Where Are They Now: Charlie Mellies
9/24/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Sept. 24, 2012
This article was originally published in the August 2012 issue of Gold Rush.
In each issue of Gold Rush, Where Are They Now showcases a former Wake Forest student-athlete. This issue highlights former pitcher, Charlie Mellies.
Charlie led his fellow players as team captain for three years, made ACC Honor Roll each year, and served as President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. Charlie still holds the distinction of being the last Wake Forest baseball player to throw a complete game shutout at #1-ranked Florida on Feb. 26, 2006 as well as the last one to throw consecutive complete games vs. Duke on May 10, 2008 and at Boston College on May 16, 2008.
When did you graduate from Wake Forest?
Undergrad 2008, Law School 2011
What was your major and/or minor?
I was a double-major in Political Science and Sociology. I then went on to earn my J.D. at Wake Forest School of Law while on a ROTC scholarship.
What made you choose to come to Wake Forest?
I was looking at a bunch of schools for baseball, and I knew I wanted the best academic institution with top level sports. There were only two coaches I spoke with throughout the entire recruiting process that I truly trusted, and Michael Holmes (the pitching coach at the time) was one of them. In our first conversation he invited me down to tour campus, and he told me to pack my bags because I would never want to leave. Now, here we are 10 years later, and I don't think either one of us knew how true that statement really was.
What does being a Demon Deacon mean to you?
Being a Demon Deacon is about pride. I am proud of the successes of all of our programs, proud of the facilities we play in, but mostly, proud of the way our athletes achieve all of their successes.
Why are you still involved in Wake Forest Athletics?
I love Wake Forest and I bleed Black and Gold - that is all there is to it. There is no other institution like it, and the added pride you get by wearing "Wake Forest" across your chest while competing for the University never goes away.
Why do you feel it is important to give back to the University?
Wake Forest Athletics gave me a chance to compete in the best baseball conference in the country, graduate from a top tier academic institution, and helped me stick around here for law school, so I hope my continued donations will provide future athletes with a similar opportunity.
What is your favorite memory of your time at Wake Forest?
My favorite memory was being on the quad with everyone after we won the 2006 ACC Championship, and we were headed to the Orange Bowl. I remember a bunch of my teammates and I were watching the game at my apartment, and when we won, we all jumped into my truck and rushed to campus. The quad was crazy, and it was a blast to be there with all those Deacon fans!
What makes you most proud of Wake Forest?
Wake Forest accomplishes more with less than any other institution in the country. Everyone is always shocked when they find out that Wake Forest has just over 4,000 undergraduate students, and yet we perform so well in all sports.
When you come back to Wake Forest, you always...
I never really left, and I live about 100 yards from campus, so I get back to campus about once a week for various reasons, but I always try and catch up with Julie Griffin, Jenny Puckett, and a few of the other great Wake Forest faithful.
I was there when...
J.T. Terrell hit the game winning shot against Iowa in the 2010 ACC/Big 10 Challenge. It was a memorable night because it was my 26th birthday. I was sitting on the floor, and my college roommate was at the University of Iowa School of Law, so I got to talk trash to him forever.
Who is your favorite coach at Wake Forest, current or past?
I played for George Greer for one year (2004) and Rick Rembielak for four years (2005-2008).
What is your current occupation?
I am currently running for the NC State House of Representatives 72nd District, working as an Assistant Public Defender in Winston-Salem, and serving as a First Lieutenant in the US Army Reserve. I am also an assistant varsity baseball coach for Calvary Baptist Day School, and I serve on the Board of Directors for Santa's Helper, a local non-profit started by former WFU football player Chip Reeves, that distributes Christmas gifts to underprivileged children.
What are your goals for the future?
I will be President of the United States one day.
