Like many high schools, East High's decades of athletic achievements were on full display in the form of banners, trophies, and plaques. But recently, Athletic Director Jerry Schlabs looked around and didn't just see history — he saw a problem.
“We had plaques for our Athletes of the Year, our regional and state championships, and even our Super 25 football athletes. But there just wasn’t a great way to display them all. The walls were crowded, the plaques were small, and honestly, people rarely stopped to look at them.”
Jerry realized that East High's stories deserved more than outdated plaques and trophies that took up far too much space. He wanted something more modern, interactive, and accessible for students, staff, alumni, and the entire Cheyenne community.
The solution: A digital hall of fame that offers unlimited real estate
Jerry quickly realized that his solution was a digital hall of fame. He liked that the touchscreen was interactive and the experience could be shared beyond school walls.
“It’s interactive. You can search names, click through photos, and go beyond just a plaque on the wall. Even grandparents across the country can pull it up online. That’s something we’ve never been able to do before.”
Jerry also liked that a solution like Gipper Touch would allow him to include more than just athletic achievements on his touchscreen experience. He's already looking at including:
- Academic Hall of Fame inductees
- Distinguished alumni
- Clubs and activities
- T-Birds in the Pros (alumni who went on to professional athletics)
- Athletes of the Week and real-time recognition
For Jerry, it's important to tell the stories of the students and athletes that paved the way for East High, not just to preserve history, but to inspire current classes.
“We tell our kids that the honors they receive are possible because of those who came before them. Now they can see that history come alive. It’s humbling — and motivating.”
Easy, cost-effective, and scalable
One of Jerry’s biggest realizations was that going digital wasn’t just better — it was also more affordable than continuing with physical boards and plaques.
“Updating just one record board can cost $2–3,000. With Gipper Touch, we can recognize so much more — athletics, academics, activities — all in one place, and at a lower cost.”
The familiar Gipper design tools also saved time. Jerry’s part-time secretary quickly trained on the system and uploaded 10 years of All-State athletes in an afternoon. Now, even quick updates like rosters, flyers, and schedules can be displayed instantly on the Hall of Fame board.
“We love Gipper Touch for the ease of use, great customer service, and the fact that it ties together with the Gipper tools we already know and love. It’s not just a product — it’s a super product for us.”
Looking ahead: Building a living history
Jerry and his team are just getting started. Athletics came first, but now they’re expanding to activities and alumni. The vision is clear: a living, breathing history of East High School that grows with each graduating class.
“Yearbooks sit on shelves. Plaques fade on walls. But this is something people will engage with — whether they’re in our gym, in our hallways, or on their couch at home. That’s what makes it so powerful.”
Digital hall of fame frequently asked questions
What is a digital hall of fame?
A digital hall of fame is an interactive touchscreen or web-based display that allows schools to celebrate athletes, alumni, teams, and milestones in a modern way. Unlike traditional trophy cases or wall plaques, digital halls offer unlimited space for photos, videos, and stories—all in one engaging experience.
Why should schools move from a physical to a digital hall of fame?
Traditional walls and plaques eventually run out of space. A digital hall of fame provides unlimited recognition opportunities, reduces maintenance costs, and allows your community to experience your school’s history from anywhere—on campus or online.
What types of content can a digital hall of fame showcase?
The best digital hall of fame software will enable you to include a range of media, including photos, videos, embed websites, PDFs, and more. Many schools will use a digital hall of fame to showcase their hall of fame, championships, athletic awards, and records. But, schools also highlight content beyond the athletic department, including academic awards, alumni achievements, school history, faculty recognition, and community impact. The flexibility helps you tell your entire story—not just sports.
How does a digital hall of fame engage students and alumni?
Interactive digital hall of fame displays draw visitors in with stunning visuals, photos, and videos. Alumni can easily find their name or team, while students feel inspired seeing recent honors and achievements. It creates school pride and a lasting emotional connection.
Can our existing hall of fame content be easily transferred to digital?
This depends on your digital hall of fame. With Gipper Touch, you get white-glove onboarding which makes launching your digital hall of fame a low-lift for busy athletic directors and school admins. Additionally, Gipper Touch users report quick, easy, and intuitive editing - which makes updates simple.
How much does a digital hall of fame cost?
Pricing varies depending on your setup. Most schools purchase a software subscription (starting in the low-thousands per year) and optionally add touchscreen hardware.
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