convocation Center catwalk

• Halo™ Banner Ring used to transform underutilized overhead space

• Individual banner sections measuring up to 10 feet long

• Timeless Ohio University logos, colors, and spirit messaging

• Detailed measurements required for proper alignment

• Arena branding coordinated with broader facility improvements

• Additional graphics incorporated at the football stadium façade

• Positive early response from students and fans

• Design planned for long-term relevance

• Branding intended to support fan excitement and recruiting

The Results

The completed Halo™ Banner Ring gave the Convocation Center a stronger and more complete visual identity.

Instead of leaving the upper arena empty, Ohio University turned the catwalk into a continuous branding feature that added color, energy, and Bobcats pride above the competition floor.

The graphics helped connect the newly upgraded presentation elements throughout the venue. Video boards and improved lighting modernized the event experience, while the banner ring addressed a previously overlooked part of the arena.

The early response was highly positive.

Before many fans had seen the improvements in person, Ohio University shared a photo of the installation on Facebook. According to Bolon, it became the most-liked image in the history of the department’s page at that time.

The athletic department also shared a time-lapse video showing the installation process, generating additional views and comments from fans eager to see the completed venue.

Bolon said:

“They’re just clamoring to see the facility upgrades.”

The strong digital response showed that facility graphics can create excitement before the first game or event takes place. By sharing the project online, Ohio University extended the impact beyond the physical arena and allowed students, alumni, and supporters to participate in the transformation.

The arena’s updated appearance was expected to benefit several important audiences.

Fans gained a more energetic game-day setting. Student-athletes competed in an environment that felt more connected to the university’s identity. Recruits could see a program investing in the experience surrounding its teams, even within an established facility.

Bolon summarized the university’s enthusiasm:

“We’re very excited about this, and it’s going to be a big deal to our fans, students and student-athletes. We’re going to keep trying to make this great arena even better, and with this renovation the Convocation Center is going to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.”

Lessons Learned

Look Beyond the Most Obvious Branding Surfaces

Walls, floors, scoreboards, and entrances often receive the most attention during facility planning. Ohio University found a valuable branding opportunity around the arena catwalk.

Athletic departments should evaluate the entire venue, including overhead structures, railings, concourses, façade surfaces, fencing, seating areas, and other underused locations.

An unconventional surface can become one of the facility’s most memorable visual features.

Verify Every Measurement

Large graphics require accurate dimensions, especially when several panels must align across a curved or continuous structure.

Ohio University checked its measurements repeatedly because even a small discrepancy could disrupt the overall presentation.

Facilities should document dimensions carefully and account for attachment points, spacing, corners, structural interruptions, and the relationship between adjacent panels before artwork is finalized.

Design for the Viewing Distance

Graphics mounted high above an arena floor must remain legible from a significant distance.

Logos, phrases, typography, and major visual elements should be sized for spectators seated throughout the venue rather than evaluated only from a close-up design proof.

Simple, recognizable messaging often performs better than detailed artwork when viewed across a large interior space.

Choose Timeless Content

Ohio University expected the catwalk graphics to remain installed for more than 20 years.

That made longevity an important creative consideration. School names, logos, fight-song references, and enduring brand statements were safer long-term choices than images of individual coaches or athletes whose roles could change.

Schools planning permanent or long-term graphics should ask whether the design will still feel appropriate years after installation.

Coordinate Graphics With the Bigger Facility Plan

The Halo™ Banner Ring was one part of a broader, multi-year improvement strategy.

When graphics are coordinated with seating, lighting, video boards, locker rooms, concessions, and other facility upgrades, they can help unify changes completed at different times.

A facility branding plan allows each phase to build on the last rather than creating a collection of unrelated improvements.

Use Project Content to Build Excitement

Ohio University shared photos and a time-lapse installation video before most fans had entered the updated arena.

That content generated meaningful engagement and gave supporters a preview of the transformation.

Schools can extend the value of a facility project by documenting design, production, installation, and final reveal moments for social media, donor communication, recruiting, and alumni outreach.

Think Beyond Major Construction

The catwalk project demonstrated that a facility can feel significantly different without changing its basic structure.

Strategic graphics can fill empty space, reinforce identity, and modernize the visitor experience as part of a phased improvement program.

For schools with limited budgets or long capital timelines, high-visibility branding can provide immediate impact while larger projects continue to develop.

Why Halo™ Banner Ring?

Large arenas often contain valuable overhead space that is difficult to use effectively.

Halo™ Banner Ring graphics turn circular catwalks, suspended structures, and upper-level arena features into coordinated branding surfaces that can be seen throughout the venue.

The solution can help athletic departments:

• Fill visually empty overhead space

• Display logos, school colors, and spirit messaging

• Create a more complete arena appearance

• Reinforce identity from multiple viewing angles

• Build excitement among fans and student-athletes

• Support recruiting and donor presentations

• Coordinate branding with scoreboards, lighting, and seating

• Maximize existing structures without major construction

• Create long-term visual value from unused space

Because the design extends around an interior structure, a Halo™ Banner Ring can create a continuous visual element rather than a collection of disconnected signs.

For Ohio University, the product provided an inventive way to improve an aging arena while respecting the existing architecture. The graphics filled a previously empty area and helped the Convocation Center feel more modern, energetic, and connected to the Bobcats brand.

Why BleacherSkin™ Bleacher Wraps?

Bleachers and seating structures can occupy a substantial portion of an athletic venue’s visual field.

BleacherSkin™ Bleacher Wraps help transform these functional surfaces into branded displays that reinforce school identity and improve the finished appearance of a facility.

They can support logos, school colors, spirit messaging, sponsor recognition, and coordinated arena or stadium branding. When used as part of a larger graphics plan, bleacher wraps can help connect seating areas with other visual elements throughout the venue.

Why DuraLast™ Pole Banners?

Exterior walkways, entrances, parking areas, and approaches to athletic facilities help shape the visitor experience before fans enter the venue.

DuraLast™ Pole Banners provide an opportunity to extend athletic branding into those areas and create a more consistent arrival experience.

Custom pole banners can display school logos, colors, event messaging, team recognition, and other approved graphics. They are especially effective when coordinated with arena, stadium, and campus branding systems.

Why BIGSIGNS?

BIGSIGNS helps schools, universities, athletic departments, arenas, and sports organizations transform facilities through custom graphics and coordinated branding.

Each project combines award-winning design, custom manufacturing, premium materials, nationwide experience, facility-branding expertise, collaborative design support, and high-quality customer service.

BIGSIGNS works with customers to identify underused surfaces, evaluate viewing conditions, plan accurate measurements, and develop graphics that support school identity, fan engagement, recruiting, and long-term facility goals.

At Ohio University, that approach helped transform an empty overhead structure into a distinctive arena branding feature.

Ready to Transform Your Facility?

Your facility may already contain the perfect surface for its next major visual improvement.

Request a FREE Mock-Up today and see how Halo™ Banner Ring graphics, BleacherSkin™ Bleacher Wraps, DuraLast™ Pole Banners, and other BIGSIGNS solutions can turn overlooked spaces into powerful expressions of your brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Halo™ Banner Ring?

A Halo™ Banner Ring is a custom graphic system designed to add coordinated branding around circular or suspended structures such as arena catwalks and overhead rings.

What types of graphics work best in an arena catwalk?

Large logos, school names, short spirit messages, and other timeless brand elements are typically easier to read from long distances and remain relevant over time.

Why are accurate measurements important for banner rings?

Each banner section must align with adjacent panels and fit the structure correctly. Even small measurement errors can affect spacing, continuity, and the overall finished appearance.

Can arena graphics be coordinated with other facility products?

Yes. Catwalk graphics can be coordinated with bleacher wraps, pole banners, wall graphics, scoreboard graphics, entrance branding, and other facility elements.

How can schools make long-term graphics feel timeless?

Use enduring brand elements such as approved logos, school colors, institutional names, fight-song references, and established spirit messaging rather than individuals or temporary campaigns.