The Abilene Christian University Wildcats football team, currently a member of NCAA Division I FCS, played at Shotwell from 1959 through 2016.

The remnants of the stadium's original lighting design, which included four concrete columns on each grandstand, were ultimately removed as part of the 2023 press box reconstruction.

On October 16, 1976, Ove Johansson, the Swedish-born placekicker for Abilene Christian University, kicked a 69-yard field goal against East Texas State in ACU's homecoming win against the Lions.

[5][6] In the spring of 2002, the Abilene ISD Board of Trustees approved an exclusive vendor contract with Abtex Beverage Corporation, which provided funding for major renovations to the stadium.

The initial upgrades included the installation of SafePlay turf, the latest generation of artificial playing surface for athletic fields.

In August 2003, as a result of corporate sponsorship, a state-of-the-art scoreboard with an integrated color animation screen was installed on the north end.

A new $479,080 40'-wide, 34'-tall scoreboard featuring a 14'x24' high-definition video screen that displays instant replays, AISD messages and advertising, complete with sound, was installed in 2007.