Week 2 Open the Gate Honoree: Col. Kurt Carlson
9/8/2021 10:09:00 AM | Football, General
Wake Forest Alum and retired Army Colonel Kurt Carlson is set to be the Open the Gate honoree for Saturday’s game against Norfolk State.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest Athletics Open the Gate tradition rides on this season with
Wake Forest Alum and retired Army Colonel Kurt Carlson.
Col. Kurt Carlson hails from Rockford, Ill. Upon graduating high school, Carlson enrolled at Wake Forest in 1964. While Carlson was not recruited to be an athlete at Wake Forest, he ended up becoming a three-sport athlete. Carlson played golf, tennis, and swam for the Demon Deacons, all as a walk-on athlete. His Wake Forest legacy was carried on as five more members of his family have graduated the University and Bowman Grey.
Carlson earned a degree in business administration from Wake Forest in 1968. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the US Army. Carlson completed seven overseas tours in Korea, the Middle East, and Europe in his 29 years of service. He commanded Combat Units for 12 years, including the deployment of his combat heavy engineer battalion to Europe during the Bosnian War.
In June of 1985, while returning home from his third Army mission in Egypt, Carlson was aboard TWA Flight 847 when it was hijacked by Iranian terrorists. Carlson became a prisoner of war in Beirut, Lebanon. Carlson was freed from Beirut after President Reagan was able to negotiate the release of the prisoners.
During his 29 years of service, Carlson received 27 awards and medals including a Purple Heart for being wounded in action and the POW Medal with honor. Recently, Carlson was inducted into the US Army, Field Artillery Officer Hall of Fame.
On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Wake Forest Athletics is excited that a great servant of our country and a model alumni will lead the Demon Deacons onto Truist Field.
Open the Gate Information & 2021 Honorees
The Open the Gate tradition has been an important and unique aspect of football games since its inception in 2008. This allows Wake Forest to honor individuals that make its University and Winston-Salem community so special. Honorees ride on the back of the motorcycle with the Demon Deacon mascot and lead the football team onto Truist Field. The first ever honoree was Wake Forest and Winston-Salem legend, Chris Paul.
Wake Forest Alum and retired Army Colonel Kurt Carlson.
Col. Kurt Carlson hails from Rockford, Ill. Upon graduating high school, Carlson enrolled at Wake Forest in 1964. While Carlson was not recruited to be an athlete at Wake Forest, he ended up becoming a three-sport athlete. Carlson played golf, tennis, and swam for the Demon Deacons, all as a walk-on athlete. His Wake Forest legacy was carried on as five more members of his family have graduated the University and Bowman Grey.
Carlson earned a degree in business administration from Wake Forest in 1968. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the US Army. Carlson completed seven overseas tours in Korea, the Middle East, and Europe in his 29 years of service. He commanded Combat Units for 12 years, including the deployment of his combat heavy engineer battalion to Europe during the Bosnian War.
In June of 1985, while returning home from his third Army mission in Egypt, Carlson was aboard TWA Flight 847 when it was hijacked by Iranian terrorists. Carlson became a prisoner of war in Beirut, Lebanon. Carlson was freed from Beirut after President Reagan was able to negotiate the release of the prisoners.
During his 29 years of service, Carlson received 27 awards and medals including a Purple Heart for being wounded in action and the POW Medal with honor. Recently, Carlson was inducted into the US Army, Field Artillery Officer Hall of Fame.
On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Wake Forest Athletics is excited that a great servant of our country and a model alumni will lead the Demon Deacons onto Truist Field.
Open the Gate Information & 2021 Honorees
The Open the Gate tradition has been an important and unique aspect of football games since its inception in 2008. This allows Wake Forest to honor individuals that make its University and Winston-Salem community so special. Honorees ride on the back of the motorcycle with the Demon Deacon mascot and lead the football team onto Truist Field. The first ever honoree was Wake Forest and Winston-Salem legend, Chris Paul.
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