SMU Set To Showcase Upgraded Gerald J. Ford Stadium

DALLAS (SMU) - Fans at SMU's home opener on Saturday, Sept. 11, will notice some big changes to Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Among the most noticeable will be the new integrated video and audio system.

SMU's new Daktronics videoboard measures approximately 32 feet high by 45 feet wide, and a new custom sound system will deliver pounding bass energy, smooth mid- and high-range frequencies, and high-impact entertainment throughout the stadium.

Fans seated in Ford Stadium's Club Level will notice new wall murals throughout the third floor and visitors to the Hall of Champions will see a room filled with tributes to some of SMU's greatest champions.

These are just the latest upgrades for SMU's athletic facilities. Over the past four years, SMU has undertaken a $60 million facilities plan, building new facilities and improving existing ones. The $13-million, 43,000-square foot Crum Basketball Center, a basketball-only practice facility adjacent to Moody Coliseum, opened in February 2008 and the Turpin Tennis Stadium opened in April 2008. Ground has been broken for the SMU Payne Stewart Golf Learning Center and renovations to Moody Coliseum, which began in 2008 with the installation of a new $900,000 video board and redesigned court, continue.

The 2010 home slate consists of six games. SMU will open Conference USA play at home on Sept. 11 against UAB. The Mustangs will then look to avenge an overtime loss from 2009 when Pac-10 member Washington State comes to Dallas on Sept. 18 for a CBS College-televised meeting.

ESPN will come to Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Friday, Sept. 24, when rival TCU crosses the Metroplex for the annual State Farm Battle For The Iron Skillet in a primetime, nationally-televised matchup. Tulsa then comes to Dallas for an Oct. 9 meeting with the Mustangs. After sharing the 2009 C-USA Western Division Championship, SMU and Houston will battle it out on the gridiron on Oct. 23 in Dallas in another CBS College-televised game, and SMU will host Marshall in its regular-season home finale on Nov. 20.
 
Season tickets for the 2010 season start at as little as $72, and can be purchased through SMU Ticket Sales representatives at 214-768-4263 or by logging on to SMUMustangs.com.

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SMU, the only Division I athletic program in Dallas, Texas, sponsors 17 sports and has been ranked as the top school in its conference for 11 of the last 13 years in the Director's Cup overall athletic rankings. More information about SMU and its coaches, student-athletes and teams is available at www.SMUMustangs.com.