DATCU Stadium
{{Short description|College football stadium in Denton, Texas, United States}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = DATCU Stadium
| nickname =
| logo_image = File:DATCU Stadium - Logo.jpg
| image = File:Southern Methodist vs. North Texas football 2018 03 (Green Brigade Marching Band).jpg
| caption = The Green Brigade Marching Band performing at DATCU Stadium before the Safeway Bowl
| fullname =
| location = 1251 S. Bonnie Brae Street
Denton, Texas 76207
| coordinates = {{coord|33|12|13|N|97|9|34|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = USA Texas#USA
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Texas##Location in the United States
| broke_ground = {{Start date|2009|11|21}}
| built = 2009–2011
| opened = {{Start date|2011|09|10}}
| renovated =
| expanded =
| closed =
| demolished =
| scoreboard = {{convert|47|x|27|ft|m|abbr=on}} (primary)
{{convert|27|x|15|ft|m|abbr=on}} (secondary){{cite web|url=http://www.meangreenmap.com/apogeestadium.html|access-date=June 27, 2012|publisher=University of North Texas Athletic Department|year=2012|last=Pyke|first=David|title=Mean Green Interactive Athletics Map – Apogee Stadium|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808205312/http://www.meangreenmap.com/apogeestadium.html|archive-date=August 8, 2012|url-status=dead}}
| owner = University of North Texas System
| operator = University of North Texas Athletic Department
| surface = PowerBlade HP + artificial turf{{cite web |title=Green Gang: 50-Yard Line Going In|last=Bartolotta|first=Steven|publisher=MeanGreenSports.com |date=May 23, 2011|url=http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1800&ATCLID=205154178 |access-date=October 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703180621/http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1800&ATCLID=205154178 |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
| construction_cost = $78 million{{cite news |url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth164971/m1/1/|oclc=17435854|title=Stadium Springs to Life|date=January 20, 2011|access-date=July 3, 2012|last=Gaines|first=Drew|newspaper=North Texas Daily|location=University of North Texas|page=1}}
(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|78000000|2009}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
| architect = HKS, Inc.
| structural engineer = Rogers Moore Engineers
Walter P Moore Engineers and Consultants{{cite web|title=University of North Texas Apogee Stadium – Credits |url=http://architypesource.com/projects/793-university-of-north-texas-apogee-stadium/credits |publisher=ArchitypeSource.com |access-date=June 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703181351/http://architypesource.com/projects/793-university-of-north-texas-apogee-stadium/credits |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
| services engineer = Henneman Engineering
| general_contractor = Manhattan Construction Company
| main_contractors =
| former_names = Mean Green Stadium (planning)
Apogee Stadium (2011–2023)
| tenants = North Texas Mean Green football (2011–present)
| seating_capacity = 30,100
| record_attendance = 30,123 vs. University of Houston
September 28, 2019
| dimensions = {{convert|360|ft|m}} x {{convert|160|ft|m}}
| website = {{url|1=https://meangreensports.com/facilities/datcu-stadium/4}}
| publictransit = Downtown Denton Transit Center (shuttle to stadium)
}}
DATCU Stadium (formerly Apogee Stadium) is a college football stadium located at the north junction of Interstate 35E and Interstate 35W in Denton, Texas. Opened in 2011, it is home to the University of North Texas (UNT) Mean Green football team, which competes in the American Athletic Conference. The facility replaced Fouts Field, where the school's football program had been based since 1952.
The stadium was proposed by the University of North Texas System Board of Regents after the 2002 New Orleans Bowl. Designed by HKS, Inc., it was constructed at a cost of $78 million after a student body election in 2008. It was tentatively named "Mean Green Stadium" prior to ResNet provider Apogee purchasing the naming rights in 2011. DATCU Credit Union (DATCU. formerly Denton Area Teachers Credit Union) subsequently purchased naming rights to the facility prior to the 2023 season. The stadium hosted its first major event on September 10, 2011 when the Mean Green lost 48–23 against the University of Houston Cougars. Official home attendance figures for the team's first six seasons at DATCU Stadium averaged 18,737 per game, which is 60% of its capacity of 30,100.
The facility includes various amenities, including a press box, luxury boxes, and an alumni pavilion. It also uses environmental technology; it is the first newly built stadium to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ssr-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/Apogee-Stadium.pdf |access-date=December 5, 2015 |last=Allsop |first=Chris |magazine=Green Building & Design |year=2012 |pages=132–137 |title=Features: Apogee Stadium}} It can be reached by road, but because of limited parking and traffic congestion on game days, many attendees park on the northeast side of Interstate 35E and cross a pedestrian bridge to reach the stadium. Others use public transportation to reach the facility on game days.
History
= Early planning and finance =
In September 2002, the University of North Texas purchased {{convert|19|acre|ha}} on the opposite side of Interstate 35E from the main campus in Denton from Liberty Christian School for $5.1 million.{{cite news |title=NT Closes Athletic Gender Gaps|first=Jamaal|last=O'Neal|location=University of North Texas|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145245/m1/1/|pages=1, 3|newspaper=North Texas Daily|date=September 8, 2005|oclc=17435854}} The university also owned an adjacent {{convert|158|acre|ha|adj=on}} golf course.{{cite news |newspaper=Dallas Business Journal |publisher=American City Business Journals |url=https://inthenews.unt.edu/sites/default/files/PDF/2003/1/10/01_10_2003_DBJ_GrowingUNT.pdf |date=January 10, 2003 |access-date=December 6, 2015 |last=Wethe |first=David |title=Growing UNT Eyes Golf Course for Expansion }} Following the football team's victory at the 2002 New Orleans Bowl, school administrators announced their intent to build an assortment of new athletic facilities on the properties, now called the Mean Green Village. These plans included a new football stadium to replace Fouts Field, where the school's football team had been based since 1952. Richard Raefs, vice chancellor of administrative affairs at UNT, stated that the project's primary objective was the consolidation of academic facilities and that renovating Fouts Field would cost $8 million more than building an entirely new stadium.{{cite news |last=Gaete|first=Pablo|title=NT Plans for Expansion at Eagle Point Golf Course|pages=1, 4|newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|location=University of North Texas|date=January 14, 2003|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145062/m1/1/|access-date=November 10, 2011}}
The University of North Texas System Board of Regents released a long-term campus master plan in 2005 that included a proposed new stadium with a capacity of 35,000 and an estimated cost "in excess of $35 million".{{cite report|type=Master plan |date=August 19, 2005 |title=The University of North Texas Denton Campus Master Plan – 2005 |author=Sasaki Associates |author-link=Hideo Sasaki |url=http://www.unt.edu/untmasterplan/documents/Final_Master_Plan.pdf |access-date=July 5, 2012 |page=43 |publisher=University of North Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519062420/http://www.unt.edu/untmasterplan/documents/Final_Master_Plan.pdf |archive-date=May 19, 2012 |url-status=dead }} UNT athletic director Rick Villareal stated that the university would use only private fundraising, rather than another increase in students' fees, to pay for any new facilities, including a stadium. He projected that the new stadium would cost $40 million and seat 50,000 spectators.{{cite news |last=Shettig|first=Bryan|title=Athletic Director Receives Pay Boost|page=1|newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|location=University of North Texas|date=September 1, 2005|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145241/m1/1/}} The athletic department changed that capacity estimate in 2007 to 32,000 with the possibility of later expansion to 50,000.{{cite news |last=Rosenfield|first=Adam|title=Athletic Department Receives $1.5 million|page=6|newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|location=University of North Texas|date=January 30, 2007|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145416/m1/6/}}
= Athletics fee referendum =
{{align|right|{{Referendum
| title = University of North Texas 2008 athletics fee referendum
| no = 2,038
| nopct = 41.9
| yes = 2,829
| yespct = 58.1
| turnoutpct = 13.9
| total = 4,867
}}}}
In 2008, the athletic department tried again to increase the athletics fee to pay for the new stadium, which now had an estimated cost of $60 million. UNT Student Government Association (SGA) student senators voted to hold a student election on the referendum to approve the new fee, which amounted to a net increase of $7 per credit hour for each student, or approximately $840 per student over the course of four years.{{cite news |url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145604/m1/1/|title=New Football Stadium Needs $30 million from Donors|date=September 16, 2008|access-date=June 4, 2012|last=Cooper|first=Kirk|newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|location=University of North Texas|pages=1–2}} According to state law, students cannot pay for more than half the cost of a stadium.{{cite news |last=Shettig|first=Bryan|title=Students Approve Fees for Athletics, Stadium|page=1|newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|location=University of North Texas|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145624/m1/1/|date=October 21, 2008}}
The athletic department made a concerted effort to promote the higher fee to students, and supporters suggested hiring street preachers or troubadours to promote the election.{{cite news |last=Short|first=Taylor|title=Student Government Discusses New Stadium|page=1|newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|location=University of North Texas|date=October 7, 2008|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145616/m1/1/}} Making the case for the fee prior to the election, athletic director Rick Villareal said that the stadium was "not some arms race for us" and that the fee's objective was not just to keep up with other universities.{{cite news |last=Thatcher|first=Abigail|title=NT Stadium Debate to Continue|newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|location=University of North Texas|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145610/m1/2/|access-date=October 15, 2011|pages=1–2|date=September 21, 2008}}
The referendum was held between October 13–17, 2008. Students voted for or against the proposal:
In order for the University of North Texas to have a better Athletic program, which in turn can lead to national exposure and increased recognition of UNT; I agree to a dedicated Athletic Fee not to exceed $10 per semester credit hour, capped at 15 hours. Once the Athletic Fee is implemented, the Student Service Fee will be reduced by $3 per semester credit hour. The Athletic Fee shall not be implemented until the semester the new football stadium is complete, which is expected to be fall 2011.{{cite news |last=Shettig|first=Bryan|title=Athletic Referendum Voting Underway|date=October 14, 2008|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145620/m1/1/|page=1|newspaper=North Texas Daily |location=University of North Texas|access-date=October 16, 2011}}
On October 21, 2008, the UNT SGA announced that in one of the largest turnouts in the school's history, student voters approved a dedicated athletic fee to fund the new stadium. Almost 14% of the student body voted, with 2,829 students (58.1%) voting for the increase and 2,038 (41.9%) voting against it. After the election, the cost estimate for the stadium's construction increased by $18 million to $78 million, $38 million more than the 2005 estimate.{{cite news |last=Pharris|first=Mary|title=NT Unveils Proposed Stadium Rendition|newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|location=University of North Texas|page=2|date=April 7, 2009|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145683/m1/2/|access-date=October 16, 2011}} At a press conference with head football coach Todd Dodge, Villarreal stated that "there's an arms race going on with facilities. This one will put us up there with everybody else."{{cite news |last=Roberts|first=Courtney|title=Dodge, Villarreal Discuss Referendum Success|newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|date=October 22, 2008|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145625/m1/1/|access-date=October 15, 2011|location=University of North Texas}} In February 2009, the school's chapter of Students for a Democratic Society unsuccessfully attempted to petition for a re-vote on the referendum.{{cite news |newspaper=North Texas Daily|last=Arnold|first=Amber|date=February 24, 2009|title=Campus Group Calls for Stadium Re-vote |url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145664/m1/1/|access-date=July 10, 2012|location=University of North Texas}}
Following the election, Representative Myra Crownover and Senator Craig Estes submitted companion bills during the eighty-first Texas Legislature to approve the fee increase. According to the report submitted by Crownover to the state's Higher Education Committee, the fee would not begin until construction of the new stadium was complete. As a result of the fee, the athletics department would collect approximately $8.7 million from students in 2012, of which $3.9 million would be put towards payment of the new stadium.{{cite report |url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/analysis/html/HB02024H.htm |title=Bill Analysis |last=Crownover |first=Myra |author-link=Myra Crownover |location=Austin |publisher=Texas Legislature Online |date=April 16, 2009 |access-date=December 5, 2015 |id=CSHB 2024 }} Estes' bill was approved by the Texas House and Senate, and was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry on May 23, 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB473 |title=Bill History for SB 473 |work=capitol.state.tx.us |publisher=Texas Legislature Online |access-date=December 5, 2015 |year=2009 }} Prior to the groundbreaking ceremony on November 21, 2009, President of UNT Gretchen Bataille said that of the approximately $78 million needed to pay for the new stadium, the department had raised $5 million.{{cite web|title=Big day Coming Tomorrow, Note on the Money in Hand|last=Vito|first=Brett|url=http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2009/11/big-day-coming-tomorrow-note-o.html/|newspaper=Denton Record-Chronicle|date=November 20, 2009|access-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182001/http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2009/11/big-day-coming-tomorrow-note-o.html/|archive-date=July 3, 2012|url-status=dead}} In 2015, the eighty-fourth Texas Legislature passed a bill allowing the Board of Regents to raise the fee by up to 10% each year beyond the original limit of $10.{{cite act |title=AN ACT relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes, to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes, and to conforming codifications enacted by the 83rd Legislature to other Acts of that legislature. |number=SB 1296 |date=June 19, 2015 |article=5.0045 |articletype=Section |page=20 |url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/billtext/html/SB01296F.HTM |access-date=July 11, 2016 }} In September 2015, the Board of Regents approved an increase in the fee, raising it to $11 per credit hour.{{cite news |newspaper=North Texas Daily |url=http://ntdaily.com/unt-increasing-student-athletic-fee-and-institutional-support-despite-below-average-athletic-performance/ |access-date=July 11, 2016 |url-status=live |last=Waddell |first=Reece |title=UNT Gradually Increased Student Athletic Fee and Institutional Support Despite Below-average Athletic Performance |date=April 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711165328/http://ntdaily.com/unt-increasing-student-athletic-fee-and-institutional-support-despite-below-average-athletic-performance/ |archive-date=July 11, 2016 }}
= Construction and naming rights =
In February 2008, the school selected HKS, Inc. to provide architectural and design services for the proposed new stadium.{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2008/02/04/daily40.html|title=UNT Picks HKS Inc. for New Stadium|newspaper=Dallas Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=February 8, 2008|access-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210084216/http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2008/02/04/daily40.html|archive-date=February 10, 2008|url-status=live}} The university hired Manhattan Construction Company in 2009 to provide pre-construction and construction services.{{cite press release |url=http://www.manhattanconstructiongroup.com/manhattan-construction/2009/02/17/manhattan-selected-to-build-unt-football-stadium-complex|title=Manhattan Selected to Build UNT Football Stadium Complex|publisher=Manhattan Construction Group|date=February 17, 2009|access-date=June 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714025614/http://www.manhattanconstructiongroup.com/manhattan-construction/2009/02/17/manhattan-selected-to-build-unt-football-stadium-complex|archive-date=July 14, 2011 |url-status=live}} After leveling the area, Manhattan installed a steel-reinforced concrete skeleton for the stands. Subsequently, the firm flattened the playing field area and installed artificial turf. In later phases, glass and brick were added to the facility's luxury suites.{{cite journal |title=Apogee Stadium |date=July–September 2012 |last=George |first=Geoff |journal=American Builders Quarterly |url=http://americanbuildersquarterly.com/2012/apogee-stadium/ |access-date=February 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402175734/http://americanbuildersquarterly.com/2012/apogee-stadium/ |archive-date=April 2, 2013 |url-status=live}} Construction officially finished on July 20, 2011.{{cite web|last=Goolsby |first=Wyatt |title=Construction Complete on New Mean Green Stadium |url=http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Construction-Compete-on-New-Mean-Green-Stadium-125897353.html |publisher=wfaa.com |location=Dallas |date=June 20, 2011 |access-date=October 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182018/http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Construction-Compete-on-New-Mean-Green-Stadium-125897353.html |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
On August 11, 2011, UNT announced a deal with Austin-based ResNet provider Apogee for the naming rights to the new stadium, and the name was changed to "Apogee Stadium".{{cite news|last=Vito|first=Brett|title=Source: UNT Sells Stadium Naming Rights|newspaper=Denton Record-Chronicle|access-date=November 10, 2012|url=http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/colleges-headlines/20110812-source-unt-sells-stadium-naming-rights.ece|date=August 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008092430/http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/colleges-headlines/20110812-source-unt-sells-stadium-naming-rights.ece|archive-date=October 8, 2012|url-status=dead}} According to the contract, Apogee will pay $11.8 million of the $20 million deal in cash over 20 years, including graduated annual payments beginning at $312,000 and ending in three payments of $1 million. The remaining $8.29 million will be in the form of in-kind services. As part of the contract, Apogee also received one luxury suite in the new stadium and premium tickets to other UNT events.{{cite news |last=Nishimura|first=Scott|title=Details of UNT's Stadium-naming-rights Deal with Apogee|date=September 5, 2011|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |url=http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/09/05/3338547/details-of-unts-stadium-naming.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113040110/http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/09/05/3338547/details-of-unts-stadium-naming.html |archive-date=November 13, 2011 }} Apogee chose to end its agreement in 2023. On July 31, a new naming rights agreement was made with DATCU credit union.{{cite web | url=https://www.dmagazine.com/sports/2023/07/unt-datcu-football-stadium/ | title=UNT Renames Its Football Stadium, Awkwardly | date=July 31, 2023 }}
= Opening season =
File:Apogee Stadium average attendance 2011–2020.svg
The stadium hosted its first game on September 10, 2011, when the Mean Green football team lost 48–23 against the University of Houston Cougars. Despite the concerted efforts of the university and the athletic department, the first home game at the new stadium did not sell out, and the game attracted 28,075 spectators, 2,775 fewer than full capacity.{{cite news|newspaper=Denton Record-Chronicle |date=September 12, 2011 |last=Vito |first=Brett |url=http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/colleges-headlines/20110912-brett-vito-despite-loss-unt-has-reasons-to-take-heart.ece |access-date=July 2, 2012 |title=Despite Loss, UNT has Reasons to Take Heart |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182131/http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/colleges-headlines/20110912-brett-vito-despite-loss-unt-has-reasons-to-take-heart.ece |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Houston Cougars vs. North Texas Mean Green – Box Score|date=September 10, 2011|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=312530249|access-date=October 15, 2011|publisher=ESPN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182149/http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312530249 |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=live}} Although attendees' reception to the opening game was generally positive,{{cite news |url=http://www.dentonrc.com/opinion/editorials-headlines/20110913-its-champ-dor-with-a-scoreboard.ece |title=It's Champ d'Or with a Scoreboard! |access-date=July 10, 2012 |author=Editorial board |newspaper=Denton Record-Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402180539/http://www.dentonrc.com/opinion/editorials-headlines/20110913-its-champ-dor-with-a-scoreboard.ece |archive-date=April 2, 2013 |url-status=dead }} attendance dropped to 21,181 for the second home game against the Indiana University Hoosiers.{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/football/ncaaf/game/Indiana_NorthTexas/2011/09/24|title=North Texas 24, Indiana 21|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=June 29, 2012|date=September 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609213623/http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/football/ncaaf/game/Indiana_NorthTexas/2011/09/24 |archive-date=June 9, 2012 |url-status=live}} By the third home game against the Florida Atlantic University Owls, attendance had dropped to a season-low of 13,142.{{cite web |title=Florida Atlantic Owls vs. North Texas Mean Green – Box Score|date=October 8, 2011|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=312810249|access-date=October 15, 2011|publisher=ESPN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182236/http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312810249 |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=live}} To promote the final home game of the season against the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders, the university offered free tickets to some athletic booster club members,{{cite news|last=Vito|first=Brett|newspaper=Denton Record-Chronicle|url=http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2011/11/mccarney-writes-the-check-can.html/|access-date=June 29, 2012|date=November 28, 2011|title=McCarney Writes the Check. Can UNT Fans Cash it?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182251/http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2011/11/mccarney-writes-the-check-can.html/|archive-date=July 3, 2012|url-status=dead}} and head football coach Dan McCarney promoted the game with an op-ed in the school's student newspaper, the North Texas Daily.{{cite news |newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|location=University of North Texas|last=McCarney|first=Dan|author-link=Dan McCarney|date=December 1, 2011|title=McCarney: Help UNT Finish Exciting Season on High Note|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth209209/m1/8/|access-date=June 29, 2012|page=8}} The official attendance for the final game was 15,962, bringing the total home attendance for the year to 113,186, a new record for the Mean Green.{{cite news |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/unt-mean-green/20111203-lance-dunbar-becomes-unt-s-all-time-leading-rusher-as-mean-green-roll-59-7.ece |title=Lance Dunbar Becomes UNT's All-time Leading Rusher as Mean Green Roll, 59–7|date=December 3, 2011|access-date=November 10, 2012|last=Vito|first=Brett|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403180746/http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/unt-mean-green/20111203-lance-dunbar-becomes-unt-s-all-time-leading-rusher-as-mean-green-roll-59-7.ece |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |url-status=live}} For the 2011 season, the stadium averaged 18,864 spectators per home game, which is 61.15% of the facility's capacity of 30,100.{{cite web |title=NCAA Accumulated Attendance Report|date=February 1, 2012|access-date=May 24, 2012|url=http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2011/Internet/attendance/FBS_AVGATTENDANCE.pdf|publisher=National Collegiate Athletics Association}} T (FBS) teams in average home attendance.{{cite book |year=2012|last=Steele|first=Phil|author-link=Phil Steele|title=Phil Steele's 2012 College Football Preview|page=299|publisher=Phil Steele Publications|location=Cleveland|oclc=795742664}} It finished with five wins and seven losses, its best record since the 2004 season.
= Later events =
For the five home games of the 2012 season, average game attendance saw a slight increase to 18,927,{{cite web |title=College Football Regular Season Attendance Dips to Lowest Average Since 2003 |last=Solomon |first=Jon |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/college_football_regular-seaso.html |publisher=Al.com |date=December 10, 2012 |access-date=April 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205231840/http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/college_football_regular-seaso.html |archive-date=February 5, 2013 |url-status=live |location=Birmingham, Alabama }} giving the Mean Green the 103rd highest attendance out of 124 FBS teams.{{cite book |year=2013|last=Steele|first=Phil|author-link=Phil Steele|title=Phil Steele's 2013 College Football Preview|page=253|publisher=Phil Steele Publications|location=Cleveland}} The venue hosted its first nationally televised game on October 16, 2012 when the Mean Green defeated the Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns 30–23 on ESPN2.{{cite report |url=http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewContent.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1800&CONTENT_ID=244647 |title=Louisiana-Lafayette vs North Texas|date=October 16, 2012|publisher=MeanGreenSports.com|access-date=October 22, 2012|format=Automated ScoreBook|location=University of North Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129182345/http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewContent.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1800&CONTENT_ID=244647 |archive-date=January 29, 2013 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/apogee-stadium-s1355 |publisher=StadiumJourney.com |last=Kulyk |first=Andrew |title=Home of the Mean Green |access-date=April 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131162421/http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/apogee-stadium-s1355/ |archive-date=January 31, 2013 }} The broadcast had an estimated 366,000 viewers, earning a Nielsen rating of 0.3.{{cite report |publisher=Nielsen Media Research |type=Nielsen ratings report |date=December 24, 2012 |title=U.S. Cable Television Ratings for the Week Ended Oct. 21}} The 2013 season began with a home game celebrating 100 years of football at North Texas; an announced crowd of 21,975 watched the Mean Green defeat the Idaho Vandals 40–6.{{cite news |last=Vito |first=Brett |newspaper=Denton Record-Chronicle |url=http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20130831-football-unt-rolls-in-opener-40-6.ece |title=UNT Rolls in Opener, 40–6 |access-date=September 12, 2013 |date=August 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904084115/http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20130831-football-unt-rolls-in-opener-40-6.ece |archive-date=September 4, 2013 |url-status=dead }} For the six home games of the 2013 season, average game attendance at Apogee was 21,030.{{cite web |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/Attendance/2013.pdf |title=2013 National College Football Attendance |author=National Collegiate Athletic Association |page=6 |year=2014 |access-date=November 7, 2014 }} The venue averaged 19,271 attendees per home game during the 2014 season.{{cite report |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/Attendance/2014.pdf |author=National Collegiate Athletic Association |access-date=December 5, 2015 |year=2014 |title=2014 National College Football Attendance |page=7 }} Attendance dropped to 13,631 for the 2015 season, the school's lowest average since 1998.{{cite news |url=http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20161006-football-unt-just-2-6-since-strong-start-at-apogee-stadium.ece |last=Vito |first=Brett |title=UNT Just 2-6 Since Strong Start at Apogee Stadium |publisher=Denton Record-Chronicle |location=Denton, Texas |date=October 6, 2016 |access-date=November 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126154847/http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20161006-football-unt-just-2-6-since-strong-start-at-apogee-stadium.ece |archive-date=November 26, 2016 |url-status=dead }} That average improved to 19,843 for the 2016 season.
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+Top Ten DATCU Stadium Crowds !Rank !Game !Date !Attendance |
| 1
|UNT vs Houston |September 28, 2019 |30,123 |
| 2
|UNT vs Louisiana Tech |September 29, 2018 |30,105 |
| 3
|UNT vs SMU |September 1, 2018 |29,519 |
| 4
|UNT vs Houston |September 10, 2011 |28,075 |
| 5
|UNT vs Army |November 18, 2017 |26,392 |
| 6
|UNT vs UTEP |November 9, 2013 |26,119 |
| 7
|UNT vs UTEP |November 11, 2017 |26,108 |
| 8
|UNT vs Rice |October 27, 2018 |25,379 |
| 9
|UNT vs SMU |September 3, 2022 |25,306 |
| 10
|UNT vs SMU |September 3, 2016 |24,718 |
| colspan=4 align=center | Source: {{Cite web |title=North Texas Mean Green Schedule - 2022 NCAAF Games - TheAthletic.com |url=https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/north-texas-mean-green-college-football/schedule/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=2021 North Texas Football Fact Book (PDF)|url=https://meangreensports.com/documents/2021/8/19/2021_North_Texas_Football_Fact_Book_WEB.pdf|access-date=2021-10-21|website=University of North Texas Athletics|language=en}} |
= Other uses =
Other events at the stadium include an annual Independence Day fireworks show, hosted by the local Kiwanis organization.{{cite press release |url=http://www.meangreensports.com/sports/mg-club/spec-rel/070115aaa.html |title=July 4th Fireworks Show to be Held at Apogee Stadium Saturday |publisher=MeanGreenSports.com |date=July 1, 2015 |access-date=December 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905140222/http://www.meangreensports.com/sports/mg-club/spec-rel/070115aaa.html |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |url-status=live }} The stadium also hosted Bands of America regional marching band competitions in 2012{{cite web |url=http://www.musicforall.org/blog/news/apogee-stadium-confirmed |title=Apogee Stadium Confirmed |date=May 26, 2012 |access-date=June 4, 2013 |publisher=MusicForAll.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217112040/http://www.musicforall.org/blog/news/apogee-stadium-confirmed |archive-date=December 17, 2014 |last=Conrad |first=Kristin |location=Indianapolis |url-status=live}} and 2014 {{cite press release |url=http://www.musicforall.org/what-we-do/boa-marching-championships/regionals/denton-tx-regional |title=Texas Dairy Queen® Bands of America Regional at Denton, Presented by Yamaha |publisher=MusicForAll.org |access-date=December 5, 2015 |date=October 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524022321/http://www.musicforall.org/what-we-do/boa-marching-championships/regionals/denton-tx-regional |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |url-status=live |location=Indianapolis}} The facility also hosts a number of high school football contests each year, including playoff games.{{cite news |newspaper=North Texas Daily |oclc=17435854 |quote=That same Friday, Apogee played host to Frisco High vs. Highland Park, the second high school playoff game this year that has been played at Apogee. |date=November 26, 2012 |access-date=December 5, 2015 |last=Rodriguez |first=Andy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028052902/http://ntdaily.com/apogee-stadium-used-for-events-other-than-football-games/ |archive-date=October 28, 2015 |url-status=live |url=http://ntdaily.com/apogee-stadium-used-for-events-other-than-football-games/ |title=Apogee Stadium Used for Events Other than Football Games }} The venue hosted a 5K run in 2016, coinciding with that year's spring game.{{cite press release |url=http://business.denton-chamber.org/news/details/5k-run-replaces-business-exp0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411140342/http://business.denton-chamber.org/news/details/5k-run-replaces-business-exp0 |archive-date=April 11, 2016 |date=February 12, 2016 |last=Del Rosal |first=Angela |title=5k Run Replaces Business Expo |url-status=dead |publisher=Denton Chamber of Commerce |access-date=July 6, 2016 }}
On March 25, 2017, the stadium hosted an exclusive concert for university students, staff, and alumni. The concert featured the Eli Young Band as the main act, with Midland and Macy Maloy as the opening acts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.untalumni.com/EliYoungBandMember|title=Alumni Event Member Eli Young Band Concert|website=www.untalumni.com|language=en-us|access-date=2017-03-28}}
{{clear}}
Structure and facilities
{{wide image|Apogee Stadium back.jpg|800px|View from "The Hill", a tailgating area northeast of the stadium, with three wind turbines in the distance on the left, luxury boxes center, and V-shaped stands on the right|alt=A wide photograph of an empty stadium. Three wind turbines are in the distance on the left, luxury boxes centered, and v-shaped stands are on the right.}}
File:Boomer fires at Apogee Stadium.ogv
DATCU Stadium occupies {{convert|426300|sqft|m2}} on {{convert|46|acre|ha}} of land.{{cite journal|journal=GreenSource Magazine |date=November 2011 |title=Platinum Profile: Apogee Stadium |publisher=McGraw-Hill Construction |issn=1930-9848 |oclc=65199784 |url=http://greensource.construction.com/features/platinum_profiles/2011/11/1111-apogee-stadium.asp |access-date=July 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121231401/http://greensource.construction.com/features/platinum_profiles/2011/11/1111-apogee-stadium.asp |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Stands on the north, east, and west sides of the stadium seat 30,100 and form a horseshoe shape around a standard American football field. The field's surface is PowerBlade HP +, a type of artificial turf comprising synthetic fibers with a rubber and sand infill. Unlike Fouts Field, DATCU Stadium does not have an all-weather running track, and spectators are set approximately {{convert|10|m|ft|sp=us|disp=flip}} closer to the field.{{cite book|url=http://www.iaaf.org/mm/Document/Competitions/TechnicalArea/05/47/81/20091027115916_httppostedfile_CompRules2010_web_26Oct09_17166.pdf |title=Competition Rules 2010–2011 |publisher=International Association of Athletics Federations |access-date=June 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512013129/http://www.iaaf.org/mm/Document/Competitions/TechnicalArea/05/47/81/20091027115916_httppostedfile_CompRules2010_web_26Oct09_17166.pdf |archive-date=May 12, 2011 |page=136 |year=2009 |url-status=dead }} A separate {{convert|2500|sqft|m2|adj=on}} pavilion for alumni is located just north of the stadium.{{cite news |newspaper=South Florida Sun-Sentinel|last=Hutton|first=Ted|date=October 8, 2011|title=North Texas Alums, Students Impressed by New Stadium|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-10-08/sports/fl-notebook-fau-north-texas-1009-20111008_1_craig-angelos-fouts-field-jimmie-colley|access-date=July 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182834/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-10-08/sports/fl-notebook-fau-north-texas-1009-20111008_1_craig-angelos-fouts-field-jimmie-colley |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=dead}} Parts of the stadium's exterior are covered with {{convert|48320|sqft|m2}} of recyclable silver aluminum composite panels, with an additional {{convert|1334|sqft|m2}} of green panels for accent.{{cite press release |url=http://www.alucobondusa.com/case_history.html?uid=ss51b1ddc17a3d7 |title=UNT's Elite LEED-Platinum Apogee Stadium Clad with Recyclable Alucobond ACM |publisher=AlucobondUSA.com |date=June 8, 2013 |access-date=June 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611182752/http://www.alucobondusa.com/case_history.html?uid=ss51b1ddc17a3d7 |archive-date=June 11, 2013 |url-status=live}}
The home side stands are located on the west side of the stadium. They include 21 luxury suites, which the athletic department sells for $20,000 per year plus a "6- or 7-figure gift to the Stadium Fund",{{cite sign |title=Private Suites |url=https://admin.xosn.com/pdf8/773141.pdf|medium=flyer|format=PDF|publisher=University of North Texas Athletic Department|location=Denton, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402175327/https://admin.xosn.com/pdf8/773141.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2013 |url-status=live}} and 754 club seats, which can be purchased with a one-time gift of $3,125 to $12,500, in addition to an annual $500 donation to the athletic department and the cost of season tickets.{{cite news |last=Muret|first=Don|title=North Texas, FAU Set to Debut New Stadiums|newspaper=Sports Business Journal|date=August 22, 2011|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/08/22/In-Depth/Stadiums.aspx|access-date=October 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182704/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/08/22/In-Depth/Stadiums.aspx |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=live}} The side also includes a press box, named the Bill Mercer Press Club, in honor of the school's longtime play-by-play announcer.{{cite news |newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|title=Hot Air: Jump in Rangers' Ratings More Impressive than Team Itself |date=April 20, 2012 |last=Horn |first=Barry |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/columnists/barryhorn/20120420-hot-air-jump-in-rangers-ratings-more-impressive-than-team-itself.ece |access-date=April 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403181338/http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/columnists/barryhorn/20120420-hot-air-jump-in-rangers-ratings-more-impressive-than-team-itself.ece |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |url-status=live}} Barnes & Noble College Booksellers operates a Mean Green Gear Store, which is located underneath the stands at Gate 2 on the west side of the stadium.{{cite press release |url=http://www.bncollege.com/news/college-stadium-stores-suit-up-for-football-season/ |access-date=September 15, 2013 |date=September 9, 2013 |title=College Stadium Stores Suit Up for College Football Season |publisher=bncollege.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502180401/http://www.bncollege.com/news/college-stadium-stores-suit-up-for-football-season/ |archive-date=May 2, 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|publisher=University of North Texas Athletic Department |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://admin.xosn.com/pdf8/792464.pdf |access-date=October 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403181353/https://admin.xosn.com/pdf8/792464.pdf |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
The stands on the east side of the field are generally reserved for student seating;{{cite map |url=http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1800&ATCLID=205043246|access-date=July 2, 2012|title=Apogee Stadium Seating Diagram|year=2011|section=117–123, 215–224 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182729/http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1800&ATCLID=205043246 |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |publisher=MeanGreenSports.com }} behind them is a path-defined tailgating area called "The Hill".{{cite web |last=Andrews|first=Jeff|title=UNT Opens New Stadium with Loss to Houston|publisher=ESPNDallas.com|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/colleges/post/_/id/4673633/north-texas-opens-new-stadium-with-loss-to-houston|access-date=July 5, 2012|date=September 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806185416/http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/colleges/post/_/id/4673633/north-texas-opens-new-stadium-with-loss-to-houston |archive-date=August 6, 2012 |url-status=live}} The seating behind the north end zone forms a distinctive "V" shape intended to resemble an eagle's wings in flight.{{cite web |last=Story|first=Sara|date=March 1, 2011|publisher=KXAS-TV|url=http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/Inside-New-Mean-Green-Stadium-117200178.html|title=Inside New Mean Green Stadium|access-date=June 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182750/http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/Inside-New-Mean-Green-Stadium-117200178.html |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=live}} The tips of the "wings" reach {{convert|106|ft|m}} above the field. There is no seating behind the south end zone, but the area includes a {{convert|47|x|27|ft|m|adj=on}} scoreboard and a {{convert|5|ft|m|adj=on}} bronze bust of an eagle.{{cite news |newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|title=North Texas' $79 Million Vision Takes Flight as Stadium is Unveiled|date=September 8, 2011|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/unt-mean-green/20110908-north-texas-79-million-vision-takes-flight-as-stadium-is-unveiled.ece?ssimg=259212 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182808/http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/unt-mean-green/20110908-north-texas-79-million-vision-takes-flight-as-stadium-is-unveiled.ece?ssimg=259212 |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=July 1, 2012|last=Vito|first=Brett}}{{subscription required}} The bust is named "Spiriki", and was donated by members of the Geezles, the school's first social fraternity.{{cite web |last=Story|first=Sara|date=September 9, 2011|title=Geezles Rally Spirit at North Texas|url=http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Geezles-rally-spirit-at-North-Texas--129557543.html|access-date=July 3, 2012|publisher=KXAS-TV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182819/http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Geezles-rally-spirit-at-North-Texas--129557543.html |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=live}} On game days, the area also includes a scale replica cannon named "Boomer", which is fired each time the team scores.{{cite web |url=http://www.dawgsports.com/2013/3/19/4120142/looking-ahead-while-looking-back-georgia-vs-north-texas-never |title=Looking Ahead While Looking Back: Georgia vs. North Texas, Never |last=Haus |first=Dawg |publisher=DawgSports.com |date=March 19, 2013 |access-date=April 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404161356/http://www.dawgsports.com/2013/3/19/4120142/looking-ahead-while-looking-back-georgia-vs-north-texas-never |archive-date=April 4, 2013 |url-status=live }} The capacity was reduced in 2024 after the installation of new chairbacks in multiple sections on the west side of the stadium. The original capacity from 2011-23 was 30,850.
= Environmental design =
In 2008, president of UNT Gretchen Bataille signed the American College and University President's Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. As part of that process, all new university buildings and facilities are required to achieve a minimum of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.{{cite press release|url=http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/education/higher-education-headlines/20120215-unt-briefs.ece|access-date=July 3, 2012|title=UNT's Business Leadership Building Receives Gold LEED Certification|date=February 15, 2012|publisher=Denton Record-Chronicle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427051735/http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/education/higher-education-headlines/20120215-unt-briefs.ece|archive-date=April 27, 2012|url-status=dead}} While planning the stadium's construction, the university consulted HKS, Inc. to design it to meet a number of green building standards and hired FocusEGD, an environmental graphic design firm, to design many of the stadium's graphic elements.{{cite press release |title=Dallas Design Firm Creates Fan Experience at Denton's New $79 Million Apogee Stadium |publisher=FocusEGD |agency=PRWeb |date=October 13, 2011 |url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/10/prweb8870530.htm |access-date=October 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182849/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/10/prweb8870530.htm |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=dead}} As a result, DATCU Stadium uses various forms of environmental technology. To reduce water consumption and urban runoff, the facility includes a {{convert|85000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} water retention system, {{convert|338000|sqft|m2}} of permeable paving, and low-flow plumbing systems.{{cite web |url=http://www.earthtechling.com/2011/10/one-mean-green-stadium-for-north-texas/|access-date=June 25, 2012|date=October 28, 2011|title=One Mean, Green Stadium For North Texas|last=DeFreitas|first=Susan|publisher=EarthTechling.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704000349/http://www.earthtechling.com/2011/10/one-mean-green-stadium-for-north-texas/ |archive-date=July 4, 2012 |url-status=live}} To minimize the human impact on the environment, developers took advantage of the landscape around the stadium whenever possible.
The facility also includes three Northern Power Systems 100 wind turbines, which were installed in February 2012.{{cite sign |title=Eagle Point Wind Turbines|year=2012|publisher=University of North Texas|location=Mean Green Village|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/runfellow/7464607254/|access-date=June 29, 2012}} To fund the turbine project, the Texas State Energy Conservation Office allocated $2 million in federal stimulus funds to the university.{{cite report |title=ARRA Sep University of North Texas – Denton|publisher=United States Department of Energy|type=NEPA Determination|date=April 30, 2010|url=http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/CX-002130.pdf|access-date=July 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403182628/http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/CX-002130.pdf |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite report |url=https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/collegiate-game-changers-report.pdf |title=Collegiate Game Changers: How Campus Sport is Going Green |last1=Henly |first1=Alice |publisher=Natural Resources Defense Council |chapter=Case Study: University of North Texas, Home of the Mean Green |pages=29–33 |date=August 2013 |access-date=September 4, 2013 |others=Allen Hershkowitz – Sports Project Director, Darby Hoover – Project Contributor |id=R:13-08-A}}
- {{cite news |date=September 3, 2013 |title=UNT athletics sets national green standard |newspaper=North Texas Daily |url=http://ntdaily.com/unt-athletics-sets-national-green-standard/}} The {{convert|120|ft|m|adj=on}} turbines each have three {{convert|30|ft|m|adj=on}} blades and are expected to produce a combined {{convert|450000|kWh|GJ|lk=on}} of energy per year, which would account for roughly six percent of the athletics department's power grid in the area.{{cite news|url=http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20120618-unt-turbines-pushing-envelope.ece |access-date=July 7, 2012 |last=Mehlhaff |first=Rachel |date=June 18, 2012 |newspaper=Denton Record-Chronicle |title=UNT Turbines Producing More Energy than Estimated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621161659/http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20120618-unt-turbines-pushing-envelope.ece |archive-date=June 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite encyclopedia |last=Kellison |first=Timothy |editor1-last=Casper |editor1-first=Jonathan |editor2-last=Pfahl |editor2-first=Michael |encyclopedia=Sport Management and the Natural Environment: Theory and Practice |title=Building Sport's Green Houses: Issues in Sustainable Facility Management |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nq7lCAAAQBAJ&pg=PT214 |access-date=December 6, 2015 |year=2015 |publisher=Routledge |location=London |isbn=978-1-134-71017-1 |oclc=925526710 |pages=218–237 }} The turbines are also expected to offset {{convert|323|MT|kg}} of carbon dioxide emissions.
The stadium's sustainable design features have earned praise and awards from media outlets and industry groups. In 2011, DATCU Stadium became the first newly built stadium to achieve LEED Platinum certification, the highest level awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.{{cite news|last=Vito|first=Brett|title=Stadium Garners Ultimate Ranking|newspaper=Denton Record-Chronicle|url=http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/colleges-headlines/20111021-stadium-garners-ultimate-ranking.ece|access-date=June 29, 2012|date=October 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703182949/http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/colleges-headlines/20111021-stadium-garners-ultimate-ranking.ece|archive-date=July 3, 2012|url-status=dead}} The points-based ratings system measures various environmental aspects including water efficiency, energy conservation, indoor air quality, and sustainability.{{cite journal |title=Architects and University Team up for the Big Play: LEED Platinum Stadium|publisher=Technology Publishing|journal=Durability + Design |date=November 15, 2011|url=http://www.durabilityanddesign.com/news/?fuseaction=view&id=6672|access-date=July 5, 2012|location=Pittsburgh|editor1-last=Maty|editor1-first=Joe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709091026/http://durabilityanddesign.com/news/?fuseaction=view&id=6672 |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |url-status=live}}
- {{cite web |title=LEED for New Construction |website=U.S. Green Building Council |url=http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/Archive/CertifiedProjects/Docs17312.pdf}} Dallas Business Journal named the stadium the "Green Project Deal of the Year" in 2012,{{cite news |newspaper=Dallas Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|last=Hethcock|first=Bill|date=April 27, 2012|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/print-edition/2012/04/27/unts-apogee-stadium-wins-green.html?page=all|access-date=June 28, 2012|title=UNT's Apogee Stadium Wins Green Project Deal of the Year|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403182942/http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/print-edition/2012/04/27/unts-apogee-stadium-wins-green.html?page=all |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |url-status=live}} and Engineering News-Record named it the year's "Best Green Project".{{cite journal |journal=Engineering News-Record |url=http://texas.construction.com/texas_construction_projects/2012/1210-best-green.asp |date=December 10, 2012 |oclc=692054612 |title=Best Green Project: Apogee Stadium Achieves Platinum LEED |publisher=McGraw-Hill |access-date=February 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122005511/http://texas.construction.com/texas_construction_projects/2012/1210-best-green.asp |archive-date=January 22, 2013 |url-status=live |editor-last=Poirier |editor-first=Louise}} The stadium was named as one of the four finalists during the World Stadium Awards Congress for "most sustainable stadium design concept", but lost to the London Olympic Stadium.{{cite press release |url=https://inhouse.unt.edu/fun-fact-apogee-olympic-stadiums-have-similarities |work=INhouse |publisher=University of North Texas |date=August 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915105542/http://inhouse.unt.edu/fun-fact-apogee-olympic-stadiums-have-similarities |archive-date=September 15, 2015 |url-status=live |title=Fun Fact: Apogee, Olympic Stadiums Have Similarities }}
Transportation and location
poly 685 410 709 370 742 336 803 305 854 304 913 320 944 339 958 326 992 343 1018 363 1032 378 1041 369 1103 432 1135 475 1118 481 1165 552 1133 570 1131 579 1161 603 1164 673 1138 745 1079 798 1025 810 972 800 935 765 922 780 899 770 879 795 813 749 796 760 753 735 763 721 714 649 696 604 678 563 670 564 669 560 745 528 716 492 684 460 707 443 685 410 Fouts Field
poly 520 2174 551 2155 574 2151 575 2139 684 2140 682 2078 652 2076 651 2034 524 2036 524 2053 512 2053 515 2077 501 2078 498 2139 519 2141 518 2174 521 2173 North Texas Mean Green
poly 1107 1311 1132 1259 1472 1420 1449 1469 Interstate 35E (Texas)
poly 1674 600 1674 567 1643 568 1645 351 1676 351 1678 321 1890 322 1889 351 1923 352 1923 569 1894 570 1892 597 UNT Coliseum
poly 81 1864 143 1864 137 2369 73 2372 73 2367 74 2369 Mean Green Village
DATCU Stadium is located on Bonnie Brae Street at the junction of Interstate 35 East and West in the southeast part of Denton, Texas.{{cite map|url=http://www.meangreenmap.com/apogeeparking.html|title=Apogee Stadium Game-Day Parking|publisher=University of North Texas Athletic Department|year=2011|access-date=July 3, 2012|type=Interactive map|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809163135/http://www.meangreenmap.com/apogeeparking.html|archive-date=August 9, 2012|url-status=dead}} It is part of the Mean Green Village, a {{convert|175|acre|ha|adj=on}} parcel of land located south of UNT's main campus that includes various athletic department facilities.{{cite report |type=Board briefing and order |title=Authorization to Enter into an Agreement with and Grant Rights-of-way and Easements to the City of Denton Pertaining to the Widening of 1100–1616 Bonnie Brae Street, Denton, Denton County, Texas |date=July 3, 2012 |access-date=May 19, 2013 |url=http://untsystem.edu/regents/agendas/12-8-16/20%20-%20UNT%20Authorization%20Agreement%20Bonnie%20Brae%20Rights%20of%20Way%20Denton.pdf |last1=Kearbey |first1=Raynard |publisher=University of North Texas System |last2=Rawlins |first2=V. Lane |author-link2=V. Lane Rawlins |last3=Maguire |first3=James |last4=Jackson |first4=Lee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130519180143/http://untsystem.edu/regents/agendas/12-8-16/20%20-%20UNT%20Authorization%20Agreement%20Bonnie%20Brae%20Rights%20of%20Way%20Denton.pdf |archive-date=May 19, 2013 |url-status=dead }} In February 2003, the school conducted studies to identify potential traffic problems in the area.{{cite news |last=Gaete|first=Pablo|title=NT Reveals Golf Course Study|pages=1, 3|newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|location=University of North Texas|date=February 14, 2003|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145077/m1/1/}} The results of the studies indicated that the intersection of Bonnie Brae Street and Airport Road northwest of the facility represented a potential major traffic hazard, since the two-lane Bonnie Brae Street could not accommodate the additional game day traffic, and Airport Road would be needed for access to Denton Municipal Airport to the north. Initially, university officials planned to address some concerns by rerouting season ticket holders through the surrounding neighborhoods, but in 2009, residents expressed concerns that the stadium could clog traffic systems in the area.{{cite news |last=Brown|first=Carolyn|newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|date=August 27, 2009|location=University of North Texas|url=http://ntdaily.com/residents-voice-concerns-about-stadium/ |access-date=December 5, 2015 |title=Residents Voice Concerns About New UNT Stadium}} Consequently, the City of Denton passed an ordinance to shut down the area streets on game days to anyone without a resident's permit.{{cite news|last=Mehlhaff|first=Rachel|newspaper=Denton Record-Chronicle|date=May 25, 2011|url=http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/education/higher-education-headlines/20110325-citys-block-alters-unts-game-plan.ece|title=City's Block Alters UNT's Game Plan|access-date=October 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703183039/http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/education/higher-education-headlines/20110325-citys-block-alters-unts-game-plan.ece|archive-date=July 3, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last=Balderas|first=Nicole|newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|location=University of North Texas|date=September 7, 2011|title=New Ordinance Addresses Game Day Parking |url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth209164/m1/1/ |pages=1–2 |access-date=April 3, 2013}} The university began the process of transferring the right-of-way surrounding Bonnie Brae Street to the city in 2012 to allow for the road's expansion from two lanes to four. The project is expected to improve the region's transportation system between Interstate 35 East and U.S. Route 377 to the south.{{cite web |url=http://southbonniebraestreet.com/project-overview/ |publisher=SouthBonnieBrae.com |access-date=December 19, 2015 |title=Project Overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219172158/http://southbonniebraestreet.com/project-overview/ |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |url-status=live}}
To encourage the use of sustainable transportation, developers limited the quantity of parking spaces on site.{{cite web |url=http://inhabitat.com/apogee-stadium-us-first-leed-platinum-stadium-uses-wind-turbines-to-power-its-games/|access-date=July 7, 2012|title=Apogee Stadium: US' First LEED Platinum Stadium Uses Wind Turbines to Power its Games|last=Meinhold|first=Bridgette|date=January 3, 2012|publisher=Inhabitat.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608160543/http://inhabitat.com/apogee-stadium-us-first-leed-platinum-stadium-uses-wind-turbines-to-power-its-games/ |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |url-status=live}} The facility includes 1,758 parking spaces adjacent to the stadium, but to access it on the day of an event, most attendees park at Fouts Field on the opposite side of Interstate 35E and walk across a pedestrian bridge, which leads to the stadium.{{cite press release |title=Parking Lot, Ramp and Street Closures Set for Football Games|publisher=University of North Texas|date=November 28, 2011|url=http://inhouse.unt.edu/parking-lot-ramp-and-street-closures-set-football-games|access-date=October 6, 2012|last=Bobo|first=Carolyn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403183706/http://inhouse.unt.edu/parking-lot-ramp-and-street-closures-set-football-games |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |url-status=live }} The university announced plans to build the bridge in August 2011 to address another area of the concern from the 2002 studies.{{cite news |newspaper=North Texas Daily|oclc=17435854|location=University of North Texas|date=August 25, 2011|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth209157/m1/3/|access-date=June 29, 2012|last=Smajstrla|first=Ann|title=Pedestrian Bridge to Provide 'Safe Passageway' to Students}} Construction on the $2.5 million project, a joint venture between the university and the Texas Department of Transportation, began in February 2012.{{cite news|last1=Mehlhaff |first1=Rachel |last2=Lewis |first2=Bj |url=http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20120724-linking-up.ece |access-date=August 2, 2012 |title=Linking One Side With Another |newspaper=Denton Record-Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403183726/http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20120724-linking-up.ece |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Although originally expected to open for the football team's first home game of the 2012 season, construction delays moved the opening date to October 16 for the third home game of the season.{{cite news |title=UNT Bridges Divide |url=http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20121016-unt-bridges-divide.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401174733/http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20121016-unt-bridges-divide.ece |archive-date=April 1, 2013 |last=Tabor |first=Britney |newspaper=Denton Record-Chronicle |date=October 16, 2012 |access-date=May 19, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
In June 2016, Trinity Metro announced its intent to begin operating a commuter bus service on weekdays from Fort Worth Central Station to the stadium parking lot. The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) is expected to review the proposal on August 22, 2016.{{cite news |last=Tabor |first=Britney |title=Bus Could link Fort Worth to Denton |access-date=June 21, 2016 |date=June 16, 2016 |newspaper=Denton Record-Chronicle |url=http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20160619-bus-could-link-fort-worth-to-denton.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621102213/http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20160619-bus-could-link-fort-worth-to-denton.ece |archive-date=June 21, 2016 |url-status=dead }} On game days, UNT football game attendees can also take the DCTA A-train to the Euline Brock Downtown Denton Transit Center and take a shuttle to Fouts Field, where they can walk to the stadium. Beginning two hours prior to the beginning of each game and ending one hour after the game is over, the Mean Green Game Day shuttle also stops at various locations in Denton, including the Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square and the southeast corner of the university.{{cite web |url=http://www.discoverdenton.com/mean-green-game-day/catch-a-ride/ |publisher=DiscoverDenton.com |title=Catch A Ride |agency=Denton Chamber of Commerce |year=2015 |access-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908002105/http://www.discoverdenton.com/mean-green-game-day/catch-a-ride/ |archive-date=September 8, 2015 |url-status=live}} In September 2013, the school announced a partnership with DCTA to provide free trips on the A-train and shuttle rides to the stadium for football game attendees wearing UNT apparel.{{cite press release |work=inhouse.unt.edu |publisher=University of North Texas |author1=North Texas Athletics |author2=Denton County Transportation Authority |title=Wearing Green Gives Fans a Free Ticket to Ride |url=http://inhouse.unt.edu/wearing-green-gives-fans-free-ticket-ride |date=September 12, 2013 |access-date=September 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912130133/http://inhouse.unt.edu/wearing-green-gives-fans-free-ticket-ride |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |url-status=live }}
See also
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|Apogee Stadium}}
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Apogee Stadium.ogg|date=2012-10-04}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120808205312/http://www.meangreenmap.com/apogeestadium.html Official Apogee Stadium site]
- [http://meangreensports.com/ University of North Texas Athletics]
{{North Texas Mean Green football navbox}}
{{University of North Texas|athletics}}
{{American Athletic Conference football venue navbox}}
{{Texas college football venues}}
Category:College football venues in Texas
Category:North Texas Mean Green football
Category:North Texas Mean Green sports venues
Category:American football venues in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex
Category:Buildings and structures in Denton, Texas
Category:Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum certified buildings