Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame
Wake Forest Names Six to Sports Hall of Fame
6/14/2020 12:00:00 PM | General
The Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame has announced the addition of six members in the 2020-21 induction class. The group includes four All-Americans, a four-time ACC Coach of the Year and the first member of the swimming and diving team to earn Hall of Fame honors.
The inductees include former track star Michael Bingham who won four ACC individual track titles, an NCAA Championship and an Olympic medal; former quarterback Riley Skinner and placekicker Sam Swank, both members of Wake Forest's 2006 ACC Championship football team; and Dianne Dailey who coached the Demon Deacon women's golf team for 30 years and earned four ACC Coach of the Year honors. Also in the class is soccer goalkeeper William Hesmer, an All-American and Academic All-American who went on to star in the MLS, and Drew Taylor, who won five ACC individual championships and will become the first member of the swimming and diving teams to earn induction to the Hall of Fame.
The six new inductees bring the total number of members in the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame to 175.
The date of the induction for the 47th Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame is pending while the world deals with the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The 2020-21 Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame induction class represents the best of our University," said Currie. "All six individuals have countless competition-related accolades and accomplishments in their respective sports, and they are leaders within their local communities who embody the Pro Humanitate spirit. I am amazed by the quality of candidates and the level of detail that goes into this selection process led by our Faculty Athletics Representative, Dr. Peter Brubaker and our Hall of Fame Committee. Deacon Nation, please join me in congratulating Michael Bingham, Dianne Dailey, William Hesmer, Riley Skinner, Sam Swank and our Heritage Candidate Drew Taylor! Although the induction weekend has yet to be selected, I am excited to have all of them back in Winston-Salem this coming academic year to celebrate this tremendous honor."
"It's a pleasure to serve on the Hall of Fame Committee and celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of the 2020-21 induction class," said Ron Wellman, Wake Forest's athletic director from 1992-2019. "The accolades and honors for this group speak for themselves, which includes four All-Americans, a four-time ACC Coach of the Year and the first member of the swimming and diving team to earn Hall of Fame honors. My memories of each of the honorees are vivid which I'm sure is the case for all Demon Deacon fans. Riley leading us to an ACC Championship and the Orange Bowl his freshman year and going on to have a tremendous career for us; Sam's three 50+ yard field goals to beat NCSU; Dianne's consistency of fielding an ACC contender annually and always peaking at tournament time; William seeming to 'throw shutouts' practically every match; and Michael being not only a dominant ACC track star but also an international champion. What great memories! Additionally, although I did not have the opportunity to watch Drew compete, he was the most dominant and decorated diver in Wake Forest history. I am looking forward to reconnecting with all them at the induction ceremony when that takes place."
Dr. Peter Brubaker, Wake Forest Faculty Athletics Representative, serves as the chair of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee:
"We are excited to announce this year's diverse group and welcome them into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame," said Brubaker. "Each of these inductees has made a lasting impact on Wake Forest Athletics and our University community. I would like to thank our entire committee for their hard work during this process and we look forward to welcoming these individuals back to Winston-Salem for a special induction weekend."
"This annual selection process and the subsequent induction ceremony are two of my favorite things each year," said Barbara Walker, Wake Forest's deputy athletic director and Senior Woman Administrator. "This class is a reflection of the core values and goals within our University community. All six of these individuals are outstanding representatives of our brand. I am excited to see them, and their families, in person when we have our induction ceremony."
Michael Bingham
Bingham is one of the top sprinters in Wake Forest track and field history. He was a four-time All-American in the 400 meters and is one of just three track and field athletes to win a national championship for Wake Forest after finishing first in the 400 meters at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Bingham was an eight-time ACC champion, winning four individual titles and as a member of four different relay teams. Individually, Bingham won the ACC title in the decathlon in 2005 and the 200 meters in 2006 at the ACC Outdoor Championship. In 2009, he was the 400m champion at both the ACC Indoor and Outdoor Championships. He was a member of the 4x400m relay team that won titles at the 2006 ACC Indoor and Outdoor Championships and the 2009 ACC Indoor. He also ran on the 2006 outdoor 4x100m relay team. Bingham was the 2009 ACC Performer of the Year at the Indoor championships. He is one of five Wake Forest athletes to have earned a medal at the Summer Olympics. Bingham ran for Great Britain in the 2008 Beijing Games in the 4x400m relay. While the team finished fourth at the time, they were later awarded the bronze medal after the third place Russian team was disqualified in 2017.
Dianne Dailey
Dailey spent 30 years as Wake Forest's women's golf coach before retiring following the 2018 season. During her tenure, she led the Demon Deacons to 30 team titles and 38 individual titles. She won four ACC Championships and led the Deacons to 15 NCAA Championships while being recognized with four ACC Coach of the Year honors. During her tenure, Dailey coached 27 All-Americans, 39 All-ACC selections, five ACC Players of the Year and four ACC Freshmen of the Year including 2018 NCAA Champion Jennifer Kupcho. Dailey led the Deacons to ACC titles in 1994, 1995, 2009 and 2010 while taking the club to an NCAA regional berth every year from 1993 to 2018. A member of the National Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Daily was the LPGA Coach of the Year in 2001 and is a past president of the NGCA. A 1971 graduate of Salem College, Daily played professionally on the LPGA Tour following her graduation before becoming Wake Forest's head coach in 1988. Her 30-year tenure as a head coach is the second-longest in school history behind only Jesse Haddock's 32 seasons.
William Hesmer
Hesmer was a rare athlete in that he earned All-America honors on the field and Academic All-America honors in the classroom. As Wake Forest's soccer goalkeeper from 2000-03, Hesmer was a second team All-American in 2002 and a first team pick in 2003. He was a first team All-ACC selection in both 2002 and 2003 and was named All-South Region in both of those years. He led the ACC in goals against average in 2002, was a third team Academic All-American in 2003 and was awarded an ACC Postgraduate Scholarship in 2004. The 17th pick in the 2004 MLS Draft, Hesmer became the starting goalkeeper for the Columbus Crew in 2007 and led the Crew to the 2008 MLS championship. In 2010, Hesmer became just the second goalkeeper in MLS history to score a goal when he did so against Toronto FC. The Wilson, N.C. native retired from professional soccer in 2013 and now works in financial management in Raleigh.
Riley Skinner
Skinner is the winningest quarterback in Wake Forest history, leading the Demon Deacons to 31 wins as a starter from 2006-2009. Skinner entered the 2006 season as a redshirt freshman but ascended to the starter's role following an injury to Ben Mauk in the 2006 season opener. Skinner led the Deacons to an 11-3 record, the ACC Championship and a berth in the Orange Bowl in January 2007. The ACC Rookie of the Year in 2006, Skinner was a second team All-ACC pick that year and an honorable mention selection in 2008 and 2009. He became the first quarterback in school history to lead the Deacons to three bowl games while setting school records for completion percentage, passing yards, completions, touchdown passes and passing efficiency. Skinner remains the NCAA record holder for completion percentage in a bowl game, having connected on all 11 attempts in the Deacs' 29-19 win over Navy in the 2008 EagleBank Bowl.
Sam Swank
Swank is Wake Forest's all-time leading scorer, having accumulated 337 points during his career from 2005-2008. He was a first team All-American placekicker in 2006 by ESPN, Rivals.com and Sports Illustrated. Swank earned first team All-ACC honors as a placekicker in 2006 and was an honorable mention selection as a punter. In 2006, Swank was the only player in the nation to be a semifinalist for both the Lou Groza and Ray Guy Awards. Swank set the NCAA record with three field goals of at least 50 yards in a 25-23 win at NC State. In 2006, Swank set 11 school records and was the MVP of the ACC Championship Game when his three field goals provided all the scoring in the Deacs' 9-6 win over Georgia Tech. Among his school records are the most field goals made, most PATs made, and most consecutive PATs made. In addition, Swank holds Wake Forest's standards for the longest field goal in school history at 53 yards and the longest punt at 86 yards.
Drew Taylor
Taylor was a member of the 1964-66 swimming and diving teams and is the only Demon Deacon to win an ACC Championship in his sport. Taylor, a diver, won five ACC Championships during his career, taking the ACC one-meter diving titles in 1965 and 1966 while sweeping the three-meter championship in all three seasons from 1964-66. As a senior, Taylor won every diving title in each of Wake Forest's dual meets. Over the course of his career, Taylor won five of the six ACC Championships in which he competed. He becomes the first member of the Wake Forest swimming and diving team to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The inductees include former track star Michael Bingham who won four ACC individual track titles, an NCAA Championship and an Olympic medal; former quarterback Riley Skinner and placekicker Sam Swank, both members of Wake Forest's 2006 ACC Championship football team; and Dianne Dailey who coached the Demon Deacon women's golf team for 30 years and earned four ACC Coach of the Year honors. Also in the class is soccer goalkeeper William Hesmer, an All-American and Academic All-American who went on to star in the MLS, and Drew Taylor, who won five ACC individual championships and will become the first member of the swimming and diving teams to earn induction to the Hall of Fame.
The six new inductees bring the total number of members in the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame to 175.
The date of the induction for the 47th Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame is pending while the world deals with the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The 2020-21 Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame induction class represents the best of our University," said Currie. "All six individuals have countless competition-related accolades and accomplishments in their respective sports, and they are leaders within their local communities who embody the Pro Humanitate spirit. I am amazed by the quality of candidates and the level of detail that goes into this selection process led by our Faculty Athletics Representative, Dr. Peter Brubaker and our Hall of Fame Committee. Deacon Nation, please join me in congratulating Michael Bingham, Dianne Dailey, William Hesmer, Riley Skinner, Sam Swank and our Heritage Candidate Drew Taylor! Although the induction weekend has yet to be selected, I am excited to have all of them back in Winston-Salem this coming academic year to celebrate this tremendous honor."
"It's a pleasure to serve on the Hall of Fame Committee and celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of the 2020-21 induction class," said Ron Wellman, Wake Forest's athletic director from 1992-2019. "The accolades and honors for this group speak for themselves, which includes four All-Americans, a four-time ACC Coach of the Year and the first member of the swimming and diving team to earn Hall of Fame honors. My memories of each of the honorees are vivid which I'm sure is the case for all Demon Deacon fans. Riley leading us to an ACC Championship and the Orange Bowl his freshman year and going on to have a tremendous career for us; Sam's three 50+ yard field goals to beat NCSU; Dianne's consistency of fielding an ACC contender annually and always peaking at tournament time; William seeming to 'throw shutouts' practically every match; and Michael being not only a dominant ACC track star but also an international champion. What great memories! Additionally, although I did not have the opportunity to watch Drew compete, he was the most dominant and decorated diver in Wake Forest history. I am looking forward to reconnecting with all them at the induction ceremony when that takes place."
Dr. Peter Brubaker, Wake Forest Faculty Athletics Representative, serves as the chair of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee:
"We are excited to announce this year's diverse group and welcome them into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame," said Brubaker. "Each of these inductees has made a lasting impact on Wake Forest Athletics and our University community. I would like to thank our entire committee for their hard work during this process and we look forward to welcoming these individuals back to Winston-Salem for a special induction weekend."
"This annual selection process and the subsequent induction ceremony are two of my favorite things each year," said Barbara Walker, Wake Forest's deputy athletic director and Senior Woman Administrator. "This class is a reflection of the core values and goals within our University community. All six of these individuals are outstanding representatives of our brand. I am excited to see them, and their families, in person when we have our induction ceremony."
Michael Bingham
Bingham is one of the top sprinters in Wake Forest track and field history. He was a four-time All-American in the 400 meters and is one of just three track and field athletes to win a national championship for Wake Forest after finishing first in the 400 meters at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Bingham was an eight-time ACC champion, winning four individual titles and as a member of four different relay teams. Individually, Bingham won the ACC title in the decathlon in 2005 and the 200 meters in 2006 at the ACC Outdoor Championship. In 2009, he was the 400m champion at both the ACC Indoor and Outdoor Championships. He was a member of the 4x400m relay team that won titles at the 2006 ACC Indoor and Outdoor Championships and the 2009 ACC Indoor. He also ran on the 2006 outdoor 4x100m relay team. Bingham was the 2009 ACC Performer of the Year at the Indoor championships. He is one of five Wake Forest athletes to have earned a medal at the Summer Olympics. Bingham ran for Great Britain in the 2008 Beijing Games in the 4x400m relay. While the team finished fourth at the time, they were later awarded the bronze medal after the third place Russian team was disqualified in 2017.
Dianne Dailey
Dailey spent 30 years as Wake Forest's women's golf coach before retiring following the 2018 season. During her tenure, she led the Demon Deacons to 30 team titles and 38 individual titles. She won four ACC Championships and led the Deacons to 15 NCAA Championships while being recognized with four ACC Coach of the Year honors. During her tenure, Dailey coached 27 All-Americans, 39 All-ACC selections, five ACC Players of the Year and four ACC Freshmen of the Year including 2018 NCAA Champion Jennifer Kupcho. Dailey led the Deacons to ACC titles in 1994, 1995, 2009 and 2010 while taking the club to an NCAA regional berth every year from 1993 to 2018. A member of the National Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Daily was the LPGA Coach of the Year in 2001 and is a past president of the NGCA. A 1971 graduate of Salem College, Daily played professionally on the LPGA Tour following her graduation before becoming Wake Forest's head coach in 1988. Her 30-year tenure as a head coach is the second-longest in school history behind only Jesse Haddock's 32 seasons.
William Hesmer
Hesmer was a rare athlete in that he earned All-America honors on the field and Academic All-America honors in the classroom. As Wake Forest's soccer goalkeeper from 2000-03, Hesmer was a second team All-American in 2002 and a first team pick in 2003. He was a first team All-ACC selection in both 2002 and 2003 and was named All-South Region in both of those years. He led the ACC in goals against average in 2002, was a third team Academic All-American in 2003 and was awarded an ACC Postgraduate Scholarship in 2004. The 17th pick in the 2004 MLS Draft, Hesmer became the starting goalkeeper for the Columbus Crew in 2007 and led the Crew to the 2008 MLS championship. In 2010, Hesmer became just the second goalkeeper in MLS history to score a goal when he did so against Toronto FC. The Wilson, N.C. native retired from professional soccer in 2013 and now works in financial management in Raleigh.
Riley Skinner
Skinner is the winningest quarterback in Wake Forest history, leading the Demon Deacons to 31 wins as a starter from 2006-2009. Skinner entered the 2006 season as a redshirt freshman but ascended to the starter's role following an injury to Ben Mauk in the 2006 season opener. Skinner led the Deacons to an 11-3 record, the ACC Championship and a berth in the Orange Bowl in January 2007. The ACC Rookie of the Year in 2006, Skinner was a second team All-ACC pick that year and an honorable mention selection in 2008 and 2009. He became the first quarterback in school history to lead the Deacons to three bowl games while setting school records for completion percentage, passing yards, completions, touchdown passes and passing efficiency. Skinner remains the NCAA record holder for completion percentage in a bowl game, having connected on all 11 attempts in the Deacs' 29-19 win over Navy in the 2008 EagleBank Bowl.
Sam Swank
Swank is Wake Forest's all-time leading scorer, having accumulated 337 points during his career from 2005-2008. He was a first team All-American placekicker in 2006 by ESPN, Rivals.com and Sports Illustrated. Swank earned first team All-ACC honors as a placekicker in 2006 and was an honorable mention selection as a punter. In 2006, Swank was the only player in the nation to be a semifinalist for both the Lou Groza and Ray Guy Awards. Swank set the NCAA record with three field goals of at least 50 yards in a 25-23 win at NC State. In 2006, Swank set 11 school records and was the MVP of the ACC Championship Game when his three field goals provided all the scoring in the Deacs' 9-6 win over Georgia Tech. Among his school records are the most field goals made, most PATs made, and most consecutive PATs made. In addition, Swank holds Wake Forest's standards for the longest field goal in school history at 53 yards and the longest punt at 86 yards.
Drew Taylor
Taylor was a member of the 1964-66 swimming and diving teams and is the only Demon Deacon to win an ACC Championship in his sport. Taylor, a diver, won five ACC Championships during his career, taking the ACC one-meter diving titles in 1965 and 1966 while sweeping the three-meter championship in all three seasons from 1964-66. As a senior, Taylor won every diving title in each of Wake Forest's dual meets. Over the course of his career, Taylor won five of the six ACC Championships in which he competed. He becomes the first member of the Wake Forest swimming and diving team to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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