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. Previously, the team played their homes games at Pritchett Field, which currently plays host to the University's women soccer team. The Bearkats are members of Conference USA (CUSA).
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.
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.
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.
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. The Texas State University System Board of Regents approved a $60 million renovation in August 2024, 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. 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.
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.
Home Record The Bearkats are 161–57–1 () since opening Bowers Stadium. The Bearkats were 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.
Attendance records RankAttendanceDateGame Result 1 16,148 October 24, 1994 SHSU 48, Alcorn State 23 2 15,134 September 14, 2024 SHSU 31, Hawaii 14 3 14,566 September 28, 2023 SHSU 28, Jacksonville State 35 4 13,781 September 12, 2026 SHSU 17, Tulsa 23 5 13,059 September 21, 2024 SHSU 31, New Mexico State 11 6 12,941 September 18, 2004 SHSU 41, Montana 29 7 12,863 September 23, 2017 SHSU 66, Nicholls State 17 8 12,367 December 16, 2011 SHSU 31, Montana 28 9 12,182 September 19, 2026 SHSU 59, Nicholls State 0 10 12,117 October 18, 2008 SHSU 17, McNeese 28
See also List of NCAA Division I FBS football stadiums
References
External links