From the Quad
10/17/2019 4:26:00 PM | General
October 17, 2019
Good afternoon Demon Deacon Nation,
Today's update starts with recognition of a truly historic moment as head field hockey coach Jen Averill earned her 400th career victory this past Sunday with a 3-1 win over Michigan State—in a cold, relentless rain. I was honored to be there to congratulate her on this feat — especially since I witnessed a few games her first year at Wake Forest in 1992, my senior year! From those humble beginnings on a grass field that sloped to the south and just a couple scholarships to a national powerhouse, Coach Averill has led the Wake Forest field hockey program with the highest class and competitive spirit. Three NCAA championships, four ACC titles and 126 graduated student-athletes later, Coach Averill's dedication to excellence and her commitment to providing her players with a World-Class Student-Athlete Experience continues! Please join me in congratulating Coach Averill on this momentous achievement and wish her well as she goes for #401 on Friday against No. 1 North Carolina at 6 p.m. in Kentner Stadium.
After the first half of the field hockey game I'm heading a few hundred yards over to Spry Stadium to catch the second half of our No. 4 men's soccer's clash with No. 19 North Carolina, which also kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, live on ACC Network. The soccer match-up between the Deacs and the Heels is the annual Genna Wiley Pink Match in honor of the late wife of former men's soccer trainer Steve Wiley. Before the game you can bid online for special game-worn jerseys . The online auction closes at 7 p.m. on Friday and all proceeds will be donated to breast cancer research. Come out and support this important cause and wear pink - I'm lacing up my pink Nikes!
On Saturday, Wake Forest football will make its second consecutive prime time appearance on the ACC Network when the Demon Deacons host Florida State at 7:30 p.m. seeking to capture a sixth win and become bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive year.
Kick the evening off in the "I'm A Fan Zone" beginning at 4:30 p.m. with music from the Muddy Creek Players. Enjoy food trucks, inflatable games for kids, giveaways, a pep rally, and the opportunity to ring Wake Forest's Victory Bell. Be there to greet the team during the Deacon Walk through the "I'm A Fan Zone" from 5:00- 5:15 p.m. Tickets for Saturday's game are available by clicking HERE.
Now here are a few more updates "From the Quad" and beyond...
Academic Excellence is a Hallmark of a World-Class Student-Athlete Experience
According to the latest data released by the NCAA yesterday, ten Demon Deacon athletic programs recorded a perfect 100% graduation success rate (GSR), while the combined score for all programs was a record-tying 95%. Congratulations to the faculty, student-athletes, coaches and academic support staff for all of their hard work and commitment.
Be a Part of the Madness Tonight at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Gym
Come out tonight to get your first look at the 2019-20 Demon Deacon men's and women's basketball teams at Black & Gold Madness beginning at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Gym. The event will feature team introductions, music from DJ HEK YEH, giveaways and interactive opportunities. At the end of the event, all those in attendance will also have the chance to be 'extras' in the filming of portions of the men's basketball intro video.
Deacon Mobile Pass is Now On Sale for 2019-20 Men's & Women's Basketball
The Deacon Mobile Pass is a flexible and convenient ticket option, providing you with mobile-only tickets to every men's & women's basketball home game this season at the LJVM Coliseum. The mobile pass is available for only $160 during October, and the price goes up to $200 on November 1. CLICK HERE to learn more about new features including FAQ, and order your Deacon Mobile Pass today.
Change of Address—Welcome to 1 Wellman Way
Last Friday more than 200 guests gathered to honor Ron Wellman for his 27 years of service to Wake Forest with a farewell reception including a number of special tributes. Among the honors was the announcement that the new road leading to the Sutton Sports Performance Center and Shah Basketball Complex will be known as Wellman Way, and the mailing address of the athletics department will now be 1 Wellman Way. The area surrounding the next Deacon statue will be known hereafter as Wellman Plaza.
In another special tribute, Ron's care and respect for the many student-athletes and coaches that he worked with were recognized by the presentation of the first Ron Wellman Life Teammate Award. The award was inspired by the Will to Live Foundation which was founded by John Trautwein, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for Ron at Northwestern. John and his wife created the foundation following the tragic suicide of their teenage son, Will, and it is dedicated to preventing teen suicide by improving the lives and the "will to live" of teenagers through education and mental health education while encouraging them to be good teammates for life. Awarded annually, the Life Teammate Award will recognize a male and female student-athlete who best represent the characteristics of being a life teammate. The first recipients were Cade Carney (football) and Madison Hammond (women's soccer). Following the announcement of the award, it came as no surprise to anyone in the room when Ron asked that it be renamed the Ron and Linda Wellman Life Teammate Award, explaining, "Linda is my life teammate."
As an outgrowth of Wake Forest's relationship with the Will to Live Foundation, Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools announced last week that the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program will be implemented in every middle and high school in the system. Designed to raise awareness about behavioral health, the SOS Prevention Program teaches students about the warning signs of suicide and depression. Students are also encouraged to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, and Tell) by reaching out to a trusted adult if they are concerned about someone or if they themselves need support.
Deacon Legends Tee It Up to Support Wake Forest Golf Programs
As I learned on Monday, one of the best ways to start off a new week is meeting and reconnecting with a group of Deacon golf legends on the practice green at Old Town Club. A dozen current and former pro golfers, along with 40 amateurs, gathered for the 2019 Pro-Am to support our men's and women's golf programs. Representing 89 career PGA, Champions and LPGA wins, one FedEx Cup, seven Majors, and over $145 million in career earnings, this year's pros included Curtis Strange, Bill Haas, Jay Haas, Laura Diaz, Webb Simpson, Kyle Reifers, Len Mattiace, Gary Hallberg, Will Zalatoris, Lee Detmer, Joe Inman, and Lanny Wadkins. Thank you to all the pros and amateurs who participated as well as all those who came out on Sunday evening for the Pro-Am Reception.
We Say Thank You By Raising a Glass of the Finest
On Tuesday Oct. 15 — the 68th anniversary of the groundbreaking for the Reynolda Campus — President Hatch announced that a $1.5 million gift from Arnold Palmer's Trust establishing the Winifred W. Palmer Professorship in Literature at Wake Forest had pushed the University's Wake Will Lead campaign beyond the $1 billion mark. The campaign has included gifts from nearly 19,000 individual athletics donors totalling $270,000,000! And just as Demon Deacon student-athletes celebrate big wins, but then shift focus to preparing for the next challenge, we are committed to driving forward in our mission of Developing Champions and our goal of offering a World Class Student-Athlete Experience. Thank you to everyone whose generosity and commitment helped us achieve this incredible milestone. You made it happen!
Deacons in the Pros
Congratulations to Greg Dortch who just signed with the Carolina Panthers yesterday! I'm looking forward to watching him play on Sundays along with fellow NFL Deacs Jessie Bates, III (Cincinnati), Kevin Johnson (Buffalo), Joe Looney (Dallas), and Kyle Wilber (Oakland). For the latest listing of other Deacons across the ranks of professional sports, be sure to read the Deacons in the Pros section of each Gold Rush.
That's all for today! Keep your feedback coming by emailing me at wfuad@wfu.edu, and remember to check out this week's Deac Sheet for more info on upcoming games.
Go Deacs!
John
Good afternoon Demon Deacon Nation,
Today's update starts with recognition of a truly historic moment as head field hockey coach Jen Averill earned her 400th career victory this past Sunday with a 3-1 win over Michigan State—in a cold, relentless rain. I was honored to be there to congratulate her on this feat — especially since I witnessed a few games her first year at Wake Forest in 1992, my senior year! From those humble beginnings on a grass field that sloped to the south and just a couple scholarships to a national powerhouse, Coach Averill has led the Wake Forest field hockey program with the highest class and competitive spirit. Three NCAA championships, four ACC titles and 126 graduated student-athletes later, Coach Averill's dedication to excellence and her commitment to providing her players with a World-Class Student-Athlete Experience continues! Please join me in congratulating Coach Averill on this momentous achievement and wish her well as she goes for #401 on Friday against No. 1 North Carolina at 6 p.m. in Kentner Stadium.
After the first half of the field hockey game I'm heading a few hundred yards over to Spry Stadium to catch the second half of our No. 4 men's soccer's clash with No. 19 North Carolina, which also kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, live on ACC Network. The soccer match-up between the Deacs and the Heels is the annual Genna Wiley Pink Match in honor of the late wife of former men's soccer trainer Steve Wiley. Before the game you can bid online for special game-worn jerseys . The online auction closes at 7 p.m. on Friday and all proceeds will be donated to breast cancer research. Come out and support this important cause and wear pink - I'm lacing up my pink Nikes!
On Saturday, Wake Forest football will make its second consecutive prime time appearance on the ACC Network when the Demon Deacons host Florida State at 7:30 p.m. seeking to capture a sixth win and become bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive year.
Kick the evening off in the "I'm A Fan Zone" beginning at 4:30 p.m. with music from the Muddy Creek Players. Enjoy food trucks, inflatable games for kids, giveaways, a pep rally, and the opportunity to ring Wake Forest's Victory Bell. Be there to greet the team during the Deacon Walk through the "I'm A Fan Zone" from 5:00- 5:15 p.m. Tickets for Saturday's game are available by clicking HERE.
Now here are a few more updates "From the Quad" and beyond...
Academic Excellence is a Hallmark of a World-Class Student-Athlete Experience
According to the latest data released by the NCAA yesterday, ten Demon Deacon athletic programs recorded a perfect 100% graduation success rate (GSR), while the combined score for all programs was a record-tying 95%. Congratulations to the faculty, student-athletes, coaches and academic support staff for all of their hard work and commitment.
Be a Part of the Madness Tonight at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Gym
Come out tonight to get your first look at the 2019-20 Demon Deacon men's and women's basketball teams at Black & Gold Madness beginning at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Gym. The event will feature team introductions, music from DJ HEK YEH, giveaways and interactive opportunities. At the end of the event, all those in attendance will also have the chance to be 'extras' in the filming of portions of the men's basketball intro video.
Deacon Mobile Pass is Now On Sale for 2019-20 Men's & Women's Basketball
The Deacon Mobile Pass is a flexible and convenient ticket option, providing you with mobile-only tickets to every men's & women's basketball home game this season at the LJVM Coliseum. The mobile pass is available for only $160 during October, and the price goes up to $200 on November 1. CLICK HERE to learn more about new features including FAQ, and order your Deacon Mobile Pass today.
Change of Address—Welcome to 1 Wellman Way
Last Friday more than 200 guests gathered to honor Ron Wellman for his 27 years of service to Wake Forest with a farewell reception including a number of special tributes. Among the honors was the announcement that the new road leading to the Sutton Sports Performance Center and Shah Basketball Complex will be known as Wellman Way, and the mailing address of the athletics department will now be 1 Wellman Way. The area surrounding the next Deacon statue will be known hereafter as Wellman Plaza.
In another special tribute, Ron's care and respect for the many student-athletes and coaches that he worked with were recognized by the presentation of the first Ron Wellman Life Teammate Award. The award was inspired by the Will to Live Foundation which was founded by John Trautwein, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for Ron at Northwestern. John and his wife created the foundation following the tragic suicide of their teenage son, Will, and it is dedicated to preventing teen suicide by improving the lives and the "will to live" of teenagers through education and mental health education while encouraging them to be good teammates for life. Awarded annually, the Life Teammate Award will recognize a male and female student-athlete who best represent the characteristics of being a life teammate. The first recipients were Cade Carney (football) and Madison Hammond (women's soccer). Following the announcement of the award, it came as no surprise to anyone in the room when Ron asked that it be renamed the Ron and Linda Wellman Life Teammate Award, explaining, "Linda is my life teammate."
As an outgrowth of Wake Forest's relationship with the Will to Live Foundation, Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools announced last week that the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program will be implemented in every middle and high school in the system. Designed to raise awareness about behavioral health, the SOS Prevention Program teaches students about the warning signs of suicide and depression. Students are also encouraged to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, and Tell) by reaching out to a trusted adult if they are concerned about someone or if they themselves need support.
Deacon Legends Tee It Up to Support Wake Forest Golf Programs
As I learned on Monday, one of the best ways to start off a new week is meeting and reconnecting with a group of Deacon golf legends on the practice green at Old Town Club. A dozen current and former pro golfers, along with 40 amateurs, gathered for the 2019 Pro-Am to support our men's and women's golf programs. Representing 89 career PGA, Champions and LPGA wins, one FedEx Cup, seven Majors, and over $145 million in career earnings, this year's pros included Curtis Strange, Bill Haas, Jay Haas, Laura Diaz, Webb Simpson, Kyle Reifers, Len Mattiace, Gary Hallberg, Will Zalatoris, Lee Detmer, Joe Inman, and Lanny Wadkins. Thank you to all the pros and amateurs who participated as well as all those who came out on Sunday evening for the Pro-Am Reception.
We Say Thank You By Raising a Glass of the Finest
On Tuesday Oct. 15 — the 68th anniversary of the groundbreaking for the Reynolda Campus — President Hatch announced that a $1.5 million gift from Arnold Palmer's Trust establishing the Winifred W. Palmer Professorship in Literature at Wake Forest had pushed the University's Wake Will Lead campaign beyond the $1 billion mark. The campaign has included gifts from nearly 19,000 individual athletics donors totalling $270,000,000! And just as Demon Deacon student-athletes celebrate big wins, but then shift focus to preparing for the next challenge, we are committed to driving forward in our mission of Developing Champions and our goal of offering a World Class Student-Athlete Experience. Thank you to everyone whose generosity and commitment helped us achieve this incredible milestone. You made it happen!
Deacons in the Pros
Congratulations to Greg Dortch who just signed with the Carolina Panthers yesterday! I'm looking forward to watching him play on Sundays along with fellow NFL Deacs Jessie Bates, III (Cincinnati), Kevin Johnson (Buffalo), Joe Looney (Dallas), and Kyle Wilber (Oakland). For the latest listing of other Deacons across the ranks of professional sports, be sure to read the Deacons in the Pros section of each Gold Rush.
That's all for today! Keep your feedback coming by emailing me at wfuad@wfu.edu, and remember to check out this week's Deac Sheet for more info on upcoming games.
Go Deacs!
John
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