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Best Fan Experience in North Carolina: Innovative, Fun Opportunities Await Wake Forest Students Inside & Outside Truist Field

8/27/2021 2:30:00 PM | Football, General

Fans can secure tickets to the Opening Night at Truist Field on Sept. 3 or any home game this season at GoDeacs.com/Tickets.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest Athletics is committed to providing The Best Fan Experience in North Carolina at all of its venues and ensuring the entire University student body has fun and innovative ways to get involved at events. With the start of the 2021 football season just one week away, Wake Forest is excited to bring its University and Winston-Salem community together at Truist Field next week. 
 
"Wake Forest has a passionate student body whose energy drives the incredible atmosphere inside Truist Field every week for our football student-athletes," director of athletics John Currie said. "I am extremely appreciative of the hard work and planning of our Fan Experience staff to ensure we deliver on our goal of providing the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina!"
 
A very limited number of Opening Night four packs are left at the current $69 price, with only 30 remaining to also include a complimentary parking pass. Season tickets are still available and start at just $120 - only $20 per game. Those purchasing season tickets may select their seats at the time of purchase. Click here for all the innovative and fan-friendly ticketing options.
 
The quickest and most efficient way to order tickets and take advantage of these new experiences is to visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets and purchase online or call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
 
Opening Night festivities actually begin 22 hours before kickoff next Thursday, Sept. 2 at 9 p.m. on campus with Wake the Demons on Hearn Plaza. This unique pep rally is open to all students, as well as members of the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem community and will feature the opportunity to hear from President Susan R. Wente, Ph.D., director of athletics John Currie, and head football coach Dave Clawson
 
The event will debut exclusive gameday videos, introduce new gameday traditions and performances, and will conclude with a dynamic fireworks display over Wait Chapel. 
 
Additionally, those in attendance will enjoy performances from the Spirit of the Old Gold and Black and Wake Forest Spirit Squads. Free DEACTOWN t-shirts will be available to students, while supplies last, and a number of late night food trucks will be on hand to provide free food for students immediately following the event.
 
With Wake Forest's women's soccer match starting at 7 p.m. at Spry Stadium against Loyola Maryland, students and fans are encouraged to walk to Hearn Plaza after the match to enjoy the festivities. Students in attendance will earn 300 Screamin' Demon Rewards points. 
 
Here is a look at some of the new and revamped initiatives for students as they take advantage of their free admission for all games this fall at Truist Field:
 
DEACTOWN Student Tailgate
The pregame student experience at Truist Field is being taken to a new level this season through the introduction of the free DEACTOWN Student Tailgate. This completely revamped space behind the East stands of Truist Field was developed in partnership with student leaders, members of the Wake Forest faculty, the Wake Forest Office of Student Life, Wake Forest Office of Diversity and Inclusion, University Advancement, and the Office of Alumni Engagement. The space will open for students three hours prior to kickoff, where they will enjoy an elevated tailgate experience featuring a stage with live music and a large video screen to watch games from around the country. Additionally, free food opportunities will be available from local food trucks Zeko's and Damn Good Dogs for the first 500 students in attendance, while additional food will be available for purchase. Discounted beverage options will be available within the space until 30 minutes prior to kickoff. 
 
The new area provides a dynamic outdoor club atmosphere for Wake Forest students and their guests. A variety of new seating and eating areas, games surrounding the stage and video screen will provide opportunities for relaxation and engagement for all.
 
Those who have traditionally enjoyed Wake Forest organization tailgate spaces will be able to continue to enjoy that experience with larger tailgate spaces and without the hassle of set-up. This elevated experience, being carried out in partnership with RevelXP will feature new large tents, in prime locations surrounding the centralized DEACTOWN Student Tailgate experience, live music and video screen. 
 
Festivities begin three hours prior to each home game and students should enter via Gate 4 of Truist Field near the Wake Forest Tennis Complex. Each student will need their Screamin' Demon Rewards app and their Wake Forest DeaconOne Card to enter. All individuals age 21 and older must present an acceptable form of ID (e.g., valid driver's license, military ID, North Carolina state ID, or passport) at the tailgate wristband table located inside of gate 4 prior to entering the student tailgate area.
 
Free Transportation for Students via Game Day Shuttles
Wake Forest Athletics is proud to provide complimentary transportation for every home game to ensure all students have a safe and easy option to get from campus to Truist Field. 
 
Shuttles will pick up students from the intersection of Wake Forest Road and Wingate Road by Poteat Field, and will begin running three hours prior to kickoff and one hour after the game concludes. 
 
Screamin' Demon Rewards and Student Tickets
Wake Forest introduced a dedicated student rewards program last fall, Screamin' Demon Rewards, which rewards the most Dedicated Deacs for their attendance at athletic and campus events. 
 
Students will continue to utilize this program to claim their general admission tickets for all athletic events. While lotteries were used last season due to limited capacity, as Truist Field returns to 100% capacity for this fall, students will now be able to claim their free tickets in the SDR app on a first-come, first-served basis beginning each Monday at 9 a.m.
 
Claiming tickets via SDR app will be the only way for students to attend athletic events this season. Additionally, students will receive additional rewards points for staying until the end of the game each week. Simply download the official Screamin' Demon Rewards app for iOS or Android now to begin earning points and claiming complimentary tickets. 
 
More information is available at GoDeacs.com/rewards
 
Freshman Tailgate & Field Run to Open 2021 Season
Along with the unique DEACTOWN Student Tailgate previously mentioned, Wake Forest Athletics will be hosting a tailgate for the Class of 2025 prior to Opening Night at Truist Field. Freshmen are invited to enter via Gate Four at Truist Field and proceed to the East Concourse to enjoy free food, live music, and more. Free t-shirts will be available while supplies last. 
 
Additionally prior to the football team taking the field on Friday night, members of the Class of 2025 will be invited onto Truist Field for the traditional "Freshman Field Run." This once-in-a-lifetime experience allows each member of the freshman class to sprint across Truist Field, and stay to have the best view in the stadium as the Deacs take the field prior to kickoff. Details about how to take advantage of this experience will be provided to each student during Wake the Demons on Sept. 2 on Hearn Plaza. 
 
Sophomore Tailgate & Field Run vs Norfolk State 
With the COVID-19 pandemic restricting attendance and access within Truist Field last year, members of the Wake Forest University Class of 2024 will be invited to enjoy the traditional "First-Game" traditions and experiences that Wake Forest students have come to love. 
 
Through this Class of 2024 experience, each student will be invited to enjoy a Sophomore Tailgate within the DEACTOWN Student Tailgate, followed by their "Field Run" prior to the Demon Deacons taking the field against Norfolk State on Sept. 11 at Noon. 
 
Winston-Salem Comes Together
Wake Forest University's marching band — The Spirit of the Old Gold & Black — and Winston-Salem State University's Red Sea of Sound will once again unite on Opening Night at Truist Field to launch the college football season. 
 
As part of Wake Forest Athletics goal to provide the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina, the duo performed together for the first time ever in 2019 before a capacity Opening Night crowd as Wake Forest earned an exciting 38-35 victory over Utah State on the way to an 8-5 season culminating in an appearance in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. 
 
The Red Sea of Sound marching band has received widespread recognition over the years for their excellence in performance, featuring thrilling, high energy drum majors, auxiliary cores and top-quality musical composition. 
 
Additionally, Wake Forest Athletics is excited to see the return of the University's Spirit Squads to Truist Field to perform live for each game throughout the 2021 season. 
 
Best Fan Experience in North Carolina
Here are previously announced fan initiatives and information shared by Wake Forest Athletics ahead of the 2021 football season. Guest Services
Fans with questions before, during and after all Wake Forest home Football games are encouraged to contact the Wake Forest Athletics Gameday Hotline via phone at 336-758-GAME or email at gameday@wfu.edu. This service is also available during normal business hours Monday-Friday.
 
Fans needing assistance are also encouraged to visit Wake Forest Athletics gameday information website. The gameday page is the hub of all fan information pertaining to gameday policies and procedures for Truist Field.
 
Additionally, Rhino event staff team members are available at numerous guest information booths inside and around Truist Field. Locations are identified on our interior map found here
 
Health & Safety Information
Information regarding Truist Field's COVID-19 health and safety protocols and procedures will be released at a date closer to kickoff. 
 
Feedback
As fans have questions, feedback or ideas, Wake Forest Athletics encourages you to email wfsports@wfu.edu with those thoughts.
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