by Aaron W. Hughey

Do you know the score? Chances are, Mike Cowen does.

Mike Cowen is the owner of Sportable Scoreboards, which manufactures both permanent and temporary scoreboards and industrial displays for customers all across the country.

“Sportable Scoreboards was started in 1986 as a small company in Southern California,” Cowen explains. “We moved to Murray, Kentucky, in 1995. Back then, we had three employees. Now we have over 80.”

Sportable Scoreboards also used to be housed in a rented 5,000 square foot facility. They now own their own 30,000 square foot building.

“We make electronic scoreboards for everything from kindergarten through college, youth league through the NBA,” Cowen notes. “Our athletic customers include anyone with a sports program.”

“We also supply scoreboards for prison, military, and church leagues,” Cowen says.

“Sportable Scoreboards is really the technology leader in the industry,” Cowen observes. “We were the first company to provide both permanent and portable wireless scoreboards.”

“Not having to run wires from the officials’ table or booth to the scoreboard is a tremendous advantage,” Cowen notes. “Many facilities would have to undergo extensive renovations if they did not have the wireless option available.”

Additionally, Sportable Scoreboards was the first company to introduce outdoor LED displays. This saves a considerable amount of money as those who use LED scoreboards never have to worry about changing individual lightbulbs that tend to burn out on a regular basis.

“We still offer both regular scoreboards based on bulb technology as well as the newer LED technology,” Cowen explains. “Bulb scoreboards cost less initially, but have higher maintenance costs in the long run.”

“An LED scoreboard requires only about one tenth the energy of one made with bulbs,” Cowen continues. “Moreover, they have the option of running on solar power, which cuts energy costs even further.”

“Scoreboards that run on battery/solar power are becoming very popular,” Cowen adds. “That we were first in this market has given us a tremendous competitive edge.”

But Cowen isn’t resting on past and current success. He’s also looking toward the future.

“We are exploring other types of industrial and commercial displays,” Cowen offers. “The challenge now is to increase the size of the scoreboards using LED technology.”

Finally, Cowen is very pleased with his move to Murray, Kentucky.

“The workforce in this area is second to none,” Cowen contends. “The community is very supportive.”

“We plan to be in Murray forever,” Cowen asserts. “There couldn’t be a better place to do business.”