Although the Wildcats have won many victories in Shotwell Stadium, we can’t claim the field as our own.

ACU doesn’t own it. We share it with several other schools. Shotwell hasn’t been donned with the school’s colors. A visitor would have no way of knowing a Div. I football team played there.

We’re in the big leagues now. Here, not having a field to call your own is embarrassing.

When it was announced that ACU would rejoin the Southland Conference, questions about a new football stadium became more frequent.

Now we have an answer.

Thanks to some generous donations, ACU is on its way to getting that new stadium. And we couldn’t be more grateful or excited.

Having a new stadium that is entirely our own will have several benefits for the university and its students.

While it might be awkward for a Div. I team to be seen on ESPN playing in a high school stadium. Paying in a brand new arena designed just for you earns respect.

The proximity of the new stadium will also benefit the football team and the student body. While playing in a high school stadium is bad enough, playing in a half-empty high school stadium is worse. Because the new stadium will be located on the ACU campus, it will be easier for more people to attend games. Students will be more willing to come if they don’t have as far to travel, and they’ll be excited to attend games at the new field.

The new venue will also give ACU the opportunity to host more events on campus. Outdoor concerts could draw even bigger crowds. Other schools would ask to have their sporting events here. Who knows? Maybe the stadium will include a jumbo-tron. It would be perfect for movie nights under the stars.

Good things will come from this addition to campus. Some great memories were made at Shotwell. But it’s the beginning of a new era for ACU. It’s time to move on to something new. After all, new is always better.