SLIPPERY ROCK — George Mihalik understands entering his 28th season coaching football at Slippery Rock University that the nature of football is recruiting.

That’s why he and the football program are taking steps to adapt.

Plans for a new video scoreboard and sound system were announced Wednesday by Rock Athletic Director Paul Lueken.

The 20-by-37 feet LED scoreboard will cost $200,000 to build and is nine feet taller and four feet wider than the current scoreboard at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

“Put it this way, society is media,” Mihalik said. “It’s all about social media. I think this video scoreboard is one of the final touches to our stadium.”

Construction on the scoreboard will start the week of Aug. 17, and barring any unforeseen setbacks, will be ready for the start of this fall season.

The cost of building the scoreboard is being funded primarily through a donation through former Rock standout Chuck Sanders.

Sanders is 51 and a Wexford resident.

He is the CEO of Urban Lending Solutions, which is the 14th largest minority-owned company in the country.

Sanders, who was an All-American running back at The Rock from 1982 to 85, still talks to Mihalik about once a month.

“Over the years, he knows I always support Rock football. When he called me about the video board, coach said ‘We’d like to honor you, but it’s going to cost you some money,” Sanders joked. “The Rock has been wonderful for me, so when an opportunity came, I was excited to do it.”

Sanders was Division II’s leading rusher in 1984, which led to a tongue-in-cheek Heisman Trophy campaign from SRU SID John Carpenter.

The Penn Hills native was drafted by the Chargers in the 11th round in 1986.

Sanders ended up playing two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, rushing for 77 yards on 15 carries. Att first, he wasn’t sold on going to The Rock.

“They tell you parents know best and that was the case with me,” Sanders said. “They told me you don’t need to go to downtown Pittsburgh. SRU was close enough to home, but far enough away I could do my own thing.”

SRU has made two consecutive trips to the NCAA playoffs and enters this season with a No. 9 preseason national ranking.

The Rock will open the season the season Sept. 5 on the road against the University of New Haven in West Haven, Conn. SRU’s home opener will be Sept. 12 against East Stroudsburg.

“I think this is a perfect example of what athletics can do for a university via their alumni,” Mihalik said. “I always say sad is the person who forgets where he comes from. We have many alums who do a great job supporting our program. It’s going to make the gameday experience more electric and exciting.”