Week 11 Open the Gate Honoree: Mark Erwin
11/7/2023 10:03:00 AM | Football, Men's Soccer
The Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer tallied 68 goals and 160 points during his time with the Demon Deacons.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Mark Erwin, the Wake Forest men's soccer program's all-time leading goal scorer, will lead the Demon Deacon football team onto the field this Saturday, Nov. 11, against the NC State Wolfpack. The game is set for a 2 p.m. kickoff at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium.
Erwin (1980-83) was a member of Wake Forest men's soccer's inaugural team in 1980 and was an impact player for the Demon Deacons during his four seasons on the pitch. As a senior, he led the nation in scoring with an ACC-record 36 goals in addition to seven assists, earning All-ACC and All-South honors. His marks of 36 goals and 79 points that season both rank second in NCAA history.
He finished his career with 68 goals and 160 points, as both remain program records. Additionally, he once recorded seven goals in one game as the Demon Deacons defeated St. Andrew's 17-1 on Sept. 16, 1983.
He was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame on Jan. 19, 2008.
Off the field, Erwin was a member of the ROTC as an undergrad before he was commissioned into the U.S. Army Infantry in December of 1984. He has served multiple tours in the Middle East and Afghanistan and has received numerous commendations.
Erwin is a 1999 graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and a 2007 graduate of the U.S. Army War College.
Open the Gate Information & 2023 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 Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. The first ever honoree was Wake Forest and Winston-Salem legend, Chris Paul.
Week 1 vs. Elon: Cathy Pace
Week 2 vs. Vanderbilt: Jen Averill
Week 3 vs. Georgia Tech: Kimberly Jones
Week 8 vs. Pitt: Rhett Lowder
Week 9 vs. Florida State: Dr. Janice Collins
Week 11 vs. NC State: Mark Erwin
Erwin (1980-83) was a member of Wake Forest men's soccer's inaugural team in 1980 and was an impact player for the Demon Deacons during his four seasons on the pitch. As a senior, he led the nation in scoring with an ACC-record 36 goals in addition to seven assists, earning All-ACC and All-South honors. His marks of 36 goals and 79 points that season both rank second in NCAA history.
He finished his career with 68 goals and 160 points, as both remain program records. Additionally, he once recorded seven goals in one game as the Demon Deacons defeated St. Andrew's 17-1 on Sept. 16, 1983.
He was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame on Jan. 19, 2008.
Off the field, Erwin was a member of the ROTC as an undergrad before he was commissioned into the U.S. Army Infantry in December of 1984. He has served multiple tours in the Middle East and Afghanistan and has received numerous commendations.
Erwin is a 1999 graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and a 2007 graduate of the U.S. Army War College.
Open the Gate Information & 2023 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 Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. The first ever honoree was Wake Forest and Winston-Salem legend, Chris Paul.
Week 1 vs. Elon: Cathy Pace
Week 2 vs. Vanderbilt: Jen Averill
Week 3 vs. Georgia Tech: Kimberly Jones
Week 8 vs. Pitt: Rhett Lowder
Week 9 vs. Florida State: Dr. Janice Collins
Week 11 vs. NC State: Mark Erwin
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