How do you build AV for a university arena that must serve sport, education, events, and the wider community?
At InfoComm 2026 in Las Vegas, UC Today spoke with Patrick Eisenhauer, Director of Audio Visual and Event Services at the University of St. Thomas, discussing the university’s arena project with Panasonic Projector & Display Americas.
A Major Step Up for Campus AV
Patrick explained that the University of St. Thomas made an “unprecedented jump” from Division 3 to Division 1 athletics. That move created the need for a new facility with a much broader role.
The arena is not just for game days. It includes the main venue, a practice sheet of ice, two basketball practice courts, team spaces, coaches’ offices, admin areas, meeting rooms, concessions, and retail spaces.
As a result, AV became a core part of the building experience.
Why Panasonic Was Chosen
Eisenhauer’s role was to ensure the technology matched university standards. That became important when early discussions included consumer-grade TVs.
St. Thomas is already a Panasonic campus. It also has a strong relationship with the brand. Therefore, Eisenhauer worked with Panasonic and the project’s integrators to select professional-level displays.
The displays needed to work with the wider AV systems. They also had to support heavy usage, including 24/7 operation in some areas.
From Athletics to Campus Events
The arena opened on time for hockey season. Since then, it has already supported more than athletics.
The university has hosted its own commencements in the building. Local high school graduation ceremonies have also taken place there.
Looking ahead, Eisenhauer expects the venue to support external rentals, tournaments, concerts, and other events. That makes the project a long-term investment in both campus life and revenue generation.
Why InfoComm Matters for Higher Education
Eisenhauer also shared why InfoComm remains valuable for higher education AV leaders.
He uses the show to attend education sessions, connect with the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA), maintain vendor relationships, and explore new solutions.
For higher education teams, the message is clear. AV decisions are not just about screens. They shape reliability, user experience, and the future value of campus spaces.
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