A new, state-of-the-art video board is lighting up competitive events in Ohio Northern University’s Field House, thanks to the generosity of Patricia (Patty) and Robert Lydic, BS ’97.

ONU held a dedication ceremony for the Lydic-Croy Video Board on Friday, January 17, during an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) indoor track and field meet supported by and named in honor of the donors as the Patty and Rob Lydic Invitational.

The video board from Finished Timing in Springfield, Ohio, is a large, full-color display that seamlessly connects to a computer, allowing it to mirror everything from the screen with ease. It replaces a smaller, outdated model.

“Having color really lights up the entire Field House,” said Jason Maus, head coach of ONU’s track & field and cross country teams. “It makes our home track meets first-class, and it’s the first thing that current athletes look at and talk about when they come into the Field House.”

The Lydics, dedicated supporters of ONU, have a strong affinity for track and field and cross country. Patty worked in admissions at ONU from 1995-97. Rob, a 1997 ONU graduate who majored in biology and environmental science, excelled in both sports as a Polar Bear student-athlete.

In school records, he ranks #7 All-Time in the indoor 500-meter run, and #8 All-Time in the indoor 1500-meter run. He was the OAC champion in the indoor 4×200 meter relay team and the 4×400 meter relay team in 1997, and in the outdoor 800 meter run in 1994. In 2012, ONU inducted Rob into the Athletic Hall of the Fame.

Rob is president of Wavelynx Technologies Corporation in Broomfield, Colo., which specializes in mobile app authentication technology. Additionally, he holds the position of President at NextPage Group, a leading external resource for manufacturers, distributors, and integrators in the physical security market.

Throughout his entrepreneurial career spanning over two decades, Rob has demonstrated expertise in finance, strategy, personnel management, global scalability, and revenue structures. He’s successfully led numerous initiatives, driven significant revenue growth, and established strong partnerships in the physical security industry.

“We are profoundly grateful to the Lydics for their generous support in making this new scoreboard a reality. This state-of-the-art addition not only enhances the competitive experience during track and field and wrestling meets at King-Horn, but also reflects the excellence and pride of ONU Athletics, inspiring our student-athletes to reach new heights,” said Tom Simmons, director of athletics.

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