Bowers Stadium

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Bowers Stadium
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Bowers stadium huntsville tx 2014.jpg
Interior view of the stadium in 2014
Bowers Stadium
Full nameElliot T. Bowers Stadium
Location620 Bowers Boulevard
Huntsville, Texas 77340
Coordinates 30°42′50″N95°32′30″W / 30.71389°N 95.54167°W / 30.71389; -95.54167
Owner Sam Houston State University
Operator Sam Houston St Univ. Athletics
Type Stadium
Executive suitesPressbox-Upper Level: 5 premium suites and President's box
Fieldhouse: Bearkat Lounge
Capacity 14,000 (2014–present) [1]
12,976 (2011–2013) [2]
14,000 (1982–2010)
Record attendance16,148
(October 24, 1994,
vs. Alcorn State)
SurfaceReal Grass Pro artificial turf (2007–present)
Current use American football
Construction
Broke ground 1985
OpenedSeptember 13, 1986;38 years ago (1986-09-13)
Tenants
Sam Houston Bearkats football (NCAA)
(1986–present)
Website
gobearkats.com/bowers-stadium

Elliott T. Bowers Stadium is a 14,000-seat multi-purpose stadium in Huntsville, Texas. The stadium has been home to the Sam Houston State University Sam Houston Bearkats football team since 1986. [3] Previously, the team played their homes games at Pritchett Field, which currently plays host to the University's women soccer team. [4] The Bearkats are members of Conference USA (CUSA).

Contents

History

Bowers stadium was named in honor of Dr. Elliott T. Bowers, a former president of Sam Houston State University. The stadium is located on campus at Sam Houston State University. The address for Bowers Stadium is 620 Bowers Blvd, Huntsville, Texas. [5]

Renovations

In 2012, new orange chair backs were installed, replacing the older chair backs previously in their place along with new parking lot locker rooms. [6]

In April 2013, The stadium added a video replay system scoreboard, an elevator leading up to the press box, and guest suites in the place of the old coach's press box section. New video graphics were designed and put in place for the video scoreboard as well. [7] [8]

In October 2021, the Ron Mafridge field house is expected to be completed. The field house is expected to feature a new interior and exterior worth $11,667,000 in renovations. The planning for the renovation took just over 15 years and will have an area of 27,000 square feet.

In 2024, the stadium underwent a field renovation that saw the turf being replaced as well as the removal of the track. [9] The Texas State University System Board of Regents approved a $60 million renovation in Aug. 2024, [10] and the Bearkats are scheduled to play their home games at Shell Energy Stadium home to the Houston Dynamo in Houston, 71 miles south of Huntsville, in 2025. [11] The Bearkats have not played at Shell Energy Stadium since 2012 back when the stadium was known as BBVA Stadium which ended in a 50-6 win over Texas Southern.

For the 2026 football season, the Bearkats are set to return home to a renovated Bowers which will include a brand new 60,000-square-foot 5-level press box with a covered concourse with cantilevered club seating, a fan shop, a grand entrance stairwell leading to the concourse, and improved concessions and restrooms. [12]

Features

The stadium includes several suites. In addition to the presidential suite seating 50 people, there are five other suites in the press box third level. Two of the five can seat up to eight while the remaining three can seat up to six. Additionally, the Bearkat Lounge in the Ron Mafridge Fieldhouse can hold up to 100 and the adjacent deck can hold another 75–100 individuals. [13]

Home Record

The Bearkats are 161–57–1 (.737) since opening Bowers Stadium, [3] and ranks as one of the toughest venues in Conference USA. The Bearkats were also undefeated at home during the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs and won the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS national championship played in the spring of 2021. [14]

Attendance records

RankAttendanceDateGame Result
116,148October 24, 1994SHSU 48, Alcorn State 23
215,134September 14, 2024SHSU 31, Hawaii 14
314,566September 28, 2023SHSU 28, Jacksonville State 35
413,059September 21, 2024SHSU 31, New Mexico State 11
512,941September 18, 2004SHSU 41, Montana 29
612,863September 23, 2017SHSU 66, Nicholls State 17
712,367December 16, 2011SHSU 31, Montana 28
812,117October 18, 2008SHSU 17, McNeese 28
912,058August 28, 2008SHSU 58, East Central 14
1011,931October 16, 1999SHSU 31, SFA 45

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bearkat Game Notes" (PDF). Sam Houston State Athletics. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Sam Houston State BearKats 2013 Football Media Supplement" (PDF). Sam Houston State Athletics. p. 2. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Elliot T. Bowers Stadium". Sam Houston State Athletics. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Joseph Pritchett Field". Sam Houston State Athletics. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Elliott T. Bowers Stadium and Fieldhouse". Sam Houston State University. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Bowers Stadium gets a face lift". Sam Houston State Athletics. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Bowers Stadium elevator policies announced". Sam Houston State Athletics. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Regents Approve Construction, Tuition Increase". SHSU Today@Sam. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  9. ↑ Foster, Colton (June 22, 2024). "Construction at Bowers in full motion". Itemonline.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  10. ↑ https://www.kbtx.com/video/2024/08/04/sam-houston-submits-bowers-stadium-redesign-plans-board-regents/ [ bare URL ]
  11. ↑ https://gobearkats.com/news/2025/4/7/football-bearkats-to-host-2025-season-at-shell-energy-stadium.aspx [ bare URL ]
  12. ↑ https://gobearkats.com/news/2024/4/29/football-architect-firm-awarded-bowers-stadium-upgrade-project.aspx [ bare URL ]
  13. ↑ "Bowers Stadium Premium Suites". Sam Houston State University. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  14. ↑ Patterson, Chris (May 16, 2021). "2021 FCS championship game score: Sam Houston State rallies for dramatic title win over South Dakota State". www.cbssports.com. CBS Sports. The Bearkats earned their first national title in program history on Sunday afternoon over the Jackrabbits
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