Can you see me now? | by Pat

An interesting postscript from the Purdue game...

Most long-time readers of BGS know that we're against the idea of adding a jumbotron to Notre Dame stadium. We're not going to re-hash that debate here, but rather showcase a possible and interesting alternative that should definitely be investigated by the powers-that-be in South Bend.

If you attend a Purdue University home football game this year, you can have the ability to call up instant replays on demand right in your hand.

Purdue's eStadium is believed to be the first service to offer access to instant replays on cell phones, as well as other features that will make the game-day experience more interactive for fans in the stands. The service is available at no charge to those attending football games at Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium.

Fans who have cell phones with Internet capabilities are able to see replays from as many as six camera angles and to sort through the replays to find videos involving particular players or types of plays, such as a touchdown pass or quarterback sack.

Current game statistics, scores of other games in progress, and biographical information of players and coaches also are available.

Now, ND fans can already watch all home games on their suitably equipped mobile phones and devices. But the ability to call up highlights and stats on demand while at the game is far more appealing. Purdue has an excellent engineering department so it's no surprise that they have turned their stadium into a wireless ad hoc network testing ground. As the technology develops however, other schools will surely look to implement this elegant solution in their stadia. Hopefully the home of the late Professor Jerome Green will be among them. (By then we should have enough football highlights to warrant it.)