Intent: research. The University of Maryland’s M Club has taken a significant step forward in how collegiate athletic programs recognize their history.
In October 2026, Maryland Athletics unveiled a new interactive digital Hall of Fame display at the XFINITY Center—a move that reflects a broader shift in how institutions approach recognition and legacy preservation.
Why the Shift to Digital?
Traditional halls of fame face a fundamental limitation: wall space. Physical plaques and trophy cases can only hold so much history before running out of room. For a program with Maryland’s depth—spanning decades of Big Ten and ACC competition—static displays simply cannot tell the full story.
The new digital display addresses this directly:
- Unlimited capacity: Digital systems can store thousands of inductees, records, and historical moments without physical constraints
- High-traffic positioning: Placed in the XFINITY Center’s main concourse, the display meets fans where they already gather
- Self-service browsing: Visitors can explore at their own pace rather than reading sequentially through plaques
The User Experience Challenge
Moving from static to interactive isn’t just about technology—it’s about designing for real human behavior. Sports venues present unique UX challenges:
- Transient attention: Fans are often moving between seats, concessions, and restrooms
- Crowd density: Peak moments (halftime, pre-game) create bottleneck conditions
- Age diversity: Users range from young children to elderly alumni
- Accessibility requirements: Public venues must meet ADA standards for touch height, font size, and alternative access methods
The best digital recognition systems anticipate these constraints. They use large, high-contrast typography. They minimize the number of taps required to reach key content. They provide fallback options—like QR codes that link to web-accessible versions—for users who prefer personal devices.
What Other Programs Can Learn
Maryland’s approach offers a template for athletic departments considering similar upgrades:
Start with content strategy
Before selecting hardware, define what content matters most. Inductee bios? Career statistics? Video highlights? The content strategy should drive technology choices, not the reverse.
Consider the physical environment
Where will the display live? How much ambient light exists? What’s the typical viewing distance? A 55" touchscreen in a bright lobby requires different specifications than a 75" display in a dimmed museum space.
Plan for ongoing updates
Static plaques are “set and forget.” Digital systems require ongoing content management. Who will add new inductees? Who will correct errors? Cloud-based CMS platforms can simplify this, but the workflow still needs an owner.
Budget for longevity
Commercial-grade displays and professional installations cost more upfront but typically last longer and require less maintenance than consumer-grade alternatives.
The Broader Trend
Maryland’s installation reflects a pattern visible across collegiate athletics. Schools from small Division III programs to Power Five conferences are exploring digital recognition as a way to:
- Honor more alumni without expanding physical footprints
- Create engagement opportunities for visiting recruits and donors
- Modernize facilities to match expectations set by professional venues
The question for most programs isn’t whether to go digital—it’s how to do it well.
Further Reading
For a deeper look at touchscreen display software features, implementation considerations, and evaluation frameworks, see our comprehensive guide:
This article provides independent analysis of publicly available information. Best Touchscreen is not affiliated with the University of Maryland or any specific touchscreen software vendor.