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The new stadium: Why here. Why now.

UNT’s reputation is growing.

The U.S. News & World Report's America’s Best Colleges 2010 guide named UNT as one of the top national universities that are “leading the pack” in innovative changes, in academics, faculty, students, campus and facilities. UNT is Texas' only public university on the list.

Coupled with a “Best in the West” ranking from The Princeton Review and being named by The Chronicle for Higher Education as one of only five universities that is thriving despite the challenges facing higher education in the United States, it is clear that UNT is standing out and people are noticing.

To keep UNT leading the pack, we are making investments across the board, from new research initiatives to new recruiting strategies, new degree programs to new facilities. And that includes building muscle into a university athletics program that we know has the potential to be among the best.

Every advancement we make strengthens our reputation and improves the value of every UNT degree.

UNT is dedicated to a first-class campus experience.

UNT is Texas’ fourth-largest university and still growing. Investing in a first-class campus experience is part of ensuring that UNT, just like many of the nation’s best universities, is excellent in everything we do. It’s also part of a long-term strategic vision. A new stadium was included in UNT’s latest campus master plan, which was adopted by the UNT System Board of Regents in 2005.

The new stadium may be the largest construction project ever taken on by the university, but it is just one of many recent and current campus improvement projects. Among them: the critically acclaimed Murchison Performing Arts Center, which just celebrated its tenth anniversary; an award-winning student recreation center; a student health, advising and money management center; several residence halls; and a new chemistry building. We’ve also renovated UNT’s research campus, Discovery Park. Our new Life Sciences Complex will open in 2010, and a new Business Leadership Building will open in 2011.

In 2001, UNT began planning one of the finest collegiate sports communities in the nation, Mean Green Village. Thanks to the support of loyal alumni and donors (in Texas, state funds cannot be used for the construction of college athletic facilities), many outstanding campus facilities are now dedicated to both the athletic and academic success of UNT student-athletes.

The logical next step? The long-overdue replacement of 57-year-old Fouts Field, which cannot structurally accommodate further renovations, with outdated electrical and plumbing systems, and substandard access and amenities.

Successful university athletics are a valuable asset.

Today more than ever, the quality of college athletic facilities makes a dramatic difference in recruiting the best student-athletes and coaching staff in order to build and maintain a competitive program. With the improvement of UNT’s softball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, golf and swimming facilities over recent years, team performance has also improved. We fully expect this to be the case when our rapidly deteriorating football stadium is replaced in 2011. Our new stadium will finally put UNT’s overall university facilities on equal – or better – standing with our Division 1 competitors.

Traditionally, athletic facilities, events and teams are also some of the most visible aspects of a university. They provide a “window” to the campus for prospective students, donors, corporate partners and the public at large.

UNT currently has 16 Mean Green athletics teams that give our students diverse opportunities to excel on the field as well as in the classroom ... bring our campus and community together ... connect our alumni to their alma mater ... and serve as a rallying point for all UNT supporters.

UNT’s new stadium will be in the right place at the right time.

Adjacent to the stadium, UNT’s former Eagle Point Golf Course has the potential to be redeveloped into a destination of choice for business professionals, conventioneers and vacationers. UNT has begun discussions with the City of Denton and John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts to build a new hotel with first-class meeting and convention facilities, incorporating the site of the former Radisson Hotel. Such an upscale facility will contribute to a vibrant campus life and internship opportunities for students.

UNT’s multi-purpose stadium and its beautiful park-like grounds, highly visible at the confluence of I-35E and I-35W, will offer unique indoor and outdoor venues for local, regional and statewide events such as concerts, summer camps, high school football games, band competitions, reunions, corporate meetings and community holiday celebrations. The naturally landscaped greenbelt will also be an all-season locale for relaxation and recreation.

All these advances and activities will contribute to the vitality of both UNT and Denton, which is the ninth-fastest growing city in the United States.