The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas breaks ground on South End Zone expansion
05.04.2019 | Football, Texas Athletics, Longhorn Foundation
The project is expected to be completed for the 2021 season.
AUSTIN, Texas – University of Texas officials and donors broke ground on its $175 million South End Zone expansion and renovation project on Saturday morning at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The project will bring renovations to the Moncrief-Neuhaus Athletic Center, expand amenities for student-athletes and enhance the coaches' offices, along with providing a number of improvements and additions to gameday fan experiences.
"It's exciting for our football program, for our coaches and really for The University of Texas for us to begin construction on a $175 million project. It's an awesome day," University of Texas Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte said. "It speaks volumes to Longhorn Nation. They said yes, we support you, not only philanthropically, but with their attendance in the stands."
The design of the new South End Zone will fully enclose the stadium for the first time in DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium's 95-year history, carrying over the architecture of the north and east sides through new entry towers and filling in the corners with concessions-equipped terraces. One of the project's crown jewels lies inside the seating bowl. A Longhorn-shaped balcony designed into the end zone seating will be visible from the air and is the first time a logo will be carved into a seating bowl. It will offer a unique new home for football coaches' offices and provide an electric atmosphere that everyone can embrace.
"It's ultimately for our players," Texas Head Football Coach Tom Herman said. "When you come to The University of Texas, you deserve to train in the finest facilities in the country. We're close right now with the renovations that we did when we first got here with our locker room and weight room, and this new project will certainly put us in the upper echelon of training facilities nationwide. At the same time, it will really enhance our gameday atmosphere for our fans."
Construction on the seats, clubs and additional amenities are scheduled to be completed in time for the 2021 Longhorn season kickoff.
