Northwest Austin Edition | November 2022

Sportsbeams Local lighting company outts famous venues W ithout ever having heard the company’s name, fans of sports both local and facilities in Beijing and Shanghai. Austin FC fans will recognize Sportsbeams’ work in the unique green lights at Q2 Stadium. BY CARSON GANONG REGIONAL BUSINESS FEATURE

Sportsbeams provided the lighting at Q2 stadium in Northwest Austin. (Photos courtesy Sportsbeams)

President Russ Schroader (left) and Inside Sales & Marketing Manager Carter Sokolowski handle much of the company’s day-to-day operations.

international may be familiar with the work of Round Rock-based sports lighting company Sportsbeams. Sportsbeams began in 2014 when three people with experience in stu- dio lighting and light manufacturing decided to start a company and get into the eld of sports lighting. Co-founder and president Russ Schroader said the operation started out small but has evolved. “We do our own design, engineering and manufacturing, and that makes us kind of unique,” Schroader said. Sportsbeams’ signature product is its high-output LED lights that can change immediately from standard white lights to a range of dierent colors. In its eight years of operation, Sportsbeams has outtted venues ranging from local high school football stadiums to Olympic training

“The crowd goes crazy when they see the green lights,” Schroader said. “It really gives you a sense of satisfac- tion knowing that … you’re getting the crowd excited about their team.” However, Schroader said he is most proud of providing lighting for the 2021 Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. “There’s probably two other com- panies in the nation that could light a Super Bowl,” Schroader said. “It was a huge accomplishment.” Schroader said plans involve expanding into architectural and rail- way lighting, but sports lighting will remain the company’s main focus. “I know that we are providing entertainment to fans everywhere for years to come and in very unique ways that have never been experi- enced before,” Schroader said.

NOTABLE PROJECTS Sportsbeams has provided lighting for facilities around the world, but it has also outtted its share of local projects. Some local and national venues containing Sportsbeams lighting include:

The company installed the lighting at Raymond James Stadium for Super Bowl LV.

Wimberley High School Wimberley, TX 2018 Raymond James Stadium Tampa, Florida 2020

Southwest ISD San Antonio 2020

Q2 Stadium Austin 2020

Sportsbeams 6 Indian Meadows Drive, Ste. 510, Round Rock 888-905-6680 www.sportsbeams.com

SUNRISE RD.

NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • NOVEMBER 2022