Velociti Inc. recently provided Wi-Fi hardware for Northwest's Hughes Fieldhouse and suites at Bearcat Stadium. Northwest alumni (pictured left to right) Jim West, Ryan Powell and Deryk Powell lead the company. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

As construction workers take care of the finishing touches for the opening of the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse at Northwest Missouri State University, a Kansas City, Missouri, technology company headed by Northwest alumni is ensuring the building is equipped with wireless access.

Velociti Inc. recently provided a gift to Northwest that includes all Wi-Fi hardware for the Hughes Fieldhouse as well as suites at Bearcat Stadium – a value of more than $100,000. The gift package included 41 access points, which provides total coverage of the Hughes Fieldhouse’s indoor field, classrooms and common areas, while providing more stable, wider connectivity for fans in Bearcat Stadium suites.

Deryk Powell is Velociti’s president, while his brother, Ryan Powell, is vice president of sales and Jim West is vice president of operations. Deryk Powell and West are 1993 graduates of Northwest, and Ryan Powell is a 1996 graduate.

As long-time supporters of the University and Bearcat athletics, they saw the opportunity to enhance the Wi-Fi capabilities at the Hughes Fieldhouse and Bearcat Stadium as the right gift.

“Velociti wanted to be part of a monumental project for the University, and the Hughes Fieldhouse was ideal since it will be used by students and the community,” Deryk Powell said. “With the addition of the Hughes Fieldhouse on the Northwest campus, the Maryville community has access to top-of-the-line facilities, but we also want to provide them with access to the best technology.”

Velociti designs and installs wireless networks and security systems in large public venues, including stadiums and schools. The company employs several Northwest alumni, including some serving on the company’s leadership team. Those employees are applying skills they learned at the University and maintaining a strong connection with the institution by networking with and hiring its graduates.

The Wi-Fi partnership isn’t Velociti’s first interaction with Northwest. In the spring of 2017, Velociti partnered with Knacktive, an interactive, digital media marketing experience at Northwest that gives students an opportunity to produce a comprehensive campaign for a real client with real issues to address. Students designed plans to get Velociti involved earlier in its clients’ technology-related decision-making.

Powell said Velociti hopes to continue partnering with Northwest, not only to increase awareness of its services but to attract students who are seeking internships or full-time employment.

“We were really impressed with the caliber of students and faculty involved with the Knacktive program,” Powell said. “The entire Knacktive experience exceeded our expectations, and we have implemented many of their ideas. We even hired a few of the Knacktive students and they’ve quickly become an integral part of our company.”

About the Hughes Fieldhouse

As the single largest public-private partnership in Northwest’s 113‐year history and one of the largest such projects in the region ever, support from local businesses, as well as Northwest alumni, has played a key role in the University’s vision for the Hughes Fieldhouse becoming a reality.

Donors who have committed $13.5 million to the project through donations and pledges secured by the Northwest Foundation. Leading support for the project is provided by the Founding 50 – a group of donors contributing $50,000 or more to the project – with the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Family Foundation, the Mel and Valorie Booth Family, the city of Maryville and Nodaway Valley Bank working as “team captains” of the group. The University and students also are contributing to the project, while hundreds of alumni and friends have made gifts of all sizes.

The 137,250 square-foot, $20 million Hughes Fieldhouse is designed to serve a multitude of social, recreational and economic needs for the University and region.

A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Hughes Fieldhouse is planned for 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12. As part of the University’s Homecoming weekend activities, an open house also is planned for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, that will include tours of the facility, inflatables, music and opportunities for children to interact with Bearcat student-athletes. The events are free and open to the public.  

For more information about the Hughes Fieldhouse, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/HughesFieldhouse/.