In Buford, Georgia, the past doesn’t just live in memories — it echoes through championship banners, school bells, and now, the state-of-the-art lights of a brand-new stadium.
The $62 million Phillip Beard Stadium is more than a high school football venue. It’s a monument to the city’s enduring values of excellence, legacy, and community — and a bold step forward into the future.
With seating for 10,000 fans and the largest high school scoreboard in the country, the stadium was built with scale and spectacle in mind. The massive double-sided video board measures 44 by 82 feet and is capable of displaying different images on each side — a rare feature even among college programs. Surrounding it are three 150-foot ribbon boards mounted across the fieldhouse and both press boxes, creating an immersive experience from every seat.
Inside, a professional-grade sound and lighting system amplifies the energy on game nights. All of it is powered by an advanced control room, where a dedicated technical team works behind the scenes to manage video, graphics, lighting, and audio. Every detail has been designed to meet or exceed collegiate standards.
But for all its modern amenities, Phillip Beard Stadium never forgets where it came from.
It’s named for Phillip Beard, a lifelong Buford resident who has served as Chairman of the Buford Board of Education and the Buford City Commission for over 50 years. A businessman since age 19 and a civic leader ever since, Beard has helped shape the city’s vision — including its nationally acclaimed school system.
The field itself carries the name of Dexter Wood, a legendary coach and athletic administrator who led the Wolves to three state championships and oversaw an athletic program that has captured dozens of state titles across 10 sports.
“Exactly thirty years ago, I coached my first football game at Buford High School,” Wood said. “Never did I think we would journey over the years to such a grand facility as Phillip Beard Stadium.”
The echoes of Buford’s past are present throughout the new complex. Most notably, the iconic bell from Tom Riden Stadium has been relocated to a new bell tower at Phillip Beard Stadium. That bell — which dates back to the 1800s — has long been rung after Buford victories, and its familiar sound will continue to mark moments of triumph for generations to come.
Even the parking lots pay tribute to local heritage. Named the Green, White, Gold and Purple Lots, they honor both the traditional colors of Buford High School and those of the Grenard-Watson School, a historically Black school in Buford whose purple and gold now stand proudly alongside the Wolves’ green and white.
Inside the fieldhouse, three towering trophy cases showcase Buford’s championship legacy — from the first football title in 1978 to the dozens earned across athletics since. The cases serve as a reminder of where Buford has been — and what still lies ahead.
Every Friday night, when the Wolves run out beneath the lights, they’ll be doing more than playing a game. They’ll be carrying the weight of history and the promise of what’s next — in a stadium that reflects both, in brick, steel and spirit.
“This stadium stands as a symbol of excellence, tradition, and the future we are building together for generations to come,” said Beard.
