Wake Forest Athletics
Deacs Ready for Bright Lights & Big Stage in NYC
12/13/2019 9:22:00 PM | Football
The New Era Pinstripe Bowl Trophy toured Winston-Salem this week.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The New Era Pinstripe Bowl Championship Trophy made the rounds across Winston-Salem earlier this week, checking out the Quad, the Pit, Bib's, Kickback Jack's, the Chamber of Commerce, McCreary Tower and a wide variety of local media outlets.
That's the trophy Wake Forest football will seek to claim when it squares off against Michigan State at 3:20 p.m. on Dec. 27 at iconic Yankee Stadium in this year's Pinstripe Bowl.
Along with the trophy came John Mosley, senior manager of college football development for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, who spoke highly of the partnership between the bowl and Wake Forest.
"It's Wake Forest's time," Mosley said. "They did go 8-4 and win the Big Four. This is their time for their program. They've proven they can win and they can bring people. They have support, both internally and externally."
Mosley noted that former athletic director Ron Wellman left the program in great shape and that new AD John Currie is continuing to build off that success. Currie was the athletic director at Kansas State in 2010 when the Wildcats faced Syracuse in the inaugural Pinstripe Bowl.
"Having John back has been nice," Mosley said. "He knows the footprint and what it takes to be successful in Yankee Stadium. We're very thankful."
New York City during the holiday season while playing the game in historic @yankeestadium. The @PinstripeBowl is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our student-athletes. @John_Currie #GoDeacs | #NYCDeacs pic.twitter.com/DstoEDJDd4
— Wake Forest Sports (@DemonDeacons) December 12, 2019
Having fallen out of Orange Bowl consideration, Wake made it known they were interested in a Pinstripe Bowl invite.
"Similar to UVA, they wanted the Orange Bowl," Mosley said. "But if people know they can't get to the New Year's Six, then why not New York? It's a great landing spot."
There was a group of three-to-four teams in the mix, according to Mosley, in a process that is several months in the making. Mosley also visited Winston-Salem in August.
"I wanted to see how they work with their alumni, and how they work with marketing and ticketing," he said. "We wanted to get a better feel, and we get to know people. We look at the fan base and look to see who will travel to New York."
📍 @WakeForest pic.twitter.com/w2kHi7xN7c
— NewEraPinstripeBowl (@PinstripeBowl) December 12, 2019
Bowl projections last week had Wake Forest all over the board in all the Tier One bowls, from the Pinstripe Bowl, Belk Bowl, Music City Bowl and Sun Bowl. Because many of the higher bowls select based upon the College Football Playoff rankings, it's difficult to get a sense of how things will line out until that final Sunday afternoon.
"You can't commit, because you never know how things will shake out," Mosley said. "It's a long process. The College Football Playoff now has a better understanding of what's at stake when they rank.
"We've seen some weird things happen. You don't want to promise anything. You can't promise, because you just don't know. Your reputation and your word is the most important thing in this business."
The Deacs were excited about the opportunity to play in New York City, as evidenced by their reaction when the selection was announced Sunday.
🎵🎶 Take me out to the bowl game...🎶🎵
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) December 8, 2019
Safe to say the Deacs are excited about going to New York for the Pinstripe Bowl! #GoDeacs | #DeacsGoBowling pic.twitter.com/qrOwiveljM
"That made us happy and made us want to work harder," Mosley said. "We stopped by and visited one of the bowl meetings, and everybody was extremely excited — alumni relations, ticketing and marketing. That's exciting to us. It shows how much they care.
"It makes us jump off our behinds, bring the trophy down and get to know people."
While in New York City, both teams will have the opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial, take in a comedy show at the Met, see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, enjoy a shopping spree and walk around Time Square.
They take it all in, then they realize they have a game to play," Mosley said.
He's excited to see how Deacon Nation shows up for the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27 at Yankee Stadium.
"Everyone is showing support for Wake Forest," Mosley said. "They may be small, but they're mighty. They should be proud of what they've achieved the last three-or-four years, not just this year.
"It shows a lot about the fan base. The program relates to the alums and supporters. Wake Forest must be doing something right. You can't say anything bad about what Dave Clawson has done. Just look at what they've built in their facilities. I think they're ready for New York."
Before @WakeFB competes for that @PinstripeBowl 🏆, get all of the latest on the Deacs' postseason with our Bowl Central page: https://t.co/Anx9udDZO5#GoDeacs | #NYCDeacs pic.twitter.com/f96NvwevCn
— Wake Forest Sports (@DemonDeacons) December 13, 2019
