Notre Dame announces it will add video board to stadium

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) Fans will be able to watch instant replays on an end zone video board at Notre Dame Stadium in a couple of seasons.

More than a year after announcing a $400 million construction project known as Campus Crossroads to add buildings around the outside of the historic stadium as well as thousands of premium seats, the school released plans Tuesday to include a video board atop the south end zone.

Some alumni had been vocal in their opposition of adding video boards, saying it would take away from the atmosphere of the stadium built in 1930. Coach Brian Kelly, though, has been an advocate, saying he thought it would add to the game-day experience.

Athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in the news release the video board will be an improvement.

''We are confident the introduction of video will significantly improve enjoyment of every aspect of a game at Notre Dame Stadium - including the ability to support game day introductions and presentations with video elements, additional opportunities to promote the university, plus replays,'' Swarbrick said.

The university also will add ribbon boards along the east and west sides of the stadium, providing fans with other information. The university said there will be no advertising or commercials on the boards. The release said the university plans to remove scoreboard in the north end zone, enhancing the view of the Word of Life mural, better known as Touchdown Jesus, on the Hesburgh Library.

The move comes a season after the university installed artificial turf, another move supported by Kelly and opposed by traditionalists.

The university also said it will add vinyl-clad benches throughout the stadium, replacing wooden seats, and said all the seats will be 18 inches wide. Some of the existing seats are thinner. The university also said It said it also will improve the sound and Wi-Fi systems, renovate and increase the number of women's restrooms and renovate the concession stands.

The plans announced Tuesday are part of a construction project announced last year that will add new buildings on three sides of the stadium that will add about 750,000 square feet of space.

''Notre Dame Stadium is one of the most tradition-rich facilities in all of college football,'' Swarbrick said. ''The Campus Crossroads Project is indicative of our commitment to making even greater use of it in the decades to come.''

The work is expected to be completed by August 2017.