From the Quad

Good afternoon Demon Deacon Nation!

Despite the ongoing and ever-evolving challenges of the pandemic, these last few weeks have seen big moments for Wake Forest and the Atlantic Coast Conference, including Dr. Susan Wente being named to succeed President Hatch later this summer and newly minted ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips hitting the ground running conducting our conference winter meetings this week. In the meantime, seven Demon Deacon teams have been ranked in their respective top 25 polls and we've had big wins for both basketball teams this week!

And, in honor of the collective impact and Pro Humanitate spirit of Deacon Nation, today we are introducing a new From the Quad feature with the goal of regularly providing new ways for all fans to help support and promote Wake Forest and Winston-Salem. Of course we will need your help and imagination to make this all work so as you have ideas or suggestions please shoot them to me at wfuad@wfu.edu. Here's today's Big 3!

It's #WFFriday! Let's all wear Old Gold & Black gear each Friday as a show of support for the Demon Deacons. Share your photos geared up selfies and pictures and mention Wake Forest Friday on social media with the hashtag #WFFriday. Our social media team will be on the lookout for especially outstanding #WFFriday posts!
Fly a Wake Forest flag at your home or add a Demon Deacon sticker to your car.
Renew or buy your 2021 football season tickets! Thanks to the loyalty of Wake Forest fans, the tireless work of our staff, and the Ticket Purchase Assurance program, season ticket sales are ahead of last year's pace and we expect sellouts for multiple games. While we still have much work to do to put this pandemic behind us (wear your mask!), we invite the entire Winston-Salem and Triad community, and all of Deacon Nation, to secure your place in DEACTOWN this fall!

Welcome to DEACTOWN!
A few weeks ago we launched DEACTOWN in conjunction with the rollout of the 2021 football schedule and our season ticket opportunities, and the response from Wake Forest fans near and far has been incredible.

So where and what is DEACTOWN you ask? DEACTOWN is anywhere Deacon fans find themselves when they get loud and proud about the teams they love. It's a state of mind that is a unifying rally cry for all those who bleed Old Gold & Black. And DEACTOWN is always open to ALL Wake Forest fans, new and old, regardless of where they went to school or where they come from. And for Wake Forest students, it's an idea that reflects how they walk the walk of being a Demon Deacon both within and beyond our University community.

Stayed tuned to our social media accounts and GoDeacs.com for more DEACTOWN announcements, initiatives and graphics in the months ahead!

Basketball Teams Fighting for Strong Regular Season Finish
After defeating Pitt in an overtime thriller last night, Coach Jen Hoover is now just two wins away from becoming Wake Forest's all-time leader in victories. The week began with an outstanding quadrant-one victory at Georgia Tech Sunday afternoon.

Prior to last night's game our women's basketball seniors Maya Banks, Gina Conti, Ivana Raca were honored in Senior Night ceremonies. After leading the Demon Deacons to the doorstep of postseason play a year ago prior to the pandemic, they now have Wake Forest in contention to earn its second NCAA Tournament bid in program history. Listen to Maya, Gina and Ivana's special letters to their freshmen selves by clicking here. Wake Forest is back on the road this weekend at Clemson on Sunday for a noon tip on the ACC Network.

On the men's side, the Deacons road win over Boston College was our third victory in the last five outings as Coach Steve Forbes, his staff and our student-athletes have done an outstanding job navigating a tough ACC schedule with eight of our first 12 league games on the road. Catch the Deacs tomorrow in Tallahassee against No. 17 Florida State at noon on FOX Sports South.

First Pitch is One Week Away
It's been 338 days since COVID-19 rudely ended last year's baseball season. Last week, I enjoyed breakfast with Coach Tom Walter and am really excited that we are just seven sunrises away from the opener for our nationally-ranked Demon Deacons. The veteran-heavy team, led by the likes of Preseason All-Americans Bobby Seymour and Ryan Cusick as well as fourth-year guys such as Chris Lanzilli, Shane Muntz and Antonio Menendez, returns to the diamond with a three-game series against Northeastern (Feb. 19-21) at David F. Couch Ballpark.

While we can't pack the Couch next weekend due to the pandemic, our Fan Experience staff has extended the opportunity for fans to buy a Demon Deaclone or have their current one transferred from Joel Coliseum to the ballpark for our spring season. Opportunity awaits to have your presence felt behind home plate and throughout the stadium!

Welcome to Wake Forest, Currie Lab!
We have big news in Wake Downtown as The Currie Lab has been recruited to the Wake Forest Biology Department, bringing together work in chemistry, biology, and engineering. My newly discovered long-lost "cousin" Dr. Josh Currie and I have been getting to know each other as we accidently receive each other's mail from time to time, which has led to being tagged in one another's tweets! While it is all good fun, Dr. Currie's career is extraordinary and we are honored he has chosen Wake Forest for his research and teaching work!

Atrium -- Wake Forest Medical School in Charlotte Update
Atrium Health unveiled more details about its planned Wake Forest School of Medicine in Charlotte this week. I love the vision and energy of Eugene Woods, president and chief executive officer of Atrium Health, and we are proud to welcome his 70,000 teammates to the Wake Forest family. With 41 hospitals, over 900 care locations, Atrium Health is responsible for nearly 14 million patient interactions each year. This new Wake Forest School of Medicine branch campus in Charlotte will further enhance the Demon Deacon presence in the Queen City.

Black History Month
February is Black History Month and we have been sharing content across all of our platforms to celebrate an integral element of America's heritage. Two stories I would call your attention to are how track & field standout Cydney Delley has helped push for change in the Wake Forest community and men's basketball graduate transfer Jalen Johnson's impact in helping establish the foundation of a winning program.

Look for Wake Forest Athletics Black History Month content in the Deacon Sports Xtra (subscribe here), on GoDeacs.com and through all team social media accounts. Check out a full array of Wake Forest athletics social justice content here. And click here for a full calendar of the Wake Forest Intercultural Center's Black History Month events and activities.

Saying Goodbye to a Wake Forest Hero
In closing the 43rd edition of From the Quad, we pay tribute to Ms. Sharon Jones as the entire Wake Forest community mourns her passing after her courageous battle with cancer. "Ms. Sharon" worked with the Fresh Food Company team in The Pit for the past 23 years. Her smile, warm hugs & funny stories truly lit up the dining hall and she was always extremely supportive of our student-athletes and coaches. It was moving to see the outpouring of support from students, student-athletes, professors, coaches and alums. Our Fresh Food Company colleagues do so much to provide warmth and hospitality for students and staff across campus and their dedication has been especially incredible throughout the pandemic.

Good luck to all Demon Deacons in competition these next few weeks and let's continue to be vigilant in staying healthy and safe in the face of the pandemic.

Mask up and Go Deacs!

John Currie
Director of Athletics

Wake Forest Athletics

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