Today@Sam Article
Countdown to H-Town Event Energizes Sam Houston State University's Houston Fanbase
Aug. 15, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd
Sam Houston State University hosted “Countdown to H-Town” Thursday, Aug. 14 — a preseason celebration at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston ahead of the Bearkats’ 2025 home opener at the same venue on Friday, Aug. 29, vs. the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The event featured remarks from university and athletics leadership, provided fan-engagement opportunities and gave attendees a preview of what’s ahead for Bearkat Football’s 2025 season.
“We’re thrilled to kick off the 2025 season here in Houston,” said Bobby Williams, director of Athletics. “This year, Bearkat fans will get to celebrate victories on the field at Shell Energy Stadium and milestones in Huntsville as our new stadium takes shape. We’re grateful for Shell Energy Stadium’s partnership in making this a memorable season for our student-athletes and fans.”
Hosted by KPRC 2 Sports Director and Bearkat graduate Randy McIlvoy, the event marked the official lead-in to the 2025 Bearkat Football season and the start of a new era under head coach Phil Longo. The event energized Houston-area supporters ahead of the Bearkats’ high-profile home opener after a successful 2024 season that saw the Bearkats win the New Orleans Bowl over Georgia Southern, the program’s first FBS bowl win in program history in only its second season as a member of Conference USA. Longo offered a preview into the work the team has been putting in during the offseason.
“We’re going to play fast, we’re going to play physical, and we’re going to play with a lot of heart,” Longo said. “We’ve got some young guys stepping up, some veterans leading the way, and a team that’s hungry to prove themselves every week. This is a gritty, determined group, and I think our fans are going to love watching them compete.”
“I’m excited for the games here at Shell,” said University President Alisa White. “We believe our fans will experience something truly magical in Houston—so much so that they’ll want to carry that magic back home with us when we return to our new stadium in Huntsville in 2026. We’re excited for this season and for next season.”
ABOUT SHELL ENERGY STADIUM
Shell Energy Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Downtown Houston which serves as the regular home of the Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash professional soccer teams and Texas Southern football. It also hosts a wide range of professional, collegiate and community sporting events, concerts, exhibitions, conventions and special events.
The state-of-the-art, open-air venue has a capacity of 20,656 and recently served as the host venue for the NCAA Division III Football Championship (Stagg Bowl) in January 2025, further cementing its status as one of the region's top sports destinations.
For more information, visit gobearkats.com and follow Bearkat Athletics on social media for updates. View the full event photo album at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCqNBx
- END -
This page maintained by SHSU's Communications Office:
Director of Content Communications: Emily Binetti
Asst. Director Content & Social Media: Emilee White
Communications Manager: Mikah Boyd
Telephone: 936.294.1837
Communications Specialist: Campbell Atkins
Telephone: 936.294.2638