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The basis for what North Texas hopes will be a lasting tradition began on a day when a group graduates considered a simple question.

Why isn’t there an eagle in Fouts Field, anyway?

James Stinson was there that day in the summer of 2008 at Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse in Dallas with five other members of the Geezles, a social fraternity full of former UNT athletes that disbanded in 1970.

“I said it was a shame,” Stinson said. “When we were in school, our fraternity house had a big eagle. We decided that we should see about getting an eagle for the new stadium.”

That discussion hatched a project that will come to fruition this fall. When UNT opens its new football stadium, it will feature an eagle statue that will help recognize the rich history of the Geezles, who hope the sculpture will also help set the tone for the future of the program.

The fraternity, which includes former NFL players Ray Renfro, legendary coaches such as G.A. Moore and community figures such as John Guyer and Billy Ryan, raised the money to have the statue built.

The bronze eagle bust that will stand about 5 feet tall and weigh around 225 pounds will sit in the players’ entrance to the new Mean Green stadium that will open Sept. 10 when UNT hosts Houston. UNT adopted “Mean Green” as its nickname in the time since the Geezles were a prominent campus group, but the school has retained the eagle as its mascot.

Links to Brett's articles about the statue and its origin:

http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/archives/2011/06/a-story-on-a-great-project-for.html

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/sports/stories/DRC_Geezles_statue_0619.3d442620f.html

On a side note, according to the the second article, the call of an eagle is "KEE", not "CAW". Someone alert the Green Brigade. :lol:


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UNTcrazy727

Posted

Now that's first class! Certaintly better than a stupid rock!

  • Upvote 2
greenminer

Posted (edited)

Web site of the artist, Kent Ullberg.

PortraitofPrideView1.jpg

Edited by greenminer
  • Upvote 2
DeepGreen

Posted

This is outstanding! The crown, so to speak, for our new stadium. Way to go Geezles!

  • Upvote 1
KRAM1

Posted

Thanks, Geezles! This is first rate. Great job...folks, we all owe the geezles a big "thnak you" for this...they raised over $150,000 to make this happen. Thanks so much...this is yet another proud moment for UNT and its alumni. My hat is off to you and I am most appreciative of you efforts to make this happen. GREAT...simply GREAT!

GO MEAN GREEN...GO GEEZLES!

  • Upvote 1
NTEdgex2

Posted

Someone posted a picture of where the statue will be installed, but I can't find it. If anyone has a link, I would appreciate it. Just a fabulous piece and a great new tradition! Also Happy Father's Day to all Mean Green Dads, Granddads, and Great-granddads!

GMG!

  • Upvote 1
greenjoe

Posted

I have no picture, but I saw workers digging a square hole about 10 yards behind the south goal post. i couldn't tell by the installation site if the Eagle would be permanent or installed only on game day.

Thanks Geezles

GO MEAN GREEN

UNT 90 Grad

Posted

Someone posted a picture of where the statue will be installed, but I can't find it. If anyone has a link, I would appreciate it. Just a fabulous piece and a great new tradition! Also Happy Father's Day to all Mean Green Dads, Granddads, and Great-granddads!

GMG!

If you look in the picture below, the statue is going where the light spot is on the turf about midway between the goal post and the gate.

med_gallery_3776_24_365358.jpg

Green Dozer

Posted (edited)

I agree, better than a rock! But at least we are developing traditions on par with the rock, the terrapin at Maryland, and the sign at Notre Dame. This is a true jewel for our new stadium.

:thumbsu:

Edited by Green Dozer
Stan R

Posted

Gave me chills. Amazing, that thing must weigh 1500 lbs. or more at 5 feet tall.

UNT 90 Grad

Posted

Web site of the artist, Kent Ullberg.

PortraitofPrideView1.jpg

I thought that was a pic of the final product, until I went to the site and saw that this was one of twelve 33" tall statues. Definitely looks like the inspiration for Spirikee though.

Baby Arm!

Posted

Damn Fraternities. Never do anything good! :rolleyes:

Harry

Posted

I thought that was a pic of the final product, until I went to the site and saw that this was one of twelve 33" tall statues. Definitely looks like the inspiration for Spirikee though.

Is that a bald eagle?

NTEdgex2

Posted

Thanks MG 93-98. That's the photo I was thinking of.

GMG!

UNT 90 Grad

Posted

Gave me chills. Amazing, that thing must weigh 1500 lbs. or more at 5 feet tall.

The article says it weighs in at around 225 lbs. Must be very hollow.



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