The University of North Texas will breaking ground Saturday on a new stadium, a project school officials say is sure to beef up their athletics program.
The stadium seats 30,000 people, with luxury suites and increased space for tailgating.
Rick Villarreal, athletics director, said the stadium is expected to change the way people see North Texas football. Villarreal said he came to the school eight years ago with that plan in mind.
Football players said they think the venue will turn things around for UNT football.
"People always want to play in a nice place and come see nice things, so I think this will be a big attractor for kids who want to come here and for fans around the area," player Toby Nwigwe said.
In addition to games, the stadium will also host other events, such as concerts, year-round.
With a price tag of $78 million, the stadium was designed by HKS, the architects who created Cowboys Stadium.
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It will also be the first gold LEED-certified stadium at a university, which means it will be built green.
The groundbreaking will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m., followed by the UNT/Army game at 3 p.m.
This stadium is the 13th new project built on UNT’s campus in the last five years.
