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Nov 21, 2009 10:30 pm US/Central
UNT Mean Green Will Soon Have New Turf To Defend
Selena Hernandez
DENTON (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
The University of North Texas Eagles will soon have a new place to nest. On Saturday, a ceremonial groundbreaking took place in the spot where a new $78 million stadium will be built. The new digs will be located across Interstate 35, across from the old Fouts Field.
Game day at UNT had the usual cheers coming from the stands. As the Eagles dug deep to try and pull out a game-winning play, across the interstate and hours earlier a ceremonial dig marked the beginning of an era for the Eagles.
"Good old Fouts Field has had a lot of memories, but it's about time for a new stadium," UNT grad Greg Wooldridge said.
57-year old Fouts Field is showing its age. Cracks and chipped concrete will soon be replaced with a new state of the art facility. It's partially funded by a newly adopted $10 per semester hour athletic fee. The stadium was designed by HKS Inc., the same firm behind another now famous field.
"These firms are responsible for the new Cowboys Stadium. We have a different price tag."
For fans, a new stadium comes with much needed amenities.
"Yeah, getting up these ramps here is almost like an Olympic event, they're steep! I know as far as I'm concerned, I'm looking forward to anything new!," Wooldridge said. He relies on the use of his motorized wheelchair.
"It'll be a short walk to the new stadium. It'll be nice to look out the window and see a nice stadium," UNT student Dustin Phillips said.
Most fans agree, the Eagles are long overdue for a new nest and they hope the new stadium will help school spirit soar to new heights.
"I think it'll really improve everybody and the spirit at the games," UNT Freshman Kalie Hagood said.
Yet, some students aren't sold.
"Seems like a waste of money, really," Junior Benjamin Oliver said. "I'd rather they spend it on building a new building or something like that."
A new stadium that'll hold not only 30,000 fans but also hopes of a more fruitful future for the Mean Green.
"They need a new facility, a new stadium, in order to get UNT more competitive with other teams in the conference," Eagles fan Kacie Barbay said.
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