Godzillatron Gets Company, Won't Feel So Out Of Place Anymore

This year's football season may be over for the Longhorns, but their home field is about to get a much anticipated facelift. Beginning this Friday, construction crews will demolish the north end zone, the oldest part of The Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, in order to make way for ... you guessed it, more seating.

Everyone in Austin is trying to make room for more and UT football is definitely no exception. In addition to higher capacity, a multipurpose facility will be built just behind the newly installed seats in order to accommodate fans during the season and students in the off-season.

Built in 1924, the north-end of the stadium was originally dedicated to Texas veterans who served in World War I. Placards from all major U.S. wars (including Operation Iraqi Freedom) framed the north gate until they were removed and relocated earlier this year to prepare for construction. This time around, they feel like doing it right, one of the key fixtures of the renovations will include a more respectable veterans' memorial plaza on the northwest corner.

The area will also include "what is believed to be the largest archival collection on historical fitness and training equipment and research materials related to physical culture and sport" or The Todd-McLean Physical Culture Collection.

Believe it or not, the athletes will benefit from this expansion as well, with an 18,000-square-foot academic center for athletes and their test-takers "student services staff members" to be added. There will also be a retail center and food court to be open year-round, as well as "more comfortable furnishings" and an extended "wireless Internet environment." Plus, you'd think boosting capacity over 90,000 might be enough for UT, but as they build for the future they still look ahead, as four areas around the stadium could be capable of being converted into full gymnasiums once the regents get tired of working at Gregory.

When fully completed in August 2008, the stadium will have become a horseshoe, one multi-million dollar step away from a bowl. The lower level of the stadium will be ready for fans by the start of the 2007 season and will move them 30 yards closer to the field (and the Godzillatron, which can't be good on the eyes). Starting Friday, students can watch their tuition at work by logging on to a real-time web cam at TexasSports.com.

Photos courtesy of utexas.