Aggie might

The new Colosseum? Texas A&M's Kyle Field aims to be most intimidating sports environment ever

Anyone who has visited College Station has been subjected to the watchful eye of Kyle Field, which looms large over the otherwise flat landscape. The storied stadium has been called one of the most intimidating in the nation. And it's about to get even bigger and more intimidating.

On Wednesday, the Texas A&M University Board of Regents approved a $450 million expansion project that it's calling the most extensive redevelopment of a college athletic facility in history.

The Aggies will have state bragging rights, too, as the expanded Kyle Field will be larger than the 100,119-seat Darrell K. Royal Stadium at the University of Texas.

The plan calls for extensive landscaping, decorative paving and lots of bronze statues in the surrounding plazas, and the beautification of the bland grey exterior, which will be replaced by a facade of brick, glass and limestone — materials that "exude power, prominence and endurance," according to a virtual video tour (watch above).

But that's just the beginning: The field will be lowered and the stadium partially enclosed with canopies to further increase the noise level and intimidation factor of the venue. Luxury loge boxes and premium suites will be added, as well as private club and lounge areas. Plus, nearly 20,000 seats will be added, upping the capacity to 102,500 marooned-out fans.

The expansion will make Kyle Field the largest stadium in the Southeastern Conference, narrowly surpassing the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium, which holds 102,455.

The Aggies will have state bragging rights, too, as the expanded Kyle Field will be larger than the 100,119-seat Darrell K. Royal Stadium at the University of Texas.

What's more, the stadium will remain operational throughout the construction process, eliminating interruption of regular home games. Phase I — which includes the demolition and reconstruction of the first deck on the stadium's east side and construction of the south end zone — will begin in November of this year.

Phase II involves the demolition of the stadium's entire west side, complete construction of the south end zone and reconstruction of the west side, and will commence Nov. 2014. The grand opening is currently projected for August 2015.

Cougar Red and Houston Blue

UH expands 'Houston Blue' uniforms, despite NFL cease-and-desist

UH continues using Houston Blue uniforms despite NFL rebuke

Photo courtesy of Houston Athletics

Luv ya Blue running wild.

University of Houston Athletics are in a “Luv ya blue” mood and they don’t care who knows it — not even the NFL.

The university has announced that its football and volleyball teams will wear new Houston Blue jerseys, reminiscent of the classic colors of the Houston Oilers era. The volleyball team's uniform will debut theirs starting November 9 against Texas Tech, while the football team will debut theirs against Baylor on November 23. At the latter event, the first 20,000 fans will receive commemorative Houston Blue rally towels.

The resemblance of the new colors to the Oilers brand was not lost on the NFL. When UH Athletics started incorporating Houston Blue into their uniforms in September 2023, the NFL sent a cease-and-desist letter claiming the uniforms were an attempt to leech off the legacy of the Oilers and the intellectual property of the team now known as the Tennessee Titans. As if to prove the point, the Titans have occasionally worn Columbia blue throwback uniforms at certain games.

UH is unbothered according to vice president for intercollegiate athletics Eddie Nuñez.

“As a university deeply connected to the fabric of Houston, incorporating ‘Houston Blue’ into our uniforms is a powerful way to celebrate the city’s rich history,” he said. “From iconic blue street markers to the Houston Police Department’s signature blue police cars and helicopters, this color holds a special place in the hearts of Houstonians. We’re thrilled to share this tradition with our fans and offer them the chance to show their pride through exclusive merchandise, making it an exciting time for Cougar Nation to rally together.”

The accompanying press release for the uniforms came with a helpful history lesson showing that the Oilers adopted a color widely associated with Houston, not the other way around. The city has incorporated blue into public infrastructure, from street curbs to city vehicles, since the 1920s. The Oilers weren’t even the first Houston team to use blue in their uniforms. That honor belongs to the minor league baseball team, the Houston Buffs. In addition, the university made minor changes to the uniform in response to the NFL's concerns.

UH will be offering a wide range of merchandise to sell in the new Houston Blue colors in person and online through the University of Houston Bookstore as well as at select local retailers. These include shirts, hats, polos, jerseys, and hoodies. Get them before the NFL sends a more strongly-worded letter.

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Fans of Houston sports and Houston food can now score tickets to The Tailgate, CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm November 11 at 8th Wonder. Find out more about it here.

university of houston houston blue

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