Open Letter From Ron Wellman To Demon Deacon Fans

Jan. 5, 2007

Dear Demon Deacon Fans,

The 2006 football season was the best in Wake Forest history and you were an integral part of it. Jim Grobe and his staff have built a program that produced our first ACC Football Championship since 1970; the team won 11 games which is three more than any year in our history; numerous players won ACC and All-American honors; the team has one of the highest graduation rates in Division 1; and, of course, the trip to Jacksonville, Florida for the ACC Championship Game and then to Miami, Florida for the Orange Bowl will be fond memories forever.

This year also produced another highlight that was critical to the team's success--the avid support of our fans. Groves Stadium has become a real home-field advantage for our team. All of our attendance records were broken this year and our fans supported our team vocally in a manner that inspired our team. Not only were our fans vital to our victories at home but also on the road. The incredible support that you gave us at Maryland, UNC, Florida State, NC State and then at the ACC Championship Game in Jacksonville was critical in each of those games.

The crowning achievement for our fans, though, was the Orange Bowl this week. To the surprise of practically everyone in college football, we sold all 17,500 tickets that we were allocated to sell. That in itself was quite a statement about the enthusiasm our fans have for our team. In reality, though, there were thousands more Demon Deacons in the stands. When our team took the field to warm up and heard and saw the incredible number of fans dressed in black and cheering, they were awed. It sent a message to them that each player and coach will remember forever. Your support throughout and after the game was one of the most thrilling moments that those of us involved with the team have ever experienced.

Thank you for your inspiring enthusiasm throughout the season! You were a critical cog in our success.

We are absolutely certain that our program will continue to flourish competitively and challenge for ACC honors each year. We are already looking forward to the 2007 season and your continuing support of our team.

Thanks again for all that you did to make this year such a success. I look forward to seeing you at Groves Stadium in September!

Go Deacs!

Ron Wellman

Director of Athletics

Wake Forest Athletics

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