CHICAGO — The growth of STRIVR, a leader in virtual reality human performance training, is well documented. Their expansion into various segments of the NFL includes referees using the tech to train along with partnerships with teams like the San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and more.
Last week, STRIVR CEO Derek Belch (a former Stanford kicker) spoke at the SFIA Industry Leaders Summit. He touched briefly on something interesting that came from the company’s relationship with the aforementioned Cowboys.
Dallas became the first NFL team to sign on with STRIVR following a two-year deal that was inked back in 2015. Since then, quarterbacks have used VR to train and head coach Jason Garrett even came up with an idea to further enhance the tech’s capabilities.
The thought was that VR training’s effectiveness might increase with a more functional setting.
“Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys actually gave me this idea because he said, ‘Hey, that’s great if we put it in like the media room or the film room, but I want guys to feel the turf under their feet. I want the door to be shut. I want somebody to go in there and make calls and really feel like they’re practicing,’” Belch said.
Because of the insight from Garrett, the Cowboys built a room at their Valley Ranch headquarters specifically for the STRIVR system. Belch commented that players use the room just as they would a weight room, massage room, etc.
Get The Latest Sports Tech News In Your Inbox!
Belch used this to drive home the point that if you’re going to spend time and money on VR, you better make sure you’re not just using it, but using it effectively.
One team taking that advice to heart is the Boston Red Sox, according to Belch. STRIVR currently has two activations inside Fenway Park meant for fans and both have seen a great amount of success.
One is a Samsung Gear headset that gives you the perspective of a team member. You can see exactly what a player would see from the dugout or bullpen. The other activation is a station where you can take virtual swings against Red Sox pitchers.
“This is one of the best things a team or a brand can do to provide a different form of entertainment to their fanbase,” Belch said. “There’s no mystery why the setup at baseball games around the country…where you throw a ball at a fake catcher and radar gun’s on you…there’s no mystery why those still have lines, even to this day.”