Where Are They Now: Jason Zaks
11/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 30, 2010
This article was originally published in Gold Rush.
In each issue, Where Are They Now features former Wake Forest student-athletes. This issue highlights former soccer player Jason Zaks. He was a goalkeeper who was selected for the ACC Academic Honor Roll.
When did you graduate from Wake Forest?
Undergraduate - 1996; FT MBA Program - 2000
What was your major and/or minor?
Economics
What does being a Demon Deacon mean to you?
It means being a part of a family that is passionate about developing student-athletes on and off the field. A group of caring people who support one another during our time on campus and long after we graduate.
Why are you still involved in Wake Forest Athletics?
I am deeply involved with Wake Forest Athletics because I want to help the athletic program reach even greater levels of achievement. Wake Forest gave me the opportunity to get a world-class education and to compete at the highest level on the playing field. I am honored to serve on the Deacon Club Board of Directors. This group is highly engaged and focused on assisting Ron Wellman and his outstanding team as they strive to improve all facets of the athletic program at Wake Forest.
Why do you feel it is important to give back to the University?
I believe that it is extremely important to give back because Wake Forest gave me the opportunity of a lifetime almost two decades ago. I am so proud of all the teams, and I am especially proud of the men's soccer team's success and our national championship. It is amazing to see how hard Coach Vidovich and the players work to be the very best on the field and in the classroom. It gives me great pride to support a program and an entire group of teams that do their very best to win the right way and represent Wake Forest in a first-class manner. Additionally, I am aware of how much a scholarship to Wake Forest is and the financial support from the Deacon Club membership is crucial to giving these outstanding young men and women a chance to fulfill their dreams and raise the national profile of the University.
What is your current occupation?
I am a Director and Investment Advisor with Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown based locally in Winston-Salem. I am lucky that I get to be near campus while also traveling as my team of eight works with clients in the Carolinas and across the country.
What is your favorite memory of your time at Wake Forest?
Beating Duke (soccer) when they were No. 1 in the nation my freshman season. All the time spent with my teammates and the trips we took for tournaments in San Francisco and other great spots. I have to say the ACC basketball titles (1995/1996) were also great memories as I never get tired of watching the performance that Randolph Childress put on in Greensboro. Several amazing experiences with friends who are some of my very best friends in life.
What makes you most proud of Wake Forest?
How we compete so successfully at such a high level and the job that Ron Wellman has done through the years during some very difficult times. And, of course, the soccer team, as we are one of the premiere programs in all of college sports.
When you come back to Wake Forest, you always...
I am so fortunate to live in Winston-Salem, which is an outstanding place to live and raise a family. My wife (Kristen - Class of 1997) and I always take our kids (Charlie and Lilly - hopefully future Deacs) to play on the Quad and to soccer games at Spry Stadium. Our family likes to tailgate around the Deacon Short Bus. All the kids of the bus owners really enjoy it, although I fear that my wife is going to put the bus on eBay! I also enjoy visiting the new Dianne Dailey Golf Learning Center. It is an amazing facility and the golf coaches, along with John Buczek of the Wake Forest Golf Academy, are world-class people and world class teachers.
I was there when...
We won back-to-back ACC hoops titles, Rodney Rogers pulled off the 360 degree dunk, and Coach Vidovich took over the soccer program when Walt passed away.
Who is your favorite coach at Wake Forest, current or past?
Jay Vidovich and Walt Chyzowych are at the top of the list. They gave me a wonderful opportunity, and they put Wake Forest Soccer on the map. Jay has truly taken the program to the highest level, and we are so fortunate to have one of the top coaches in U.S. soccer on our campus. I have been lucky to get to know several coaches, and I have so much respect for Coach Haas, Averill, Dailey, Da Luz, Elrod and all of our outstanding leaders. I also want to recognize Doug Bland and the Academic Support team and Roxanne Moody and everyone behind the scenes in the athletic department that help the teams compete at the highest level.
