Historic Welcome Stadium, in downtown Dayton, OH, is a 10,000 plus seat multi-purpose stadium that was originally constructed in the 1940’s.
A Dayton Landmark
After decades of being a well-loved venue by the community, the stadium was in dire need of a refresh. The stadium has hosted several state and national level events throughout the years, making this a landmark in the city of Dayton. While it’s main use is being the home for Dayton Public Schools athletic teams, it is also home to the Division 1 (FCS) University of Dayton Fliers football team, and has been host to several other local semi-professional teams.
Bringing the Brand to Life
The branded environments and wayfinding were an indispensable element of the design and a passion of the client.
There was a focus on integrating historical elements of Dayton Public Schools athletics and infusing Hall of Fame and Athlete Recognition components throughout the concourses. The creative direction pulls inspiration from retro athletics branding, with industrial touches inspired by Dayton’s industries and the structure itself. The embroidered pennants and banners featured recognize both current and former Dayton Public Schools, invoking the past and present of the district. The Hall of Fame cabinets display the memorabilia DPS lovingly maintained over the years and demonstrate the athletic strengths of each high school. The identity signage for spaces such as concessions and locker room feature a custom script, layered with industrial materials in bright pops of color to grab the eye.
A Space for the Record Breakers
Another essential element for the client was featuring the athletic records in track and field, which this venue has hosted many groundbreaking moments. Ensuring this was a key point, we transformed the entire west wall for visitors to marvel at, while ensuring the solution was modular and could be added to over time.