Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, located in Valdosta, Georgia, is a stadium steeped in football tradition. It is a shared and beloved home field for both the Valdosta State University Blazers and the historic Valdosta High School Wildcats. Known for its passionate fan base and electric atmosphere, the stadium is a cornerstone of the Valdosta community.
History: From Humble Beginnings to a Modern Fortress
The stadium's history dates back to 1922, when it was built next to the new Valdosta High School. Initially, the field was a simple patch of dirt with very little seating, but over the years, wooden and then metal bleachers were added. The field was originally named Cleveland Field in 1923, in honor of Dr. A.G. Cleveland, a long-serving superintendent of Valdosta City Schools.
In a move that paid tribute to the city's rich football legacy, the stadium was officially named Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in 1996. The name honors two of the most successful coaches in Valdosta High School history: Wright Bazemore (1941–1942, 1946–1971) and Nick Hyder (1974–1995). Together, they combined for 50 years of service and led the Wildcats to multiple state and national championships.
A major transformation took place following the 2003 season when the stadium was leveled and rebuilt from the ground up in a $6.5 million project. The renovation, which was paid for with community funds, created a state-of-the-art facility. This included increasing the seating capacity, adding new locker rooms, a new press box, and replacing the natural grass surface with a new synthetic turf field.
Current Information
As of the 2024 season, Bazemore-Hyder Stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 11,249. It features both bench seating with backs and theater-style seating in prime sections. The playing surface is a modern artificial turf field that was most recently renovated in 2024 with a new system designed to enhance safety and performance.
The stadium is a key component of a larger sports complex that also includes the David S. Waller, Sr. Valdosta Wildcat Museum, which chronicles the history of the legendary high school program. Its location adjacent to the Valdosta State University campus makes it an ideal home field for the Blazers, who have won multiple NCAA Division II national championships. The stadium remains a tough place for visiting teams to play and a proud symbol of Valdosta's "Titletown" reputation.