West Virginia University Puskar Center
Case Study
College football recruiting gets more competitive every year. For universities that want to attract the top talent in the country, they must create a memorable recruiting experience.
Programs need to start investing in a personalized recruiting experience in their facilities. By leveraging technology, creating an immersive experience allows the athlete to feel like there is a place specifically reserved for them in the program.
BrightTree Studios’ Principal, David Vargo says, “We are seeing the new generations of students embrace technology in very creative ways. Student athletes are also gamers, recording artists, podcasters, and content creators.”
A personalized, immersive experience considering all of those elements is exactly what we helped West Virginia University create in the Milan Puskar Center.
When high-caliber athletes are looking to play at the next level, they often receive full ride offers from just about every school they visit. So, it’s essential to create an experience that highlights what makes the school stand out. In the case of WVU, their unique location was the key to their message for recruits.
WVU is the only school that lies entirely within the Appalachian Mountains. Football in West Virginia isn’t just a sport; it’s deeply woven into the fabric of their culture. The people of Appalachia are known for their grit, hard work, and reverence for heritage. This naturally influences the people and educational institutions in the region, including WVU. It was important to keep these ideals at the top of mind when designing technology for this new facility.
One potential risk when building a facility like this is to design a system for today that looks dated in a short number of years. Our design incorporates that ‘wow’ factor and will retain its high-tech look for years to come.
The Family Wall is another cherished aspect of this facility, deeply rooted in the Appalachian tradition. West Virginia and much of Appalachia have historical ties to coal mining, where miners would be away from their families for extended periods.
To keep their spirits up and remind them of their purpose, they created a wall with photos of their loved ones. WVU Football athletes adopt the same tradition with their Family Wall, serving as a reminder of why they put in countless long hours of practice away from their loved ones.
This practice humanizes the athletic experience and beautifully connects the culture of West Virginia to sports.
As you enter the locker room, a massive video wall offers complete personalization. It sets the tone as they step into the room with hype videos playing on the video wall, accompanied by the team’s personal playlist.
Additionally, video walls on the ends of every locker section create a unified visual experience where custom content can wrap around the room and the screens can play off of each other. The synchronization of lights and audio, syncing to the rhythm of the music, adds to the immersive ambiance.
There’s also an interactive screen, where recruits can build their uniform and even customize their name on the back. They can also tap and drag to view the uniform from all angles. The locker room is a highly personalized and captivating experience that can truly make a recruit envision themselves as an integral part of the team.
Another neat section is the NFL locker room, where athletes who have gone on to play in the NFL can come back to train. It’s custom for every NFL player and brings together the whole family ideal that is so instilled in Appalachian culture. It’s showing that once you’re a Mountaineer, you’ll always “have a seat at the table.” Plus, it’s a moment for WVU to show off the number of players that have gone on to play professionally.
The player lounge holds significant importance for these athletes, providing them with a space to unwind and enjoy time as a team. What sets it apart is the inclusion of a barber shop, a practical amenity for players with hectic practice schedules.
They don’t have to worry about scheduling or finding a quality barber shop elsewhere. Additionally, the player lounge houses a recording studio, allowing players to have fun recording music or podcasts on-site. This is especially valuable with the rising popularity of media and player NIL deals. Recruits understand the commitment to hard work and practice, so having a facility that offers balance, convenience, and enjoyable activities is crucial.
A training room is another important area for recruits. Prospects want to be sure that will receive the effective treatments and training to maintain their bodies and continue playing at an elite level. While using the ice baths and hot tubs, our technology can be used to entertain the athletes while their bodies recover.
From high school football through the NFL, film is one of the most important and time-consuming parts of the job. The Puskar center has separate rooms to view film for specialized positions. Position film rooms give WVU an edge when it comes to off field preparation, making a huge jump from high school and college football. These theater rooms are designed to be a comfortable experience, with AV technology that allows everyone to view the plays.
The intrinsic Appalachian culture of unity, teamwork, and determination holds a magnetic appeal for athletes. It’s hard not to be drawn to a culture steeped in these values.
However, what truly sets the Puskar Center apart is its meticulous design & integration, seamlessly intertwining creative, geographical, and cultural elements with technology. The strong emphasis on a familial atmosphere and the success of alumni elevates the recruiting experience to an entirely new level. The recruiting experience at the Puskar Center makes recruits feel at home in WVU’s country roads.