In the heart of Miami, Florida, sits Felix Varela High School—a Grade A school that was once a Grade B school. Athletic Director Ryan Schneider and the staff at Felix Varela sat down with ScoreVision to discuss their most recent upgrade and how it has played an important role in their approach to community engagement.
When Schneider took on responsibility for managing the school’s game day experience, he was starting from scratch with limited resources.
"When I started, I didn’t know how to create graphics, videos, memes, and ads, or what would be the proper programs or methods to use," Schneider recalled. "It was overwhelming. I was intimidated by it."
For a school competing in one of the most competitive environments in the country, a lackluster game day presentation wasn’t just an aesthetic problem — it was a retention one. As Principal Adrian Sanchez put it: "When you are in a competitive state, which we are, you need to provide optimum programs and optimum academic opportunities for students. If we don’t do that, we lose, and I’m not the type of guy that likes to lose."
Felix Varela implemented ScoreVision’s scoreboard software on displays they had purchased from a vendor to bring energy and professionalism to more than just the score. The school uses the displays to share announcements, engage fans, and build energy during events.
For Schneider, the turning point wasn’t just the software — it was also the customer experience.
"When I went to do my first training, I was blessed. I was able to meet Jen and Zach in the training department. That, to me, was where it all changed."
ScoreVision provided pre-built graphics so the team could run their first game confidently. And with the help of the training department, Ryan and his volunteers were able to run their first game smoothly.
Daniel Reyes, a Social Studies teacher who volunteered as scorekeeper, found that the scoring app interface also made the learning curve remarkably short.
"Getting out of your comfort zone, working with an iPad — it was a little awkward at first. But I think within probably the first 20 minutes of the game, we were already getting the feel for what to do and how to do it."
The Varela team runs a multi-screen setup that goes far beyond a traditional scoreboard. Schneider describes the setup:
"On the two main screens, I have the scoreboards. I have the typical scoreboard layouts that you want in a game. For the middle screen, I do a leaderboard, where it shows everybody how much the players have scored while the game is going on. I put advertising, graphics, and even celebrations up on the board. So it really allows you to do a lot of things that a typical board would not."
This flexibility has allowed the team to make game night feel like a professional production — complete with real-time scoring, sponsor placements, hype graphics, and personalized moments for athletes and fans alike.
The clearest sign that ScoreVision was delivering something special came on a night when a familiar face walked through the gym doors.
A former Varela basketball player — now serving in the United States Marine Corps — came back to watch a game as an alumnus. Schneider spotted him in the crowd and immediately sprang into action.
"We set up a graphic for him that said ‘Game Day Hero.’ I ran to the office, got a graphic done, came back and it was already loaded," he said. "The ex-athlete was so proud and he was so surprised, and you can just genuinely tell how much he was worked up."
“The first time we put a face of an athlete on the screen, all the kids looked up and pointed, and they were so excited. That’s where it made me feel like this is all worth it.”
— Ryan Schneider, Athletic Director, Felix Varela Senior High School
The impact of ScoreVision at Felix Varela has been felt across the entire school community — from the administration to the coaching staff to the stands.
Principal Sanchez has made facility upgrades — including the ScoreVision scoreboards — central to his vision of a school that competes on every front. "Creating moments of excellence is what we’re about," he said.
Even the most traditional-minded staff members have come around. Head Basketball Coach Cesar Lacaci admits he didn’t expect to be a fan — but ScoreVision won him over.
“I’m an old school coach, and for me, this is new. I’ve really enjoyed it. Sometimes at a point in the game where you may be a little bit comfortable, I find myself watching the scoreboard a little bit — and that’s super cool. I never thought I would enjoy it as much as I have. It’s been a great addition to our program.”
— Cesar Lacaci, Head Basketball Coach, Felix Varela Senior High School
Perhaps the most telling endorsement? Schneider confesses he’s hesitant to spread the word too widely.
"If our district administrator came to a game and asked what I thought, I would probably not want to say anything, because I didn’t want other schools to be able to have the same things that we have — because I feel like it’s such an advantage."