From the Quad

January 22, 2020

Good morning, Demon Deacon Nation!

It seems like yesterday we were celebrating the 2019 Big 4 Championship at BB&T Field, but with today's announcement of the complete 2020 football schedule, it's already time to look ahead to what promises to be an exciting and very challenging season. There is a clear buzz in the air as Demon Deacon fans have already bought 2500 more season tickets than this same date last year!

Our overall schedule features seven teams coming off bowl appearances, including our Sept. 11 home opponent Appalachian State, who is coming off a 13-1 season and is making its first visit to Winston-Salem since 2001. We'll also host College Football Playoff finalist and recent two-time CFP Champion Clemson, five-time National Champion Miami, Villanova, Syracuse and Boston College at BB&T Field.

We complete the first month of the season on Sept. 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte — where Wake Forest is the only ACC school with an academic campus — against one of America's most iconic college sports brands, Notre Dame. Tickets are already on sale, so start making your travel plans now!

For the second straight year, two of our home games have been selected for Friday night telecasts on either the ACC Network or an ESPN channel. The ACC is required by contract to provide as many as eight marquee Friday night games each year. Saturday remains our preferred day for football games and we recognize the challenges that Friday nights present for some of our fans. With that said, we greatly appreciate the league office for accommodating our request to not host a game during fall break for Wake Forest students, which is Oct. 17.

Given early demand, we expect multiple sellouts at BB&T Field this fall, so fans are encouraged to buy their season tickets now through the Wake Forest Ticket Office! Stay tuned for Homecoming and Wake Forest Family Weekend game designations!

WFU, WSSU, Winston-Salem and the Deacons Celebrate the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As my regular readers know, we love living in Winston-Salem and I am so impressed with various aspects of our city. Monday gave me yet another series of experiences for which to be proud of Winston-Salem starting with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast, presented by the Winston-Salem Chronicle and the Ministers Conference and featuring an incredible keynote address from Brigadier General (Ret.) James R. Gorham.

Later I had the privilege of joining Dr. Hatch on Winston-Salem State's campus for an afternoon banquet at which students and staff from both Wake Forest and WSSU received "Building the Dream" awards in recognition of their social justice efforts. Attendees from both schools then traveled to Wait Chapel for the evening event highlighted by a keynote speech by Ibram X. Kendi, musical selections from the WSSU University Gospel Choir, and remarks from President Hatch and WSSU Chancellor Elwood Robinson. This year marked the 20th annual joint Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration by Wake Forest and WSSU.

Also on Monday, this special commemorative video was released featuring Demon Deacon student-athletes. Several Wake Forest student-athletes will be participating in WSSU's 11th annual MLK Day of Service Read-In this coming Saturday, reading with children ages 4-11. I am proud of the work our community is doing to build bridges and to celebrate the strengths in our differences.

Today we honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. @WakeForest student-athletes live out his dream by partnering with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to celebrate the strength in our differences. How will you champion the message? #MLKDay #UniqueDeac pic.twitter.com/Q61N6Bv0ry
— Wake Forest Sports (@DemonDeacons) January 20, 2020

Johnston, DeZart Selected on Day One of MLS SuperDraft Johnson-DeZart_MLS

Congratulations to Alistair Johnston and Joey DeZart who were selected on the opening day of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. Johnston was the No. 11 overall selection by Nashville SC. DeZart was the fifth selection of the second round, going No. 31 overall to Orlando City SC.

Wake Forest is one of two programs to have a first-round selection in each of the last five MLS SuperDrafts, totaling six first-rounders over that span. Johnston is the 17th first-round pick in program history. We have now sent 17 to the MLS ranks in the five years under Coach Bobby Muuss, with 11 being drafted and six signing homegrown deals — yet another example of the elite program Bobby has built here.

Spring Sports Off to a Great Start
Men's and women's tennis hosted a quadruple header last weekend to kick off their home schedule and both teams swept the competition. No. 24 women's tennis defeated Charleston and Winthrop while Head Coach Tony Bresky earned his 200^th career victory at Wake Forest as the No. 7 men's tennis team downed Coastal Carolina and Tennessee Tech.

Congrats to the track & field team, which took two first place finishes and seven top five finishes during its first indoor meet of 2020 at the Virginia Tech Invitational.

Baseball and men's and women's golf still have a couple of weeks before their seasons start. And speaking of golf, have you heard that the USPS will be unveiling an Arnold Palmer Forever stamp at the AP Invitational in March?

Super Sunday- Men's & Women's Basketball Doubleheader
Sunday is a big day for the Deacs! The reigning NCAA Champions, Virginia, will visit the Joel on Sunday at noon as our men's basketball team kicks off an ACC doubleheader. Coach Hoover and our women's team take on Syracuse at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to stay inside the Joel between games, however, if you choose to leave, your men's ticket will grant you admittance for the women's game. Purchase your tickets by clicking here and I will see you there this weekend!

Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame Will Induct a New Class on Feb. 1
We are thrilled to be inducting a new class into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in just over a week. Four All-Americans and a barrier-breaking figure in college football history will comprise the 46^th annual induction class of the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame. The 2020 inductees include:

Record-setting pitcher John Hendricks.
Wake Forest and Olympic field hockey standout Michelle Kasold.
Soccer All-Americans Michael Parkhurst and Marcus Tracy.
Our Heritage inductee, the late former football quarterback Freddie Summers.

In addition to the induction ceremony earlier that day, the new Hall of Fame members will be recognized at halftime of the men's basketball game versus Clemson, which tips off at 8 p.m. next Saturday night. Come out and show your appreciation for these Deacon legends. Tickets are available here.

Wise Words from Dr. Hatch
Earlier this month, Dr. Hatch included in his new year letter to the campus community a single challenge — to be present. His words were a good reminder for all of us.

"Even as you juggle the many demands on your time, permit yourself to be engaged. Honor those around you by offering them your full attention. Allow the fear of missing out to be replaced by the pleasure of your present situation. Wherever you are, whatever you find yourself doing, be all there."

I accept his challenge and encourage all of Deacon Nation to do the same. It's a great time to be a Demon Deacon — let's enjoy it.

Finally, thank you to the hundreds of fans who came out on Sunday for our annual Deacon Club Appreciation Day prior to the men's basketball victory over Boston College. We are so grateful for all you do to support Wake Forest student-athletes! Keep sending your feedback to wfuad@wfu.edu and...

Go Deacs!

Currie Signature

John Currie
Director of Athletics

Wake Forest Athletics

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