Bowers Stadium

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title: "Bowers Stadium" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["sam-houston-bearkats-football", "college-football-venues-in-texas", "multi-purpose-stadiums-in-the-united-states", "sam-houston-state-university", "1986-establishments-in-texas", "sports-venues-completed-in-1986"] description: "Sports venue at Sam Houston University, Texas" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowers_Stadium" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Sports venue at Sam Houston University, Texas ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox venue"]

Field	Value
name	Bowers Stadium
nickname	Death Row
fullname	Elliot T. Bowers Stadium
logo_image	Sam_Houston_State_word_mark.png
logo_size	100
image	Bowers stadium huntsville tx 2014.jpg
caption	Interior view of the stadium in 2014
location	620 Bowers Boulevard
Huntsville, Texas 77340
coordinates
type	Stadium
current_use	American football
broke_ground	1985
opened
owner	Sam Houston State University
operator	Sam Houston St Univ. Athletics
surface	Real Grass Pro artificial turf (2007–present)
suites	Pressbox-Upper Level: 5 premium suites and President's box
Fieldhouse: Bearkat Lounge
tenants	Sam Houston Bearkats football (NCAA)
(1986–present)
seating_capacity	14,000 (2014–present)
12,976 (2011–2013)
14,000 (1982–2010)
record_attendance	16,148
(October 24, 1994,
vs. Alcorn State)
website
::

| name = Bowers Stadium | nickname = Death Row | fullname = Elliot T. Bowers Stadium | logo_image = Sam_Houston_State_word_mark.png | logo_size = 100 | image = Bowers stadium huntsville tx 2014.jpg | caption = Interior view of the stadium in 2014 |location = 620 Bowers Boulevard Huntsville, Texas 77340 |coordinates = | type = Stadium | current_use = American football | broke_ground = 1985 | opened = | closed = | demolished = | owner = Sam Houston State University | operator = Sam Houston St Univ. Athletics | surface = Real Grass Pro artificial turf (2007–present) | architect = | construction_cost = | suites = Pressbox-Upper Level: 5 premium suites and President's box Fieldhouse: Bearkat Lounge | tenants = Sam Houston Bearkats football (NCAA) (1986–present) | seating_capacity = 14,000 (2014–present) 12,976 (2011–2013) 14,000 (1982–2010) | record_attendance = 16,148 (October 24, 1994, vs. Alcorn State) | website = 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 Aug. 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, 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.

Attendance records

::data[format=table] | Sam Houston State Bearkats|color=white}}" |Rank | Sam Houston State Bearkats|color=white}}" |Attendance | Sam Houston State Bearkats|color=white}}" |Date | Sam Houston State Bearkats|color=white}}" |Game 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 | 13,059 | September 21, 2024 | SHSU 31, New Mexico State 11 | | 5 | 12,941 | September 18, 2004 | SHSU 41, Montana 29 | | 6 | 12,863 | September 23, 2017 | SHSU 66, Nicholls State 17 | | 7 | 12,367 | December 16, 2011 | SHSU 31, Montana 28 | | 8 | 12,117 | October 18, 2008 | SHSU 17, McNeese 28 | | 9 | 12,058 | August 28, 2008 | SHSU 58, East Central 14 | | 10 | 11,931 | October 16, 1999 | SHSU 31, SFA 45 | ::

References

References

1. "Bearkat Game Notes". Sam Houston State Athletics.
2. "Sam Houston State BearKats 2013 Football Media Supplement". Sam Houston State Athletics.
3. "Elliot T. Bowers Stadium". Sam Houston State Athletics.
4. "Joseph Pritchett Field". Sam Houston State Athletics.
5. "Elliott T. Bowers Stadium and Fieldhouse". Sam Houston State University.
6. "Bowers Stadium gets a face lift". Sam Houston State Athletics.
7. "Bowers Stadium elevator policies announced". Sam Houston State Athletics.
8. "Regents Approve Construction, Tuition Increase". SHSU Today@Sam.
9. (22 June 2024). "Construction at Bowers in full motion".
10. https://www.kbtx.com/video/2024/08/04/sam-houston-submits-bowers-stadium-redesign-plans-board-regents/ {{Bare URL inline. (August 2025)
11. https://gobearkats.com/news/2025/4/7/football-bearkats-to-host-2025-season-at-shell-energy-stadium.aspx {{Bare URL inline. (August 2025)
12. https://gobearkats.com/news/2024/4/29/football-architect-firm-awarded-bowers-stadium-upgrade-project.aspx {{Bare URL inline. (August 2025)
13. "Bowers Stadium Premium Suites". Sam Houston State University.
14. Patterson, Chris. (May 16, 2021). "2021 FCS championship game score: Sam Houston State rallies for dramatic title win over South Dakota State". [[CBS Sports]].

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