Wake Forest Athletics
From Player to Alum - Wake Forest Women’s Soccer Commitment Runs Deep
1/25/2021 12:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer, Les Johns
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Rebecca Wilson Macsovits didn't choose Wake Forest University because of soccer — when she arrived as a freshman, the women's soccer program was still two years away from fruition.
But playing on the inaugural team in 1994 coupled with the diverse set of experiences afforded to Wilson Macsovits during her Wake Forest journey have led to an indelible spirit of giving back to the program. One vehicle for her giving is the "1994 Women's Soccer Pioneer Scholarship."
"I'd been giving to Wake, but the more I thought about it — I have a special place in my heart for Wake Forest in general, but especially for the women's soccer program," Wilson Macsovits said. "I wanted to do something to help some women get to Wake Forest and play. I want them to have the same experiences I had, and be on that team. I want to help in some small way.
"I didn't want it to be about me, so that's why we made it in the name of the team, hoping to encourage others to contribute to it as well, to honor those pioneers that helped start this program."
Wilson Macsovits visited Wake Forest looking for a school that offered great academics, smaller class sizes and a home-like environment.
"I went to Wake Forest and I loved the campus," she said. "I had a great campus visit. I loved Wake Forest, and it was one of my top schools."
She quickly encountered a diversity of thought and spirit that countered the norms she accepted growing up in Tennessee.
"I was a homebody and nervous about being away from home," Wilson Macsovits said. "My first semester was rough, but after that, Wake was home. I feel like I found myself at Wake Forest. To be surrounded by so many different types of people, and folks with different viewpoints than mine. I grew up in the conservative south, and I'm in school now with Northerners with more liberal points of view. It was awesome. It was so eye-opening, in the most positive of ways.
"I feel like I'm a different person today because of Wake Forest. It's part of the reason I give back, because I'm so grateful for the experience I had. It was definitely the place I was supposed to be."
Having played soccer all her life, Wilson Macsovits enjoyed playing club soccer under coach John Hackworth, current coach of Louisville City Football Club, her first two years on campus.
"There was a core group of us who traveled," she said. "He (Hackworth) would take us around to play Elon and other schools. At the end of my sophomore year, we learned Wake was going to form a team and (first Wake Forest women's soccer coach) Chris (Turner) was going to hold tryouts for those of us who were already at school and wanted to participate.
"We did tryouts and I came back my junior year to start training and go that first season."
So as Wilson Macsovits began her junior year at Wake Forest, she juggled sorority life, rigorous academics and being a part of a fledgling NCAA women's soccer program.
"I was very excited," she said. "I loved playing soccer. Team sports, in general, are a passion of mine. I believe team sports are really important to a person's growth. It's a family. There was some of that with the club team the first two years, but that third year, when we had a more formal team with real training every day — it was an incredible experience.
"I didn't realize at the time what a blessing it was for me to be at Wake during that time — that I got the opportunity to play on the inaugural team for Wake. It was an incredible opportunity and experience to share."
The Deacs finished 8-9 that first season, grabbing their first win on Sept. 17 over Lenoir-Rhyne.
"The team rolled the quad after our first win," said Wilson Macsovits, who played center back for the defense. "That's the tradition when football or basketball wins a big game. So we decided we were going to roll the quad for our first win.
"It was such an incredible experience to be a part of that first year. I don't think I appreciated it as much then as I do today. It was an honor to be a part of it."
The program celebrated the 20th year anniversary of the 1994 team in 2014, with more than 30 alumni participating.
"It left an impression on me," Wilson Macsovits said. "In those past six years, I've reconnected with many of my teammates. Going back for that reunion and reliving the memories was great."
Both Wilson Macsovits and Kate Parker are alums from the 1994 Wake Forest Women's Soccer team who have gone on to become authors. Parker is known for 'Strong Is the New Pretty' and 'Play Like a Girl;' while Wilson Macsovits has written 'Guion The Lion' and 'Guion the Lion — a Colorful World."
"Her message is very similar," Parker said. "Her book is different, but our messages and our platforms are exactly the same. It's about acceptance and seeing the good in people. It's neat to see where we started and how we ended up very similarly.
"She's one of the nicest, kindest, most humble people I've ever met. She's a great ambassador for what Wake Forest is. She's doing good in the world and doesn't brag about anything. She's all substance and no show. It's all good stuff."
The two bonded quickly at Wake Forest, where Wilson Macsovits' experience helped lead Parker on the right path as a freshman.
"She was amazing," Parker said. "There were a bunch of freshmen who came in. We were like wild puppies, so excited to get out and do everything — have fun, meet boys and party.
"Rebecca was like this calm, knowing mom-like figure on the team. She was like the cool older sister who knew everything. She was a calming voice on and off the field. She played in the back and went from playing club to playing in the ACC — she was good. She hung in there in the back. She was somebody I always looked to for advice. She was a great shoulder to lean on."
Now living in Colorado, Wilson Macsovits is the chief brand officer of Kemmons Wilson Companies. Her community involvement includes serving as Chair of the Board for the Denver Zoo and Finance Chair for the Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation. She also serves as a member of Constellation, a charitable group focused on early childhood education, and organizes for the Step Up Walk for Down Syndrome.
Beyond her financial contributions, Wilson Macsovits currently serves on the Athletic Advisory Council.
"Pre-Covid, I was coming back twice a year for those meetings," she said. "I love being on campus. It's fun. It's fun to re-explore Winston-Salem. The periphery of Wake Forest has grown and expanded, but the core that I knew and remember is much the same, in a good way."
Although he didn't take over the program until 1997, Wake Forest coach Tony da Luz has built a strong relationship with Wilson Macsovits.
"His leadership of the program in general has been incredible, seeing what he's been able to do over all these years," she said. "No offense at all to Chris (Turner), but there is a regret that I never got to play with Tony. Lots of my teammates did get to play with him. I hate that I didn't have that opportunity. I'm grateful that Wake found him, that he's stuck around and has proven to be an amazing leader for the program.
"I had such a great experience with the school. Because I was in a sorority and in a sport, I feel like I had such a really wonderful and beautiful experience at Wake because I was able to experience so much. For me to be able to give back, I'm super blessed to be able to do so. If I can give somebody some semblance of that experience I had, I want to make it happen."
That giving resonates throughout the Wake Forest women's soccer program, and is appreciated by da Luz.
"Our alumni are so invested in our school, our community and our athletic department, because they take so much pride in their time here," he said. "Rebecca is a prime example. She didn't play for me, but she's still so committed to the program. She follows us and supports us, ever since she's left. These types of sport-specific donations have been an absolute difference maker these past few years.
"Rebecca has come through for us, in terms of gifts and long-term commitments. It allows us to be able to plan for the future. For summer school, we know we have her commitment. We appreciate her, everything she does and how she represents us out there."
But playing on the inaugural team in 1994 coupled with the diverse set of experiences afforded to Wilson Macsovits during her Wake Forest journey have led to an indelible spirit of giving back to the program. One vehicle for her giving is the "1994 Women's Soccer Pioneer Scholarship."
"I'd been giving to Wake, but the more I thought about it — I have a special place in my heart for Wake Forest in general, but especially for the women's soccer program," Wilson Macsovits said. "I wanted to do something to help some women get to Wake Forest and play. I want them to have the same experiences I had, and be on that team. I want to help in some small way.
"I didn't want it to be about me, so that's why we made it in the name of the team, hoping to encourage others to contribute to it as well, to honor those pioneers that helped start this program."
Wilson Macsovits visited Wake Forest looking for a school that offered great academics, smaller class sizes and a home-like environment.
"I went to Wake Forest and I loved the campus," she said. "I had a great campus visit. I loved Wake Forest, and it was one of my top schools."
She quickly encountered a diversity of thought and spirit that countered the norms she accepted growing up in Tennessee.
"I was a homebody and nervous about being away from home," Wilson Macsovits said. "My first semester was rough, but after that, Wake was home. I feel like I found myself at Wake Forest. To be surrounded by so many different types of people, and folks with different viewpoints than mine. I grew up in the conservative south, and I'm in school now with Northerners with more liberal points of view. It was awesome. It was so eye-opening, in the most positive of ways.
"I feel like I'm a different person today because of Wake Forest. It's part of the reason I give back, because I'm so grateful for the experience I had. It was definitely the place I was supposed to be."
Having played soccer all her life, Wilson Macsovits enjoyed playing club soccer under coach John Hackworth, current coach of Louisville City Football Club, her first two years on campus.
"There was a core group of us who traveled," she said. "He (Hackworth) would take us around to play Elon and other schools. At the end of my sophomore year, we learned Wake was going to form a team and (first Wake Forest women's soccer coach) Chris (Turner) was going to hold tryouts for those of us who were already at school and wanted to participate.
"We did tryouts and I came back my junior year to start training and go that first season."
So as Wilson Macsovits began her junior year at Wake Forest, she juggled sorority life, rigorous academics and being a part of a fledgling NCAA women's soccer program.
"I was very excited," she said. "I loved playing soccer. Team sports, in general, are a passion of mine. I believe team sports are really important to a person's growth. It's a family. There was some of that with the club team the first two years, but that third year, when we had a more formal team with real training every day — it was an incredible experience.
"I didn't realize at the time what a blessing it was for me to be at Wake during that time — that I got the opportunity to play on the inaugural team for Wake. It was an incredible opportunity and experience to share."
The Deacs finished 8-9 that first season, grabbing their first win on Sept. 17 over Lenoir-Rhyne.
"The team rolled the quad after our first win," said Wilson Macsovits, who played center back for the defense. "That's the tradition when football or basketball wins a big game. So we decided we were going to roll the quad for our first win.
"It was such an incredible experience to be a part of that first year. I don't think I appreciated it as much then as I do today. It was an honor to be a part of it."
The program celebrated the 20th year anniversary of the 1994 team in 2014, with more than 30 alumni participating.
"It left an impression on me," Wilson Macsovits said. "In those past six years, I've reconnected with many of my teammates. Going back for that reunion and reliving the memories was great."
Both Wilson Macsovits and Kate Parker are alums from the 1994 Wake Forest Women's Soccer team who have gone on to become authors. Parker is known for 'Strong Is the New Pretty' and 'Play Like a Girl;' while Wilson Macsovits has written 'Guion The Lion' and 'Guion the Lion — a Colorful World."
"Her message is very similar," Parker said. "Her book is different, but our messages and our platforms are exactly the same. It's about acceptance and seeing the good in people. It's neat to see where we started and how we ended up very similarly.
"She's one of the nicest, kindest, most humble people I've ever met. She's a great ambassador for what Wake Forest is. She's doing good in the world and doesn't brag about anything. She's all substance and no show. It's all good stuff."
The two bonded quickly at Wake Forest, where Wilson Macsovits' experience helped lead Parker on the right path as a freshman.
"She was amazing," Parker said. "There were a bunch of freshmen who came in. We were like wild puppies, so excited to get out and do everything — have fun, meet boys and party.
"Rebecca was like this calm, knowing mom-like figure on the team. She was like the cool older sister who knew everything. She was a calming voice on and off the field. She played in the back and went from playing club to playing in the ACC — she was good. She hung in there in the back. She was somebody I always looked to for advice. She was a great shoulder to lean on."
Now living in Colorado, Wilson Macsovits is the chief brand officer of Kemmons Wilson Companies. Her community involvement includes serving as Chair of the Board for the Denver Zoo and Finance Chair for the Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation. She also serves as a member of Constellation, a charitable group focused on early childhood education, and organizes for the Step Up Walk for Down Syndrome.
Beyond her financial contributions, Wilson Macsovits currently serves on the Athletic Advisory Council.
"Pre-Covid, I was coming back twice a year for those meetings," she said. "I love being on campus. It's fun. It's fun to re-explore Winston-Salem. The periphery of Wake Forest has grown and expanded, but the core that I knew and remember is much the same, in a good way."
Although he didn't take over the program until 1997, Wake Forest coach Tony da Luz has built a strong relationship with Wilson Macsovits.
"His leadership of the program in general has been incredible, seeing what he's been able to do over all these years," she said. "No offense at all to Chris (Turner), but there is a regret that I never got to play with Tony. Lots of my teammates did get to play with him. I hate that I didn't have that opportunity. I'm grateful that Wake found him, that he's stuck around and has proven to be an amazing leader for the program.
"I had such a great experience with the school. Because I was in a sorority and in a sport, I feel like I had such a really wonderful and beautiful experience at Wake because I was able to experience so much. For me to be able to give back, I'm super blessed to be able to do so. If I can give somebody some semblance of that experience I had, I want to make it happen."
That giving resonates throughout the Wake Forest women's soccer program, and is appreciated by da Luz.
"Our alumni are so invested in our school, our community and our athletic department, because they take so much pride in their time here," he said. "Rebecca is a prime example. She didn't play for me, but she's still so committed to the program. She follows us and supports us, ever since she's left. These types of sport-specific donations have been an absolute difference maker these past few years.
"Rebecca has come through for us, in terms of gifts and long-term commitments. It allows us to be able to plan for the future. For summer school, we know we have her commitment. We appreciate her, everything she does and how she represents us out there."
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