Growing Mean Green Pride
"You can feel some- thing hap- pening at North Texas in a positive way."
Joe Greene ('69), NFL Hall of Famer
Mean Green history was made in 2008 when University of North Texas students approved a dedicated athletics fee — for the first time ever — to support the growth of the athletics programs. The fee will help build a new stadium and entertainment complex, a distinctive multi-purpose facility to serve the entire region.
With its commitment to sustainability, UNT is striving to be the first university in America to build a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver certified collegiate football stadium. With support from alumni and friends, the stadium is expected to be completed by the 2011 season.
The University’s commitment to student-athletes is evident in the 10 facilities built for them since 2002. These include not only state-of-the-art courts and fields, but also an academic center with computer labs and academic advisors.
UNT's 10 new athletic facilities since 2002 contribute to the success of the University's student-athletes, whose overall GPA in 2007-08 was the highest in eight years.
Academic excellence is a Mean Green tradition. The women’s tennis team earned a perfect 100 percent in the NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate in 2008, placing it among the nation’s best, and the women’s soccer team finished in the top 10 percent on the NCAA’s Academic Progress Report the year before. The commitment to women’s athletics also was recognized — UNT moved from second to first in the nation last year on the Penn State Gender Equity Scorecard.
Other successes include back-to-back seasons of 20-plus wins for the men’s basketball team, and for the swim team, a move to 14th nationally in the mid-majors rankings in 2008. Individuals also flourish with the investment in high-quality coaches and facilities. Brooke Engel was the first volleyball player in NCAA history to lead the nation in service aces in back-to-back years. And football standout Casey Fitzgerald went from walk-on to All-American.
With a new stadium on the horizon, Mean Green momentum continues.