Cynthia Hinderliter
August 27, 2025
Adam Duvall
Peoria Journal Star
A pair of brand-new, state-of-the-art scoreboards have put a bow on the recent renovations at Pekin High School.
The school has installed two LED digital display scoreboards this summer in Dawdy Hawkins Gymnasium and Memorial Stadium. The school says the estimated $500,000 price tag was divided between the school, booster club, Pepsi and Pekin Insurance, which is title sponsor of Pekin’s annual boys basketball holiday tournament.
“I would anticipate we’re going to be able to use them outside of sports,” Pekin superintendent Dr. Danielle Owens told the Journal Star, “and just in terms of for student use … I think the possibilities are endless.”
The booster club is the main contributor, having set aside an investment for the sole purpose of the scoreboard. They are providing a total of $150,000 over five years. The Pekin Insurance Holiday Tournament committee has made a $25,000 commitment to be paid over five years. Pekin High paid installation costs.
Over the last couple of years, Pekin has been slowly upgrading its facilities. The school has redone the gym floor, updated bleachers, revamped the weight room and kept its nearly 80-year-old football stadium up to date. But one piece of 30-year-old equipment was in dire need of replacement — the Memorial Stadium scoreboard.
“The scoreboard at the stadium was really starting to show its age,” Owens said, noting it would randomly turn off along with the horn buzzing during games. “It had served its time.”
The 16-by-28-foot videoboard made its debut earlier this month as the Pekin High staff camped out on the field for a family movie night. It will be able to stream the outside graduation outside as its happening and sync with track timing system for meets this spring. “The picture was great,” Dr. Owens said.
Initially, Pekin was only looking for a new football scoreboard. However, discounts through Nevco, the scoreboard manufacturer, made it worth purchasing a new basketball scoreboard, as well. Adding the new four-sided 6.5-by-10-foot video board to Dawdy Hawkins Gym has provided Pekin’s digital media program a new canvas to produce signage, advertisements and student club promotions.
“We’re really excited to be able include that course work,” Dr. Owens said, “and those kids in building content for the boards.” According to Owens, the side panels of the Hawkins Gym scoreboard and the scorer’s table have available "naming rights" for purchase. Any interested businesses or individuals can contact Owens at dnowens@pekinhigh.net.
