A three-year conversion of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium into a state-of-the-art facility set to take UT into the 21st century in keeping with The University’s Master Plan was completed in 1999.

With the removal of the track and the lowering of the field by six feet to allow the addition of several rows of seats, the renovations were completed in August 1999.

It was part of a $90 million-plus project that included removal of the artificial turf from the football stadium, the construction of Frank Denius Fields, the Red and Charlene McCombs Softball Field, the Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium and extensive remodeling of Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium/Jamail Field and the Moncrief-Neuhaus Athletics Complex.

The first stages of the ambitious project were completed in 1996. They included the installation of a sophisticated grass playing field in the stadium, the addition of a Jumbotron video system and retrofitted scoreboard and the completion of the Frank Denius Practice Fields.

Progress continued in 1997 with the addition of 14 stadium suites on the west side of the stadium. The first major construction to the facility since the upper deck was added in 1972 also included a total remodeling of the underside of the stands, including a new concession plaza and a visitors locker room in the northwest corner of the stadium.

The dramatic changes that took place at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for the 1998 football season included the addition of a 5,000-seat upper deck on the east side. The massive construction included 52 new stadium suites and a 13,000 square-foot private club room.

In the primary football facility, the Moncrief-Neuhaus Athletics Complex at the south end of the stadium, significant expansion and upgrades included a new locker room, training room, trophy room, players’ lounge, football academic center and an addition almost doubling the space in the strength and conditioning area.

The football coaching and academic staffs were moved to the facility, housing the key elements of the entire football program in a single complex for the first time.

The 1999 Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays saw the dedication of the 20,000-seat Myers Track and Soccer Stadium, which includes a parking garage that serves students as well as game attendees. The facility is directly across the street from the east side of the football stadium.

The final phase of the construction began shortly after the 1998 season ended, when the 75-year-old stadium floor was excavated to a depth of six feet to allow a reconfiguration and addition of seats and the removal of the track to provide a more intimate football setting.

With the addition of the new rows of seats, the stadium seating capacity is now at 80,082. Including media, stadium workers and others, actual attendance could go as high as 85,000 — surpassing the record of 84,082 set at the 1999 Nebraska game.

SMOKING POLICY
Beginning with the 2003 football season, in order to be in compliance with University regulations, DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, will be a non-smoking facility. Smoking will be permitted only outside of the stadium or in an area outside the stadium proper that is within the stadium secured areas.