Lowe’s Foods Tailgater of the Year Announced
11/14/2023 11:50:00 AM | Football
More on the winner and the finalists for the Lowe’s Foods Tailgater of the Year Award.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Each home game throughout the 2023 season, Lowe's Foods has awarded a lucky group of fans a spot in the finals for the Tailgater of the Year award. With the season coming to a close it is time to crown a champion out of these passionate Wake Forest Football fans.
Lowe's Foods is a proud sponsor of Wake Forest Athletics and is excited to crown the Tailgater of the Year this weekend against NC State. The winner was decided by a panel consisting of head volleyball coach Randi Smart, infielder Tate Ballestero and ABC45 Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Went.
Based on a comprehensive criteria, the panel selected Jerry Francis as the 2023 Lowe's Foods Tailgater of the Year:
Jerry Francis
Jerry Francis has been hosting his tailgate for many decades with other Wake Forest Alumni from the 70's. Francis and his friends have been there for the Deacs through thick and thin. Every Saturday Francis sets up his spot in the Red Lot as he prepares to cheer on the Demon Deacons.
"We have been tailgating together for many decades. Many of us are Wake grads from the 70's and have supported the Deacs through thick and thin. We are located in the corner of the Red Lot near the RV spaces and are always happy to share good food and refreshments."- Jerry Francis
All Finalists
Elon (Week One)
Jeremy Payne
Our first finalist of the year was Jeremy Payne. 14 years ago Payne started hosting the House of Payne before Wake Forest games with a humble set up. As the years have passed, Payne has amped up the tailgating experience for his family and friends.
"I want to start off by saying thank you for selecting House of Payne Tailgate, as one of the five finalists. 14 years ago we started with a canopy, table, chairs and a broken down grill. Every year since we have added new things to our tailgate to make it more exciting for our friends and family. As always Go Deacs! Beat State!"- Jeremy Payne
Vanderbilt (Week Two)
Jess Godfrey
During Vanderbilt week, Lowe's Foods found Barely Golf hosted by Jess Godfrey. This group of friends started their Demon Deacon Gameday tradition in the gold lot during the mid-2000's. Throughout the years, Godfrey has helped create great memories for her friends and family.
"Barely Gold is a group of friends who barely belong in the Gold Lot. We've been tailgating together since we graduated in the mid 2000s. Our tailgate has seen crazy Halloween costumes, weddings, babies, and several generations of Wake fans taking in the sights of the Gold Lot from the Gold Couch. We may not be the biggest or fanciest tailgate, but we have the most fun!"- Jess Godrey
Georgia Tech (Week Four)
Anthony Tang
The Unrivaled by Any Tailgate group is hosted by Anthony Tang. Over the years, Tang has provided an unrivaled tailgating experience for friends, family and other Wake Forest alumni. Tang provides a welcoming tailgate to Deacs fans and visiting fans every weekend in the Couch Ballpark Lot.
"This is a place where Wake Forest alumni, family, and friends, are welcome to join for unrivaled food, beverages, friends, family, and fun. They seek to exemplify dignity, class, and integrity as Demon Deacons. Proud to be in the ACC, they display sportsmanship for every opponent and fan visiting Wake Forest. The setup is located in the Couch Ballpark Lot."- Anthony Tang
Pitt (Week Seven)
George Brooks '71
George Brooks and Steve Kelley have been providing a great tailgating experience for their friends, families, and former fraternity brothers for 20 years. Brooks and Kelley find that the fan favorite tailgates are the early games for their famous BrooksCakes.
"Steve Kelley, '68 and I, '71 started tailgating 20 years ago with a few friends. About 10 years ago we moved our tailgate to the Gold Lot and realized with people coming at different times, we needed to find a way to coordinate getting food there in time for everyone to enjoy. We also realized that with so many, like me, from out of town, we would buy the food and ask everyone to chip in, allowing participants to travel and not worry about food. We were both Sigma Chi's so at Homecoming we hosted a reunion. This year we had 65 at the homecoming tailgate, the majority of them were from the Class of '68 and Class of '73 but we welcome all!
Florida State (Week 8)
Jerry Francis
Jerry Francis has been hosting his tailgate for many decades with other Wake Forest Alumni from the 70's. Francis and his friends have been there for the Deacs through thick and thin. Every Saturday Francis sets up his spot in the Red Lot as he prepares to cheer on the Demon Deacons.
"We have been tailgating together for many decades. Many of us are Wake grads from the 70's and have supported the Deacs through thick and thin. We are located in the corner of the Red Lot near the RV spaces and are always happy to share good food and refreshments."- Jerry Francis
Lowe's Foods is a proud sponsor of Wake Forest Athletics and is excited to crown the Tailgater of the Year this weekend against NC State. The winner was decided by a panel consisting of head volleyball coach Randi Smart, infielder Tate Ballestero and ABC45 Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Went.
Based on a comprehensive criteria, the panel selected Jerry Francis as the 2023 Lowe's Foods Tailgater of the Year:
Jerry Francis
Jerry Francis has been hosting his tailgate for many decades with other Wake Forest Alumni from the 70's. Francis and his friends have been there for the Deacs through thick and thin. Every Saturday Francis sets up his spot in the Red Lot as he prepares to cheer on the Demon Deacons.
"We have been tailgating together for many decades. Many of us are Wake grads from the 70's and have supported the Deacs through thick and thin. We are located in the corner of the Red Lot near the RV spaces and are always happy to share good food and refreshments."- Jerry Francis
All Finalists
Elon (Week One)
Jeremy Payne
Our first finalist of the year was Jeremy Payne. 14 years ago Payne started hosting the House of Payne before Wake Forest games with a humble set up. As the years have passed, Payne has amped up the tailgating experience for his family and friends.
"I want to start off by saying thank you for selecting House of Payne Tailgate, as one of the five finalists. 14 years ago we started with a canopy, table, chairs and a broken down grill. Every year since we have added new things to our tailgate to make it more exciting for our friends and family. As always Go Deacs! Beat State!"- Jeremy Payne
Vanderbilt (Week Two)
Jess Godfrey
During Vanderbilt week, Lowe's Foods found Barely Golf hosted by Jess Godfrey. This group of friends started their Demon Deacon Gameday tradition in the gold lot during the mid-2000's. Throughout the years, Godfrey has helped create great memories for her friends and family.
"Barely Gold is a group of friends who barely belong in the Gold Lot. We've been tailgating together since we graduated in the mid 2000s. Our tailgate has seen crazy Halloween costumes, weddings, babies, and several generations of Wake fans taking in the sights of the Gold Lot from the Gold Couch. We may not be the biggest or fanciest tailgate, but we have the most fun!"- Jess Godrey
Georgia Tech (Week Four)
Anthony Tang
The Unrivaled by Any Tailgate group is hosted by Anthony Tang. Over the years, Tang has provided an unrivaled tailgating experience for friends, family and other Wake Forest alumni. Tang provides a welcoming tailgate to Deacs fans and visiting fans every weekend in the Couch Ballpark Lot.
"This is a place where Wake Forest alumni, family, and friends, are welcome to join for unrivaled food, beverages, friends, family, and fun. They seek to exemplify dignity, class, and integrity as Demon Deacons. Proud to be in the ACC, they display sportsmanship for every opponent and fan visiting Wake Forest. The setup is located in the Couch Ballpark Lot."- Anthony Tang
Pitt (Week Seven)
George Brooks '71
George Brooks and Steve Kelley have been providing a great tailgating experience for their friends, families, and former fraternity brothers for 20 years. Brooks and Kelley find that the fan favorite tailgates are the early games for their famous BrooksCakes.
"Steve Kelley, '68 and I, '71 started tailgating 20 years ago with a few friends. About 10 years ago we moved our tailgate to the Gold Lot and realized with people coming at different times, we needed to find a way to coordinate getting food there in time for everyone to enjoy. We also realized that with so many, like me, from out of town, we would buy the food and ask everyone to chip in, allowing participants to travel and not worry about food. We were both Sigma Chi's so at Homecoming we hosted a reunion. This year we had 65 at the homecoming tailgate, the majority of them were from the Class of '68 and Class of '73 but we welcome all!
Florida State (Week 8)
Jerry Francis
Jerry Francis has been hosting his tailgate for many decades with other Wake Forest Alumni from the 70's. Francis and his friends have been there for the Deacs through thick and thin. Every Saturday Francis sets up his spot in the Red Lot as he prepares to cheer on the Demon Deacons.
"We have been tailgating together for many decades. Many of us are Wake grads from the 70's and have supported the Deacs through thick and thin. We are located in the corner of the Red Lot near the RV spaces and are always happy to share good food and refreshments."- Jerry Francis
Football Media Availability (9/18/25)
Thursday, September 18
QB Robbie Ashford takes it himself for the score
Thursday, September 11
Chris Barnes scores the TD on the game's first kick
Thursday, September 11
Matt Barrie SportsCenter at Wake Forest with Demond Claiborne
Wednesday, September 10