Fireworks were shot off Thursday at Missouri Western State University as crews hoisted the first piece of what will become the largest video scoreboard in the NCAA Division II off of one of eight flatbed trailers.

A crowd filled the Spratt Stadium Hall of Fame Room on the second Floor of Spratt Memorial Stadium prior to the ceremonial unloading.

The scoreboard was transported from Corona, California, via eight flatbed trailers. It left the west coast on Monday.

According to Missouri Western Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin, the scoreboard is part of the $7.9 million Spratt Stadium renovation project. A large part of the scoreboard funding came from Steve Craig, founder and CEO of Craig Realty Group and benefactor of the Craig School of Business at Missouri Western.

The $2.6 million scoreboard structure is 78 feet tall and 138 feet wide. The scoreboard itself boasts a 2,500 square foot display and will have its debut on September 1st, when Griffon Football hosts Nebraska-Kearney.

Speakers at the event included Associate Dir. of Athletics Brett Esely, McGuffin, Western President Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Steven Craig, MultimediaLED President Alex Birner, and Video Scoreboard Architect Louis Troiani.

McGuffin said the scoreboard is the final piece of the stadium project.  He said the scoreboard will be pieced together on the structure and the project is slated to be finished at the end of next month.