Bazemore-Hyder Stadium

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Bazemore-Hyder Stadium


fullname = Bazemore-Hyder Stadium
nickname =
location = Valdosta, Georgia
built = 1922
opened = 1922
owner =
seating_capacity = 11,249
tenants = Valdosta High School, Valdosta State University
dimensions =

Bazemore-Hyder Stadium is a stadium in Valdosta, Georgia. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Valdosta High School, the winningest high school football program in the nation. Valdosta State University also uses Bazemore-Hyder Stadium as a home field. The stadium holds 11,249 people and was opened in 1922. The original name of the stadium was Cleveland Field.

Cleveland Field is named after the late Dr. A.G. Cleveland who was Superintendent of the Valdosta City School System from 1919 until 1949. Although constructed in 1922, the field was not officially named until 1923.

He believed firmly in physical exercise and regularly cut the grass on the grounds of the old Valdosta High building before the days of power mowers. He was a strong support of all athletic teams during his 30 years as Superintendent.

In a resolution presented by the Valdosta Touchdown Club, the Board of Education officially named the stadium at Cleveland Field, Bazemore-Hyder Stadium on September 9th, 1996. Coaches Wright Bazemore (1941-1942,1946-1971) and Nick Hyder (1974-1995) combined for fifty years of service to our youth and community. Under their leadership, the Wildcats won six national titles, 21 of their 23 state titles and 282 Cleveland Field victories.

Bazemore-Hyder Stadium was the site of major renovations in 2004. Before these renovations, seating capacity was 10,349 fans. When the renovations were completed before the start of the 2004 fall season, the capacity increased to 11,249 which includes 7,749 reserved seats. As part of the renovations, the natural grass field was replaced with a synthetic field called Sprinturf.