Stadium on the rise

Here is the article I submitted for the 100th Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA). This was my first experience competing at the prestigious Texas Press event and I was honored to be selected to represent Richland College and our newspaper The Chronicle. The competition field included students from throughout the state and of various writing/broadcasting abilities. I added some photos I snapped while on the new stadium grounds to enhance the copy. I hope you enjoy the article as much as I enjoyed writing it!


Sports writing competition
Stadium on the rise - #347

When construction began April 2006 just three short years ago, the future home of the Dallas Cowboys to many seemed on paper to be “the kind of stuff that dreams are made of” but, as the structure has taken its form across the Arlington skyline, the dreams have become reality. The saying, “everything is bigger and better in Texas” is cliché but true. Standing inside the still hollowed structure, you get a glimpse of its size seeing an 18- wheeler which looks like a toy truck on the floor that will become the field. The massive 2.3 million-square-foot still unnamed facility, once complete will be the largest domed building on the planet.

The design team HSK Architects along with the Jones family spanned the globe taking construction ideas from places such as Japan, China, Australia, and England to ensure that the city of Arlington, owned building would be a compilation of the best architectural ideas in the world. “Because of the visibility of the franchise and the fans, we had to take it up a notch. I don’t think people would come to see the home of the Dallas Cowboys and expect to see the same thing you would see anywhere else.” said Director of Corporate Communications Brett Daniels. “We are trying to create a monumental piece of architecture, but also something that was versatile enough that could be seen as more than just a football stadium but as a year round venue for hosting any major event from sporting events to concerts, trade shows, and conventions.”

The state of the art technology seen throughout the structure more than justifies the 1.1 billion dollar price tag. From the expansive retractable roof, the largest of its kind in the world stretching approximately 661,000 square feet, to the two monumental arches which soar 292 feet above the playing field, one can see that the money has not been wasted or stuffed some where in a Swiss bank account. Taxpayers gave 325 million dollars to ensure the construction of the site, although many will not be able to experience the grandiose vision up close because of the high cost of tickets. In these tough economic times, a family of four could easily expect to spend over $500 dollars just getting tickets, souvenirs and concession area food. Director of Communications Brett Daniels responded to this statement saying, “It’s probably a price point that some people will have difficulty trying to reach, but the burden of paying for the building is on the people who actually use it.” When the “King of Country” George Strait opens the building later this year with a concert in June the world will finally get a glimpse what will truly be the greatest show on earth!