From the Quad
5/7/2022 9:42:00 AM | General
Presented by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Good Morning Demon Deacon Nation!
Hopefully all our readers made it safely through the storms yesterday and are ready for what is going to be an action-packed day for the Deacs! Here in DEACTOWN we have a home baseball doubleheader with first pitch at 11:30 a.m. and a second round NCAA men's tennis showdown with No. 24 Auburn at 4 p.m. outside at Leighton Courts, or in the Indoor Tennis Center in the event of rain. Meanwhile our women's tennis NCAA match in Athens, Ga. today against No. 40 Northwestern is underway! Good luck to all those Demon Deacons competing today - and also to the Wake Forest students and student-athletes who are finishing their last exams as I type this letter!
Several of our most loyal readers have reminded me that it's been a while since I last wrote to you From the Quad - and they are right! We don't like to make excuses around here - so let's get right into current events and some of the awesome accomplishments and happenings that made April fly by!
Our student-athletes concluded last month with a fun and spirited Black & Golden Globes celebration and the stage featured two very special decorations - our Men's & Women's 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Golf Championship trophies! For the first time in school history in the same year, our men's and women's teams captured both ACC crowns! It's really hard to win ACC Championships and we treasure each of the 55 Wake Forest has now won.
Everyone in our community helped these teams toward earning their titles so I hope your smiles were as bright as our men's and women's golfers after these accomplishments!
From the esteemed alumni from our University who proudly represent us across the world in all professions, to the former Demon Deacon golfers who helped build their legacy of these storied programs, to our current students, faculty and staff that support Coach Kim Lewellen, Coach Jerry Haas and their student-athletes, these championships are shared by all those in the Winston-Salem and Wake Forest community.
Our women's program followed their championship with a clean sweep of the conference's yearly awards! This marked the second time in program history, and first time since 1995, our women's program won ACC Coach (Kim Lewellen), Player (Rachel Kuehn) and Freshman (Carolina Chicarra) of the Year awards. With that, the Deacs are one of just two ACC programs to outright win all of the top awards multiple times in league history.
Our No. 4-ranked squad is set to head to Nashville today to prepare for the NCAA Regional that begins on Monday. The Deacs are the top-seeded team at this Regional, which marks the second-straight year with that distinction.
Meanwhile, as we await the announcement of the annual conference awards on the men's side, Coach Jerry Haas and our men's squad was selected to the New Haven NCAA Regional where the Demon Deacons will be the No. 3 seed.
As you have seen from sensational headlines about Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals, a very active transfer portal, along with the NCAA Transformation Committee, commissioners and congress, etc., it is a time of great uncertainty in college athletics. At Wake Forest our No. 1 priority is the health and safety of student-athletes as we strive to deliver a World Class education and compete at the highest level each day, week, month and year. I'm proud of all our coaches for continuing to navigate these choppy waters and attract, develop and graduate outstanding student-athletes consistent with our values and principles.
President Susan R. Wente, Ph.D. and I are heavily engaged in continuing to ensure that Wake Forest and the ACC are positioned to thrive at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. I returned from Phoenix yesterday after a few days visiting with colleagues and collegiate partners from around the country. On Monday, our annual spring ACC meetings begin and I am looking forward to being there with the Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Pete Brubaker, Coach Dave Clawson, Coach Steve Forbes, Coach Jen Hoover and Deputy AD Lindsey Babcock.
Of course the highlight of my Phoenix trip was a sensational performance by Demon Deacons legend Chris Paul as the Suns got one step closer to a return to the NBA Finals with a win!
Before we get to the rest of the updates, here's to Chris' mother Robin, my wife Mary Lawrence, my mother Madeline, and to all the special moms in our Wake Forest and Winston-Salem community enjoying a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow!
NCAA First & Second Round Tennis Awaits Men's & Women's Demon Deacons
Southern Family Court Seating at the Leighton Team Courts is known throughout the collegiate tennis world as a premier NCAA venue where Coach Tony Bresky and his squad earned the opportunity to host postseason action right here in Winston-Salem for the ninth-year in a row. Wake Forest and Winston-Salem's passionate tennis community fueled our team's first round win on Friday. Tickets are just $10 to see today's second round matchup!
Fans can watch our No. 24-ranked women's tennis team open NCAA Tournament play on the road this morning at 10 a.m. against No. 40 Northwestern in Athens, Ga. This season, Wake Forest has compiled a 16-10 overall record and earned six victories over ranked opponents. Also, a big congratulations is due to Coach Jeff Wyshner as he earned his 150th win at Wake Forest on April 10 and he and Coach Andy Roland was honored at our home baseball game for that milestone a week ago.
Postseason Action Awaits Diamond Deacs, Track & Field
Following a midweek victory over Liberty on Tuesday night, Coach Tom Walter's team is tied for the third-most wins in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 32. Along with our five wins against top-15 opponents, four of which came in ACC play, Wake Forest boasts one of the top offenses in the entire nation as the Deacs rank in the top three in the ACC in every offensive category, highlighted by a conference-best 266 walks, .323 batting average and 422 runs.
It was special to present Coach Tom Walter with a signed baseball a few weeks ago to recognize him for his 350th win at Wake Forest after he earned that milestone in our series sweep over Duke. Let's continue to bring record-breaking crowds to Couch Ballpark this weekend as the Demon Deacons host No. 7 Louisville in a key conference series as the postseason nears. Today's doubleheader begins at 11:30 a.m. and with the second contest set for 4 p.m.
Coach John Hayes and our track & field program continues to take steps forward as redshirt senior Anna Bush set a school record recently in the women's heptathlon! I can't wait to see how they perform next week at the ACC Championships!
Commencement Ceremonies Await Historic Class of Demon Deacons
Graduation returns to Hearn Plaza for the first time since 2019 and this commencement class includes 104 Demon Deacons from the 2022 spring or summer, and 22 graduates from last December. They have collectively worn the Old Gold and Black in nearly 1,600 athletic contests, have won five ACC Championships and one NCAA Championship! Additionally, this class earned 52 Academic ACC honor roll awards and three ACC Postgraduate Scholarships!
Three senior student-athletes, Zoe Clay, Shayla Smart and Laia Vancells, were chosen by their respective major departments to be featured in the Old Gold and Black's Graduation Tabloid recognizing their exemplary work academically and how they make a difference in the Wake Forest community.
On GoDeacs.com and all our social media accounts we'll be shining the spotlight on our Demon Deacons who are set to earn their degrees!
An April of Action & Accolades for the Deacs!
For 10 years, Provost Rogan Kersh has loyally and ably served as Wake Forest's chief academic officer. I am glad that Rogan, Sarah and Graylyn can enjoy a much deserved sabbatical before returning to a full-time teaching and research role as Distinguished University Professor.
In turn, I am excited that President Susan R. Wente, Ph.D. has named our current Dean of the College, Dr. Michelle Gillespie, to assume the Provost role. Dr. Gillespie is an established and respected teacher, scholar and administrator that will do an outstanding job as Wake Forest's Provost. As a Wake Forest history major myself, I highly recommend Dean Gillespie's outstanding book on Katharine & RJ Reynolds.
Both Provost Kersh and Dean Gillespie served on the search committee that secured Coach Steve Forbes in 2020 and they are champions for our goal of a World Class Student-Athlete Experience!
Congratulations Dr. Rogers!
There was not a dry eye in the house last Friday night as Demon Deacons Legend Rodney Rogers ('94), Life Trustee Donna Boswell ('72, MA '74) and Eric Olson ( '77, PhD '81, DSc '03) received the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award during a special ceremony hosted by senior advisor for engagement strategies Mary Tribble ('82, MA '19). And, it was extremely special that an honorary Doctor of Letters Degree was bestowed on Rodney, recognizing his transformative impact on Wake Forest and incredible lifelong perseverance.
Unique Opportunities Await Groups for 2022 Football Season
Opportunities are now available for groups across the state of North Carolina and beyond to enjoy the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina at Truist Field this fall through organized group outings. Make Wake Forest football the destination for your next group outing and join us in DEACTOWN for a game this fall!
It was so great to see Deacon Nation together with our student-athletes on the field postgame following last month's Spring Game for our autograph opportunity. Click here to secure your seats inside Truist Field this fall and send the link to a friend!
Historic Celebrate Excellence Weekend
As the 2021-22 academic year nears its conclusion, I want to recap our celebration of 50 Years of Intercollegiate Women's Athletics at Wake Forest, presented by Blue Cross NC, Athletics held an incredible Celebrate Excellence Weekend on April 1-3. I encourage you to watch this video that shares the incredible history of women's athletics at Wake Forest!
Along with having so many of our esteemed alumni back in Winston-Salem, it was a perfect end to that early-April weekend when Jennifer Kupcho won her first LPGA title and major championship! Her trajectory has been truly astonishing as she has gone from the best amateur in the world, to an NCAA Champion, to the first female to win a competitive event at Augusta National, to representing her country in the Arnold Palmer Cup and Solheim Cup — and now she has made history as the winner of the Chevron Championship.
Truist Field, Winston-Salem Awaits Sir Paul McCartney GOT BACK Tour on May 21
Wake Forest University is honored to host the legendary Paul McCartney inside Truist Field on May 21! This exciting concert reflects our commitment to providing Value to Winston-Salem and the Triad. Senior Associate AD Ellie Shannon, Assistant AD Justin Van Nice and your entire Demon Deacons event management and hospitality team are in high gear for a very busy May with home NCAA tennis, a big weekend baseball series and this huge concert! Lots of behind the scenes work from our Spectra and Rhino partners and Scott Johnson of the Greensboro Coliseum and local law enforcement will help welcome an expected record crowd as we deliver the musical version of the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina!
From the Quad Big 3
Here are today's Big 3 ways to help the Deacs:
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Director of Athletics
Good Morning Demon Deacon Nation!
Hopefully all our readers made it safely through the storms yesterday and are ready for what is going to be an action-packed day for the Deacs! Here in DEACTOWN we have a home baseball doubleheader with first pitch at 11:30 a.m. and a second round NCAA men's tennis showdown with No. 24 Auburn at 4 p.m. outside at Leighton Courts, or in the Indoor Tennis Center in the event of rain. Meanwhile our women's tennis NCAA match in Athens, Ga. today against No. 40 Northwestern is underway! Good luck to all those Demon Deacons competing today - and also to the Wake Forest students and student-athletes who are finishing their last exams as I type this letter!
Several of our most loyal readers have reminded me that it's been a while since I last wrote to you From the Quad - and they are right! We don't like to make excuses around here - so let's get right into current events and some of the awesome accomplishments and happenings that made April fly by!
Our student-athletes concluded last month with a fun and spirited Black & Golden Globes celebration and the stage featured two very special decorations - our Men's & Women's 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Golf Championship trophies! For the first time in school history in the same year, our men's and women's teams captured both ACC crowns! It's really hard to win ACC Championships and we treasure each of the 55 Wake Forest has now won.
Everyone in our community helped these teams toward earning their titles so I hope your smiles were as bright as our men's and women's golfers after these accomplishments!
From the esteemed alumni from our University who proudly represent us across the world in all professions, to the former Demon Deacon golfers who helped build their legacy of these storied programs, to our current students, faculty and staff that support Coach Kim Lewellen, Coach Jerry Haas and their student-athletes, these championships are shared by all those in the Winston-Salem and Wake Forest community.
Our women's program followed their championship with a clean sweep of the conference's yearly awards! This marked the second time in program history, and first time since 1995, our women's program won ACC Coach (Kim Lewellen), Player (Rachel Kuehn) and Freshman (Carolina Chicarra) of the Year awards. With that, the Deacs are one of just two ACC programs to outright win all of the top awards multiple times in league history.
Our No. 4-ranked squad is set to head to Nashville today to prepare for the NCAA Regional that begins on Monday. The Deacs are the top-seeded team at this Regional, which marks the second-straight year with that distinction.
Meanwhile, as we await the announcement of the annual conference awards on the men's side, Coach Jerry Haas and our men's squad was selected to the New Haven NCAA Regional where the Demon Deacons will be the No. 3 seed.
As you have seen from sensational headlines about Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals, a very active transfer portal, along with the NCAA Transformation Committee, commissioners and congress, etc., it is a time of great uncertainty in college athletics. At Wake Forest our No. 1 priority is the health and safety of student-athletes as we strive to deliver a World Class education and compete at the highest level each day, week, month and year. I'm proud of all our coaches for continuing to navigate these choppy waters and attract, develop and graduate outstanding student-athletes consistent with our values and principles.
President Susan R. Wente, Ph.D. and I are heavily engaged in continuing to ensure that Wake Forest and the ACC are positioned to thrive at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. I returned from Phoenix yesterday after a few days visiting with colleagues and collegiate partners from around the country. On Monday, our annual spring ACC meetings begin and I am looking forward to being there with the Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Pete Brubaker, Coach Dave Clawson, Coach Steve Forbes, Coach Jen Hoover and Deputy AD Lindsey Babcock.
Of course the highlight of my Phoenix trip was a sensational performance by Demon Deacons legend Chris Paul as the Suns got one step closer to a return to the NBA Finals with a win!
Before we get to the rest of the updates, here's to Chris' mother Robin, my wife Mary Lawrence, my mother Madeline, and to all the special moms in our Wake Forest and Winston-Salem community enjoying a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow!
NCAA First & Second Round Tennis Awaits Men's & Women's Demon Deacons
Southern Family Court Seating at the Leighton Team Courts is known throughout the collegiate tennis world as a premier NCAA venue where Coach Tony Bresky and his squad earned the opportunity to host postseason action right here in Winston-Salem for the ninth-year in a row. Wake Forest and Winston-Salem's passionate tennis community fueled our team's first round win on Friday. Tickets are just $10 to see today's second round matchup!
Fans can watch our No. 24-ranked women's tennis team open NCAA Tournament play on the road this morning at 10 a.m. against No. 40 Northwestern in Athens, Ga. This season, Wake Forest has compiled a 16-10 overall record and earned six victories over ranked opponents. Also, a big congratulations is due to Coach Jeff Wyshner as he earned his 150th win at Wake Forest on April 10 and he and Coach Andy Roland was honored at our home baseball game for that milestone a week ago.
Postseason Action Awaits Diamond Deacs, Track & Field
Following a midweek victory over Liberty on Tuesday night, Coach Tom Walter's team is tied for the third-most wins in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 32. Along with our five wins against top-15 opponents, four of which came in ACC play, Wake Forest boasts one of the top offenses in the entire nation as the Deacs rank in the top three in the ACC in every offensive category, highlighted by a conference-best 266 walks, .323 batting average and 422 runs.
It was special to present Coach Tom Walter with a signed baseball a few weeks ago to recognize him for his 350th win at Wake Forest after he earned that milestone in our series sweep over Duke. Let's continue to bring record-breaking crowds to Couch Ballpark this weekend as the Demon Deacons host No. 7 Louisville in a key conference series as the postseason nears. Today's doubleheader begins at 11:30 a.m. and with the second contest set for 4 p.m.
Coach John Hayes and our track & field program continues to take steps forward as redshirt senior Anna Bush set a school record recently in the women's heptathlon! I can't wait to see how they perform next week at the ACC Championships!
Commencement Ceremonies Await Historic Class of Demon Deacons
Graduation returns to Hearn Plaza for the first time since 2019 and this commencement class includes 104 Demon Deacons from the 2022 spring or summer, and 22 graduates from last December. They have collectively worn the Old Gold and Black in nearly 1,600 athletic contests, have won five ACC Championships and one NCAA Championship! Additionally, this class earned 52 Academic ACC honor roll awards and three ACC Postgraduate Scholarships!
Three senior student-athletes, Zoe Clay, Shayla Smart and Laia Vancells, were chosen by their respective major departments to be featured in the Old Gold and Black's Graduation Tabloid recognizing their exemplary work academically and how they make a difference in the Wake Forest community.
On GoDeacs.com and all our social media accounts we'll be shining the spotlight on our Demon Deacons who are set to earn their degrees!
An April of Action & Accolades for the Deacs!
- Congrats to men's soccer winning a "national championship" of service as they earned the 2021-22 Helper Helper Team Community Service Challenge title! Coach Bobby Muuss and his student-athletes have embodied Pro Humanitate big time as they logged more than 950 hours of community service with 15 organizations since August!
- April was Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month and Demon Deacons men's basketball players helped Parenting Paths with some cleaning and house keeping. Meanwhile, the Diamond Deacs dawned yellow jerseys a few weeks ago to raise awareness and funds for this important cause.
- Field Hockey's Grace Delmotte and Brooke McCusker have been named to the Canadian Women's National Team. Grace and Brooke will be a part of the 25-person national team roster competing for the 2022 World Cup and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in July and August.
- The Ultimate Deacon Weekend featured a fun Spring Game atmosphere. A tip of the Deacon top hat is due to Director of Player Development Wendell Dunn ('17, '19) and the dozens of Wake Forest football alums as the annual Alumni Career Networking Night was a huge success.
- Speaking of football alumni, we welcomed home Chuck Wade ('19) and you'll be inspired by this article about Brandon Chubb ('15) as he shared how an off-the-field experience during his time at Wake Forest was a catalyst for his current work.
For 10 years, Provost Rogan Kersh has loyally and ably served as Wake Forest's chief academic officer. I am glad that Rogan, Sarah and Graylyn can enjoy a much deserved sabbatical before returning to a full-time teaching and research role as Distinguished University Professor.
In turn, I am excited that President Susan R. Wente, Ph.D. has named our current Dean of the College, Dr. Michelle Gillespie, to assume the Provost role. Dr. Gillespie is an established and respected teacher, scholar and administrator that will do an outstanding job as Wake Forest's Provost. As a Wake Forest history major myself, I highly recommend Dean Gillespie's outstanding book on Katharine & RJ Reynolds.
Both Provost Kersh and Dean Gillespie served on the search committee that secured Coach Steve Forbes in 2020 and they are champions for our goal of a World Class Student-Athlete Experience!
Congratulations Dr. Rogers!
There was not a dry eye in the house last Friday night as Demon Deacons Legend Rodney Rogers ('94), Life Trustee Donna Boswell ('72, MA '74) and Eric Olson ( '77, PhD '81, DSc '03) received the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award during a special ceremony hosted by senior advisor for engagement strategies Mary Tribble ('82, MA '19). And, it was extremely special that an honorary Doctor of Letters Degree was bestowed on Rodney, recognizing his transformative impact on Wake Forest and incredible lifelong perseverance.
Unique Opportunities Await Groups for 2022 Football Season
Opportunities are now available for groups across the state of North Carolina and beyond to enjoy the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina at Truist Field this fall through organized group outings. Make Wake Forest football the destination for your next group outing and join us in DEACTOWN for a game this fall!
It was so great to see Deacon Nation together with our student-athletes on the field postgame following last month's Spring Game for our autograph opportunity. Click here to secure your seats inside Truist Field this fall and send the link to a friend!
Historic Celebrate Excellence Weekend
As the 2021-22 academic year nears its conclusion, I want to recap our celebration of 50 Years of Intercollegiate Women's Athletics at Wake Forest, presented by Blue Cross NC, Athletics held an incredible Celebrate Excellence Weekend on April 1-3. I encourage you to watch this video that shares the incredible history of women's athletics at Wake Forest!
Along with having so many of our esteemed alumni back in Winston-Salem, it was a perfect end to that early-April weekend when Jennifer Kupcho won her first LPGA title and major championship! Her trajectory has been truly astonishing as she has gone from the best amateur in the world, to an NCAA Champion, to the first female to win a competitive event at Augusta National, to representing her country in the Arnold Palmer Cup and Solheim Cup — and now she has made history as the winner of the Chevron Championship.
Truist Field, Winston-Salem Awaits Sir Paul McCartney GOT BACK Tour on May 21
Wake Forest University is honored to host the legendary Paul McCartney inside Truist Field on May 21! This exciting concert reflects our commitment to providing Value to Winston-Salem and the Triad. Senior Associate AD Ellie Shannon, Assistant AD Justin Van Nice and your entire Demon Deacons event management and hospitality team are in high gear for a very busy May with home NCAA tennis, a big weekend baseball series and this huge concert! Lots of behind the scenes work from our Spectra and Rhino partners and Scott Johnson of the Greensboro Coliseum and local law enforcement will help welcome an expected record crowd as we deliver the musical version of the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina!
From the Quad Big 3
Here are today's Big 3 ways to help the Deacs:
- Please join me in congratulating junior Tal Feldman on being named a 2022 Truman Scholar and Landon Bradshaw and John Billos on being named 2022 Barry M. Goldwater Scholars.
- Thanks to the dogged determination of Assistant AD Daniel Watkins, Hanesbrands, Learfield and our CLC partners, you can now find Wake Forest gear as you fly in and out of Piedmont Triad Airport (GSO). When you "Fly PTI" make it a point to pick up a shirt or cap and thank the clerk for repping the Deacs!
- Visit our Wake Forest new retail website on Amazon! It's easier than ever to get great deals on Demon Deacons gear regardless of where in the world you are.
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Director of Athletics
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