Buck Godfrey guided the Southwest DeKalb High School Panther football program for 30 years. (Photo by Mark Brock)

During the official unveiling ceremony Saturday night at 6:00 pm DeKalb County School District’s Panthersville Stadium becomes William “Buck” Godfrey Stadium in honor of the legendary Southwest DeKalb football coach who roamed the sidelines for 30 years guiding the Panther football program.

Built in 1968 with a capacity of 8,500, the now Godfrey Stadium was just around the corner from Southwest DeKalb High School and just off of Panthersville Road.

Fifteen years later Godfrey was hired to take over the Panther football program where he served as head coach for his entire 30 year run and played many of his games on the field that will now bear his name.

Godfrey had an impressive run at Southwest DeKalb from 1983-2012. He put together a record of 273-89-1 to become DeKalb County School District’s winningest coach. During his first 18 years at the helm of the Panthers’ program he was an amazing 186-41-1.

During those 30 years, Godfrey had just one losing season, 5-6 in 2002, and still reached the playoffs. His tenure includes the 1995 Class 4A state title victory over Parkview (14-7) and a 1990 runner-up finish to Valdosta. The Panthers made seven semifinal appearances, a string of 18 consecutive playoff appearances (1986-2003) and made the playoffs in 27 of his 30 years on the sidelines.

A South Carolina native, Godfrey went on to play football at Delaware State University where he is a member of the Hall of Fame. He came to DeKalb County in 1974 as an English teacher and baseball coach at Gordon and moved to Towers in 1978 where he coached until getting the head football job at Southwest DeKalb.

Godfrey heading into the 2010 Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Photo by Chris Chilton)

His coaching exploits earned him election to the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 where he entered with former Georgia Tech and Georgia State head coach Bill Curry, former Braves’ pitching great Tom Glavine and Larry Nelson.

The Georgia Athletic Coaches Association elected Godfrey to their Hall of Fame in Dalton in 2014.

Through all his success Godfrey has spoken most about the 258 former players that received scholarships to further their education and the 193 that earned their degrees.

Godfrey also has written three books. His latest (2008), The Team Nobody Would Play, is about growing up in a segregated Charleston and playing baseball on an African American team that was not allowed to represent the state in the Little League World Series despite not losing a game. His other works include Moods of a Black Man (1970) and Songs for My Father (1983).

The ceremony slated for 6:00 pm is just before the 7:30 pm kickoff of the Southwest DeKalb Panthers and Mays Raiders.