The state of Georgia has a proud history of athletic greatness and achievements and high school football continues to reach new heights following decades of devoted figures like legendary head coach William “Buck” Godfrey. Each new high school season adds unforgettable moments and incredible triumphs to this ongoing gridiron tradition and the 2023 season will kickoff this month with coach Godfrey representing the proud tradition of high school football in the prestigious Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
I was honored to have exclusive access back on Sept. 2015 to cover the moment where Panthersville Stadium landmarked Godfrey’s legacy by renaming the 8,500-seat venue William “Buck” Godfrey Stadium. His Panthers ended up falling to Mays in the game, but the pride felt by the community that day was greater than the final tally on the newly-named scoreboard. Godfrey led the Southwest DeKalb Panthers for 30 years–leading them to a state title and 18 region championships, and his team’s reshaped the athletic hierarchy by giving DeKalb County a powerhouse that could compete with all corners of the state—whether that was the Gwinnett juggernauts like Parkview, or the South Georgia greats like Valdosta.
Godfrey recorded a 273-89 record while coaching the Southwest DeKalb Panthers and his dedication as a mentor, leader and English teacher helped him turn out an incredible rate of collegiate and professional talent that helped elevate all of DeKalb’s talented programs.
“I had to teach five classes of English before I came out to practice every day,” reflected Godfrey.” For the players that listened and let me coach and teach them, I thank you. The academics were so important to me. It’s [success is] all about critical thinking, critical writing and reading things. Those things will permeate throughout all aspects of your life.”
Over 270 of Godfrey’s former Southwest DeKalb players received college athletic scholarships and 200 of them earned bachelor’s degrees, 37 have master’s degrees and 17 earned doctorates. The vote by school board members to rename Panthersville Stadium in honor of Godfrey was unanimous.
This will be the first season that Buck Godfrey Stadium will be named after a Georgia Sports Hall of Famer. He previously was inducted into the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Hall of Fame in 2014. Godfrey’s third Hall of Fame Induction is the largest yet and he entered the Class of 2023 with former Braves’ Golden Glove winner Andruw Jones, former Georgia Bulldogs’ head coach Mark Richt, Georgia Tech quarterback Shawn Jones, tennis great Al Parker, Jackie Bradford, Stan Kasten and Ron Reed. Godfrey joining the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame also puts him in the company with legends like Hank Aaron and other Georgia football head coaches like Larry Campbell and Marist head coach Alan Chadwick. The full list of inductees can be found HERE
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