Capacity: 8,000 (as of Sept. 9, 2023)
Playing Surface: Field Turf
Dedicaton Game: Southern Illinois 12, Southeast Missouri 6 (Oct. 3, 1930)
Houck Field has served as the home of the Southeast Missouri football team for over 90 years.
On September 24, 2021, the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Governors took bold action to begin the Phase One of construction for a new Houck Field. The first phase included demolition of the original south grandstand structure and construction of a new south sideline, construction and replacement of the south sideline and grandstand of Houck Field as well as new seating, turf replacement, concession stands, restrooms, ADA access and associated HVAC, mechanical and other systems work. Phase One of the project was completed for the grand opening on Sept. 9, 2023.
Phase Two
Because the initial design was cost-prohibitive, SEMO’s Board of Governors chose not to award a contract and instead pivoted to a design-build approach. The university has partnered with a design criteria consultant, OSPORTS, to optimize the layout and fit envisioned for the original multi-level press box and facility building.
Iconic Houck Field
Houck Field is one of the most identifiable landmarks in Southeast Missouri. For nearly a century, fans have filled the stadium to cheer on SEMO’s football and soccer teams. Houck Field has been the stage for some of the most unforgettable memories. From game day to graduation day, the stadium has served the community well for over 90 years. Now, it’s time to turn the page to the future with a heightened sense of urgency to rebuild this beloved landmark. A new stadium will surely help attract top-quality student-athletes to this great university to compete for championships, and it will no doubt create a great environment where the Redhawks will train and compete. Rebuilding the stadium offers fans modern amenities to make the game day experience even more convenient and comfortable.
More than a Stadium
Houck Field is no doubt more than just a stadium. With its prominent location on Broadway Street, Houck Field welcomes everyone who visits SEMO and its historic riverfront district. Houck Field is the front porch of the Southeast Missouri campus. It’s the doorstep to downtown Cape Girardeau. Once complete, a reimagined Houck Field will be a statement of a stronger, healthier university. It will be a shining jewel to anchor the downtown area. A new Houck Field will bring more visitors to the Southeast Missouri community and kindle new economic opportunities for local businesses.
Houck Field History
Houck Field was first built in 1930 at a cost of $150,000. The dedication game pitted longtime rivals SEMO and Southern Illinois University from nearby Carbondale, Illinois, on Oct. 3, that year. The game attracted a crowd of over 6,000, with SIU claiming a 12-6 victory. The referee of the inaugural game was James T. Blair, who served as the Governor of Missouri from 1957-61. Houck Field was constructed on the site of an old rock quarry and was purchased in 1925 for $11,000 at the recommendation of then-college President Joseph A. Serena. Ten thousand bags of Portland Cement, 23,000 feet of Oregon Fir seat lumber and 150,000 feet of Yellow Pine Form lumber were used in the construction, according to an ad in the Houck Field dedication program. The original stadium included 5,240 seats on the south side of the field. The field and stadium were named in honor of Louis Houck, who served 39 years as a Regent for the University and President of the Board for all but three of those years. Seating on the north side of the stadium was added prior to the 1963 season. The press box was later constructed on the south side in 1979. Approximately 400 chairback seats were added to a center section on the south side of the stadium in 1992. In 2000, the initial Field Turf playing field was added and the exterior of the facility was resurfaced. Improvements were also made to the press box. More upgrades took place in the fall of 2005. Those included a paved parking area adjacent to the east end zone and new parking and landscaping areas surrounding the outside of the stadium. A state-of-the-art dormitory (Merick Hall) was later added to the west end of Houck Field. The ground floor of that building houses a visiting team locker room and athletic training room used on gamedays.
Largest Houck Field Football Crowds
11,126 - SEMO vs. UT Martin (Oct. 30, 2010)
11,100 - SEMO vs. Southern Illinois (Sept. 6, 2003)
11,015 - SEMO vs. Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 2, 1999)
10,316 - SEMO vs. Tennessee State (Oct. 9, 2010)
10,222 - SEMO vs. Western Kentucky (Sept. 23, 2000)
10,136 - SEMO vs. Southern Illinois (Sept. 3, 2011)
10,100 - SEMO vs. Southern Illinois (Sept. 1, 2005)
10,100 - SEMO vs. Murray State (Oct. 20, 2001)
10,028 - SEMO vs. Murray State (Oct. 21, 2000)
10,000 - SEMO vs. Murray State (Sept. 1, 1979)
9,827 - SEMO vs. Southern Illinois (Aug. 31, 1995)
Women's Soccer
On Oct. 10, 1999, SEMO played its first soccer game at Houck Field vs. Tennessee Tech. The match marked the beginning of a successful history at the present home of the Redhawks. Houck Field also served as host to SEMO's shootout victory over Samford in 2007, which secured the program's second-straight Ohio Valley Conference Tournament crown and NCAA Women’s Soccer Cup berth. Houck Field also hosted the 2001, 2002, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2019 OVC Women's Soccer tournaments. Prior to moving to Houck Field the women's soccer played its matches at the Intramural Fields on the north end of SEMO's campus.
Largest Houck Field Soccer Crowd
1,137 - SEMO vs. Illinois-Springfield (Aug. 21, 2016)
