The High School Athletic Director's Guide to Choosing the Right Digital Hall of Fame Provider

Your trophy case is overflowing, wall space is maxed out, and your gym ceiling can’t hold another banner. Like many high school athletic directors, you’ve reached the limit of your traditional hall of fame.

It’s time to go digital.The first step is choosing the right tool. There are plenty of digital hall of fame providers out there — but finding the best digital hall of fame software for your school takes a little research.

In this guide, we’ll break down what to look for in digital hall of fame provider for schools and compare a few leading providers, including Gipper Touch, Rocket Alumni Solutions, and TouchPros, so you can make the right choice for your program.

How to evaluate digital hall of fame software

When evaluating digital hall of fame software, focus on seven key factors: 

1. Customization
2. Ease of use
3. Integrations
4. Design quality
5. Onboarding support 
6. Touchscreen hardware requirements
7. Cost

Customization

How customizable is the digital hall of fame software? Can I use it for more than a digital hall of fame?

Before comparing providers, think about what you want your digital hall of fame to include.

You might want to go beyond a traditional hall of fame and showcase content like:

• Athletes of the year
• Team championships 
• Records
• Notable alumni
• Staff and coach directories
• Facilities information 
• Digital yearbooks
• Graduation ceremony videos

Some digital hall of fame providers support multiple use cases, while others limit the number of pages you can create or charge extra for new directories.

Other areas of customization to consider: 

• Content: Does the touchscreen software allow you to add videos, PDFs, slideshows, and other media — and is there an additional cost?
• Branding: Can you use your school’s colors and logos? Can you customize the design to create a unique look? Or does it look like every other school’s display?
• Layouts: Are there different layouts? Can I update those easily?

Ease-of-use

Is the digital hall of fame software actually user-friendly? Can I make updates quickly? 

When evaluating digital hall of fame software, the question isn’t just what can it do — it’s how easy is it to actually use?

Powerful customization is great in theory, but not if it slows you down. Think about Adobe Photoshop. It’s one of the most powerful design tools ever made — yet most schools and athletic departments prefer using Gipper Engage or Canva for social media graphics. Why? Because they’re faster, simpler, and don’t require professional design expertise.

The same applies here. If it takes hours of training or a call to support every time you want to add a new inductee, it doesn’t matter how feature-rich the platform is. Ease of use isn’t just a “nice to have” — it’s the difference between a digital hall of fame that stays current and one that quickly becomes outdated.

Here’s why:

• Easier = faster – simple tools let you update content quickly and keep recognition fresh
• Less training – whether it’s just you or a few helpers, anyone can learn it in minutes
• Enjoyable to use – when it feels effortless, you’ll actually want to keep it up to date

Most vendors claim their touchscreen software is “easy to use.” The reality? Most aren’t.
To tell the difference, look for signs of genuine usability:

• Visual editor – make updates and see changes in real time before publishing
• Modern interface – clean layout, clear labels, and simple navigation
• Familiar feel – if it looks and works like tools you already use and love, that’s a good sign

These details might seem small, but together they determine whether your digital hall of fame feels effortless — or becomes another tool that collects dust.

Pro tip: When evaluating digital hall of fame providers, always ask for a live demo and pay attention to how the product actually feels to use. Is it intuitive? Can you make updates easily? Ask for customer references, too — nothing’s worse than signing an annual contract only to find out the software is frustrating and time-consuming to manage.

Integrations

Will the digital hall of fame software work well with your other tools and workflows?

Your digital hall of fame should fit into your existing workflow — not create extra work.

When evaluating providers, think through what it actually takes to keep your display up to date:

• Uploading media: Does it include built-in storage or integrations like Google Drive? Or will you be uploading files one by one?
• Creating content: Can you reuse graphics and photos you’ve already made, or will you have to start from scratch?
• Everyday updates: Does the provider offer other tools you already use? Ideally, you should be able to manage everything from one connected platform — not juggle multiple logins.

Bottom line: If the touchscreen software adds work instead of saving time, it’s not the right fit.

Design quality

Will the digital hall of fame look professional and help improve your school’s branding? 

Design is often overlooked — yet it’s the first thing people notice when they walk past your display. A clean, modern layout doesn’t just make your content look good; it reflects your school’s identity and pride.

When assessing design quality, look for:

• Custom branding: Can you easily apply your school’s colors, logos, and fonts so the display feels uniquely yours?
• Modern templates: Are there layouts that look professional out of the box but still give you room to customize?
• Brand consistency: Will your digital hall of fame match the look and feel of your social media, newsletters, and website — or feel disconnected?
• Design pedigree: Does the provider have an experienced creative team or proven design track record you can trust?

The best digital hall of fame software combines thoughtful design with easy, flexible customization — helping schools achieve the same level of polish once reserved for professional programs.

Onboarding Support

Does the touchscreen software also come with white-glove support to help launch your digital hall of fame? 

Even the best software can fall flat without the right setup. A strong onboarding process ensures your digital hall of fame actually launches — and looks great from day one.

When evaluating digital hall of fame providers, consider:

• White-glove setup: Does the team help you get started, or do they hand you a login and wish you luck?
• Design assistance: Will they help you configure layouts, upload content, and align branding?
• Training and resources: Are tutorials or live sessions available so others on your team can easily make updates later?
• Migration help: If you’re switching from another touchscreen software provider, will they handle the transfer for you?

The right onboarding support doesn’t just save time — it sets you up for long-term success and ensures your display becomes something your community is proud to showcase.

Hardware requirements

Does the touchscreen software require certain hardware? Can I use my own touchscreen? 

Before you commit to a digital hall of fame provider, make sure you understand what touchscreen hardware their software needs — and whether you can use what you already have.

Consider the following:

• Compatibility: Does the software work with any commercial-grade touchscreen, or does it require proprietary hardware?
• Hardware bundles: If hardware is included, what options are available — and are they priced fairly?
• Bring-your-own flexibility: Can you run the software on existing touchscreens or kiosks in your building?
• Support: Does the provider help you with setup, or are you left on your own to figure it out?

Cost

Should I go with the cheapest digital hall of fame software I can find? Is it smarter to pay once upfront or subscribe annually?

Pricing models vary widely across providers, and it’s worth understanding what each really means before you commit.

• Free or DIY: Free tools or do-it-yourself approaches can seem appealing, but they often rely on generic website builders or slideshow tools. You’ll likely spend extra time customizing layouts, troubleshooting hardware, or making manual updates — and the end result may still not be able to function properly, particularly when used with a touchscreen display.
• One-time purchase: Some providers charge a single upfront fee. It can make budgeting easier, but usually means you’re getting software that won’t evolve. As technology and expectations change, you may find yourself needing to replace it entirely.
• Annual subscription: Subscription-based options usually include ongoing updates, new features, and customer support. They’re designed for schools looking to invest in a sustainable, long-term solution rather than a short-term display.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your goals and budget. If you want something quick and temporary, a one-time setup via a DIY tool might work. But if you’re building a digital centerpiece meant to grow with your school, an evolving platform will likely deliver better value over time.

Gipper Touch vs. other digital hall of fame providers

If you’re searching for the best digital hall of fame provider, you’ve likely come across several options alongside Gipper Touch. Here’s a quick comparison of leading digital recognition software for schools before we dive in.

Both Gipper Touch and Rocket Alumni Solutions go beyond just digital halls of fame. They offer unlimited directories and pages, homepage customization, and real-time editing. Both also support additional recognition like alumni walls, staff directories, and record boards.

But many Rocket users have ultimately made the move to Gipper Touch. 

Jerry Schlabs, Athletic Director at East High School (WY) cited two main reasons for his switch: 

1. Ease-of-use: “I have a part-time secretary that helps me, and I couldn't train her on the Rocket software. But I showed her how to use Gipper Touch, and she was able to bust out 10 years of All-State athletes in an afternoon."
2. Software familiarity: “I've been using Gipper for social media now for a couple of years, and we love it. I'm very familiar with it, and it's very easy."  

Both key differences have saved Jerry — and many other ADs — a ton of time and headache when building out their digital halls of fame.

Gipper Touch vs. TouchPros

TouchPros has long been a reliable digital hall of fame solution for high schools, offering a self-service content management system, pre-made templates, and hardware packages.

Key differences between Gipper Touch and TouchPros include: 

• Content & customization: TouchPros’ base plan only offers three directories. Gipper Touch includes unlimited directories, pages, and content in its package. 
• Hardware flexibility: TouchPros customers are limited to TouchPros hardware. Gipper Touch works with your existing setup or helps source the best-fit equipment.

Athletic Director Mike Fine, The Overlake School (WA), shared two main reasons why he switched: 

1. Simplicity: “Our experience with Gipper to this point has been seamless and easy-to-use. The simplicity is what makes it powerful.”
2. Speed & relevance: “We want a product that's going to make our experience and end result better because we can update the content more quickly, more easily, and in a more relevant fashion.”

Gipper Touch vs. VitalSigns Wall of Fame

VitalSigns Wall of Fame offers complete digital hall of fame packages with both software and hardware. Users can upload content through their CMS or request updates from Wall of Fame’s team.

However, VitalSigns Wall of Fame is focused almost exclusively on the hall of fame use case — making it difficult to showcase other forms of recognition. Gipper Touch offers unlimited customization, allowing schools to highlight alumni, records, staff, and more — all in one platform.

Users who have made the switch from VitalSigns Wall of Fame to Gipper Touch also noted their product falls short on: 

• Branding & customization features: “Their product really hasn’t been great for branding. We put a lot of time into uploading data there, and I’d really like it to be branded.” - Brian Shelton, Athletic Director, Big Walnut High School (OH)
• Speed & user-friendliness: "Gipper stands out for its ease of use. We can keep it effortlessly updated." - Missy Townsend, Athletic Director, Prescott High School (AZ)
• Product updates & improvements: “We've had Wall of Fame now for five years and I don't think they've had any updates. And I like how Gipper is constantly making updates and continuing to grow.” - Brian Shelton, Athletic Director, Big Walnut High School (OH)
  

Why Gipper Touch is the best digital hall of fame software for high schools 

Gipper Touch is the only digital hall of fame platform built specifically for high school athletic programs — combining a simple editing experience with professional, high-quality results.

It’s designed to help schools celebrate athletes and history in a modern, engaging way without the technical headaches or time drain that come with other systems.

If you’re ready to take your hall of fame digital and make it something your entire community can enjoy, Gipper Touch is the solution built for you.