Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
nickname = "DKR"


location = Austin, Texas
broke_ground = 1924
opened = November 27, 1924
owner = University of Texas
operator = University of Texas
surface = Bermuda grass
construction_cost = US$275,000
architect = Herbert M. Greene
former_names = Memorial Stadium, Texas Memorial Stadium
tenants = Texas Longhorns (1924-present)
seating_capacity = 94,113 [http://www.texassports.com/ot/football-atoz.html#s]

Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (formerly just Memorial Stadium and Texas Memorial Stadium), located in Austin, Texas, is home to the University of Texas Longhorn football team. The current official stadium capacity is 94,113 [http://www.texassports.com/ot/football-atoz.html#s] , the largest football venue in the state of Texas, [Note: The official capcity of Kyle Field is 83,002. Source:cite web |url= http://www.aggieathletics.com/facilities.php?FID=7|title=Kyle Field|publisher=Texas A&M Athletics|accessdate=2007-03-06 The record attendance at Kyle Field was 87,555 (2001-11-23 vs. Texas). Source:cite web |url= http://www.aggieathletics.com/index2.php?SID=MFB&pageID=900|title=Kyle Field Attendance Records (since 1970)|publisher=Texas A&M Athletics|accessdate=2007-03-06 ] the largest in the Big 12 Conference, [Note: the official capacity of Nebraska's Memorial Stadium is 81,067. Source:cite web |url= http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=734 |title=Memorial Stadium |publisher=NU media relations
accessdate=2007-03-12 ] and is the fifth largest on-campus stadium in the NCAA.

An attendance record of 98,053 people occurred on August 30, 2008 for the Longhorns' 52–10 win against Florida Atlantic University. That set a new record for the greatest number of people ever to gather for a football game in the state of Texas.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/08/31/0831texnotes.html | title=Longhorn football notes - Horns smash state, stadium record for attendance | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=August 312008 | accessdate=2008-09-06] It also set a record for the number of people watching a game at any stadium in the Big 12 Conference. [ Note: The record at Nebraska's Memorial Stadium is 85,197 set on November 42006 vs. Missouri). Source:cite web |url= http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=734 |title=Memorial Stadium |publisher=NU media relations
accessdate=2007-03-12 ]

The stadium has been expanded several times since its original opening, with a major expansion completed in 1999. The stadium has been undergoing additional renovations and expansion since 2005. Stage one was completed in 2006 and consisting mainly of updates in accordance with newer fire safety codes. Stage two began in 2006 and consists of seating expansion and addition of new facilities in the north end zone.cite news | url=http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=832931 | title=College Football Stadium Capacities | publisher=Rivals.com | accessdate=2008-08-04]

Memorial dedication

In 1923, former UT athletics director L. Theo Bellmont (the west side of the stadium is named in his honor), along with thirty student leaders, presented the idea of building a concrete stadium to replace the wooden bleachers of Clark Field to the Board of Regents. Heralded as "the largest sports facility of its kind in the Southwest" upon its completion in 1924, the first unit of the stadium consisted of the east and west stands with a seating capacity of 27,000. It was designed as a dual-purpose facility with a convert|440|yd|sing=on track surrounding the football field. The stadium was financed through donations from both students and alumni. The estimated cost of the structure was $275,000.

The student body dedicated the stadium in honor of the 198,520 Texans — 5,280 of whom lost their lives — who fought in World War I. A statue, representing the figure of democracy, was later placed atop the north end zone seats of the stadium. In World War II, the University lost many former players, including former coach Jack Chevigny. The Athletics Council rededicated the newly enlarged stadium on September 18, 1948 prior to the Texas-LSU game, honoring the men and women who had died in the war. On November 12, 1977, a small granite monument was unveiled and placed at the base of the statue, during the TCU-Texas game. The ceremony rededicated Texas Memorial Stadium to the memory of all alumni in all American wars.

The University of Texas honored legendary football coach Darrell K Royal, who led Texas to three national championships and eleven Southwest Conference titles, by officially naming the stadium after him in 1996. Additionally, the University established the Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Veterans Committee, composed of alumni who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam or the Gulf Wars. The committee is charged to forever dedicate the stadium in the memory of, and in honor of, UT students and alumni who gave their lives for their country. Each year, one home football game is designated as Veterans Recognition Day, commemorating the "memorial" aspect of the stadium and to honor the memory of war soldiers.

Panorama

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fullwidth = 4643
fullheight = 1305
caption = A panorama of the game between the 2005 National Champions and the Colorado Buffaloes on October 152005. Texas won 42–17. Smokey the Cannon (lower left) is in the eastern section of the north end zone. The 2007 expansion brought the seats closer to the field so the cannon was relocated to the southeastern corner of the stadium.
height = 250

Major upgrades

*1926–"Horseshoe" built on the north end for US$125,000 raising capacity to 40,500
*1948–Two L-shaped sections added to the east and west stands, raising seating capacity to 60,130. General contractor for this work was Farnsworth & Chambers Inc. of Houston, Texas.
*1955–Lights added
*1969–Upper deck added to the west side raising seating capacity to 75,504 when completed in 1972; artificial turf applied to field. General contractor for this work was a joint venture of two companies — Darragh & Lyda Inc. of San Antonio, Texas and H. A. Lott, Inc. of Houston, Texas.
*1977–Track converted from convert|440|yd to 400 meters
*1986–The Vernon F. "Doc" Neuhaus–Darrell K Royal Athletic Center completed at the south end of the stadium at a cost of $7 million; the Center was later renamed the W. A. "Tex" Moncrief, Jr.–V. F. "Doc" Neuhaus Athletic Center in 1997 after Royal's name was added to the stadium
*1996–Replacement of the stadium's artificial turf with natural grass (Prescription Athletic Turf); installation of a Jumbotron video system; scoreboards retrofitted
*1997–Fourteen stadium suites added to west side; underside of the stands remodeled, adding a concession plaza and visitors' locker room. In recognition of UT law school alumnus and benefactor Joe Jamail, the University named the football playing field Joe Jamail Field.
*1998–5,000-seat upper deck added on east side including fifty-two new stadium suites and a convert|13000|sqft|m2|sing=on private club room
*1999–Track removed; new seats added to the west grandstand and the field was lowered seven feet to accommodate new front-row and field-level seats on the east and west grandstands bringing capacity to 80,082
*2002–Prescription Athletic Turf replaced with TifSport Certified Bermuda grass
*2005–2008–See below

2005–08 improvements

US$15 million were allocated by the Board of Regents for stadium renovations in 2006.

West side renovations

Beginning November 14, 2005, work began in Bellmont Hall — located in the west side of the stadium — to meet newer safety codes set by the Austin Fire Department. The upper deck structure received new water sealing, and the Centennial Room and eighth-floor press box were expanded.

Audio/visual improvements

Following the 2005 season, the Freddie Steinmark memorial scoreboard and Jumbotron in the south end zone was dismantled. This was done in preparation for US$8 million of audio/visual improvements, the centerpiece of which was a convert|7370|sqft|m2|sing=on high-definition Daktronics LED scoreboard, nicknamed "Godzillatron," located in the south end zone. The screen has a pixel resolution of 848 x 2064. The new scoreboard required the removal of the six large flag poles that previously displayed the Six Flags Over Texas. These have been replaced by smaller flags located atop the screen. Along with the new video screen, the sound system was updated and smaller video boards were installed on the east and west sides of the stadium.

At the time of its creation, Godzillatron was called the largest high-definition video screen in the world,cite news | url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/news/2006/09/05/Sports/Colt-Mccoy.Silences.Critics.As.Longhorns.Roll.Over.North.Texas-2256711.shtml | title=Colt McCoy silences critics as Longhorns roll over North Texas | author=Kilian, Ryan | date=5 September 2006 | accessdate=2006-09-08] cite news | author=Maher, John | title=That's one big Bevo of a scoreboard | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/05/10texfoot.html | accessdate=2006-05-11] though it was quickly surpassed by a larger screen in Tokyo.cite news | url=http://www.luxist.com/2006/07/27/worlds-largest-hdtv/ | title=World's Largest HDTV | publisher=Luxist | accessdate=2006-10-07] cite news | url=http://www.pinktentacle.com/2006/07/giant-video-screen-constructed-at-tokyo-area-horse-track/ | title=Giant Video Screen Constructed at Tokyo-area horse track | accessdate=2006-10-07 | publisher=Pink Tentacle] It is still the largest high-definition video screen in collegiate sports.cite web|author=Daktronics|title=Texas Longhorns Choose Daktronics for HD Video Display at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium | work=Daktronics | url=http://www.daktronics.com/dak_news.cfm?articleID=527|accessdate=2006-05-10] Depending on how the measurement is made, it may be the largest high definition screen in the Western hemisphere. The Miami Dolphins have a high-definition screen with a larger diagonal measurement, but Godzillatron has greater square footage.cite news | url=http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/10/longhorns-to-snatch-worlds-biggest-hd-display-title-from-dolp/ | title=Longhorns to snatch "world's biggest HD display" title from Dolphins? | publisher=engadget |May 10, 2006 | accessdate=2006-09-07]

One downside for fans is that the screen can be used to allow more obtrusive advertising to be displayed during games.cite news | url=http://www.texassports.com/index.php?s=&change_well_id=2&url_article_id=4499 | title=New scoreboard brings the "Wow!" factor to football stadium | author=O'Keeffe, Kevin | date=2006-07-01 | accessdate=2006-07-13] It has been controversial among fans because the screen includes a border of advertisements at most times.cite news | url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/news/2006/09/05/TopStories/New-Screens.Ad.Coverage.Disappoints.Some.Students-2256782.shtml | title=New screen's ad coverage disappoints some students | author=Salinas, Andy | date=2006-09-05 | publisher=The Daily Texan] cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/03/3texscoreboard.html | title=Godzillatron roars to life - Fans get first look at scoreboard to end all scoreboards, still a work in progress | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | author=Robbins, Kevin | date=2006-09-03 ] This has led to some fans calling the new screen "Adzillatron".cite news | url=http://margaretsoltan.phenominet.com/2006/09/after-its-premiere-godzillatron_03.html | title=After its Premiere, Godzillatron Renamed By UT Fans: It's Now Adzillatron | author=Soltan, Margaret | date=2006-07-03 | accessdate=2006-07-13] Complaints have also been made about the scoreboard being too loud and about it broadcasting advertisements to those in the stadium, even over the top of the band playing in the stadium. In its first usage, the portion of the new screen that was typically used for showing replays and film highlights was approximately the same size as the old video screen.cite news | title=Colt McCoy, Godzillatron make their career debuts on Saturday | publisher=The Daily Texan | url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/news/2006/09/05/Sports/Colt-Mccoy.Godzillatron.Make.Their.Career.Debuts.On.Saturday-2256730.shtml | author=Blair, Alex | date=September 6 2006 | accessdate=2006-09-07] More recent games have featured a 16:9 format image centered in a ring of advertisement. Nevertheless, complaints continue about the advertising, with some fans shouting out "We won't shop/eat/bank there" when advertisements are played loudly in the stadium.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/06/6asksue.html | author=Suzanne Haliburton | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | title=Questions on TX-OU, petitioning NCAA for eligibility | date=5 October 2006 | accessdate=2006-10-07]

Also following the 2005 season, the outdated video matrix screen in the north end zone was removed in anticipation of the upcoming renovations.

New south end zone seating

A temporary bleacher section was added behind the south end zone for the 2006 season. In mid-July 2006, UT announced that it had completely sold out Memorial Stadium for the 2006 season. This announcement meant that for the first time in the history of the university, tickets would not be sold on an individual game basis. The bleachers allowed a new attendance record of 85,123 set on September 2, 2006 vs North Texas. This was quickly surpassed by the September 9th game vs Ohio State University. The attendance for that game was 89,422, which stood as the largest number of people to ever watch a football game in the state of Texas.

The south end bleacher seating will be expanded for the 2007 season to seat approximately 6,400 fans.cite web | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/08/01/0801stadium.html | title=UT says stadium construction on schedule | accessdate=2007-08-01 ] Panorama

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fullwidth = 5000
fullheight = 1000
caption = The south end zone bleachers can be seen under Godzillatron in this panorama from the 2007 game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on October 282007. Texas won 28–25.
height = 200

North end zone expansion

Regents approved a US$149.9 million expansion plan (later increased to $179 million; includes the $15 million 2006 renovations) to include a new memorial plaza and new north end zone structure that is scheduled to be completed in August 2008. The new outdoor plaza at the northwest corner will be a memorial to veterans, with a bronze tablet honoring Texas World War I deaths, a monument, landscaping, and new stadium entry gates between two convert|115|ft|m|sing=on towers, like those in the east grandstand. The expansion also consists of replacing the north end zone structure with a multi-level complex that includes additional seats with an upper deck, club space, suites, athletic offices, academic-advising areas and a basement with gym space. Seating capacity overall will rise to approximately 98,000 from the current 85,123. [ [http://www.news8austin.com/content/sports/?ArID=211926&SecID=5 News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | SPORTS ] ] cite web | author=Haurwitz, Ralph K.M.|year=1998|title=UT stadium expansion to include renewed emphasis on veterans|work=Austin American-Statesman|url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/02/10texstadium.html| accessdate=2006-05-11] Much of the lower deck will be ready for the 2007 season, while the upper deck is planned to be ready for 2008.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/11/25/25texnotes.html | title=Longhorns notebook - Holiday Bowl loves Aggies | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | date=24 November 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-25] Official seating capacity for 2007 and 2008 have not yet been determined.

Demolition of the old north end zone began on December 8, 2006.cite web | url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/news/2006/12/11/TopStories/Improvements.To.RoyalTexas.Stadium.Begin-2531530.shtml | title=Improvements to Royal-Texas stadium begin - Project adds more seating, space for archives of physical culture | publisher=The Daily Texan | date=11 December 2006 | author=Cabenero, David | accessdate=2006-12-11] This was necessary to move the north end seating closer to the field.

Extremely unpredictable weather patterns — including historic amounts of rainfall for much of the year, as well as sleet and snow in January and April delayed construction several times. However, construction crews worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the new lower deck was ready in time for the first game of the 2007 season.

Future south end zone expansion

The final planned phase of the stadium's expansion includes the construction of permanent seating and an upper deck in the south end zone, completely enclosing the playing field. The stadium capacity will reach 112,000 once the south end zone is fully enclosed which would mean DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium would surpass Penn State's Beaver Stadium, the largest football stadium in North America, in capacity. [cite news | url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/texas/stories/042107dnsposherrington.37809c1.html | title=Magician kept UT-OU at Cotton Bowl | work=DallasNews.com | publisher=Dallas Morning News | date=April 202007|accessdate=2007-10-30>]

No timeline has been officially announced, nor any funds raised, for this portion of the project.

Notes and references

ources

* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/DD/xvd1.html Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium] at The Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved June 16, 2005.

External links

* [http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/?s=&url_channel_id=37&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=29&change_well_id=2 Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium] at Mack Brown Texas Football
* [http://www.sports-venue.info/NCAAF/Texas_Memorial_Stadium.html Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Timeline] at www.Sports-Venue.info
* [http://www.utsystem.edu/news/2006/BOR-Materials-02-08-06/FPCStadium2-9-06Attmt%201.ppt Microsoft PowerPoint] Board of Regents presentation of new construction (also [http://www.utsystem.edu/news/2006/BOR-Materials-02-08-06/FPCStadium2-9-06Attmt%201.pdf Adobe Acrobat] format)
* [http://www.texassports.com/webcam.html Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium webcam]