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From the Quad
9/8/2023 12:47:00 PM | General
Presented by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Good Afternoon Demon Deacon Nation:
It's #WFFriday and I trust you have already donned your Old Gold & Black and are ready for an action-packed slate of Wake Forest Athletics competition. Coach Tony da Luz's women's soccer team set the tone last night capturing a 3-1 win on the road to remain undefeated at 6-0-1 on the season. Additionally, Coach Randi Smart's volleyball team takes their 6-0 record on the road for three matches in Kennesaw, while Coach Bobby Muuss' No. 9-ranked men's soccer program opens ACC play tomorrow night at Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, here in Winston-Salem we have lots of special guests rolling into town, and those who landed at super-convenient GSO - choosing to "Fly PTI" - were greeted by DEACTOWN banners flying proudly on the airport access road!
Along with our Deacon Club Board of Directors and Athletics Advisory Council, it is Unrivaled Weekend! And recognizing our commitment to Goal No. 4, we are celebrating THREE NCAA field hockey championships, with several of the greatest athletes in Wake Forest history back in town for the celebration of the 2002, 2003, and 2004 teams - and our legendary coach, Jennifer Averill.
Before we jump into all the updates and a preview of tomorrow's ACC-SEC clash at Allegacy Stadium, I want to thank all our fans for your support, grace, and patience on a sold-out Opening Night as Coach Dave Clawson's squad earned a season-opening win over Elon and moved to 21-4 since 2019 in Winston-Salem. How about that incredible Deacon Dash, as the Class of 2027 poured onto the field – who just kept coming and coming – and bolstered another massive student turnout!
And thanks to your support, tomorrow's 11 a.m. kickoff against Vanderbilt is SOLD OUT - our seventh sellout since the start of the 2021 season. I encourage all ticket holders to do their best to make sure their tickets get used tomorrow. Invite a friend, associate or neighbor and use our easy and free electronic ticket transfer feature to provide the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina to those closest to you! Just log in to your account and click the "Transfer" option. You can send the ticket to their phone via text message or email!
You can also list your tickets on SeatGeek – the official resale partner of Wake Forest Athletics! Log in to your Wake Forest ticketing account and select "Sell Tickets on SeatGeek" to get started today. Check out these FAQs from SeatGeek to assist you today!
Moving on, as the old saying goes, there is always something. While I was enjoying an early big Demon Deacons lead last Thursday night en route to Coach Clawson's 60th win as Wake Forest's head coach, I received a phone call from ACC deputy commissioner Ben Tario around 7:45 p.m. letting me know of the carriage dispute between Disney and Spectrum. As many of our fans experienced, this resulted in the ACC Network and all other ESPN channels going dark midway through the second quarter.
Like many Spectrum customers, the Currie family struggled with codes and passwords and other work-arounds over the weekend to be able to watch college football and Borna Gojo in the U.S. Open. With these statements from the Walt Disney Company and Spectrum, respectively, we can all certainly hope that this is resolved soon. I encourage all those impacted Wake Forest fans to make sure Spectrum knows how important ACCN is to you by calling Spectrum's customer service (833-224-6603). You can also join Mrs. Currie in assessing these other provider options at https://keepmynetworks.com/.
Deacs vs. Commodores – ACC-SEC Clash on Deck at Allegacy Stadium for 11 a.m. Kickoff Live on ACC Network
Coach Dave Clawson's squad is ready to host the Southeastern Conference's Vanderbilt Commodores for a highly-anticipated out-of-conference matchup inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. With victories over Texas A&M in 2017 and then Vanderbilt and Missouri last year, Coach Clawson is looking to move to 4-0 against the SEC in his Wake Forest career!
The Demon Deacons hold a 21-4 (.840) record in home contests since the start of the 2019 season, which included a program-record 11-game winning streak spanning from the 2020 to 2022 seasons. The 84 percent win rate ranks second in the ACC during that time period! Also, the Deacs are 15-3 in non-conference games over the last five years, the best record in the ACC.
With a capacity crowd and the early kickoff time, allow plenty of time for your drive so you can enjoy your tailgate and all the fun inside the DEACTOWN Fan Zone. The Deacon Walk will take place bright-and-early at 8:45 a.m. tomorrow morning, so meet me on McCreary Plaza to welcome our student-athletes and show them that we're ready to cheer them on.
Remember that DEACTOWN is digital so download your mobile tickets for entry into Allegacy Stadium and bring your credit or debit card as most sales points are now cashless. Our Fan Experience and ticketing staff along with our hard working Rhino partners will be circulating and are available at numerous guest information booths inside and around the stadium. Please email gameday@wfu.edu or call 336-758-GAME with any concerns or suggestions.
Seating on Deacon Hill will be limited again this week as we allow a bit more time for the recently laid fescue sod to stabilize. And while our new LED lightshow isn't as dramatic during the daytime, this enhancement has added fun and excitement for our players and fans alike.
Be sure and visit the Wake Forest Athletics gameday information website for a full timetable and schedule for the day and all our gameday policies and procedures for Allegacy Stadium.
Welcome Home: Three-Peat NCAA Field Hockey Champs Reunion Weekend Commences
Wake Forest Athletics is thrilled to welcome our three-time (2002, 2003, 2004) NCAA Field Hockey Championship teams home this weekend for a special 20-year reunion.
The weekend begins tonight with a special event as more than 65 esteemed Demon Deacons field hockey alumnae and community members will gather to celebrate the anniversary of these three championships. The fun will continue on Saturday as head coach Jen Averill Opens the Gate before the football game. Look for on-field recognitions of both our 2023 squad and the championship teams!
The excitement concludes with an alumnae tailgate on the hill before the big match versus App State inside Kentner Stadium at noon on Sunday. The match will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra and the game is FREE for all fans to attend!
Field hockey alumnae with last minute questions should reach out to Regional Director of Development Alan Ashworth (ashworah@wfu.edu / 336-758-5008) and Assistant Director of Donor Engagement April Bass (abass@wfu.edu / 336-758-2588). Stay tuned to our @WakeHockey social media platforms and GoDeacs.com for unique content from this weekend's celebration.
Goal No. 4 - Win Championships!
With all our fall sports programs now officially underway and the return of our three-time NCAA field hockey champs this weekend, it's time to resume our recaps of our five athletics goals, following coverage of Goal No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 in recent editions of From the Quad.
Coach Lewellen and our women's golf team captured their first national title last spring, becoming the sixth Demon Deacon program to win a national championship.
Wake Forest National Championship Teams
Our 2022-23 Year in Review details competitive highlights from the past school year, including a review of our 56th conference title as Coach John Hayes' men's cross country team brought home the ACC crown in fall 2022.
Winning, and winning the right way, is important at Wake Forest, and those NCAA and ACC championships are front and center in the main entrance lobby of the Sutton Sports Performance Center. With undefeated starts by football, men's soccer, volleyball and women's soccer and cross country about to hit the trails, we're all cheering to see who's next up on the wall!
Old Dominion Freight Line – Official Freight Carrier of Wake Forest Athletics
Today we're proud to salute a great long standing Demon Deacons partnership which has been made even stronger as Old Dominion Freight Line has signed a new multi-year relationship with Wake Forest Sports Properties. Based just 24 miles from Allegacy Stadium in Thomasville, North Carolina, Old Dominion has 23,000 dedicated employees nationwide and is a premium less-than-truckload carrier with a high-tech focus ensuring on-time and damage-free deliveries.
The integrated agreement and designation as the Official Freight Carrier of Wake Forest Athletics is in collaboration with our multimedia rightsholder, LEARFIELD. Contact GM Banks Shepherd directly (bshepherd@wakeforestsportsproperties.com / 336-896-9719) to see how your company or business can benefit by affiliating with Wake Forest Athletics!
Graylyn Estate & Conference Center Named a Top Five 'Best Boutique Hotel'
A tip of the Deacon top hat is in order for Wake Forest vice president John Wise and our good friends at Graylyn Estate & Conference Center! This Winston-Salem gem recently landed in the Top 5 of the 'Best Boutique Hotel" category in USA TODAY's Readers' Choice Awards.
Completed in 1932 as the private residence of RJR president Bowman Gray and his wife Nathalie, Graylyn was eventually donated to Wake Forest University, serving multiple purposes and then restored to its original splendor and transformed into a boutique hotel and conference center in the early 1980's. Graylyn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. Graylyn's Conference Center was recently named "Best Conference Center" by Smart Meetings, but my favorite part of Graylyn is the warm welcome I always received from Allie, Richard and their colleagues at the front door!
Wake Forest Trailblazer Beth Hopkins Named USTA Champion of Equality
Beth Hopkins ('73, P '12), Wake Forest Life Trustee and a recent distinguished alumni award winner, was honored on Thursday as one of 17 USTA Champions of Equality at the U.S. Open in New York. Hopkins was selected by USTA Southern, the largest of the USTA sections, recognizing her life work of volunteer service to the game of tennis. She was elected USTA Southern vice president in 2021 and has served as chair of the constitution and rules committee and the board of directors for both USTA North Carolina and USTA Southern. Also, Hopkins acted as a board liaison for the diversity, equity and inclusion committee.
This well-deserved honor for Beth follows her trailblazing efforts that are detailed in this Winston-Salem Journal article. Beth and her late husband, Dr. Larry Hopkins ('72, MD '77), simply define Pro Humanitate. Be sure and congratulate her when you see her at the game tomorrow!
Annual 'Climb to Remember' Honors 9/11 Victims
Another great tradition continued last night as ROTC cadet students of Wake Forest, Winston-Salem State and Salem College hosted the "Climb to Remember" at Allegacy Stadium. Following remarks and a moment of silence, everyone climbed 2,997 steps in memory of each life lost on that tragic day in 2001. We salute the "No Fear" Battalion for leading this unique and memorable tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11.
From the Quad Big 3
Here are today's Big 3 ways to help the Deacs:
Thanks for all you do to help the 'Deacs win! Send me your thoughts, ideas and suggestions at wfuad@wfu.edu and we'll see tomorrow morning at Allegacy Stadium!
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Director of Athletics
Good Afternoon Demon Deacon Nation:
It's #WFFriday and I trust you have already donned your Old Gold & Black and are ready for an action-packed slate of Wake Forest Athletics competition. Coach Tony da Luz's women's soccer team set the tone last night capturing a 3-1 win on the road to remain undefeated at 6-0-1 on the season. Additionally, Coach Randi Smart's volleyball team takes their 6-0 record on the road for three matches in Kennesaw, while Coach Bobby Muuss' No. 9-ranked men's soccer program opens ACC play tomorrow night at Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, here in Winston-Salem we have lots of special guests rolling into town, and those who landed at super-convenient GSO - choosing to "Fly PTI" - were greeted by DEACTOWN banners flying proudly on the airport access road!
Along with our Deacon Club Board of Directors and Athletics Advisory Council, it is Unrivaled Weekend! And recognizing our commitment to Goal No. 4, we are celebrating THREE NCAA field hockey championships, with several of the greatest athletes in Wake Forest history back in town for the celebration of the 2002, 2003, and 2004 teams - and our legendary coach, Jennifer Averill.
Before we jump into all the updates and a preview of tomorrow's ACC-SEC clash at Allegacy Stadium, I want to thank all our fans for your support, grace, and patience on a sold-out Opening Night as Coach Dave Clawson's squad earned a season-opening win over Elon and moved to 21-4 since 2019 in Winston-Salem. How about that incredible Deacon Dash, as the Class of 2027 poured onto the field – who just kept coming and coming – and bolstered another massive student turnout!
And thanks to your support, tomorrow's 11 a.m. kickoff against Vanderbilt is SOLD OUT - our seventh sellout since the start of the 2021 season. I encourage all ticket holders to do their best to make sure their tickets get used tomorrow. Invite a friend, associate or neighbor and use our easy and free electronic ticket transfer feature to provide the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina to those closest to you! Just log in to your account and click the "Transfer" option. You can send the ticket to their phone via text message or email!
You can also list your tickets on SeatGeek – the official resale partner of Wake Forest Athletics! Log in to your Wake Forest ticketing account and select "Sell Tickets on SeatGeek" to get started today. Check out these FAQs from SeatGeek to assist you today!
Moving on, as the old saying goes, there is always something. While I was enjoying an early big Demon Deacons lead last Thursday night en route to Coach Clawson's 60th win as Wake Forest's head coach, I received a phone call from ACC deputy commissioner Ben Tario around 7:45 p.m. letting me know of the carriage dispute between Disney and Spectrum. As many of our fans experienced, this resulted in the ACC Network and all other ESPN channels going dark midway through the second quarter.
Like many Spectrum customers, the Currie family struggled with codes and passwords and other work-arounds over the weekend to be able to watch college football and Borna Gojo in the U.S. Open. With these statements from the Walt Disney Company and Spectrum, respectively, we can all certainly hope that this is resolved soon. I encourage all those impacted Wake Forest fans to make sure Spectrum knows how important ACCN is to you by calling Spectrum's customer service (833-224-6603). You can also join Mrs. Currie in assessing these other provider options at https://keepmynetworks.com/.
Deacs vs. Commodores – ACC-SEC Clash on Deck at Allegacy Stadium for 11 a.m. Kickoff Live on ACC Network
Coach Dave Clawson's squad is ready to host the Southeastern Conference's Vanderbilt Commodores for a highly-anticipated out-of-conference matchup inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. With victories over Texas A&M in 2017 and then Vanderbilt and Missouri last year, Coach Clawson is looking to move to 4-0 against the SEC in his Wake Forest career!
The Demon Deacons hold a 21-4 (.840) record in home contests since the start of the 2019 season, which included a program-record 11-game winning streak spanning from the 2020 to 2022 seasons. The 84 percent win rate ranks second in the ACC during that time period! Also, the Deacs are 15-3 in non-conference games over the last five years, the best record in the ACC.
With a capacity crowd and the early kickoff time, allow plenty of time for your drive so you can enjoy your tailgate and all the fun inside the DEACTOWN Fan Zone. The Deacon Walk will take place bright-and-early at 8:45 a.m. tomorrow morning, so meet me on McCreary Plaza to welcome our student-athletes and show them that we're ready to cheer them on.
Remember that DEACTOWN is digital so download your mobile tickets for entry into Allegacy Stadium and bring your credit or debit card as most sales points are now cashless. Our Fan Experience and ticketing staff along with our hard working Rhino partners will be circulating and are available at numerous guest information booths inside and around the stadium. Please email gameday@wfu.edu or call 336-758-GAME with any concerns or suggestions.
Seating on Deacon Hill will be limited again this week as we allow a bit more time for the recently laid fescue sod to stabilize. And while our new LED lightshow isn't as dramatic during the daytime, this enhancement has added fun and excitement for our players and fans alike.
Be sure and visit the Wake Forest Athletics gameday information website for a full timetable and schedule for the day and all our gameday policies and procedures for Allegacy Stadium.
Welcome Home: Three-Peat NCAA Field Hockey Champs Reunion Weekend Commences
Wake Forest Athletics is thrilled to welcome our three-time (2002, 2003, 2004) NCAA Field Hockey Championship teams home this weekend for a special 20-year reunion.
The weekend begins tonight with a special event as more than 65 esteemed Demon Deacons field hockey alumnae and community members will gather to celebrate the anniversary of these three championships. The fun will continue on Saturday as head coach Jen Averill Opens the Gate before the football game. Look for on-field recognitions of both our 2023 squad and the championship teams!
The excitement concludes with an alumnae tailgate on the hill before the big match versus App State inside Kentner Stadium at noon on Sunday. The match will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra and the game is FREE for all fans to attend!
Field hockey alumnae with last minute questions should reach out to Regional Director of Development Alan Ashworth (ashworah@wfu.edu / 336-758-5008) and Assistant Director of Donor Engagement April Bass (abass@wfu.edu / 336-758-2588). Stay tuned to our @WakeHockey social media platforms and GoDeacs.com for unique content from this weekend's celebration.
Goal No. 4 - Win Championships!
With all our fall sports programs now officially underway and the return of our three-time NCAA field hockey champs this weekend, it's time to resume our recaps of our five athletics goals, following coverage of Goal No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 in recent editions of From the Quad.
Coach Lewellen and our women's golf team captured their first national title last spring, becoming the sixth Demon Deacon program to win a national championship.
Wake Forest National Championship Teams
- 2023 - Women's Golf
- 2018 - Men's Tennis
- 2007 - Men's Soccer
- 2004 - Field Hockey
- 2003 - Field Hockey
- 2002 - Field Hockey
- 1986 - Men's Golf
- 1975 - Men's Golf
- 1974 - Men's Golf
- 1955 - Baseball
Our 2022-23 Year in Review details competitive highlights from the past school year, including a review of our 56th conference title as Coach John Hayes' men's cross country team brought home the ACC crown in fall 2022.
Winning, and winning the right way, is important at Wake Forest, and those NCAA and ACC championships are front and center in the main entrance lobby of the Sutton Sports Performance Center. With undefeated starts by football, men's soccer, volleyball and women's soccer and cross country about to hit the trails, we're all cheering to see who's next up on the wall!
Old Dominion Freight Line – Official Freight Carrier of Wake Forest Athletics
Today we're proud to salute a great long standing Demon Deacons partnership which has been made even stronger as Old Dominion Freight Line has signed a new multi-year relationship with Wake Forest Sports Properties. Based just 24 miles from Allegacy Stadium in Thomasville, North Carolina, Old Dominion has 23,000 dedicated employees nationwide and is a premium less-than-truckload carrier with a high-tech focus ensuring on-time and damage-free deliveries.
The integrated agreement and designation as the Official Freight Carrier of Wake Forest Athletics is in collaboration with our multimedia rightsholder, LEARFIELD. Contact GM Banks Shepherd directly (bshepherd@wakeforestsportsproperties.com / 336-896-9719) to see how your company or business can benefit by affiliating with Wake Forest Athletics!
Graylyn Estate & Conference Center Named a Top Five 'Best Boutique Hotel'
A tip of the Deacon top hat is in order for Wake Forest vice president John Wise and our good friends at Graylyn Estate & Conference Center! This Winston-Salem gem recently landed in the Top 5 of the 'Best Boutique Hotel" category in USA TODAY's Readers' Choice Awards.
Completed in 1932 as the private residence of RJR president Bowman Gray and his wife Nathalie, Graylyn was eventually donated to Wake Forest University, serving multiple purposes and then restored to its original splendor and transformed into a boutique hotel and conference center in the early 1980's. Graylyn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. Graylyn's Conference Center was recently named "Best Conference Center" by Smart Meetings, but my favorite part of Graylyn is the warm welcome I always received from Allie, Richard and their colleagues at the front door!
Wake Forest Trailblazer Beth Hopkins Named USTA Champion of Equality
Beth Hopkins ('73, P '12), Wake Forest Life Trustee and a recent distinguished alumni award winner, was honored on Thursday as one of 17 USTA Champions of Equality at the U.S. Open in New York. Hopkins was selected by USTA Southern, the largest of the USTA sections, recognizing her life work of volunteer service to the game of tennis. She was elected USTA Southern vice president in 2021 and has served as chair of the constitution and rules committee and the board of directors for both USTA North Carolina and USTA Southern. Also, Hopkins acted as a board liaison for the diversity, equity and inclusion committee.
This well-deserved honor for Beth follows her trailblazing efforts that are detailed in this Winston-Salem Journal article. Beth and her late husband, Dr. Larry Hopkins ('72, MD '77), simply define Pro Humanitate. Be sure and congratulate her when you see her at the game tomorrow!
Annual 'Climb to Remember' Honors 9/11 Victims
Another great tradition continued last night as ROTC cadet students of Wake Forest, Winston-Salem State and Salem College hosted the "Climb to Remember" at Allegacy Stadium. Following remarks and a moment of silence, everyone climbed 2,997 steps in memory of each life lost on that tragic day in 2001. We salute the "No Fear" Battalion for leading this unique and memorable tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11.
From the Quad Big 3
Here are today's Big 3 ways to help the Deacs:
- Join me in congratulating 2018 NCAA Champion and Wake Forest legend Borna Gojo on his memorable run to the Round of 16 that culminated inside Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, N.Y. against the great Novak Djoković. It was fun to see Coach Tony Bresky and so many fans sporting Wake shirts featured on the nationally televised broadcast. Borna called his time at Wake Forest as the best of his life in this interview clip!
- As a part of our partnership with Truist as the Presenting Partner of Women's Athletics – our staff has begun executing unique content on a weekly basis to highlight the tremendous efforts of our women's programs. Read our weekly feature that highlights all the news and notes around our female teams and here is our first mic'd up that was produced by our talented creative video team. Stay tuned to GoDeacs.com for more feature stories and creative content highlighting our female student-athletes and alums!
- Wake Forest Deacs Day of Giving is Tuesday, Sept. 12! Join thousands of parents, alumni and fans in choosing an area of the University in which you would like to make a positive impact - and better yet encourage two friends to give as well! Thanks to a few generous supporters, Athletics is proud to offer $10,000 challenge gifts to be unlocked to the Wake sports which receive 50 unique gifts to that sport. Please visit Deacs Day of Giving to explore all the opportunities to give. Thanks for helping deliver a World Class Student-Athlete Experience!
Thanks for all you do to help the 'Deacs win! Send me your thoughts, ideas and suggestions at wfuad@wfu.edu and we'll see tomorrow morning at Allegacy Stadium!
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Director of Athletics
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Football Media Availability (9/18/25)
Thursday, September 18
Matt Barrie SportsCenter at Wake Forest with Demond Claiborne
Wednesday, September 10
Matt Barrie SportsCenter on Wake Forest Campus (Arnold Palmer Complex)
Wednesday, September 10
Football Media Availability (9/9/25)
Wednesday, September 10