Today@Sam Article

Bowers Stadium Reaches New Heights in Revitalization Effort

Aug. 29, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Campbell Atkins

The framework for the future of Bowers Stadium and Sam Houston football was on full display Thursday as local officials and supporters gathered for a topping out ceremony. The venue has been home to Bearkat football for nearly four decades and continues evolving to blend its rich history with the world-class university setting it inhabits.

Bowers Stadium, home of the Sam Houston football team, reached a major milestone in its road to completion Thursday.

In a traditional topping out ceremony, university and local officials watched with members of the Hoar Construction team as a crane lifted the final structural beam to the highest point of the stadium’s new, state-of-the-art press box.

(From left) SHSU CFO and VP for Operations Amanda Withers, President Alisa White and Athletic Dir. Bobby Williams.

“This is a dream come true for Bearkat Athletics and our football team,” said Sam Houston State Athletic Director Bobby Williams. “We keep moving forward and improving so many different aspects of our program. We achieved a bowl victory in our second year competing in FBS, which is not something a lot of teams do, and today we are celebrating our new press box.”

Williams has served the university as either an administrator or coach since 1982 and has overseen unprecedented growth across all Bearkat Athletics. This includes vast facility upgrades as well as the transition to Conference USA.

“I’ve long said that transformation occurs when the potential visible to some becomes visible to all,” said SHSU President Alisa White, who acknowledged Williams and others responsible for the revitalization efforts during the ceremony. “The vision that you had is visible to all today.”

The press box serves as the focal point of the Bowers renovation project. The five-level structure on the stadium’s west side will feature:

  • Ground Level: Main lobby, ticket office and a Bearkat apparel shop.
  • Concourse Level: Expanded public restrooms and concessions, easily accessible to fans.
  • Club Level: A two-story lounge offering catering, beverage service and access to an outdoor balcony with prime views of the field.
  • Suite Level: 12 spacious luxury suites, complete with catering and access to the double-height club lounge below.
  • Press Level: Film deck, control room, game day operations center, coaches’ suites, a suite for the visiting athletic director and dedicated press areas.

Construction efforts are led by Hoar Construction of Houston. During the ceremony, Region President Brady Johnson acknowledged the entire crew, who continue their tireless work at the site. After lunch was served, Hoar provided items such as grills and coolers to be raffled off to their devoted workers.

Hoar also provided a virtual reality station featuring a Meta Quest 3 headset that gave attendees an immersive glimpse into what the 2026 game day experience at Bowers Stadium will entail for Bearkat fans.

The venue has been home to Bearkat football for nearly four decades and continues evolving to blend its rich history with the world-class university setting it inhabits. While renovation efforts persist, the football team will play their 2025 home games at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.

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