Drawing Of New Stadium

NT80 · April 5, 2009

I want to preface this by saying that any stadium is better than what we have....NOW...after looking at the new rendering I must admit that I think the original rendering is MUCH better. With this new stadium I do not like the endzones at all. One of them is flat and grassy and the other side is in the shape of something that looks like a piece of a roof at sonic. Also the stadium bleachers are really flat as well...I cannot see that this rendering would do anything as far as keeping in ANY sound what-so-ever. I was hoping that with the bottom bowl it would actually be a bowl, and a continuous one so that it is easy to focus on the game with limited distractions and keep in sound...but it is clear that there are two distinct sections with some middle bleachers. I think that the stadium needs to have the bleachers more vertical and that the bowl needs to be complete all the way around with an opening at the end with the athletic facility.

I also do not care for the endzone section in this new version of the stadium. Too many endzone seats to start with, why not add more upper sideline/corner seating and just a lower bowl of endzone seats? Who would want to sit up high in that far corner point of that endzone design? Also, the exterior is not very attractive, not a continuous nice brick facade like the other rendering, just a patchwork of exposed braced and angled aluminum seating structures. Someone said the endzone is supposed to resemble "wings"? Looks like a drive-in theater concession stand to me.

I believe the portal entrances are all at ground level, thus the lower section of seats creates a small lower bowl. The field level exterior elevation drawing also shows only half the stands above ground. This probably helps keep construction costs lower (smaller and fewer supports needed) and would keep noise in better and reduce wind at field level.

The single level of seating is nice and doesn't split the crowd like an upper deck. Sideline stands do not look all that much larger though than what we have now, maybe they are larger if angled different. I like the sloped endzone grass berm, nice place to sit on a blanket if they let you, although players will have to run up it to the locker room.

All in all, it is better than what we have now, but I've seen better designs. I hope the real thing gets a lot of modifications during final design and construction. This version resembles a glorified high school stadium, or Fouts on steriods without the track. <_<

Edited April 5, 2009 by NT80

forevereagle · April 5, 2009

That looks like with 50K

I spoke with Rick after the presentation and he said that this rendering is about 32,000 eats. This does NOT include the expansion to 50,000.

NT80 · April 5, 2009

I spoke with Rick after the presentation and he said that this rendering is about 32,000 eats. This does NOT include the expansion to 50,000.

I would like to see the expansion version, perhaps it would fill in some of the holes or open spaces that make it look cut up now.

NT91 · April 5, 2009

I do not think the 50K will ever be done.....not in the next 50 years anyway.

April 6, 2009

Wow, no further posts for more than twelve hours on some of the biggest news in our history. I guess that information really does quiet the naysayers.

The drawings are artist's renditions and are not drawn to scale. The seats may be (and probably are) at a stteper angle than depicted. Some sound will undoubtedly leave the stadium because of the gap between the open end of the horseshoe and the athletic center. The end zone seats are necessary in order to resonate some of the sound and give it somewhat of a bowl effect.

The archtects have enough credentials for us to feel comfortable with their final design. There is no way that they can please everyone. I really believe that it will be one of the finest collegiate facilities in the state.

One other thing that I've yet to see posted is that the athletic department will be launching a new web site soon. Information on the stadium progress, I believe including pictures, will be updated often. That will include information on donations pledged or received. The AD gets it that communication is vital to participation. This should doe away with our bitching about not having quarterly meetings.

PlummMeanGreen · April 6, 2009

The archtects have enough credentials for us to feel comfortable with their final design. There is no way that they can please everyone. I really believe that it will be one of the finest collegiate facilities in the state.

Hello GrayEagleOne and the Mean Green Nation! Ain't this exciting news for all those who came before us (of whom many of us knew), those in the present and then those who are to come (which is a major reason we need this stadium now)? I still stand amazed at those who don't think we need a new stadium based on recent W/L records. For that group many of us would tell them from decades of watching the Mean Green--"it's a cycle thing and we will win again."

Couldn't be more excited that the same architects who did the Dallas Cowboys new $1 billion palace are the same ones doing ours. Anyone else wanna' bet they know what they are doing with UNT's new stadium-to-be? :rolleyes:

And congratulations to UNT powers-that-be who are pulling all this off during one of the worst times in U.S. economic history. That alone could be the biggest story of this whole new UNT football stadium thing truth be told.

NT03 · April 6, 2009

Hello GrayEagleOne and the Mean Green Nation! Ain't this exciting news for all those who came before us (of whom many of us knew), those in the present and then those who are to come (which is a major reason we need this stadium now)? I still stand amazed at those who don't think we need a new stadium based on recent W/L records. For that group many of us would tell them from decades of watching the Mean Green--"it's a cycle thing and we will win again."
Couldn't be more excited that the same architects who did the Dallas Cowboys new $1 billion palace are the same ones doing ours. Anyone else wanna' bet they know what they are doing with UNT's new stadium-to-be?
And congratulations to UNT powers-that-be who are pulling all this off during one of the worst times in U.S. economic history. That alone could be the biggest story of this whole new UNT football stadium thing truth be told.

Man , I have missed your colorful writing !!

April 6, 2009

Hello GrayEagleOne and the Mean Green Nation! Ain't this exciting news for all those who came before us (of whom many of us knew), those in the present and then those who are to come (which is a major reason we need this stadium now)? I still stand amazed at those who don't think we need a new stadium based on recent W/L records. For that group many of us would tell them from decades of watching the Mean Green--"it's a cycle thing and we will win again."
Couldn't be more excited that the same architects who did the Dallas Cowboys new $1 billion palace are the same ones doing ours. Anyone else wanna' bet they know what they are doing with UNT's new stadium-to-be?
And congratulations to UNT powers-that-be who are pulling all this off during one of the worst times in U.S. economic history. That alone could be the biggest story of this whole new UNT football stadium thing truth be told.

Jim, it's great to hear from you and I sorely missed seeing you on Saturday. It was one of the happier days of my life and a long time coming.

Everything is coming together and if I can hold on another couple of years I may get to realize our dream. I hope that I'm not like Moses...just getting to see the Promised Land but not actually getting to enter.

I know that a lot of people contributed mightily to this reality but there is one person who was really instrumental in getting this project moving. Kudos to Ann Clinkscales. I've never met her but I've heard about a lot of good things that she's done. What a great hire!

To you, PlummMeanGreen, hurry and fill your pot of gold from working and get back here at least on game days. And, as NT03 said, we miss your colorful posts. Keep 'em coming.

LoveMG · April 6, 2009

The end zone seats are necessary in order to resonate some of the sound and give it somewhat of a bowl effect.
The archtects have enough credentials for us to feel comfortable with their final design. There is no way that they can please everyone. I really believe that it will be one of the finest collegiate facilities in the state.

upper end zone seats are never necessary. that is just being a lazy architectt. you have not seen many college stadiums in texas have you?

TIgreen01 · April 6, 2009

upper end zone seats are never necessary. that is just being a lazy architectt. you have not seen many college stadiums in texas have you?

How do you figure? It looks like they were going after a certain look with those endzone seats. If they are right on top of the field, those seats won't be bad at all. Ever been to SMU's stadium and sat high up in the endzone? Not a bad view if you ask me.

April 6, 2009

upper end zone seats are never necessary. that is just being a lazy architectt. you have not seen many college stadiums in texas have you?

How about for keeping a strong north wind from drastically affecting the game? These are the same lazy architects that designed Jerry's World and other stadia. Lazy? I don't think so.

This is an artist's rendition. It appears that the top of the end zone is to be at the same level as the rest of the stadium. There are two tiers but not an upper deck. It's unclear whether those stands will be on visible steel supports or a berm. It would look like a high school stadium if the end were open or only had a few seats.

As to upper end zone seats never being necessary...tell that to UT and A&M.

oldguystudent · April 6, 2009

As to upper end zone seats never being necessary...tell that to UT and A&M.

Isn't it gmg.com rule numero uno to never, ever compare any aspect whatsoever of UNT to UT, A&M, or any other university in existence?

flyonthewall · April 6, 2009

Aren't you supposed to be studying?

Isn't it gmg.com rule numero uno to never, ever compare any aspect whatsoever of UNT to UT, A&M, or any other university in existence?

emmitt01 · April 6, 2009

Isn't it gmg.com rule numero uno to never, ever compare any aspect whatsoever of UNT to UT, A&M, or any other university in existence?

Yes, it is. So long as you don't hold our athletic department in any way/shape/form to one that succeeds you will never have a cogent argument for why things aren't getting done.

flyonthewall · April 6, 2009

Seriously,

What is not getting done? New athletic center? Done. Indoor driving range for golf? done New softball field? done New soccer field? done New turf on a field that we knew was being torn down? done New tennis courts? done Dedicated academic center for athletes? done The only piece of the puzzle is the new football stadium. Do you think that millions of dollars and time would be spent on all of the things you have seen if that weren't happening?

Rick, Hank, Dr. B. Mandy, Lee Jackson, Gayle Strange, C. Dan Smith Unt Flyer, etc. cannot suit up and play football, but as far as giving our student athletes everything they need to compete on a national level, all of these people are doing everything they can with the resources provided them.

May I personally deliver you a pledge card for the new stadium? Please?

Yes, it is. So long as you don't hold our athletic department in any way/shape/form to one that succeeds you will never have a cogent argument for why things aren't getting done.

oldguystudent · April 6, 2009

Aren't you supposed to be studying?

I had econ and accounting tests on Thursday. Got uncurved 100% on both of them thankyouveddymuch. Am, admittedly having trouble getting through the next accounting chapter today. Too many people in the house (that is to say, more than just me).

Edited April 6, 2009 by oldguystudent

emmitt01 · April 6, 2009

Seriously,
What is not getting done? New athletic center? Done. Indoor driving range for golf? done New softball field? done New soccer field? done New turf on a field that we knew was being torn down? done New tennis courts? done Dedicated academic center for athletes? done The only piece of the puzzle is the new football stadium. Do you think that millions of dollars and time would be spent on all of the things you have seen if that weren't happening?
Rick, Hank, Dr. B. Mandy, Lee Jackson, Gayle Strange, C. Dan Smith Unt Flyer, etc. cannot suit up and play football, but as far as giving our student athletes everything they need to compete on a national level, all of these people are doing everything they can with the resources provided them.
May I personally deliver you a pledge card for the new stadium? Please?

No need. I'll give on my own.

LoveMG · April 6, 2009

How about for keeping a strong north wind from drastically affecting the game? These are the same lazy architects that designed Jerry's World and other stadia. Lazy? I don't think so.
This is an artist's rendition. It appears that the top of the end zone is to be at the same level as the rest of the stadium. There are two tiers but not an upper deck. It's unclear whether those stands will be on visible steel supports or a berm. It would look like a high school stadium if the end were open or only had a few seats.
As to upper end zone seats never being necessary...tell that to UT and A&M.

never said it was an upper deck, upper section. wind, serious? maybe the scoreboard can block it. the lower endzone section for the bowl is fine. the upper section for the same price could have been added to the corners of the sideline seating and made them more sellable. the renderings do show the upper section is open behind, no berms and likely ugly supports will be needed. see vandy stadium for few endzone seats. others too. a large amount is not desired or needed.

UNTnewbie · April 6, 2009

How about for keeping a strong north wind from drastically affecting the game?

Nothing short of a domed stadium would keep the wind from affecting the game. High walls/bleachers just change the flow of the wind and create uneven and unpredictable wind patterns in stadiums. In other words you can't game plan for prevailing winds because there will be circle patterns, up flows and down flows depending on where you are on the field. Nightmare for Kickers, Returners, and QB's.

UNTLifer · April 6, 2009

never said it was an upper deck, upper section. wind, serious? maybe the scoreboard can block it. the lower endzone section for the bowl is fine. the upper section for the same price could have been added to the corners of the sideline seating and made them more sellable. the renderings do show the upper section is open behind, no berms and likely ugly supports will be needed. see vandy stadium for few endzone seats. others too. a large amount is not desired or needed.

I have no idea why we even hired HKS, what have they even done, when we have so many in-house experts that I'm sure would provide their services pro-bono.

LoveMG · April 6, 2009

I have no idea why we even hired HKS, what have they even done, when we have so many in-house experts that I'm sure would provide their services pro-bono.

it does not take a genius to know endzone seats are less desirable than sideline seats. maybe it does?

Edited April 6, 2009 by LoveMG

UNT90 · April 6, 2009

Seriously,
What is not getting done? New athletic center? Done. Indoor driving range for golf? done New softball field? done New soccer field? done New turf on a field that we knew was being torn down? done New tennis courts? done Dedicated academic center for athletes? done The only piece of the puzzle is the new football stadium. Do you think that millions of dollars and time would be spent on all of the things you have seen if that weren't happening?
Rick, Hank, Dr. B. Mandy, Lee Jackson, Gayle Strange, C. Dan Smith Unt Flyer, etc. cannot suit up and play football, but as far as giving our student athletes everything they need to compete on a national level, all of these people are doing everything they can with the resources provided them.

I agree. I think RV has done one heck of a job upgrading facilities. Better than any AD that proceeded him. I think people are just frustrated that the most visible sport in the program went from the cusp of admission into the football semi-elite to the worst football program in D1A. I'm sure RV is frustrated, also.

Does anyone doubt we would have a different conference affiliation in two years if we were currently in the middle of the 4 year conference championship run right now, with a new stadium coming in 2011? Timing.

I think this frustrates people and makes them look past the improvements made to all programs (besides football) under the current AD.

Sometimes, you don't realize what you have until it's gone. I think RV has already left quite a legacy at UNT.