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.

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.

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.