Kansas Athletics Director Lew Perkins, right, and guest John Lungstrum monitor video and statistics from their courtside seats during a Kansas University basketball game this season at Allen Fieldhouse. Statistics, highlights and out-of-town scores are displayed on TapStats monitors, developed by two information-technology professionals with Kansas Athletics Inc.

Kansas Athletics Director Lew Perkins, right, and guest John Lungstrum monitor video and statistics from their courtside seats during a Kansas University basketball game this season at Allen Fieldhouse. Statistics, highlights and out-of-town scores are displayed on TapStats monitors, developed by two information-technology professionals with Kansas Athletics Inc.

A TapStats monitor shows team statistics, player results and an accounting of the final plays from KU's 85-62 victory over UMKC earlier this season at Allen Fieldhouse. The same system will be in use for tournament officials and media during the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament, which starts today at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

A statistics program and display package developed by two information-technology professionals in Kansas University’s athletics department is getting its big shot this week in Kansas City, Mo.

Chris Schlemmer and Brad Bieker are taking their software and hardware – dubbed TapStats – to the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament, which opens today at the Sprint Center. That’s where commentators sitting courtside will rely upon the system’s depictions of video, graphics and numbers to help translate action on the court to thousands of fans following the tournament on the Internet, TV or radio.

KU has been the guinea pig for the system and has used it during the football season and this basketball season.

The founders are hoping the tournament will be the next step toward getting their system used nationwide by the more than 2,000 NCAA member institutions.

Schools are responsible for tracking and providing statistical information. They already use basic statistics software to track points, rebounds and scores. TapStats takes those statistics and displays them on an interactive monitor – one that individuals can touch to see statistics in a more organized and user-friendly format. TapStats also provides video and out-of-town scores.

Schlemmer believes that schools would typically acquire five new monitors at $999 apiece to implement the system. A $30 monthly charge would cover service and support.

If 2,000 schools bought into the system that would translate to millions of dollars, a financial upgrade for guys whose regular jobs at KU have them tending to wireless phones, computers and other technology items and systems for Kansas Athletics Inc.

“It’s an interesting concept we’ve come up with,” said Schlemmer, whose own company, Schlemmer Consulting, owns and markets TapStats. “Once it’s been done, there are so many possibilities.”

It’s quite an upgrade from the static, 1980s-era monitors used in many arenas, said Chris Theisen, an assistant athletics director who handles media relations of KU men’s basketball. He put the TapStats system into use at Allen Fieldhouse and Memorial Stadium and is coordinating the stats crew for the Big 12 Tournament that starts today.

“Every school that comes in asks us, ‘How do we get this?’ – and that tells you how great it is,” Theisen said. “It shows a real variety, more information than anyone will ever need. : These guys have worked incredibly hard, and spent a ton of time and resources to make it work.

“Hopefully it will be contagious and spread throughout the nation.”

Rob Carolla, communications director for the Big 12, observed the system in Allen Fieldhouse earlier this season and is looking forward to seeing it work during the conference tournament.

He’s certain the conference will consider buying its own TapStats monitors at some point, and that many schools also will consider buying in.

“It’s very impressive,” said Carolla, who worked for the Big East Conference before coming to the Big 12. “Honestly, it’s the first thing I’ve ever seen that’s anything like this.”

Carolla said nearly 600 media members – radio and TV crews, online reporters and others from organizations ranging from local newspapers to the New York Times – had been granted credentials for the Big 12 tournament. Some will be peering at TapStats monitors and using the information they display for wide consumption.

Someday, Schlemmer said, TapStats might be plugged into arena suites and other seats, or perhaps connected to sports books in Las Vegas – anywhere, really, where customers might be expected to seek the latest raw, statistical information.

But relax, KU officials. Schlemmer and Bieker are still on the Kansas Athletics Inc. payroll and promise to give their employer a break on using the system that’s been beta tested this academic year.

“They don’t pay a monthly fee,” Schlemmer said, “and never will.”