Sidney Public Schools Turns Video Boards into a Classroom and Community Experience
Sidney Public Schools is showing how video boards can be more than scoreboards, they’re giving students hands-on experience, building community pride, and even launching careers.
Matt Anderson on 9/5/2025
Categories: High School Sports
When Sidney Public Schools in Nebraska added Daktronics video displays to their gyms in 2021, it was about more than just upgrading technology. For Matt McKay, Director of IT Services and Education, it was an opportunity to create real-world learning experiences for students, enhance community engagement and showcase the power of creativity with the new tools.
McKay’s background in teaching, coaching and technology positioned him perfectly to lead the integration. From installing the first indoor boards with his own hands to preparing for the new outdoor stadium display, he has been hands-on every step of the way.
“Going to other schools as a coach, I saw them mostly using video boards as scoreboards,” McKay said. “I thought, why stop there? We wanted fan engagement, live video and ways to really bring people into the game.”
What started as an idea quickly grew into a full-fledged student learning environment. His broadcasting class now handles everything from creating commercials and highlight videos to operating cameras and running game-day productions. Students not only get to see their work in action but also receive instant feedback from their peers in the stands.
The results speak for themselves. Graduates from Sidney’s program have gone on to work for HuskerVision at the University of Nebraska, local TV and radio stations, and even on national productions like Avengers: Endgame and Impractical Jokers.
McKay also emphasizes community involvement. With the new football field display, plans include showing movies under the stars, highlighting “students of the game” from every grade level and featuring academic accomplishments alongside athletic highlights.
“It’s not just about sports,” McKay explained. “We want the boards to reflect the whole school community, students excelling in the classroom, the arts and beyond.”
Through video displays, Sidney Public Schools has created a model where technology, education and community pride intersect, giving students the tools to dream big and the confidence to chase those dreams.
Want to hear the full story straight from Matt McKay? Check out Episode 262 – Sidney Public Schools with Matt McKay on The Daktronics Experience Podcast for even more insights, stories and behind-the-scenes details.
