Under the Lights at Buford – Home to One of the Nation’s Largest High School Stadiums
New home of the 14-time state champions expands relationship between FieldTurf and school
Buford High School’s recently unveiled state-of-the-art Phillip Beard Stadium is the newest jewel in Georgia’s impressive football landscape and a genuine rival for even the country’s top collegiate venues. It is also home to Dexter Wood Field, where, beginning this season, the Buford Wolves football team will compete on a brand-new FieldTurf Vertex CORE system.
FieldTurf is based in Calhoun, GA, less than 100 miles from Buford High School. This is where the artificial turf used at Dexter Wood Field is manufactured, representing the spirit of innovation and excellence synonymous with The Peach State.
FieldTurf has enjoyed an extensive, mutually beneficial relationship with Buford High School, supplying the artificial turf for numerous athletic facilities. This includes providing surfacing solutions for baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, and recreation fields.
“FieldTurf has been great to Buford, Georgia. We have used them pretty much exclusively for all of our synthetic turf fields,” said Tony Wolfe, Buford High School, Director of Athletic Facilities & Operations. “We’ve been really excited with FieldTurf and the job they do. Not only in their installation but in the service after the fact as well.”
“FieldTurf has been honored to have our artificial turf trusted across Buford High School’s athletic facilities, with the installation at Dexter Wood Field being uniquely special,” said Darren Gill, Executive Vice-President, FieldTurf North America. “The new stadium highlights Buford’s commitment to providing students with world-class facilities, and we’re proud to be part of making their new home a reality.”
In addition to its impressive design, which includes 15 suites and a 10,000-seat capacity, Phillip Beard Stadium addresses the needs of a growing student body. The high school currently has 2,000 students, up from 400 in 1996, reflecting Buford’s broader population, which has more than doubled since 1990. The new stadium also has double the capacity of the old Tom Riden Stadium, which the football program called home from 1990 until its final game there on December 6, 2024.
Population growth has also coincided with a much larger talent pool and greater accomplishments on the field. The Wolves have captured 14 state championships in their history, 13 of which have been since 2000.
While the stadium represents Buford’s enormous sense of pride as one of the top football programs in the state, the city-owned venue will also serve as a valuable resource for concerts and other community events. Tom Riden Stadium, located next to Buford Middle School, will continue to support athletic activities, including track, junior varsity football, flag football, and various middle school sports.
“When we get a chance to see our kids—not just football, that’s certainly a big part of it—but the band out there, and the cheerleaders, and see our community come in and enjoy this facility, it’s going to be a special moment for a lot of us,” said Wolfe. “Our goal is to serve people in a great way and give them an experience that’s worthy of them.”