New NEZ.

It's a project that's been almost two years in the making, but it's almost complete! On Saturday we got our first good look at the new north endzone at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Last year many people with seats at that end were displaced to the temporary bleachers under Godzillatron, our video board behind the south endzone. This season they and many others were happy to find their seats in this new, much larger section.

There's a pretty cool view of the Tower from that north side, too!

The wide walkways and natural light give the new concourses a nice, open feeling.

Apparently there has been a dearth of concessions in those north sections, but now there's a plethora! (How's that for using two SAT words in one sentence?)

There's even a Starbucks!

Fans can walk right up to the tunnel that leads to the field. We're always in our seats at the other end of the stadium when the band marches in, but I'd imagine it's pretty cool to stand along the rail as the LHB and Big Bertha pass by.

After the 2006 football season, the old north endzone was torn down and this new NEZ was begun. For the 2007 season, the new endzone was already better than the old one, even though it wasn't finished. For one, the seats were closer to the field instead of 20-30 yards behind the goalpost.

2007 TCU game with first phase (lower level)
of NEZ construction mostly complete

2008 opener with nearly completed NEZ
including club level and upper level seats

It's crazy how much this construction has changed the stadium's feel. Even from our seats in Section 1 at the far south end, we feel much more enclosed. Now, thanks to the expansion, I can say I was one of 98,053 to attend this game, the largest crowd ever to see a football game in Texas.