Posted: November 10, 2020
Updated: May 23, 2024
The NCAA LiveStats team, in partnership with Sportzcast is thrilled to share with you the next NCAA LiveStats innovation. Sportzcast’s scoreboard integration technology, ScoreLink, is already used by hundreds of NCAA athletic departments and will now be used to automate the game clock in NCAA LiveStats for Basketball and Football. This will produce more accurate live game data, while reducing the burden on the statistician to start and stop the clock.
Soon the Sportzcast team will start distributing these devices to ensure your venues are prepared to support future versions of NCAA LiveStats. Along with the Sportzcast team, we will provide you with customer support to walk you through the setup. This process will begin in phases so please be patient as Sportzcast works through the entire NCAA membership. Once received, we would like you to get this device connected, so that you will be prepared when NCAA LiveStats provides you the software update to integrate with the ScoreLink. The NCAA LiveStats-ready ScoreLink device will be provided at NO COST TO YOU.
Please see the attached document for further information on using NCAA LiveStats with the ScoreLink.
We would appreciate you completing the following form so that we may send you your ScoreLink device when available:
Sportzcast ScoreLink basketball request form
Sportzcast ScoreLink football request form
We look forward to working together with you on this new development. Please reach out to NCAA LiveStats Support at NCAAsupport@geniussports.com if you have further questions or need any guidance.
Sportzcast + NCAA LiveStats
Frequently Asked Questions
Genius Sports, in partnership with Sportzcast, is pleased to offer all NCAA members the opportunity to use our latest innovation in the NCAA LiveStats system. We are offering the ScoreLink device to you at no charge in order to make the collection of live game data easier and more accurate for the statistician.
What is a ScoreLink?
A ScoreLink is a small device created by Sportzcast which connects to your existing scoreboard system and enables network distribution of your data in real-time for integration uses such as NCAA LiveStats.
Why is my institution receiving the ScoreLink device?
The NCAA LiveStats team will start distributing the ScoreLink device prior to the season to ensure your venues are prepared to support future versions of NCAA LiveStats. We’ll then start with a small group of select schools to prove out the solution before initiating the automated timing with all schools. Along with the Sportzcast team, we will provide you with customer support to walk you through the setup.
What is the cost to us?
Zero. In the interest of collecting the most accurate data in the easiest way possible, NCAA LiveStats and Sportzcast are providing this initial round of ScoreLink devices at no cost.
How can I connect my ScoreLink device?
The ScoreLink needs to be connected to the venue scoreboard system via supplied scoreboard interface cable to either: (1) an output jack on the venue scoreboard controller, or (2) an available scoreboard distribution rack interface (these are typically present in the venue networking or equipment room).
Does this only work for basketball?
Basketball is the first sport but we are already working on Ice Hockey and Football. Over time, we plan to expand the program to all timed sports.
Do I need a new version of NCAA LiveStats?
Yes. The NCAA LiveStats team will provide your school with an updated version of NCAA LiveStats for Basketball along with instructions on pairing the ScoreLink device to NCAA LiveStats. This will be phased release starting with a small group. The NCAA LiveStats team will reach out to you with the updated software when available.
Can I still manually adjust the clock in NCAA LiveStats, or take back control of the clock?
Yes. The NCAA LiveStats user can still adjust the clock as necessary to enter plays or make edits. If there is a problem, the user can disconnect the ScoreLink device and resume manual control of the clock at any time.
If I already have a Sportzcast Scorebot or ScoreLink can I use it for NCAA LiveStats?
Yes, as long as the device is either: (1) connected on the same LAN network as your NCAA LiveStats computer, or (2) connected to the Sportzcast cloud servers via the internet.
Can I use a ScoreLink (or Scorebot) simultaneously for NCAA LiveStats & my other existing uses?
Yes. If you are currently utilizing a Sportzcast device for other applications and meet either of the connection criteria above for NCAA LiveStats, you can continue to use the device for other integrations.