DENTON -- The only thing lacking at the new Mean Green Stadium is a game.
Construction of the University of North Texas' 30,000-seat facility is complete, and university leaders are ready to fill it with fans hungry for some football."I'm excited," said C. Dan Smith, chairman of UNT's board of regents, who played football for the program in 1959-1961. "I'm elated about it."The $78 million project, which has generated national buzz with eco-friendly features, was unveiled for the media Friday in a tour and news conference.University leaders said the stadium helps usher in a new era and boosts the local economy. Smith said the stadium is one of recent investments made at the university. A $70 million Business Leadership Building is also opening this fall.The stadium is expected to attract more interest in the football program and the university, which could draw more people to Denton.Michael Seman, research associate for UNT's Center for Economic Development and Research, said the stadium's construction had an estimated $1.65 million economic impact on the Dallas-Fort Worth region. It is expected to generate about $29 million annually."We are having more activity because we have a stadium," Seman said. "It's another piece of the puzzle in the further growth and emergence of the new Denton brand."UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal said the stadium, which is off Interstate 35W and South Bonnie Brae Street, stands out because it blends sustainability with the comfort and big-event experience Eagle fans seek. The stadium used nontoxic paints, and materials came from within 500 miles.Villarreal said much of the stadium's buzz centers on three 150-foot turbines that will be installed this fall. The turbines are expected to inject about half a million kilowatt-hours a year into one of UNT's power grids."I'm proud for our kids and for our university," Villarreal said of the greening efforts.University leaders also want to wow the public with the state-of-the art facility. The stadium has 21 private luxury suites, about 750 Club Level seats -- complete with food and beverage service -- 16 concession areas and a team store.A bronze eagle named Spiriki sits at the south end of the football field. The statue, donated by a group of alumni called the Geezles, will be part of a new game tradition: Players will rub the eagle for good luck as they run onto the field.The statue's name is a combination of the word "spirit" and the sound "key," which is representative of the cry of an attacking eagle, said James Stinson, a 1963 graduate and former football manager.The facility builds on fan spirit with green walls and trim -- even the "Exit" signs are green. The numbers outside the luxury suites are painted to resemble the yard lines on a football field. The new stadium replaces Fouts Field, which opened in 1952. UNT fans said the old stadium, which the track team uses, was out of date."The first game -- when they walk into the stadium -- they are going to be really amazed," Smith said.Diane Smith, 817-390-7675Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
