Wake Forest Athletics
Bob and Peggy Neal
1/21/2020 10:08:00 AM | General
Both passionate sports fans, the Neals found comfort in the fact that their new city was home to Wake Forest University and the Demon Deacon athletic programs.
It was 1966 when Bob and Peggy Neal packed up their belongings and moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Bob had just earned his MBA and accepted a job offer at R.J. Reynolds. As natives of Tennessee with no strong ties to the Triad, this relocation provided a whole new experience for the young couple—an experience they were excited to embark on.
Both passionate sports fans, the Neals found comfort in the fact that their new city was home to Wake Forest University and the Demon Deacon athletic programs. Bob and Peggy's love of sports began at an early age and continued to grow over the years. They attended the same high school, where athletics were held in high regard. In a way, the athletic culture they experienced there helped set a precedent moving forward.
When it was time to head off to college, Bob and Peggy both chose to attend Carson-Newman University. It was here that they officially began dating, continuing to bond over their mutual interest in athletics. A small school located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, everyone attended the teams' games. Not just an opportunity to show support, athletic contests also served as social gatherings for the student population. Demonstrating their dedication, Peggy recalls, "The basketball team always played in the NAIA Tournament, and this was before televisions were prominent, so everyone went to the gymnasium and listened to the radio broadcast."
As time went on and Bob worked to complete his master's degree in business administration at Indiana University, the couple enjoyed following the Hoosiers. Once they arrived in Winston-Salem, however, the Neals knew that cheering on the local team would help them acclimate to their new location, serving as a familiar pastime.
"When we moved to Winston-Salem, we immediately adopted Wake as a team to follow," Bob and Peggy reminisce. While it may have begun as simply "a team to follow," the Neals have established a much deeper connection with the athletic programs at Wake Forest over the years and have evolved into avid fans. In fact, the pair has only missed a handful of football and basketball games since they first arrived over 50 years ago.
Soon after their arrival, Bob and Peggy learned of the Deacon Club and decided to become members. "We were sports fans, so we were going to attend the games, but joining the Deacon Club was a way to support the young people," Bob shared. Today, the Neals have been loyal Annual Fund supporters for 47 years, helping provide the resources necessary for Wake Forest student-athletes to succeed, both academically and athletically.
Recently, the Neals decided to further their commitment to Wake Forest Athletics and our student-athletes by setting up a charitable gift annuity. Bob and Peggy have designated the principal to ultimately establish a Wake Forest soccer scholarship, while using the supplemental income payout to participate in the Deacon Club's Next Level campaign.
Whether it's at games or other special happenings, the couple's involvement with the Deacon Club has helped establish a group of familiar faces throughout the years. The Neals have also had the opportunity to interact with numerous student-athletes, allowing them to meet the individuals their donations help support. "Getting to see the student-athletes at events like the annual Stewardship Brunch makes you feel even better about what you're doing," Peggy states. "The coaches should also be commended for choosing quality kids who present themselves so well."
As Bob and Peggy reflect on the past 50-plus years they've spent cheering on the Demon Deacons, they comment on how much has changed. "There wasn't much of anything when we first got here, but it started with the football stadium and now there's no comparison when it comes to all of the facilities," they recount.
When the Neals first came to Winston-Salem in 1966, the landscape of the University was drastically different than it is today, especially in regard to athletic facilities. At that point, the football team was still playing in Bowman Gray Stadium, the men's basketball team competed at the Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum and Spry Stadium was still thirty years away from coming to fruition.
While both are now retired from their careers—Bob as a senior manager of marketing and Peggy as a substitute teacher—they still call Winston-Salem home. The couple has three grown children: Kenneth, Karen (MS '93) and Kathy.
As they look ahead, the Neals are excited to witness many more Demon Deacon victories as they continue adding to their Wake Forest memories.
(Please note: This article was originally published in the May 2018 issue of Gold Rush.)
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