Nearly 1,800 fans flocked to Fouts Field for this year’s annual Green and White game in April and got a glimpse of the future of Mean Green football. (Photo by Jonanthan Reynolds)

Nearly 1,800 fans flocked to Fouts Field for this year’s annual Green and White game in April and got a glimpse of the future of Mean Green football.
With “Believe It!” as the theme, the fundraising campaign for UNT’s new stadium and entertainment complex officially kicked off.
 
Mean Green supporters checked out stadium concept drawings by HKS Architects, designers of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington. The new stadium will feature upscale amenities such as 20 luxury suites, a 700-seat club level, bowl seating close to the field, giant video screens, a state-of-the-art sound system and plenty of space for tailgating and game day activities. UNT also is vying to have the first college football stadium in America that earns Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification.

The Mean Green’s new home, expected to open in time for the 2011 football season, also will be a draw for other athletic, musical and community events.
 
President Gretchen M. Bataille and Athletic Director Rick Villarreal praised UNT’s students for setting the stage for the initiative by approving a dedicated athletics fee last fall that will help fund construction of the stadium. Texas law does not allow the use of state funds to build college athletic facilities.
 
Student Government Association President Jeff Kline joined Bataille and Villarreal in urging fans, alumni and friends to do their part in supporting UNT athletics. Villarreal says that the April event yielded some significant commitments by donors, including the sponsorship of several luxury suites.
 
The new stadium will be the centerpiece for Mean Green Village, home to UNT athletics and 10 new facilities — for softball, tennis, soccer, golf, volleyball and academics — since 2002.

To learn more, make a donation, purchase season tickets or join the Mean Green Club, go to www.meangreensports.com.