West Branch gets new videoboard after lightning strike

A local community came together to bring a new videoboard to their football stadium as the kickoff of the 2021 season draws near.

The Beloit community came together to raise money for the new scoreboard at West Branch's Clinton Heacock Stadium after the old one was struck by lightning last year.

After the old scoreboard with its screw-in light bulbs took the hit, program supporters stepped in and raised money for the school district's new videoboard that was installed in August.

The new board has the ability to display graphics, play videos and showcase team sponsors. It will be used for more than just football games as the soccer, baseball, softball and track teams compete in or around the stadium throughout the year.

Jon and Jim Heacock, the West Branch Athletic Booster Club, the Sebring West Branch Community Foundation, Envelope One/Digital Direct, Fritz Heating and Cooling, Coach Jim Laut, and the 1998 State Final 4 Football Team are named donors for the project.

"Getting this board reminds me of the way the community has come together to complete projects in the past, like building the stadium and the Meiter Athletic Building," says West Branch Athletic Director Mike Helm. "It makes you proud to be a member of this community when they come together and complete a project like this for our kids!"

The West Branch Warriors play their first home game on Friday, September 3.