Introduction

Texas State University wanted to improve the appearance of its tennis complex without undertaking a major facility renovation. The university’s outdoor courts were positioned near a cliff where rocks, weeds, brush, and debris created an unattractive backdrop for athletes and spectators.

Texas State partnered with BIGSIGNS to install custom DuraMesh™ Custom Vinyl Mesh Banners around its tennis courts. The new athletic windscreens concealed the surrounding landscape, created a cleaner visual environment, and introduced Texas State branding without distracting players during competition.

What began as an aesthetic improvement ultimately gave the facility a stronger identity and a more professional atmosphere for athletes, coaches, fans, and visitors.

Ready to elevate your athletic facilities? Request a FREE Quote & Mock-Up and discover how BIGSIGNS can transform your venue with custom facility branding.

The Challenge

Texas State University’s tennis complex included eight outdoor courts situated at the base of a cliff, along with two indoor courts. Although the courts supported the needs of the university’s tennis program, the scenery outside the outdoor fencing diminished the overall appearance of the facility.

Rocks, weeds, brush, and accumulated debris were clearly visible beyond the courts. For spectators, the surrounding landscape created an unfinished backdrop. For the athletic department, it represented an opportunity to improve the environment through a relatively straightforward facility enhancement.

“It was not the most pleasing site,” said Tory Plunkett, Texas State University’s head women’s tennis coach. “There were some rocks and some weeds, so we thought if we wrap it around and cover it up, it’ll make the facility look a lot nicer.”

The university needed a solution that could screen the undesirable scenery while maintaining a functional playing environment.

That second requirement was especially important. Tennis players must be able to track a fast-moving ball against the background surrounding the court. Highly detailed graphics or visually distracting colors on the playing side of the fence could interfere with visibility during competition.

Texas State also needed the final design to align with university standards. Although the project was driven primarily by aesthetics rather than a larger athletic branding campaign, the facilities, athletics, and marketing departments all needed to contribute to the planning and approval process.

The challenge was therefore more complex than simply covering the fence. The university needed a coordinated athletic windscreen solution that improved appearance, supported playability, reflected Texas State’s identity, and fit the dimensions and operational details of the tennis complex.

The BIGSIGNS Solution

BIGSIGNS worked with Texas State to develop custom DuraMesh™ Custom Vinyl Mesh Banners for the university’s tennis facilities.

The primary objective was to conceal the rocks, weeds, brush, and debris visible outside the outdoor court fencing. Installing custom athletic windscreens created a cleaner visual perimeter and helped spectators focus on the facility and competition rather than the surrounding landscape.

Texas State’s name and logo were incorporated on the spectator-facing side of the graphics. This gave the complex a more recognizable university identity while reinforcing the professional appearance of the venue.

However, the design was intentionally different on the playing side.

To help athletes track the tennis ball during competition, the court-facing side was left without distracting imagery. This decision balanced branding with athletic performance and demonstrated the importance of designing sports graphics around how a facility is actually used.

“It was more about aesthetics and not as much for branding, but of course that played into it,” Plunkett explained. “What’s really cool about it is once it went up and was in place, the biggest aspect was the identity. That really came into play.”

BIGSIGNS maintained communication with the necessary stakeholders throughout the project. Athletics provided insight into player needs, facilities managed measurements and installation considerations, and marketing helped confirm that the graphics aligned with the university’s visual standards.

The full process extended through the fall semester, largely because the project required multiple approvals. That timeline reinforced the importance of beginning early and allowing enough time for design reviews, departmental feedback, production, and installation.

Products Used

• DuraMesh™ Custom Vinyl Mesh Banners

• BleacherSkin™ Bleacher Wraps

DuraMesh™ was the primary product documented for the tennis court installation. The original project information also lists BleacherSkin™ Bleacher Wraps among the products used, although it does not provide specific details about their location or application.

Project Highlights

• Ten tennis courts included in the overall project scope

• Eight outdoor courts positioned near a cliff

• Custom DuraMesh™ graphics installed around tennis court fencing

• Unsightly rocks, weeds, brush, and debris concealed from view

• Texas State name and logo displayed for spectators

• Court-facing surfaces kept visually simple for ball visibility

• Facilities, athletics, and marketing collaborated on the project

• Detailed measurements accounted for court access and ball-retrieval openings

• Graphics coordinated with broader court improvements

• Installation completed successfully after the approval process

The Results

The custom athletic windscreens transformed the atmosphere surrounding Texas State’s tennis courts.

Instead of looking beyond the fence at rocks, weeds, brush, and debris, spectators saw a clean visual perimeter featuring the Texas State name and logo. The change gave the facility a more polished appearance and made the courts feel more connected to the university’s athletic identity.

The improvement also benefited athletes. Because the player-facing side avoided distracting graphics, the design supported ball visibility while still creating a stronger branded experience for fans and visitors.

Although the project initially focused on improving aesthetics, the resulting sense of identity became one of its most important outcomes.

The reaction from athletes and coaches was positive. The windscreen project also complemented other facility improvements, including resurfaced courts and new scorecards, helping Texas State create a more complete and professional tennis environment.

Plunkett credited BIGSIGNS’ communication and attention to detail for the successful result.

“The communication was very nice,” she said, “and not only did it meet our expectations but it exceeded them with the results we received and the impact it made.”

The project demonstrated that a practical improvement does not need to involve major construction to change how a venue looks and feels. By addressing an unattractive perimeter, Texas State created a cleaner background, stronger university presence, and better experience for everyone using the tennis complex.

Lessons Learned

Design for the Sport, Not Just the Brand

Athletic graphics must support the way athletes use the facility.

For tennis courts, background contrast and visual simplicity can affect a player’s ability to track the ball. Texas State addressed this by displaying branding where spectators could appreciate it while keeping the playing side free of distracting imagery.

Schools should consider sightlines, movement, viewing distances, lighting, and gameplay before approving athletic windscreen designs.

Accurate Measurements Are Essential

Even a well-designed windscreen will not perform as intended if its dimensions are incorrect.

Texas State’s facilities manager carefully verified the measurements for every court. He also accounted for an opening that allowed athletes to retrieve balls hit over the fence.

“He really thought about it,” Plunkett said. “He did a phenomenal job with the measurements, and when we received the windscreens, everything went right up.”

Measurements should include fence sections, gates, posts, access points, elevation changes, and any openings that must remain functional.

Include Every Relevant Department

The project benefited from collaboration among facilities, athletics, and marketing.

Facilities personnel understood the physical site and installation requirements. Coaches and athletic staff understood competition needs. Marketing ensured the design reflected the university’s visual identity.

Bringing those perspectives together helped Texas State avoid overlooked details and develop a solution that worked operationally and visually.

Allow Time for Internal Approvals

The project lasted through the fall semester, primarily because multiple departments needed to review and approve the design.

Organizations planning custom athletic graphics should build approval time into the project schedule, especially when logos, colors, photography, or university brand standards are involved.

Starting early can reduce pressure and allow stakeholders to make thoughtful decisions before production.

Consider Both Sides of the Fence

A graphic may be viewed differently by spectators and athletes.

At Texas State, the spectator side became a branding opportunity, while the court-facing side required a quieter visual treatment. This type of double-sided planning can help a design serve multiple audiences without compromising performance.

Small Improvements Can Create Major Impact

The windscreen project did not require Texas State to rebuild its tennis complex. Instead, the university used an existing fence to address an unattractive view and strengthen the venue’s identity.

For schools working within limited budgets or phased facility plans, strategic graphics can produce a substantial visual improvement without major construction.

Why DuraMesh™ Custom Vinyl Mesh Banners?

DuraMesh™ Custom Vinyl Mesh Banners help schools and athletic programs transform exposed fencing into a cleaner, more professional facility feature.

At Texas State, the banners served two purposes. They screened the distracting landscape beyond the outdoor courts and created a branded perimeter featuring the university name and logo.

This combination of function and visual impact makes custom mesh graphics particularly useful for tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, football stadiums, practice facilities, and other fenced athletic environments.

Benefits include:

• Conceals unattractive scenery and visual distractions

• Creates a more finished athletic facility appearance

• Supports custom logos, colors, and university branding

• Helps define the identity of a sports venue

• Can be planned around athlete sightlines and competition needs

• Makes productive use of existing fencing

• Supports custom sizing for individual fence sections

• Complements phased facility improvement plans

• Enhances the experience for athletes and spectators

• Provides long-term branding value without major construction

The most successful athletic windscreen projects combine accurate measurements, sport-specific design, thoughtful material selection, and collaboration among all relevant stakeholders.

Why BIGSIGNS?

BIGSIGNS helps colleges, schools, parks departments, and sports organizations enhance athletic facilities through custom graphics designed around each venue’s appearance, operations, and branding goals.

With award-winning design, custom manufacturing, premium materials, nationwide facility branding experience, and a collaborative creative process, BIGSIGNS helps customers plan graphics that look professional and function effectively.

For Texas State, consistent communication and attention to small details helped turn a straightforward screening project into an athletic facility improvement that exceeded expectations.

Ready to Transform Your Facility?

An unattractive fence line or surrounding landscape does not have to define your athletic venue.

Custom DuraMesh™ Custom Vinyl Mesh Banners can conceal visual distractions, reinforce your organization’s identity, and create a more professional environment for athletes, fans, recruits, and visitors.

Request a FREE Mock-Up from BIGSIGNS and see how custom athletic windscreens could transform your tennis courts or sports facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can tennis windscreens include school logos and colors?

Yes. Custom tennis windscreens can incorporate approved school logos, colors, names, and other branding elements based on the facility’s goals and visual standards.

Should graphics appear on the court-facing side?

That depends on the sport, colors, sightlines, and design. For tennis, visually simple court-facing surfaces may help players track the ball without unnecessary distractions.

How should tennis court fencing be measured?

Measure each individual fence section and note gates, posts, access points, openings, and areas that must remain uncovered. Accurate measurements are essential for proper fit and installation.

Can athletic windscreens conceal unattractive scenery?

Yes. Custom mesh banners can help screen rocks, weeds, equipment areas, debris, and other undesirable views while giving the facility a cleaner appearance.

Which departments should participate in a windscreen project?

Facilities, athletics, and marketing or communications should typically be involved. Their combined input helps ensure proper measurements, brand consistency, practical installation, and sport-specific performance.