Northwestern University Taps Grass Valley for Control Room Tech at Ryan Field

Northwestern University has deployed Grass Valley production switching and camera technology at its new Ryan Field stadium in Evanston, Illinois. The installation equips the stadium's broadcast control room with a K-Frame VXPE production switcher, Kayenne control panel and five LDX 100 Series cameras, supporting live coverage of Wildcats football and other events.

The project forms part of the university's $875 million investment in the new 35,000-seat Ryan Field, which opened on October 2, 2026, when Northwestern hosted Penn State in a nationally televised football game. Made possible in large part by the vision and generosity of the Patrick and Shirley Ryan family, the stadium represents a major investment in the future of Northwestern athletics. Pat Ryan Jr., who led the project through Ryan Sports Development, played a key role in bringing the new venue to life. Working with broadcast technology consultant Anthony James Partners (AJP), Northwestern selected Grass Valley technology to meet the production requirements of the new venue, with support for 1080p, UHD and HDR workflows.

A private research university based just north of Chicago, Northwestern competes in the Big Ten Conference. Its athletics department produces live event coverage and in-venue content, with students working alongside professional production staff. The proximity of the Big Ten Network's Chicago broadcast facility, which also uses Grass Valley technology, was an important consideration in the equipment selection.

Ryan Field is a major investment for Northwestern, and we wanted production technology that reflected the ambitions of the new stadium, says Luke Roberson, Director of Broadcast Operations, Live Events, Northwestern University. We needed a reliable, high-performance system that our staff and students could operate confidently, with the flexibility to handle different types of live coverage. The Grass Valley equipment gives us those capabilities while maintaining continuity with the technology used by the Big Ten Network.

Professional Production for a New Field of Dreams

The Ryan Field control room uses a Grass Valley K-Frame VXPE production switcher with a Kayenne 3 M/E control panel. The compact K-Frame system provides 40 inputs and 20 outputs, internal multiviewing and support for 12G UHD production, giving Northwestern the switching capabilities used in professional broadcast environments.

The camera installation comprises three LDX 150 cameras and one LDX 135 for fixed game coverage, together with a wireless LDX 135 for roaming and sideline positions. Two of the LDX 150 cameras are equipped with adapters for 80x box lenses, supporting long-range coverage from elevated positions. The wireless camera gives production teams additional flexibility to capture action around the field.

Four XCU Xpress UXF base stations connect the cabled cameras, with IP and 12G SDI connectivity options. Five Grass Valley Creative Grading panels and a CCS-ONE camera control server provide camera shading and color management across the system. The common LDX camera platform also simplifies operation and training for crews working across different camera positions.

For a stadium production environment, the choice of cameras and switching technology has a direct impact on what the crew can deliver during a live event, says Michael Martin, VP of Technology, Anthony James Partners. The LDX 150 and LDX 135 combination gives Northwestern the coverage options it needs, including long-lens and wireless positions, while the K-Frame VXPE provides professional switching capabilities in a compact system. Creative Grading also makes camera control more accessible for staff and student operators.

Another Milestone Deployment for University Sports Productions

Installation began in spring 2026 and was completed during the summer, with the production system ready for the stadium's October debut. The project formed part of a wider construction program operating to a demanding opening schedule, with the new control room successfully supporting its first live event.

The new control room provides Northwestern with professional broadcast capabilities for its stadium productions, with staff and students working alongside one another on live events. The university is also considering adding a second control room as its production requirements develop.

Northwestern is an important new customer for Grass Valley, and we're proud to have played a part in bringing the new Ryan Field to life, says Greg Doggett, Vice President of Sports Sales, North America, Grass Valley. Having our production technology ready for the stadium's opening game was a significant milestone. It's another successful deployment in collegiate sports and reflects the investment universities are making in professional production facilities.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/11/11/northwestern-university-taps-gr...
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