Where Are They Now: Wil Spires
10/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 22, 2010
This article was originally published in the Sept. 25 edition of Gold Rush.
In each issue of Gold Rush, Where Are They Now features former Wake Forest student-athletes. This issue highlights former football player, Wil Spires. He began his Wake Forest football career as a walk-on and quickly earned the respect of his teammates and coaching staff with his hard work and effort.
When did you graduate from Wake Forest?
I graduated from Wake Forest University in 1999.
What was your major and/or minor?
I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematical Business.
What does being a Demon Deacon mean to you?
Bleeding black and gold and being a part of a family with a long tradition of education, excellence and service to our community.
Why are you still involved in Wake Forest Athletics?
One of my best friends, Alan York, introduced me to Wake Forest football in 1994. The game was against Florida State in Groves Stadium, and the result was not pretty for Wake Forest, but the passion for the Deacs and sense of community felt that day remains with me today. I have been fortunate to be a student from 1995-1999, an employee in the Wake Forest Athletic Department from 2000-2004 and have helped manage their trademark licensing program since. It is a family affair as well. My parents have been loyal season ticket holders and Deacon Club members since 1995. My wife, Elizabeth, and I enjoy taking our 3-year-old son Jefferson out to see the Deacon at football and basketball games.
Why do you feel it is important to give back to the University?
Wake Forest is such a special place with great people and resources to educate men and women today. I want to do my part to help Wake Forest grow and continue to build leaders of tomorrow.
What is your current occupation?
Vice President, Licensing Resource Group LLC (LRG). LRG is a trademark licensing and brand management company headquartered in Holland, Mich.; with offices in Winston-Salem; Bristol, Rhode Island, and Coralville, Iowa. LRG currently partners with 170-plus colleges and universities including the likes of Wake Forest, Appalachian State, NC State, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, Kansas State, Iowa State, Arizona State, Baylor and many other great university partners.
What is your favorite memory of your time at Wake Forest?
I have several great memories from my four years as a member of the Wake Forest football team. They include beating Big Ten champs Northwestern 28-27 in 1996 while both teams' locker rooms were housed in tents in the parking lot as Bridger Field House was being constructed. Everything from breakfast checks, 6 a.m. winter workouts, road trips and shooting pool at Shorty's. However, my favorite memory comes from Nov. 7, 1998, when we played NC State in Raleigh. We lost the game 38-27, but this game was my first game seeing significant action. As a walk-on center on the offensive line, my number was finally called this game due to injuries and illness to starters. I played about 95 percent of the snaps at center this game and was involved in all four touchdown scoring drives. My favorite motto learned from high school that I still carry with me today is the 5 P's: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. This held true this day as I was fortunate enough to respond and help my teammates compete at a high level. I was fortunate to be honored as "Deac of the Week" for this game. The game included highlights from Brian Kuklick as he set the Wake Forest career passing mark at the time as well as [NC State's] Torry Holt setting his own school record with 15 receptions.
What makes you most proud of Wake Forest?
I am proud to see Wake Forest continue to achieve excellence in the classroom and on the playing fields, as well as staying true to serving our motto of "Pro Humanitate."
When you come back to Wake Forest, you always...
My family and I have been fortunate to live in Winston-Salem for the past 10 years or so, which allows me to be involved and visit campus often. Every time I drive on campus I always drive the loop around riding by the athletic center and football practice fields, all the dorms I lived in (Taylor, Luter, Poteat and Polo), plus the Chapel.
I was there when...
I was there when Wake Forest won back to back ACC men's basketball championships in 1995 and 1996, and Wait Chapel hosted celebrities such as Adam Sandler and Dave Matthews.
Who is your favorite coach at Wake Forest, current or past?
I have had the pleasure of being around and working with great coaches during my tenure as a student-athlete and employee in the athletic department from Coach Caldwell, Odom, Greer, Grobe, Prosser, Vidovich, Haas, Dailey, Averill, etc. Naturally, I want to thank Coach Caldwell for recruiting me and giving me the opportunity to be a Demon Deacon, and my first position coach, Jan Quarless, for always encouraging me and believing in my abilities.