BUFORD — Buford High School unveiled its new Phillip Beard Stadium with a ribbon ceremony and open house Sunday, less than three weeks ahead of the 2025 football season.
The event drew students, families and community members who gathered in excitement, cheering as the symbolic green ribbon was cut — signaling the beginning of a new chapter for Buford football.
The stadium, named in honor of longtime chairman of the Buford Board of Education Phillip Beard, seats more than 10,000 and came at an estimated cost of $62 million. Construction began in August 2024 and was completed last month.
The stadium boasts two floors of modern infrastructure designed to host athletes, coaches, media and fans alike. The stadium has 15 luxury suites that seat 16 people each in climate-controlled rooms.
Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez
Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez
Its most striking feature is a massive video board, nearly the size of those used in SEC stadiums, paired with a two-sided scoreboard and digital ribbon boards. The two-story fieldhouse includes locker rooms for football and cheer on the first floor, and a banquet hall with a warming kitchen and balcony on the second.
Fan-focused amenities include a pedestrian bridge connecting the stadium to the high school, a premium concourse with trophy displays and a tailgating area in the parking lot.
Families in attendance expressed awe at the scale of the new facility, along with hope for what it represents.
“I think the kids, when they walk out and they see all of this, they’re gonna get an extra boost of energy,” said Chad Gwen, whose son is a junior quarterback for Buford High. “They’re going to be flying around.”
Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez
Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez
The event, led by Buford City Schools Superintendent Amy Chafin, featured appearances by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones; Georgia state Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega; state Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Athens; and others.
Former Superintendent Melanie Reed spoke about the stadium’s significance, not just as a sports facility, but as a tribute to Beard’s enduring legacy.
“We’re not just honoring a new field, we’re honoring a man who helped transform what Buford all means,” Reed said. “This field will bear the name of someone whose impact stretches far beyond the sidelines. Someone whose vision, leadership and heart helped redefine the standard of excellence in this program and this community.”
Beard responded on the podium with gratefulness: “I would like to thank everybody for allowing me to be a part of this, and I hope many generations enjoy this facility. Thank you.”
During the ceremony, Jones proclaimed that July 27 would be “Phillip Beard Day” in Georgia.
“Buford City School System has built a reputation of excellence, not just in athletics, but in academics as well,” Jones said.
Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez
Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez
Buford is a powerhouse in Georgia high school football, winning 14 state championships, with the most recent in 2021. In the program’s history, the Wolves have had 10 AJC Super 11 selections.
Buford, which ended its 2024 season in a semifinals loss to Carrollton, opens the 2025 season Aug. 14 at home against Milton, the reigning Class 5A state champion.
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