The future home of the Mean Green football team is taking shape along Interstate 35 in Denton.
The University of North Texas's football stadium should be completed by the end of the summer -- just in time for kickoff.
"I hope it creates a lot of tradition and energy among all of our people. Our alums, fans, community. It's a rallying point," said Rick Villareal, UNT athletic director.
Villareal took his athletic council on a tour of the stadium on Tuesday. It's been a year since concrete was poured, and construction is on track.
"We are right on that budget," Villareal said. "We have not been opulent to the point we spend unnecessary money, but I can tell you that the finishes inside, the seating, our team store, our club level, and suite level, will be as good as anywhere you go."
Villareal said construction has stayed within the $78 million budget.
"Finally as a university, we have kind of taken our place with other schools," he said.
One of the stadium's most unique features is the end zone that is shaped like an eagle's wings.
"We wanted it to have a special look on the highway -- not just some rounded, bricked-in structure that looked like another stadium," Villareal said.
To top it off, the stadium will be one of two in the nation that is LEED certified, which means it's an internationally recognized green building.
"This stadium is just a little way that we can give back and say we want to make it better," Villareal said.
