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Houchens Industries–LT Smith Stadium

"The Houch"
Outside of LT Smith Stadium, October 2013
Houchens Industries–LT Smith StadiumLocation in KentuckyShow map of KentuckyHouchens Industries–LT Smith StadiumLocation in the United StatesShow map of the United States
Location	Bowling Green, KY
Coordinates	36°59′5″N 86°27′34″W / 36.98472°N 86.45944°W / 36.98472; -86.45944
Owner	Western Kentucky University
Operator	Western Kentucky University
Capacity	19,250 (1968–1989) 17,500 (1990–2007) 22,113 (2008–present)
Record attendance	25,171 (Sept. 25, 2021)
Surface	FieldTurf (2009–present) Astroplay (2002–2008) Grass (1968–2001)
Construction
Opened	1968
Renovated	2008
Construction cost	$2.7 million $50 million (renovation)
Architect	Ryan Associated Architects Heery International & Taylor-Whitney Architects (renovation)
Tenants
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (NCAA) (1968–present)

Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium at Jimmy Feix Field is a 22,000-seat multi-purpose stadium in Bowling Green, in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is home to the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers football team.

History

When the stadium was built in 1968 it seated 19,250 fans. The facility was expanded to a seating capacity of 22,000 in a project that was completed in 2008. This was planned to prepare for the Hilltoppers' move to the highest level of NCAA football competition, Division I FBS (formerly known as Division I-A), completed in 2009. However, the facility remains one of the smallest stadiums in the FBS.

Renovations

A 1989 renovation reduced the seating capacity to 17,500 seats. Lights were installed in 1987 and an Astroplay playing surface was installed in 2002. On July 19, 2007, WKU reported that Houchens Industries, a long-time corporate supporter of WKU, made a $5 million commitment to an expansion and renovation project for the school's football stadium. In honor of the gift, WKU added Houchens Industries to the name of L. T. Smith Stadium. Today, the stadium is now titled as Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium.

Notable events

Smith Stadium has been the site of marching band competitions, high school football games, the university's graduation ceremonies and the Special Olympics. Starting in 2009, it became the site of Kentucky's high school football championship games, which had been previously held at the current Cardinal Stadium on the campus of the University of Louisville. Although the contract with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) had been extended through 2018, the KHSAA decided to move the championships away from WKU in 2017. One of the reasons cited was the Hilltoppers' recent football success, specifically their hosting of the 2015 and 2016 Conference USA championship games, which forced the rescheduling of several high school championship games on short notice. Accordingly, the 2017 and 2018 KHSAA championships were moved to the University of Kentucky's Kroger Field.

Record crowds

Homecoming 2012:

Homecoming 2013:

See also

• List of NCAA Division I FBS football stadiums

References

1. "Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium". wkusports.com. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
2. L. T. Smith Stadium
3. "KHSAA Extends Football Championship Agreement With Russell Athletic, Western Kentucky University Through 2018" (Press release). Kentucky High School Athletic Association. November 18, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
4. "Board of Control Addresses Championship Sites for Football, Girls' Basketball, Dance" (Press release). Kentucky High School Athletic Association. May 10, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.

v t e Bowling Green, Kentucky
Attractions	Beech Bend Park Capitol Arts Center Greenwood Mall The Historic Railpark and Train Museum Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium Lost River Cave National Corvette Homecoming National Corvette Museum Riverview at Hobson Grove
Industry	Bowling Green Assembly Plant Camping World Fruit of the Loom Holley Performance Products Houchens Industries Jr. Food Stores Minit Mart Foods Inc.
Education	Bowling Green Independent School District Bowling Green High School Warren County Public Schools Greenwood High School Warren Central High School GEO International High School Lighthouse Academy High School Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Western Kentucky University
Sports	Bowling Green Ballpark Bowling Green Hot Rods E.A. Diddle Arena Nick Denes Field WKU Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers
Newspapers	The Daily News Park City Daily News
Transportation	GO bg Transit Topper Transit
South Warren High School has a Bowling Green address but is south of the city limits.

v t e Western Kentucky University
Located in: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Academics	Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky
Athletics	Teams Baseball Men's basketball Women's basketball Football Venues Houchens E. A. Diddle Arena Related Marching band Sports Network Sports Satellite Network Swim team hazing scandal
Campus	College Heights Herald Henry Hardin Cherry Hall Kentucky Museum Van Meter Hall Western Kentucky University Heating Plant
Life	Big Red VAMPY WKU Public Radio WKYU-TV WWHR WKUE
People	List of Western Kentucky University people
Founded: 1906 Students: 21,048 Endowment: 109.9 million Category

• Buildings and structures in Bowling Green, Kentucky
• College football venues in Kentucky
• Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
• Multi-purpose stadiums in the United States
• Tourist attractions in Bowling Green, Kentucky
• Sports venues completed in 1968
• 1968 establishments in Kentucky