From the Quad

Happy Holidays Deacon Nation!

Campus is quiet but we have lots to cover as I write to you From the Quad on this Winston-Salem December afternoon. Quick hitters since my last edition include track graduate student Elijah Shalaway being named one of the Atlantic Coast Conference's Go Teach Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway recipients, and recent signees announced by Wake Forest volleyball and football.

We are also excited to report that 28 Demon Deacon student-athletes have now earned their Wake Forest degree! We'll be spotlighting each one with a social media post over the next week.

To help measure our progress towards our vision of being the Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program, as standard practice a senior administrator or myself does an in-person (WebEx & Zoom this year!) exit interview with each departing student-athlete. While we always find something to improve upon, Demon Deacon Nation should be very proud of the kind and complimentary words I have heard in my sessions this week. Family atmosphere, skilled coaches, faculty and staff who care, and improved facilities are just a few of the positives. And for most, the only regret is that they wish they could have more time as a student-athlete at Wake Forest!

Saturday marks Senior Day for 17 football student-athletes. While we can't offer a full crowd and have their parents on the field, please join me in congratulating a special group on a record-setting run. This class is on the verge of getting the Demon Deacons to a program-record fifth-straight bowl game, and the 2019 Big 4 Championship is a fond memory. I encourage you to follow along on social media all weekend as we will celebrate each student-athlete.

Be sure to tune in on Saturday at 12 p.m. on the ACC Network to watch the Deacs' regular season finale against Florida State. Depending on how the College Football Playoff and New Year's Six shake out, the Deacons are likely to be in the Military Bowl (Annapolis) Dec. 28, the Duke's Mayo Bowl (Charlotte) Dec. 30 or the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (Jacksonville) on January 2. GoDeacs.com and our social media accounts will share all the bowl details Sunday afternoon.

Thank You, Academic Services Staff!
Final exams are complete, spring course registration is finished and with classes not resuming until Jan. 27, we have one extra special group of Athletics staff members who are finally getting a well-deserved break. You'll recall at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, Senior Associate AD Jane Caldwell and staff members Caroline Bowen, Briana Brewer, Christia Fisher, Brooke Taylor, Kristen Weisse, Shelbie Wilson and Seth Youngblood immediately went to work transforming the delivery of our student-athlete academic services to a virtual model. These dedicated professionals have adapted, persevered and excelled to ensure all 400-plus Demon Deacon student-athletes have the tools necessary to succeed in the classroom and fulfill our goal of providing a World Class Student-Athlete Experience.

Please join our student-athletes, coaches and I in a tip of the Deacon top hat to Jane, Caroline, Briana, Christia, Brooke, Kristen, Shelbie and Seth for their extraordinary effort and dedication!

Our good friends in the Wake Forest Office of Communications and External Relations created this excellent video of showcasing how Demon Deacon students embodied the #ShowHumanitate spirit throughout the fall semester. It wasn't easy, but the entire Wake Forest community pitched in to post a successful residential semester, in spite of the doubters!

Welcome to the ACC, Dr. Jim Phillips!
It's time for a huge Demon Deacon welcome to the new Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Dr. Jim Phillips! For two decades I have considered Jim a friend and model colleague who truly cares about student-athletes, higher education and the special way sports bring people together.

His proven leadership skills and experiences give him instant credibility and trust among ACC athletics directors. I salute President Hatch, ACC Board Chair Kent Syverud and all the presidents & chancellors of the league for making the perfect choice to build on the tremendous work done by Commissioner Swofford over the last 24 years.

Although Jim won't officially become Commissioner Phillips until February, he's already working hard to assimilate into the ACC. He and I spent almost an hour on the phone Tuesday morning talking through challenges and opportunities for the ACC and the excitement in his voice is contagious. Mary Lawrence and I look forward to welcoming Jim, Laura and their kids at Demon Deacon contests in Winston-Salem for years to come!

Wake Forest Women's Basketball Takes Win Streak on Road Tonight
Our No. 26-ranked Demon Deacon women's basketball program will put its four-game winning streak on the line tonight at No. 4 NC State in Raleigh. Wake Forest returns to the court after an exciting three-point win over North Carolina a week ago today, which marked the Deacs' third-straight win over the Tar Heels dating back to last season. Coach Hoover's squad is 11-3 against in-state opponents in the past two seasons and enters this weekend 4-1 against Big 4 opponents during that span.

Individually, Gina Conti ranks sixth on the all-time Wake Forest assists list and is just 118 assists away from breaking the all-time career assists record! Tonight's game at NC State tips off at 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on RSN. Sunday's rematch at UNC is set to begin at 2 p.m. in Chapel Hill and can be seen on ACC Network Extra.

Men's Basketball Program Update
After nearly three weeks of no team activities, our men's basketball program is set to return to practice on Sunday, December 20 in advance of our Wednesday, December 30 ACC opener against Syracuse. It's been a challenging several weeks for Coach Steve Forbes, our staff families and all our student-athletes. Coach Forbes shared his feelings and perspective on COVID during his radio show last Monday night. I am proud of his commitment to the health and safety of the program. We are grateful for the outstanding medical support our student-athletes and staff have received.

Golfers Continue Competing!
Alumnae Jennifer Kupcho finished in a tie for 30th while senior Emilia Migliaccio made her second appearance in the U.S. Women's Open last week. Emilia and sophomore Rachel Kuehn will represent the United States on Team USA while junior Alex Fitzpatrick and sophomore Mark Power will represent Great Britain and Ireland on Team GBI in the Arnold Palmer Cup next week at Bayhill December 21-23.

Thank You Deacon Club Members
The Deacon Club is grateful to report that total giving to Wake Forest Athletics is well above the same date last year. The CARES Act has significantly raised the deduction limit for 2020 charitable gifts and there is still time to connect with the Deacon Club to make a contribution and receive a 2020 gift receipt. Please reach out to your Deacon Club representative or contact the main office at (336) 758- 5626 / deacclub@wfu.edu.

If you are like me and just getting started on your holiday shopping, be sure and check out GoDeacs.com/HolidayOffers for unique gift ideas! Meanwhile, please keep your feedback coming to wfuad@wfu.edu and look for a special Bowl edition of From the Quad Sunday night!

Go Deacs!

John Currie
Director of Athletics

Wake Forest Athletics

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