UNT students to vote on new fee to fund new football stadium
11:22 AM CDT on Thursday, September 25, 2008

By BRETT VITO / Denton Record-Chronicle
bvito@dentonrc.com

North Texas came one step closer to a building a new football stadium on Wednesday when the school’s student senate approved a referendum for a student fee that will appear on the fall election ballot.

The fee of $10 per semester credit hour will now go to a vote of the students on Oct. 13-17. That comes out to $300 a year for students taking 15 hours of courses a semester.

The senate approved the measure by a comfortable 29-5 margin with one abstention.

“I am excited that the student government association will take it to the student body and let them decide,” UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal said. “I can’t say how important this project is overall to the university. This takes us one step closer to where we need to be.”

Even if the students approve a fee, it would have to go before the UNT Board of Regents and the state Legislature for approval.

A fee would be used to bond out the project that Mr. Villarreal estimated would take $60 million to complete. UNT would have to raise private funds to supplement what the fee would generate in order to complete a stadium, an amount that Mr. Villarreal estimated would be around $40 million.

The bonds would be paid off over a 30-year period.

The fee would stay in place after the stadium is paid off to help fund the athletic program in the future.

The vote followed a sometimes contentious debate over the importance of an athletic program to a university’s overall reputation and using student fees to fund athletic facilities.

Warren Burggren, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, was among those who spoke in favor of the fee that would be used to build a venue that would seat 32,000 to 35,000. The stadium would be built outside of the Mean Green Athletic Center.

“Athletics is a way to reach out to people,” Mr. Burggren said. “Every Saturday when we have a tailgate party on behalf of the College of Arts and Sciences, we raise $2,000-$3,000 for scholarships and more importantly we get the ear of people.”

Some opposed to the idea have said in the past that students shouldn’t have to pay extra in these tough economic times, especially since they are already facing tuition increases. Plus, they don’t believe football should be the priority.

Mr. Villarreal named several benefits a new stadium would bring to the school, including the ability to bring quality opponents to play in Denton and give a program that has struggled a lift.

UNT traveled to Kansas State this season, but will host the Wildcats in two years. The school will also have six home games for the first time since 1996 in 2010. Those improvements are based in part on the promise of a new stadium.

Mr. Villarreal said having a more favorable schedule and a new venue could help spark a program that has struggled since winning four straight Sun Belt Conference titles from 2001-04. UNT has not won more than three games in a season since the end of that run and is 0-3 this season heading into a game against Rice on Saturday.

UNT head coach Todd Dodge said earlier this week that building a new football stadium would dramatically improve the program and its ability to attract top athletes.

Student athletic fees are commonplace among institutions of a similar size. UNT’s conference rival South Alabama charges $253 per student per semester. Several other schools in the league, including Florida Atlantic and Florida International have similar fees.

“I am very encouraged by what I have heard from the students on campus,” UNT student body president Jeff Kline said of the general support for a fee among students. “I am anxious to see their reaction tomorrow when they see that we have put an item on the ballot.”

Render of conceptual: http://www.gomeangreen.com/wp-conte...um-flyer-08.pdf

http://incipientstage.20megsfree.com/images/img_1837.jpg

Does that mean it will be built on top of Fouts Field?

If not, what will happen to the old stadium? Will it be used for soccer and (obviously) track?

Fouts obviously isn't a viable big-time college football venue now. But I'm sure then Denton ISD or some soccer team would adore it.

Fouts needs 19 power generators to be brought in to provide power. It is in so poor a shape it will not be able to handle and type of renovation.

The new stadium is planed to go in across 35 from Fouts. just past where 35 splits to 35E to Dallas and 35W to Fort Worth

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/5783/eaglepointexpansionplanmf9.th.jpg (http://img98.imageshack.us/my.php?image=eaglepointexpansionplanmf9.jpg) http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/3218/northtexasboulevardgateat2.th.jpg (http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=northtexasboulevardgateat2.jpg) http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/7197/eaglepointcampusmeangreau3.th.jpg (http://img146.imageshack.us/my.php?image=eaglepointcampusmeangreau3.jpg)

Holy crap, no wonder they need a new stadium.

That looks like a good plan.

One of the arguments against it is that the students would be paying more, but many people say that the program needs to be a winning program before they build a new stadium. But if our trying to recruit someone to come play for you, taking them to a run down Fouts field is a major turn off.

Denton ISD's new stadium is miles ahead of Fouts.

Anyways, UNT needs the digs. They are right in the middle of a recruiting hot bed(like SMU) and can't seem to keep any of these folks in town.

Is it proposed or approved??

While I support a new stadium, and in the new location, can't the alumni association raise all of the funds?

I think the Alumni are waiting to see if it gets approved by the student body

sweet... looks like papa johns in louisville

When they do this, I think they could rival Troy for best stadium in the Sun Belt Conference.

When they do this, I think they could rival Troy for best stadium in the Sun Belt Conference.

FAU might have something to say about that...
http://www.fau.edu/innovationvillage/images/Pic-1_stadium.jpg
http://www.fau.edu/innovationvillage/images/Pic-2_stadium.jpg

From the North Texas Daily:

Students pass athletics referendum (http://media.www.ntdaily.com/media/storage/paper877/news/2008/10/17/News/Students.Pass.Athletics.Referendum-3493774.shtmll)
Fees will help build new stadium
Bryan Shettig
Issue date: 10/17/08 Section: NEWS

Students voted this week to build a new $60 million stadium at NT for the Mean Green football team.

The Student Government Association referendum drew more votes than any other measures the associations has put forth in recent memory when almost 14 percent of students voted. The referendum passed with 58.1 percent of students in favor and 41.9 against, according to a statement released Saturday.

That vote breaks down to 2,829 students who voted for the bill and 2,038 against it, for a total of 4,867 votes. Voting started Oct. 13 and ended at 5:00 p.m. Friday.

SGA president Jeff Kline said it was the largest voter turnout he can remember for an SGA vote and shattered the voter turnouts in the last few years that, at most, saw 10 percent of students voting.

"The students at NT have a voice and that voice said they want a new stadium," Kline said. "They have a vision for the university."

Support for the bill hinged on the quality of Fouts Field, which the new stadium will replace. The 56-year-old stadium was decried by athletics officials as being outdated and not up to many standards, including disability accommodations and NCAA lighting regulations.

The referendum will increase the athletics student service fee by $7 per semester credit hour. The fee is capped at 15 hours per semester, which means students would pay up to $105 per semester in new service fees. The fee won't go into effect until building is done, which is expected to be in 2011.

In accordance with state law, students will only pay half of the $60 million for the new stadium. The rest is expected to come from private donors.

The bill doesn't stop here, though. It must next be approved by the Board of Regents at their meeting on Nov. 20 and 21 in Denton. After that, it goes before the Texas Legislature, and will be signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry at the end of the 2009 legislative session.

Groundbreaking for the stadium could be as early as 2009. NT commissioned HKS Inc., a Dallas-based architecture firm, to design the stadium. HKS also designed the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington, the American Airlines Center and Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Matthew

BTW, Victory Hall, which is labeled as #8 in one of the above drawings and "Residence Hall #3" in another... I lived there for a year (2005-2006).

Matthew

apparently the design has changed a little

http://www.meangreensports.com//share/ViewPhoto.dbml?ATCLPID=&ATCLID=204767365&DB_MENU_ID=&SPSID=9058&SPID=562&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=&DB_OEM_ID=1800&LOAD_IMAGE_ID=204736799&LOAD_IMAGE_SIZE=400

apparently the design has changed a little

http://www.meangreensports.com//share/ViewPhoto.dbml?ATCLPID=&ATCLID=204767365&DB_MENU_ID=&SPSID=9058&SPID=562&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=&DB_OEM_ID=1800&LOAD_IMAGE_ID=204736799&LOAD_IMAGE_SIZE=400

Thanks for the link. I did a little bit of research, and found:

New Stadium Rising Up With Community Support (http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=1800&ATCLID=204767365&SPID=562&SPSID=9058): This is part 1 of a two part story. It features the photo linked to by mattec.

Stadium Will Be Unique To The Mean Green (http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=1800&ATCLID=204767367&SPID=562&SPSID=9058): Part 2 of the story.

Here are a bunch of renders from the articles:


http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics/160/SE/SEGTUQDQTHTVWII.20090730215857.jpg http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics/160/US/USWYNDKEYTNSYDN.20090730215904.jpg http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics21/160/GG/GGQXJLTRKSOHASA.20090730215918.jpg

http://www.meangreensports.com//pics11/1024/VQ/VQAXEJOOTRZGYWN.20090730215925.jpg

http://www.meangreensports.com//pics10/1024/KI/KICNWLOMBSAXVYV.20090730215911.jpg

Anyone else find it funny that in the second big render they have all sorts of "green" elements (no pun intended) like wind turbines, and even weirder, that it looks like is on the coast?

Matthew

Well at least its unique, intruiging, a little weird though.

I like it. I like that end zone stand. My friend goes to UNT and is stoked.

few other renderings.

http://www.meangreensports.com//pics21/1024/GG/GGQXJLTRKSOHASA.20090730215918.jpg

http://www.meangreensports.com//pics/1024/SE/SEGTUQDQTHTVWII.20090730215857.jpg

http://www.meangreensports.com//pics/1024/US/USWYNDKEYTNSYDN.20090730215904.jpg

http://www.meangreensports.com//pics21/1024/GG/GGQXJLTRKSOHASA.20090730215918.jpg

It looks a lot better from this angle.

^^Uh-oh, UNT might end up having a better stadium than TCU and SMU!

Hopefully this gets done soon:
http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper792/stills/p1op2blv.jpg

TCU
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/12938664.jpg
maybe, the 2nd tier looks really wierd


SMU
http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/smu/graphics/auto/FacilityShot_FordStadium.jpg
nah, this is a nice traditional clean looking simple stadium

^^Uh-oh, UNT might end up having a better stadium than TCU and SMU!

Hopefully this gets done soon:
http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper792/stills/p1op2blv.jpg

that is moving along as we speak

Good news! What a game last night as the barely lost 30 to 31 in OT to Ohio. Does anyone know whothe General Contractor and Architect will be on the new stadium? Go Mean Green!

Stadium To Become Reality; Coordinating Board Approves Plans

DENTON, Texas -- A new football stadium for the University of North Texas is about to become a reality. Plans for the stadium passed their final hurdle Thursday when the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the proposal.

A public groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled Nov. 21, prior to the UNT-Army game, and the Mean Green will move into the new facility for the 2011 season....


http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&&ATCLID=204823263&DB_OEM_ID=1800

:cheers:

For those of you Facebook people:

Event: UNT's New Football Stadium Groundbreaking (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183498499896)
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Athletic Center -- 1301 South Bonnie Brae -- Denton

Also found this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy0E4a1tstI

The video mentioned that the stadium will be built debt free... *in his best Dave Ramsey impersonation* PRETTY COOL!

Matthew

construction on this officially begins in 67 days


here's the stadium's website: http://www.unt.edu/stadium/index.htm

^^Uh-oh, UNT might end up having a better stadium than TCU and SMU!

Hopefully this gets done soon:
http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper792/stills/p1op2blv.jpg

that is moving along as we speak
think it might be moving along a little more quickly now? ;)

Really? Photos?

Really? Photos?
Well, with the almost-imminent BCS berth on the horizon, you gotta think they'll be doing everything in their power to keep Gary Patterson there for as long as possible. Gotta strike while the iron is hot!

ooooo, now I see what your saying. Agreed.

Sharp stadium....glad they are moving forward with it.

This stadium is officially under construction according to UNT

Stadium construction officially began Jan. 18
http://www.unt.edu/stadium/whats-new.htm

webcam: http://oxblue.com/pro/open/unt/stadium?DB_OEM_ID=1800

I drove by the site last week and noticed that some dirt was moved, but not much more than that. I will have to run by one day and get some photos for you guys!

Matthew

A couple of renders:

http://www.unt.edu/stadium/images/render-10f.jpg

http://www.unt.edu/stadium/images/render-12f.jpg

The site:

https://ehcemail.ehc.edu/owa/attachment.ashx?id=RgAAAAAmaG41vzHSTYtWQCeGsKy2BwBvlbI8za4FS7nAAyFCoN0gAAsSGJfIAABvlbI8za4FS7nAAyFCoN0gABTUaMgCAAAJ&attcnt=1&attid0=EAD5FvZP9%2bi3TZbq1zYrbYUu

Here are a few images of the site that I took last Sunday while driving down I35 (NOT recommended!). Click on them to see full size, or see the "album" here (http://img98.imageshack.us/g/dsci0849.jpg/).

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/9364/dsci0852.th.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/i/dsci0852.jpg/)http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9212/dsci0851.th.jpg (http://img146.imageshack.us/i/dsci0851.jpg/)http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9435/dsci0850m.th.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/dsci0850m.jpg/)http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1108/dsci0849.th.jpg (http://img98.imageshack.us/i/dsci0849.jpg/)

Matthew

http://www.meangreensports.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?ATCLID=204915048&SPSID=371953&SPID=47422&DB_OEM_ID=1800&PALBID=363368

Photos of stuff happening. I couldn't tell you what exactly. . .

http://www.meangreensports.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?ATCLID=204924474&SPSID=371953&SPID=47422&DB_OEM_ID=1800&PALBID=364124

More pics. The hole is bigger, and stuff is going in it now.

Nice webcam of construction

http://oxblue.com/pro/open/unt/stadium?DB_OEM_ID=1800

More pics from the UNT athletics website:

http://www.meangreensports.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?ATCLID=204938662&SPSID=371953&SPID=47422&DB_OEM_ID=1800&PALBID=367125

omg those pics are awesome...

More pics:

http://www.meangreensports.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?ATCLID=204941878&SPSID=371953&SPID=47422&DB_OEM_ID=1800&PALBID=367993

They said the first floor poured was for a womens' restroom. And they have separate recycling roll-offs to go along with the overall "green"-ness of the build.

courtesy of meangreensports.com

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics31/800/MP/MPDDOHBILRMOTJE.20100520200648.jpg

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics31/800/KT/KTCVCLKSWRVDJOD.20100520200559.jpg

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics31/800/MC/MCEVPTABMATLFNW.20100520200505.jpg

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics31/800/QQ/QQGASAMWGLLFFQU.20100520200356.jpg

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics31/800/QA/QADPKHQRIHOLQZO.20100520200149.jpg

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics31/800/YU/YUPYAETINKOHXWT.20100520200255.jpg

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics31/800/HA/HAHFZRYKDNHYIKK.20100520200049.jpg

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics31/800/WX/WXAASWDQBNMUEPJ.20100520195949.jpg

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics31/800/GC/GCPGKDUJPYSNPIV.20100520195816.jpg

http://www.meangreensports.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?ATCLID=204948784&SPSID=371953&SPID=47422&DB_OEM_ID=1800&PALBID=371136

http://www.meangreensports.com/newMediaPlayer/console.htm?type=vod&id=716623&oemid=1800


a new construction update video:)

For more images visit:http://www.15usd.net

For more images visit:http://www.15usd.net
damn -- he got me... :bash:

damn -- he got me... :bash:

virus?

virus?
nah...just didn't realize it was a spam link

Some pics from the 18th taken from this messageboard thread: http://www.gomeangreen.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=53598&st=0&gopid=495955&

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/UNTstadium7-18-2010/VEN_0201s.jpg

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/UNTstadium7-18-2010/VEN_0246s.jpg

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/UNTstadium7-18-2010/VEN_0250s.jpg

Tons more, and with higher resolution if you follow the above link.

Delete please.

a view of the new stadium from the old stadium

http://www.gomeangreen.com/forums/uploads/1281909036/gallery_6_871354.jpg

nice pictures. Love the tower crane and regular crane, all in one.

update:

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/UNTStadium09-12-2010/VEN_0008.jpg

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/UNTStadium09-12-2010/VEN_0001t.jpg

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/UNTStadium09-12-2010/VEN_0112t.jpg

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/UNTStadium09-12-2010/VEN_0150t.jpg

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/UNTStadium09-12-2010/VEN_0174t.jpg

more availible here: http://www.gomeangreen.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=55168

Hit the link for TONS more pics, and click on 'em there for HUGE sized images.

http://www.gomeangreen.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=56550

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/UNT-Stadium-Oct24-2010/VEN_0306t.jpg

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/UNT-Stadium-Oct24-2010/VEN_0339t.jpg

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/UNTgnd-lvl-Oct24-2010/VEN_0095t.jpg

Nice update!

The other night I stopped to take a few photos, but it was too dark to see much... here are the few best ones:

Image 1 (http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/6954/dsci0117q.jpg)
Image 2 (http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/7599/dsci0122l.jpg)
Image 3 (http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4701/dsci0123f.jpg)

Matthew

stadium is fast approaching completion -- check the webcam
http://oxblue.com/pro/open/unt/stadium?DB_OEM_ID=1800

a few month-old construction pics (didn't want to steal this guy's images):
http://www.gomeangreen.com/forums/topic/60233-saturday-visit-to-the-stadium/page__view__findpost__p__555617

I drive by it every few days and it looks great but is no where near completion. The filed next to it (between the stadium and the merging of I-35) is still a dumpy green (with algae) pond.

Are they still planning on building a pedestrian bridge between the old stadium (parking lot) and the new stadium? Today I looked and didn't see any kind of construction that would suggest that.

Matthew

Are they still planning on building a pedestrian bridge between the old stadium (parking lot) and the new stadium?

The stadium is a part of an "athletic village" and has a few parking lots.

http://www.unt.edu/stadium/images/mgv-bigmap.jpg

I'm guessing there is pedestrian access from the main campus since there are existing athletic facilities nearby. I'll try to ask some UNT fans for the info.

The stadium is a part of an "athletic village" and has a few parking lots.

Thanks. Around 2006 while I was attending UNT I found a "master plan" somewhere deep on their website. It said that parking for the new stadium would be the old stadium parking lot and people would cross the highway to get to the new stadium.

Obviously things may have changed in the past few years...

EDIT: I found the PDF. Page 58 specifically mentions the pedestrian bridge:

http://www.unt.edu/untmasterplan/documents/Final_Master_Plan.pdf

Matthew

almost done

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/5766402286_c2b13dbb0f.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z81lfkjFMPc/Tea5sZimhAI/AAAAAAAAAOc/XZTpt9CiQVg/s1280/IMAG0206.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dPE719gt0kI/Tea5uINUzgI/AAAAAAAAAOs/SvvGWyBTGxo/s1280/IMAG0203.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ib7uUB4eeE8/Tea5xryDdDI/AAAAAAAAAPI/sktc5TtsbMs/s1280/IMAG0197.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GP--3UC36Lg/Tea51We1yAI/AAAAAAAAAP4/1De8GBRvcNo/s1280/IMAG0188.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F4PQ08rDoRg/Tea53DXcHtI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Xn4MU4eYiN8/s1280/IMAG0185.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Mn2Q1MaOosM/Tea53vLReDI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/Ovr7ud-S_J4/s1280/IMAG0183.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3T4pIPDU3_4/Tea542BS3JI/AAAAAAAAARQ/snCpequs7jw/s1280/IMAG0181.jpg

Loads more here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/schlep/UNT?authkey=Gv1sRgCNXG_dy45MiFgwE#slideshow/5613378120274036658

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/Stadum7-2011/VEN_0002t.jpg

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/Stadum7-2011/VEN_0013t.jpg

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/Stadum7-2011/VEN_0028t.jpg

http://www.kingdl1.com/UNT/Stadum7-2011/VEN_0035t.jpg

Source: KingDL1 @ http://www.gomeangreen.com/forums/topic/62875-mean-green-stadium-july-2011/ go there for higher quality pics.

Nice modern stadium.

But I'm guessin' they're not planning on expanding in the future...?

Plenty of room to expand this stadium without too much effort.

Plenty of room to expand this stadium without too much effort.

That Cadillac endzone grandstand just kinda throws me off.

That Cadillac endzone grandstand just kinda throws me off.

I would bet any major expansion in the future would see that end go. It looks permanent but wouldn't take much to knock down.

That Cadillac endzone grandstand just kinda throws me off.Distraction for the opposing players. ;)

That Cadillac endzone grandstand just kinda throws me off.
That section has the erector set style metal supports. I assume it will be the first area to go if/when expansion is warranted. Pretty sure it 'easily' expands to 50,000.

Some moderate creativity might be needed beyond 50K, but it seems pretty symmetrical with plenty of surrounding area to use for stand supports.

BTW: Some more (great) pictures are at that link.

Nice modern stadium.

But I'm guessin' they're not planning on expanding in the future...?

probably not -- they haven't had very much success at all at the FBS level

probably not -- they haven't had very much success at all at the FBS level

it's amazing they even got a new stadium to begin with.. I guess those Sun Belt championships in the early '00s really brought in the dough, even though they were 4 years before this even started. It looks nice though. Maybe their plan is for this to make them better?

It's the donors. Texans are crazy-mad for football, and they were falling behind TCU and SMU in terms of facilities.

it's amazing they even got a new stadium to begin with.. I guess those Sun Belt championships in the early '00s really brought in the dough, even though they were 4 years before this even started. It looks nice though. Maybe their plan is for this to make them better?
If you look at the awkward stadium (low seating angles and a track) they were in before (across the interstate), you'd see why they pushed for a new one.

The Sun Belt Conference has replaced two of its crappiest stadiums (FAU and UNT) this year. There isn't a horrible one left in the conference, and when FIU ever gets around to completing their first level, not anything below mediocre. Each one suits the respective program very well, and lends itself to easy growth.

That Cadillac endzone grandstand just kinda throws me off.

As I understand it, It's supposed to look like a jagged M, for Mean Green. I think it looks pretty cool. Definitely unique.

Modern stadiums like this are built future expansions in mind, so I wouldn't be surprised if the columns that run through the press box are oversized, so an upper deck could just be erected on top of it. They could just mirror that on the other side as well. Not that UNT would have a need to do that in the next few decades.

I doubt the end zone seating would be the first place they expand. Thought that could be the easiest, those are the cheapest seats in most stadiums, so the financial incentive isn't as high as sideline seats.

It's the donors. Texans are crazy-mad for football, and they were falling behind TCU and SMU in terms of facilities.

I think they've always been behind TCU & SMU in facilities

Naming rights have been announced. (http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1800&ATCLID=205242175)

Apogee Stadium

DENTON, Texas (August 12, 2011) - The University of North Texas and Apogee today announced a 20-year naming-rights sponsorship agreement for the new Mean Green Athletics football stadium, located within the Mean Green Village athletics complex on the UNT campus in Denton, Texas. The $20 million deal is the second largest naming-rights agreement for college football stadiums to date.

Apogee Stadium is the centerpiece of the recently developed Mean Green Village, which encompasses most of the academic, training and competition facilities for UNT's nearly 400 student-athletes. With a capacity of nearly 31,000, the stadium was built under the design and construction of award-winning companies HKS and Manhattan Construction. It features 21 luxury suites, 750 club seats, banquet space and a team spirit apparel store.

Apogee is the nation's largest provider of on-campus residential networks (ResNet) for higher education. Since 2008, Apogee has successfully partnered with UNT to manage the student ResNet for the residential community on the UNT campus.