Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1985
"Gentleman Carl," as Tacy had become known during his career, compiled a 222-149 record at Wake Forest and led the team into postseason play in his final five seasons. Four of those years (1981-84), the Deacs won at least 20 games, with the 1984 squad's 23-9 mark setting a school record for victories in a single season.
That same team also gave Wake Forest basketball one of its finest moments when it defeated nationally ranked DePaul in overtime to advance to the NCAA Midwest Region finals. Tacy's 1977 club also reached the NCAA Elite Eight before losing to eventual champion Marquette.
Tacy is one of four WFU basketball coaches in the Sports Hall of Fame, joining Bones McKinney, who led Wake to its first two ACC titles in 1961 and 1962; Murray Greason, the school's all-time leader in wins with his 288-243 record from 1934 through 1957; and Dave Odom, who captured two ACC championships in 1995 and 1996.
A native of Huttonsville, W.Va., Tacy graduated from Davis & Elkins College in 1956. He coached 10 years on the high school level and compiled a 67-14 record in three years at Ferrum (Va.) Junior College. After one season as an assistant coach at Marshall University, Tacy guided the Thundering Herd to a 23-4 mark and an NCAA appearance in 1972. He replaced Jack McCloskey as Wake Forest's head coach in April of 1972.
Carl Tacy was induced into the WFU Sports Hall of Fame on October 19, 1985.
