University Leaders Celebrate Opening of Upgraded Bowers Stadium Press Box

University Leaders Celebrate Opening of Upgraded Bowers Stadium Press Box

In a special grand opening and naming ceremony, leaders from across Sam Houston State University and the City of Huntsville joined alumni and fellow Bearkat supporters for a sneak peek at the comfort that awaits Bearkat Football fans in the new-and-improved Bowers Stadium Press Box.

Serving as the focal point of the overall Bowers renovation project, the press box features five levels:

• Ground Level: Main lobby, ticket office and Bearkat apparel shop
• Concourse Level: Easily accessible and expanded concessions
• Club Level: A two-story lounge featuring catering, beverage service and an outdoor balcony with optimal views of the field
• Suite Level: 12 spacious luxury suites, complete with access to the double-height club level below and en-suite catering available
• Press Level: Film deck, control room, game day operations center, coaches’ suites, visiting athletic director’s suite and dedicated press areas

“Since 1986, Bowers Stadium has been home to unforgettable moments; championship teams, generations of Bearkats,” University President Alisa White said. “The stadium that we have represents our pride in Sam Houston football, in Sam Houston athletics, and I can’t wait for the season to start. We are ready; we are ready to win, ready to support, ready to have some fun.”

Among improvements to the facility are the inclusion of both cashier-run and self-serve concessions, which is aimed at improving wait times for fans. Another time-reducing improvement is the expansion of the restrooms, equipping the facility to comfortably host large crowds wanting to watch SHSU compete in Conference USA. The concourse now benefits from the addition of a cover over the area, shielding fans from the sun as they get their snacks.

In the club and suite levels, patrons can enjoy the game from an indoor lounge with TV screens, lounge spaces and bar areas, or feel the full fan experience by stepping out onto the patio with a glass railing for optimal views whether they decide to sit or stand. Those who are leasing one of the 12 suites can host about 16 guests and enjoy the ultimate Bearkat fan experience. Standing out among the rest is the president’s suite, which is situated in the center of the section and can host approximately 25 to 30 guests.

“It has been a 20-year-journey to get to this point and everybody involved in that over the years, listening to the vision, looking at the different renderings that we had to get to this thing, it was all worth it,” Bobby Williams, athletic director for the Bearkats. “When you walk in, you’ll see how much it changes who we are as a university, as an athletic program and as a football program. The things that it’s going to do for us to help in all phases of the current state of college athletics is very dramatic, and you’ll see it when you walk in.”

Topping off the complex are the state-of-the-art media facilities. The improved broadcast room will feature booths for radio broadcasters, television crews, coaching staff and other media operations. On top of the improved, expanded space, the upgraded equipment brings the university’s audio and visual production during games to the next level.

The unveiling of the new press box comes as the Bearkats are looking forward to hosting their first home game in the upgraded facilities against the University of Tulsa on Sept. 12.

“Being football players, we all need the best of the best to keep our bodies right and to be in good shape,” Trey Taylor (#41), running back for the Bearkats, said. “I feel like us getting all this new stuff, all the new things that came with the press box, will be able to help me and my teammates a lot more during the season.”