One of Dunwoody’s most famous sons will be recognized in the naming of the Dunwoody High School’s soon-to-be expanded stadium.
At its Dec. 8 board meeting, DeKalb County Board of Education approved in a 5-2 vote the naming of the stadium after “Wheel of Fortune” host and Dunwoody native Ryan Seacrest. Diijon DaCosta and Tiffany Hogan voted against the measure.
The Seacrest Stadium will “recognize the contributions, achievements, and long-standing connection of Ryan Seacrest to Dunwoody High School and the broader DeKalb community,” according to the resolution.
Bring it Home, a group comprised of parents, DHS faculty, and community members, is in the midst of raising $1.5 million to expand its home field seating to 3,000 to enable varsity sports to be played onsite. So far, fundraising has topped $350,000.
DHS Finance Academy teacher and committee member Steve Fortenberry said the additions to the stadium will allow the Wildcats to host GHSA varsity football, flag football, lacrosse, soccer, track, as well as graduations, pep rallies, and school-wide assemblies on the campus.
Right now, Dunwoody shares a home field with Chamblee High School, which often involves a shuffling act that often sees both football teams playing on the same night – one at 5:30 and the other later.
A letter submitted to the school board by the Bring It Home Committee said its goal “is to build a space that reflects the values of community, roots, legacy, and the importance of giving back.”
“With these ideals at the forefront, the Bring It Home committee unanimously agreed on the Seacrest name. The Seacrest family has long served as an inspiring example of dreams fulfilled through hard work, generosity, and a commitment to remembering where you come from,” the letter said. “They were especially moved by Ryan and his family’s dedication to the community and hope to highlight that legacy through this facility. The Seacrest family’s impact resonates even more deeply with the recent passing of Gary Seacrest.”
According to a release from the Bring it Home Committee, Seacrest, while a student, auditioned for and earned the opportunity to host the school’s morning announcements.
“At just 16 years old, he transformed the daily announcements into a full morning broadcast show, beginning each day with an enthusiastic, ‘Good morning, Dunwoody!'” the release said. “Ryan’s creativity and vision quickly earned him the reputation as ‘The Voice of Dunwoody.’ During his broadcasts, he regularly recognized students, teachers, and parents, celebrating their accomplishments and contributions to the school.”
Secreast was also a member of the Dunwoody High School football team, which won the 1992 AAAA Regional Championship, the release said.
Since graduating, Ryan has become an Emmy-winning television host, radio personality, mega producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He hosts and produces the #1 Los Angeles morning drive-time show for iHeartMedia’s 102.7 KIIS-FM, as well as the internationally syndicated “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” and “American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest.”
Last fall, he took the reins of “Wheel of Fortune” after the retirement of Pat Sajak, ushering in a new era of the long-running syndicated game show. This year, Seacrest also began hosting season 6 of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.”
“Ryan Seacrest and his parents, Gary and Connie, worked steadfastly for more than 20 years with members of the community to help make this stadium a reality,” the release said. “The new Seacrest Stadium will give Dunwoody something it has never truly had — a home field worthy of its pride and tradition.”
DHS principal Tom Bass said he hopes the naming designation will provide momentum as the group works to reach its $1.5 million goal by early 2026.
“Twenty plus years of planning, organizing, and hard work came to fruition last night with the DCSD board vote to name our new facility SEACREST STADIUM in honor of Dunwoody’s most famous ‘son’ and his family,” Bass said. “Now we all can jump on board the Bring it Home Dunwoody campaign as we celebrate, beginning next year, a new era at DHS.”