The east side renovation will enable TCU to have a fully renovated Amon G. Carter Stadium in time for the 2012 season, which marks the Horned Frogs' first year in the BIG EAST Conference. In addition to BIG EAST home games next fall versus West Virginia, Cincinnati, Louisville and South Florida, TCU also will host Oklahoma and Virginia. Future home games also include LSU and Arkansas coming to Amon G. Carter Stadium.

 

Ninety-five donors have contributed $143 million to date, exceeding the original goal of $105 million when the initial announcement of a renovation to Amon G. Carter Stadium was made Aug. 16, 2010. At the time, the east side was a project marked for completion several years down the road.

 

"This is an exciting day for TCU and Fort Worth," TCU Chairman of the Board of Trustees Clarence Scharbauer said. "This truly defines the momentum we have on campus. We very much appreciate all those who have made it possible for TCU to have a facility that will rank among the nation's finest. The new Amon G. Carter Stadium is for all of TCU, Fort Worth and the greater community. We will have an unbelievable stadium with all the modern amenities. There will be no better place to watch a game in a family-friendly environment."

 

Capacity for the completed Amon G. Carter Stadium will be 43,000 with expansion opportunities that could allow for 50,000 or more in the future. 

 

"Home football games are a tremendous gathering place for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and the Fort Worth community," TCU chancellor Dr. Victor J. Boschini said. "We will have the 'Camden Yards' of college football stadiums. It will be first class in every regard and will mirror the quality of our football program led by head coach Gary Patterson."

The new east side will feature a double deck similar to what has been created in the north end zone. The height of the upper deck will be at the level of the speakers that currently sit on the light poles of the existing stadium.

 

"This project is made possible because of the outstanding vision and leadership of Chancellor Boschini, Chairman Clarence Scharbauer, our Board of Trustees, the Stadium Renovation Committee, donors and the incredible efforts of the best football coach in America, Gary Patterson," TCU director of intercollegiate athletics Chris Del Conte said. "They allowed us to dream and make a new Amon G. Carter Stadium a reality. It's a great time to be a Horned Frog!"

 

TCU has a school record 20-game home winning streak, a mark that currently ranks as the third-longest in the nation. Under Patterson as head coach, TCU is 51-6 in 10 seasons at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

 

"A fully completed stadium will be a positive in our recruiting efforts, as well as continuing to have a football program that makes TCU and Fort Worth proud," Patterson said. "I would like to thank all those who are responsible for making this happen."

 

For the second straight year, TCU has shattered its season ticket sales record. This year's total of over 21,000 surpasses last year's previous-best mark of 19,143.

 

The Horned Frogs open the 2011 campaign Friday at Baylor. The 7 p.m. contest will be televised on ESPN.