Wake Forest University Named to Front Office Sports’ 2024 Best College Athletic Departments List
10/17/2024 10:00:00 AM | General
Wake Forest University is known for its distinctive combination of world-class academics, unrivaled campus experience, intimate learning environment and Power 4 athletics in a top-growing metro market.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Under the leadership of President Susan R. Wente, the Board of Trustees, and the University's leadership team, Wake Forest University has embraced the qualities that make it a world-class institution—including its elite Power 4 athletics program. Guided by Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie, 13 driven head coaches, over 400 student-athletes, dedicated staff, and passionate alumni and supporters, Wake Forest Athletics has excelled, living up to its reputation as A Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program. Central to this success is the pursuit of five core goals, starting with providing a World Class Student-Athlete Experience.
These efforts have been recognized as Wake Forest University was named to Front Office Sports' 2024 Best College Athletic Departments List on Thursday.
"The recognition of Wake Forest Athletics as one of the best in the country is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and passion of our coaches, student-athletes, staff, and alumni," said President Susan R. Wente. "Athletics plays a vital role in enhancing the University's reach, brand identity, and sense of community, both on and off campus. This honor reflects our commitment to providing an exceptional experience for our student-athletes while maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence. We are incredibly proud of what Vice President and Director of Athletics John Currie's staff and programs have achieved and how they continue to represent the values of Wake Forest University."
"This recognition as one of the nation's best college athletic departments is a reflection of our commitment to delivering on the five core goals that define Wake Forest Athletics," said Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie. "From providing a World Class Student-Athlete Experience to maintaining the highest standards of Integrity in Academics, Compliance, and Safety, our program strives to be A Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program. Our coaches, student-athletes, staff, alumni and generous supporters work tirelessly each day to Win Championships, offer the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina, and add tremendous Value to the University, Winston-Salem & Triad Community. This honor from Front Office Sports is a testament to those aforementioned groups dedication and passion, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who plays a part in making Wake Forest Athletics a source of pride for this world-class University."
Wake Forest Athletics Overview
Over the last five years, Wake Forest student-athletes have accomplished significant academic achievements. Most notably, Wake Forest achieved a record-setting graduate success rate of 96 percent, with eight programs achieving a perfect 100 percent rate. A total of 339 Wake Forest student-athletes earned spots on the 2023-24 Atlantic Coast Conference Honor Roll, marking the fifth consecutive year the university has exceeded 280 individuals on this list. Moreover, nine programs attained a perfect 1,000 in the latest Yearly Academic Progress Rate scores for 2022-23, underscoring the continued academic excellence of Wake Forest student-athletes.
In competition during the recent five-year span, Demon Deacon student-athletes have produced memorable moments including the 2023 women's golf national championship, five ACC team titles, the 2021 ACC Atlantic Division football crown, four bowl trips and seven individual ACC titles. In 2023, Wake Forest baseball captivated the nation, ascending to a No. 1 national ranking en route to a return to the College World Series for the first time since 1955. Six Demon Deacon coaches have been named ACC coach of the year since 2021, with women's golf coach Kim Lewellen and baseball's coach Tom Walter earning national honors, and all have been inked to contract extensions.
Additionally, just last month Wake Forest's women's soccer team climbed to fifth in the country after becoming the first program in NCAA history to defeat the No. 1 (Stanford) and No. 2 (Virginia) ranked programs in the same week.
Grassroots fan engagement, strengthening community connections and delivering The Best Fan Experience in North Carolina have been an emphasis within Wake Forest Athletics. Opening Night of the 2019 football season featured the first-ever joint marching band performance of Wake Forest's Spirit of Old Gold and Black and Winston-Salem State University's famous Red Sea of Sound, and the Demon Deacons have capitalized on Coach Dave Clawson's leadership that has led to a school-record seven-straight bowl berths from 2016-22, five bowl championships and the 2021 Atlantic Division title to achieve multiple sellouts and a home record of 25-11 since 2019. In the fall of 2021, Inside Higher Ed provided national acclaim for Wake Forest's innovative student pregame tailgate zone which brought together 29 campus organizations and over 80 percent of the Wake Forest student body to multiple football games. Collaboration with Wake's inhouse Communications & External Relations staff led to the launch of the popular DEACTOWN concept. Also, for the first time ever, Wake Forest hosted ESPN's College Gameday on Sept. 12, 2020, generating exposure value to the University in excess of $13 million.
Wake Forest's leadership made the only major men's basketball coaching change of 2020 and introduced Steve Forbes as Wake Forest's new head men's hoops coach. Recognized as ACC Coach of the Year in 2022, Forbes' recruiting successes include ACC Players of the Year Alondes Williams and Tyree Appleby, 2022 first round NBA draft pick Jake Laravia and 2024 first team All-ACC honoree Hunter Sallis, all of whom have helped lead the Deacons to 34 ACC victories and 65 overall wins over the last three seasons (2022-24), the winningest stretch in Winston-Salem in 20 years. Meanwhile, the 2023-24 Demon Deacons set a program record with seven Academic All-ACC players and established an all-time Joel Coliseum attendance record when 14,744 witnessed Wake defeating No. 8 Duke on Feb 24, 2024.
Additionally, Deacon Club donors have responded in record fashion, including a new all-time Wake Forest Athletics giving record of $37.5 million in FY21 and a total of $154 million in cash gifts since 2019. Donor investments enabled Wake Forest Athletics to sprint out of the pandemic and deliver the Dr. Caryl Guth and Chris Paul Family Women's & Men's Basketball Clubhouses in 2022, and new McCreary Football Complex in 2023. These aforementioned projects are completely donor funded and free of long term debt.
In June 2023, Wake Forest and hometown Allegacy Federal Credit Union announced a historic stadium naming partnership for the home of the best football program in the state of North Carolina. Additionally, a groundbreaking agreement was established with Truist as an Official Banking Partner of Wake Forest Athletics and Presenting Partner of Wake Forest Women's Athletics. The Deacs have further elevated their commitment to equity with a $100 million initiative to benefit Wake Women's Athletics. And, recognizing the heroes of Wake Forest's role in desegregating major college sports in the South, as Athletics created the Robert Grant and Kenneth "Butch" Henry Trailblazer Award in 2021.
Finally, Carter and Front Street Capital, in partnership with the City of Winston-Salem and Wake Forest University, recently announced The Grounds — a transformative 100-acre mixed-use development in the area surrounding some of northwest North Carolina's iconic major event venues. Seamlessly blending retail, dining, residential, and office in one vibrant community hub, The Grounds will enhance Winston-Salem's landscape and bolster its reputation as a premier sports and entertainment destination. The Grounds will be situated among key venues including the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, David F. Couch Ballpark, Wake Forest Tennis Center, and Winston-Salem Fairgrounds & Arena. The Grounds' amenities will provide new options to enhance the experience for the more than 750,000 patrons who attend events in the area each year. Existing attractions held over 260 event days per year include Wake Forest and ACC sports, the Carolina Classic Fair, Winston-Salem Thunderbirds games, the ATP Winston-Salem Open, and numerous concerts and shows throughout the year.
The Grounds is the evolution of an area with a rich history as the home of storied music clubs on Baity Street, the stage for memorable athletic matchups, and the site of countless world-class concerts and special events. The Grounds will serve as a gathering place to welcome the broader Winston-Salem community year-round with food and beverage options, gathering spaces, activities, walking trails, and a new style of residential living.
Other recent successes can be viewed in Wake Forest's annual Year in Reviews:
These efforts have been recognized as Wake Forest University was named to Front Office Sports' 2024 Best College Athletic Departments List on Thursday.
"The recognition of Wake Forest Athletics as one of the best in the country is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and passion of our coaches, student-athletes, staff, and alumni," said President Susan R. Wente. "Athletics plays a vital role in enhancing the University's reach, brand identity, and sense of community, both on and off campus. This honor reflects our commitment to providing an exceptional experience for our student-athletes while maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence. We are incredibly proud of what Vice President and Director of Athletics John Currie's staff and programs have achieved and how they continue to represent the values of Wake Forest University."
"This recognition as one of the nation's best college athletic departments is a reflection of our commitment to delivering on the five core goals that define Wake Forest Athletics," said Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie. "From providing a World Class Student-Athlete Experience to maintaining the highest standards of Integrity in Academics, Compliance, and Safety, our program strives to be A Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program. Our coaches, student-athletes, staff, alumni and generous supporters work tirelessly each day to Win Championships, offer the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina, and add tremendous Value to the University, Winston-Salem & Triad Community. This honor from Front Office Sports is a testament to those aforementioned groups dedication and passion, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who plays a part in making Wake Forest Athletics a source of pride for this world-class University."
Wake Forest Athletics Overview
Over the last five years, Wake Forest student-athletes have accomplished significant academic achievements. Most notably, Wake Forest achieved a record-setting graduate success rate of 96 percent, with eight programs achieving a perfect 100 percent rate. A total of 339 Wake Forest student-athletes earned spots on the 2023-24 Atlantic Coast Conference Honor Roll, marking the fifth consecutive year the university has exceeded 280 individuals on this list. Moreover, nine programs attained a perfect 1,000 in the latest Yearly Academic Progress Rate scores for 2022-23, underscoring the continued academic excellence of Wake Forest student-athletes.
In competition during the recent five-year span, Demon Deacon student-athletes have produced memorable moments including the 2023 women's golf national championship, five ACC team titles, the 2021 ACC Atlantic Division football crown, four bowl trips and seven individual ACC titles. In 2023, Wake Forest baseball captivated the nation, ascending to a No. 1 national ranking en route to a return to the College World Series for the first time since 1955. Six Demon Deacon coaches have been named ACC coach of the year since 2021, with women's golf coach Kim Lewellen and baseball's coach Tom Walter earning national honors, and all have been inked to contract extensions.
Additionally, just last month Wake Forest's women's soccer team climbed to fifth in the country after becoming the first program in NCAA history to defeat the No. 1 (Stanford) and No. 2 (Virginia) ranked programs in the same week.
Grassroots fan engagement, strengthening community connections and delivering The Best Fan Experience in North Carolina have been an emphasis within Wake Forest Athletics. Opening Night of the 2019 football season featured the first-ever joint marching band performance of Wake Forest's Spirit of Old Gold and Black and Winston-Salem State University's famous Red Sea of Sound, and the Demon Deacons have capitalized on Coach Dave Clawson's leadership that has led to a school-record seven-straight bowl berths from 2016-22, five bowl championships and the 2021 Atlantic Division title to achieve multiple sellouts and a home record of 25-11 since 2019. In the fall of 2021, Inside Higher Ed provided national acclaim for Wake Forest's innovative student pregame tailgate zone which brought together 29 campus organizations and over 80 percent of the Wake Forest student body to multiple football games. Collaboration with Wake's inhouse Communications & External Relations staff led to the launch of the popular DEACTOWN concept. Also, for the first time ever, Wake Forest hosted ESPN's College Gameday on Sept. 12, 2020, generating exposure value to the University in excess of $13 million.
Wake Forest's leadership made the only major men's basketball coaching change of 2020 and introduced Steve Forbes as Wake Forest's new head men's hoops coach. Recognized as ACC Coach of the Year in 2022, Forbes' recruiting successes include ACC Players of the Year Alondes Williams and Tyree Appleby, 2022 first round NBA draft pick Jake Laravia and 2024 first team All-ACC honoree Hunter Sallis, all of whom have helped lead the Deacons to 34 ACC victories and 65 overall wins over the last three seasons (2022-24), the winningest stretch in Winston-Salem in 20 years. Meanwhile, the 2023-24 Demon Deacons set a program record with seven Academic All-ACC players and established an all-time Joel Coliseum attendance record when 14,744 witnessed Wake defeating No. 8 Duke on Feb 24, 2024.
Additionally, Deacon Club donors have responded in record fashion, including a new all-time Wake Forest Athletics giving record of $37.5 million in FY21 and a total of $154 million in cash gifts since 2019. Donor investments enabled Wake Forest Athletics to sprint out of the pandemic and deliver the Dr. Caryl Guth and Chris Paul Family Women's & Men's Basketball Clubhouses in 2022, and new McCreary Football Complex in 2023. These aforementioned projects are completely donor funded and free of long term debt.
In June 2023, Wake Forest and hometown Allegacy Federal Credit Union announced a historic stadium naming partnership for the home of the best football program in the state of North Carolina. Additionally, a groundbreaking agreement was established with Truist as an Official Banking Partner of Wake Forest Athletics and Presenting Partner of Wake Forest Women's Athletics. The Deacs have further elevated their commitment to equity with a $100 million initiative to benefit Wake Women's Athletics. And, recognizing the heroes of Wake Forest's role in desegregating major college sports in the South, as Athletics created the Robert Grant and Kenneth "Butch" Henry Trailblazer Award in 2021.
Finally, Carter and Front Street Capital, in partnership with the City of Winston-Salem and Wake Forest University, recently announced The Grounds — a transformative 100-acre mixed-use development in the area surrounding some of northwest North Carolina's iconic major event venues. Seamlessly blending retail, dining, residential, and office in one vibrant community hub, The Grounds will enhance Winston-Salem's landscape and bolster its reputation as a premier sports and entertainment destination. The Grounds will be situated among key venues including the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, David F. Couch Ballpark, Wake Forest Tennis Center, and Winston-Salem Fairgrounds & Arena. The Grounds' amenities will provide new options to enhance the experience for the more than 750,000 patrons who attend events in the area each year. Existing attractions held over 260 event days per year include Wake Forest and ACC sports, the Carolina Classic Fair, Winston-Salem Thunderbirds games, the ATP Winston-Salem Open, and numerous concerts and shows throughout the year.
The Grounds is the evolution of an area with a rich history as the home of storied music clubs on Baity Street, the stage for memorable athletic matchups, and the site of countless world-class concerts and special events. The Grounds will serve as a gathering place to welcome the broader Winston-Salem community year-round with food and beverage options, gathering spaces, activities, walking trails, and a new style of residential living.
Other recent successes can be viewed in Wake Forest's annual Year in Reviews:
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