Photos by Terry McCutchen, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14
Shelton Stadium at Parramore Field 2200 Hickory Abilene, TX 79698
Year Opened: 1994
Capacity: 4,000
Back to Abilene
Hardin-Simmons University is located on the north side of Abilene, Texas. It is one of three private universities located in this city of approximately 125,000 people. Opened as Abilene Baptist College in 1891 by the Sweetwater Baptist Association and a group of ranchers, the goal was to bring higher education to the Big Country region. Built on land donated by local rancher C. W. Merchant, and following contributions from James B. Simmons and later Mary and John G. Hardin, the school's name was eventually changed to Hardin-Simmons University in 1934.
HSU currently offers over 50 undergraduate degrees, nine masters, and two doctoral programs. They have most recently added engineering and nursing (nursing was previously available through a cooperative program with other institutions) to their academic offerings.
At first glance, Hardin-Simmons Football is a relatively young program, having begun NCAA Division III competition in 1990. But a deeper dive shows that the Cowboy program was one of the first in the state of Texas, playing two games in 1897. Between the years of 1897 and 1963, much of which was spent as a member of the Border Conference, they had victories over schools such as Texas Tech, Arizona State, Arizona, and Tulsa. They also played in the Sun Bowl, Shrine Bowl, and Alamo Bowl during this tenure.
The school dropped its football program in 1963, citing financial losses and poor performance. In 1989, however, HSU officials voted to reinstate the football team and play at the non-scholarship NCAA Division III level beginning in the 1990 season.
Since reinstating football, Hardin-Simmons has won or shared 17 conference championships and made 18 appearances in the NCAA playoffs. Their best playoff run was in 2000, when they made it to the semifinals. The Cowboys currently compete as a charter member of the American Southwest Conference, along with Howard Payne University, Mary Hardin-Baylor University, and East Texas Baptist University. Since its inception in 1996, there have been many other schools who have filtered through the conference, with the most recent shake-up being the loss of several institutions to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. What has developed since 1990 on “the forty acres” is a passionate fan base and nationally competitive football program. Saturdays at Hardin-Simmons University provide quality entertainment for many sports fans.
The first three years of the modern football era were played at Parramore Stadium, named for Col. James H. Parramore (1840-1917), board member and donor to the university. By 1993 a new press box, concessions area, and expanded metal bleachers were added, so Shelton Stadium, honoring A.B. “Stormy” and Ruby Shelton, was dedicated, but the name Parramore Field remained – the Cowboys have continued to play home games in Shelton Stadium at Parramore Field since then.
Food & Beverage 3
Concessions at HSU games are what you would expect at a small college setting. There are no specialty food items, but most of the normal fare is available. Hot dogs, nachos, and Frito pie are all available for those wanting entrees. With the option of adding chili and/or cheese to any of these, you can find something to appease your taste buds. Snack items include chips, candy, popcorn, and pickles.
Pepsi is the soft drink company of the Cowboys, so those flavors are available in two sizes of fountain drinks along with bottled water and Gatorade. For the rare cold weather game, there will be hot chocolate and coffee available.
There is one concession stand located below the home stands. There are multiple windows, some marked as cash only and others allowing both cash and card purchases. At the most recent game I attended, the cash line was noticeably shorter, so taking a little extra money might help move you through the concession area quicker.
Atmosphere 5
The game day atmosphere is fun and family friendly. HSU hosts a pregame pep rally and tailgate event approximately three hours before the game, and the public is invited. Tailgating is also allowed in and around the stadium.
With a long-running history of successful football seasons, Hardin-Simmons has a loyal fan base. HSU has events unrelated to football that tie their alumni back into the culture and daily life of the campus, so there are many former students who attend most every Cowboy game. Factor in a football program with nearly 100 developmental team participants, and there is a built-in, large home crowd present and active at every game. The PA announcer is animated with vocal inflections, stressing first downs and touchdowns – for example when HSU scores he proclaims “annnnd the thunnnnnnderrrrrr roooollls in the STORM SHELTER” as the crowd stomps their feet. Enhancing the experience is a large videoboard and a loud, clear speaker system.
Adding to the atmosphere is The World Famous Cowboy Band, which was formed in 1923. Dressed in full western attire including leather chaps and cowboy hats, the band has performed for six presidential inaugurations and eleven governors through the years, as well as at numerous rodeos and parades annually. The band is well known for its rowdy performance, quick marching cadence, and choreographed “cow step” while whooping and waving their hats. They perform on the field during halftime.
In addition to the band, HSU fields a nationally ranked dance team known as The Spurs. The Spurs perform at halftime with the Cowboy band playing the dance team’s backup music.
The crowd at the game I last attended was packed and raucous. In addition to being senior day, the game was for the conference lead and guaranteed play-off berth with rival Mary Hardin-Baylor. The home stands were full and both end zones were filled with standing room only fans, who were cheering and chanting as the game went on. The student sections at HSU has specific, choreographed cheers for the Crusaders when plays go favorably for the Cowboys.
Neighborhood 4
The neighborhood around HSU’s campus is an older, lower-middle class neighborhood – most of the houses near campus have been occupied by families for many years or are rental property. As houses and lots come up for sale, the university is purchasing them in an effort to expand the school’s footprint. Just to the south of campus is Hendrick Hospital - North Campus, along with multiple doctor’s offices and support services.
There are no hotels within walking distance of campus, but several options are less than three miles north, along Interstate 20. Just a couple of suggestions are Holiday Inn North College Area and Hampton Inn and Suites I-20, but many of the hotels within a few miles of campus are very nice for the price.
Pre or post-game meal choices are limited within blocks of the stadium, but there are a few options. Blue Agave Mexican Kitchen, Texas Flaming Grill, Los Arcos, and Armando’s all provide good food within a mile of campus. One must eat location is Jay’s BBQ, which is just 3 miles from campus; Jay’s is open from 11am to 2 pm with excellent BBQ and different daily specials. There are also several excellent restaurants downtown, just over two miles south of campus.
If fast food is desired, Taco Bell, Subway, and Church’s Chicken are all within a mile of the school in different directions. A new Braum’s, located at the corner of Ambler and Simmons, is expected to open in early 2025. There are many more fast food and restaurant options approximately three miles east on Ambler Avenue along Judge Ely Boulevard, as well as further out around the Interstate 20/Ambler (HWY 351) intersection.
For nightlife there are a few bars downtown, some of which play live music on weekends. These include KAO Lounge, The Ice House, Grain Theory, and Fat Boss’s Pub. Other options for adult beverages and entertainment include Mulligans Sports Bar Grill and Golf, Lucky Shot Bar and Arcade, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Hooters.
When visiting Abilene, family entertainment options to consider include Abilene Zoo, Frontier Texas, National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, Grace Museum, and Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame.
Fans 5
HSU fans are a supportive group – they arrive early, fill the stands, and are active during games. The chairback section of the home stands is filled with season ticket holders, some of whom have been attending Cowboy games since 1993. The students attending games are vocal as well; whether in the student section of the stands or in the end zone, they cheer loudly.
Fans at the game I most recently attended had painted faces, wore homemade thematic t-shirts, and carried signs and banners showing their support. There were also a couple of “super fans” in attendance, such as a gentleman and his elementary-aged protege dressed in full western attire, including cowboy hat and leather chaps, who ran the length of the home stands carrying an HSU flag and encouraging the crowd to raise their voices in support.
Access 4
Shelton Stadium is located at the corner of Simmons Avenue and Vogel Avenue, behind the Mabee Athletic Complex on campus. Getting into Shelton Stadium is not difficult, however there is no direct access off Ambler Avenue due to recent construction. Therefore, access to parking is either through campus using the main entrance, turning east on Vogel Avenue off Grape Street, or heading west on either Vogel Avenue or Lowden Street off Pine Street. Any of those choices will direct fans into ample free parking within a short walk of the gate.
There are entry gates on both sides of the facility – visitor tickets are available at the southeast gate, while home side tickets can be purchased at the southwest ticket booth. Once inside there is access between the home and visitor sides via the south end zone.
Return on Investment 4
With chairback reserved seats costing $10 and general admission only $5, the price is a bargain. The quality of football that will be on display will more than likely include at least one top 25 ranked team, and many times both teams are well coached, high caliber teams.
Concessions, while not fancy, are sufficient and well-priced. Entree items cost $6 or less, while fountain soft drinks are $4 or $5, Gatorade and water are $2, and the snacks are all $4 or less; these prices are well within the range you would expect to pay at a football game at the college level.
Figuring the affordability of tickets and concessions, free parking, plus the high level football and entertainment, as well as the excitement of the band and student section, the ROI is high for HSU Cowboy football.
Extras 4
The concession stand has cash only lines in addition to cash/card lines; the ability to move more quickly if you are using cash is worth special recognition.
The Cowboy band is also worth an extra point – they are highly entertaining and bring a historic bridge between the past and today. Their musicianship is also high level, but the spectacle they provide is what carries the show.
The PA Announcer adds an extra plus to your visit. Whether it’s encouraging the crowd to celebrate another Cowboy first down, or the previously mentioned touchdown chant, the game is enhanced by the announcer’s input.
Student engagement and crowd involvement illicit more additional points – I’ve visited several stadiums, at many different levels, and Hardin-Simmons crowd involvement is better than any I‘ve visited thus far.
Final Thoughts
Football fans in Texas have plenty of choices when it comes to quality football venues. On fall Saturdays within a few hundred miles of Abilene, there are no less than 15 colleges and universities playing a football game. In addition, just within the city limits of Abilene itself there are two NCAA D-III programs and one NCAA FCS football team. Choosing which games to attend can be difficult at times, but Hardin-Simmons has done nearly everything possible to make their home games the no-brainer choice. With the affordability and return on investment, the quality of play and the level of entertainment, HSU football games are well worth the few hour time investment required.
The experience at HSU Cowboy football is well worth the cost, and you are sure to be entertained. Bring cash and your trip through the concession line will most definitely go quicker. I would highly encourage placing the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys on your bucket list of football games to attend.
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