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From the Quad
11/27/2024 12:13:00 PM | General
Presented by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Happy Early Thanksgiving Demon Deacon Nation!
While for most folks Thanksgiving week is solely about food and fellowship with friends and family, for Wake Forest fans it also means a bevy of Demon Deacons action (home and away), including major NCAA action for both soccer teams. But, first up, just a few hours from now inside Joel Coliseum, Coach Megan Gebbia's women's basketball team tips off with Fairfield at 2 p.m! Fans attending should bring their phones to follow along and watch Coach Randi Smart and our volleyball team take on Duke in Durham at 3 p.m. in the Deacs final 2024 road match.
Tomorrow, along with your traditional Turkey Day fare, we're serving up a big men's basketball game as the Deacs tip off at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN against the No. 18 Florida Gators! Coach Steve Forbes, Hunter Sallis and company are in Orlando for the ESPN Events Invitational, and deeping on tomorrow's outcome our squad will play either Minnesota or Wichita State Friday. If you are in the central Florida area or Orlando you can click here to catch the Deacs in person!
Already with a win over traditional Big 10 power Michigan in Greensboro, the Deacs head to College Station, Texas on Tuesday night next week to battle Texas A&M in the ACC-SEC Challenge before our home ACC opener versus Boston College at noon inside Joel Coliseum on Saturday, Dec. 7!
Before we preview Friday's action in Southern California, join me in congratulating Coach Tony da Luz and our Wake Forest women's soccer program on their thrilling 1-0 victory over No. 3-seed Ohio State to advance to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time since 2011 and the third time in program history! Senior forward Emily Murphy delivered yet another clutch performance with the game-winning goal, and our defense, led by Valentina Amaral's eighth clean sheet, was outstanding. The Deacs now boast an incredible 9-1-1 record at Spry Stadium this season, embodying the excellence and resilience of our student-athletes and that record is fueled by the incredible home atmosphere created by our students and loyal Wake Forest fans!
As I previously mentioned, that squad is in Los Angeles for a 5 p.m. EST match on Friday at Southern Cal. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+ with the winner securing a spot in the College Cup in Cary, N.C. next weekend! Additionally on Friday, we have an afternoon matinee volleyball match at noon inside Varsity Arena when Florida State comes to our beautiful Reynolda Campus. Remember, admission is free and our student-athletes appreciate your support!
The weekend action concludes on Sunday evening as Coach Bobby Muuss' ACC Champion men's soccer program earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Maryland at Spry Stadium to advance to the NCAA Round of 16 for the eighth time in 10 seasons under his leadership and the 16th time in program history last weekend. Junior midfielder Cooper Flax delivered the game-winner in the 63rd minute, while freshman Dylan Borso opened the scoring with the Deacs' earliest goal of the season. Wake Forest now ranks second nationally with eight Round of 16 appearances since 2015 and their postseason run continues on Sunday at 6 p.m. when archrival Clemson comes to Spry Stadium. Get your tickets now as you won't want to miss this seismic match!
Finally, let's jump into the centerpiece of an exciting weekend in Winston-Salem with football's Senior & Graduates Day home finale inside Allegacy Stadium against Duke!
Graduates & Seniors Day, National Broadcast on ACC Network Highlight Saturday's Home Football Finale Inside Allegacy Stadium
Another exciting ACC home football season comes to a close on Saturday as we honor a group of very special senior and graduate student-athletes, band members, cheerleaders, Dazzling Deacs and football student staffers who have persevered to raise the standard of excellence for both Wake Forest football and the overall Demon Deacons gameday experience! I'm proud of our coaching staff and team for continuing to battle despite some very close losses and tough breaks.
Under Coach Dave Clawson's transformative leadership, Wake Forest has established itself as one of the most successful programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference since 2016. Despite some close losses over the past two years, the Demon Deacons remain the top football program in North Carolina this century, boasting an impressive 48-27 (.640) overall record against in-state opponents—the highest winning percentage among the Big Four.
Our success has always been driven by exceptional players, and this season is no different. Tailback Demond Claiborne has delivered standout performances week after week, while offensive lineman and captain Luke Petitbon has helped guide our offense back to its high-performing form. On defense, junior captain Nick Andersen has led a unit that has shown consistent improvement throughout the season. As we reflect on this past season in the months ahead, that victory at NC State was unforgettable and we have now downed the Wolfpack in five of our last eight matchups.
I'm excited to see Deacon Nation rally around this team for our final contest inside Allegacy Stadium on Saturday in a Big Four rivalry game against Duke. Kickoff is set for noon and we encourage you to arrive at Allegacy Stadium early to enjoy the DEACTOWN Fan Zone presented by Lowes Foods and then be in your seat by 11:38 a.m. as we honor our seniors and graduates that pregame. Wake Forest Athletics will open all stadium parking and tailgate lots at 7 a.m.
Remember, in the spirit of Pro Humanitate, Wake Forest Athletics is proud to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Western North Carolina as we have a unique ticket deal where $15 from every promotional ticket sold will go directly to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. Additionally, click here for our other fan engagement plans for our home finale.
Best Fan Experience in North Carolina = Incredible Efforts By All
Please join me in giving a tip of the Deacon top hat to our game day event and operations staff, traffic, security and concessions workers! We are grateful for the synchronized effort of more than a thousand dedicated folks from the following production partners who provide safe and festive game day environment and deliver The Best Fan Experience in North Carolina:
Men's Cross Country Caps Memorable Season With Top-10 Finish at NCAA Championships
In their 14th NCAA Cross Country Championship appearance and fifth straight, Coach John Hayes' squad delivered an outstanding performance, finishing seventh in a loaded field. Junior Charlie Sprott earned All-American honors with a personal-best 32nd-place finish, while ACC Freshman of the Year JoJo Jourdon impressed as the highest-finishing American freshman in his debut. Joe O'Brien, Luke Tewalt, and Rocky Hansen rounded out the Deacs' top-five scorers, all delivering personal-best times to cap off a historic season for the program. Also, Coach Hayes was recognized as the USTFCCCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year for the fourth time!
DK Suresh Ekambaram's Memorable Run Caps Fall Tennis Season
Junior DK Suresh Ekambaram's incredible run to the NCAA Singles semifinals capped a standout fall season for Wake Forest men's tennis, earning him All-American honors in singles and making him just the second Demon Deacon to achieve All-American status in both singles and doubles. He notched wins over three nationally-ranked opponents, including eighth-seeded Aidan Kim, before falling to top-ranked Ozan Baris in the semifinals. In doubles, Luca Pow and Luciano Tacchi reached the quarterfinals, earning All-American recognition—the ninth doubles pair in program history to achieve the honor.
This is the first of a two year trial program where NCAA singles and doubles championships were conducted in the fall. We now turn our attention to the team championship season and I know Coach Tony Bresky's has his eyes focused on an exciting spring ahead!
Deacs Set Highest Graduation Success Rate for Fifth-Straight Year
Wake Forest Athletics continues to excel in the classroom, with seven programs achieving a perfect 100 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and 11 programs posting scores of 91 or higher, contributing to an impressive overall GSR of 96 percent according to the latest NCAA data. This ties a program record that Wake Forest has matched for four consecutive years and ranks as the sixth-highest among all Power-4 institutions. The NCAA's GSR measures the proportion of student-athletes who earn a degree within six years, with the latest data reflecting cohorts from 2014-17.
Breaking New Ground – at The Grounds!
Make plans to join Carter and Front Street Capital for the official groundbreaking of The Grounds on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m. in the Baity Street cul-de-sac. As we detailed in a From the Quad back in September, The Grounds will serve as a vibrant community hub, featuring dining, retail, residential, and office spaces, all within steps of Allegacy Stadium, Couch Ballpark, and Joel Coliseum. Following the ceremony, continue the excitement by heading to Joel Coliseum as Wake Forest Men's Basketball takes on Boston College at noon. Be sure to RSVP for the groundbreaking here, and secure your game tickets here. We look forward to seeing you there!
From the Quad Big 3
Finally, here are today's Big 3 ways to help the Deacs:
I'm grateful for my wife, Mary Lawrence, our three wonderful children, Jack, Gigi and Mary-Dell, our two playful pups, Chase and Scout, and the incredible privilege of serving Wake Forest University. Wishing you all a joyful holiday filled with time well spent with loved ones. Thank you for your continued support, and as always, feel free to share your thoughts at wfuad@wfu.edu.
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Vice President & Director of Athletics
Happy Early Thanksgiving Demon Deacon Nation!
While for most folks Thanksgiving week is solely about food and fellowship with friends and family, for Wake Forest fans it also means a bevy of Demon Deacons action (home and away), including major NCAA action for both soccer teams. But, first up, just a few hours from now inside Joel Coliseum, Coach Megan Gebbia's women's basketball team tips off with Fairfield at 2 p.m! Fans attending should bring their phones to follow along and watch Coach Randi Smart and our volleyball team take on Duke in Durham at 3 p.m. in the Deacs final 2024 road match.
Tomorrow, along with your traditional Turkey Day fare, we're serving up a big men's basketball game as the Deacs tip off at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN against the No. 18 Florida Gators! Coach Steve Forbes, Hunter Sallis and company are in Orlando for the ESPN Events Invitational, and deeping on tomorrow's outcome our squad will play either Minnesota or Wichita State Friday. If you are in the central Florida area or Orlando you can click here to catch the Deacs in person!
Already with a win over traditional Big 10 power Michigan in Greensboro, the Deacs head to College Station, Texas on Tuesday night next week to battle Texas A&M in the ACC-SEC Challenge before our home ACC opener versus Boston College at noon inside Joel Coliseum on Saturday, Dec. 7!
Before we preview Friday's action in Southern California, join me in congratulating Coach Tony da Luz and our Wake Forest women's soccer program on their thrilling 1-0 victory over No. 3-seed Ohio State to advance to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time since 2011 and the third time in program history! Senior forward Emily Murphy delivered yet another clutch performance with the game-winning goal, and our defense, led by Valentina Amaral's eighth clean sheet, was outstanding. The Deacs now boast an incredible 9-1-1 record at Spry Stadium this season, embodying the excellence and resilience of our student-athletes and that record is fueled by the incredible home atmosphere created by our students and loyal Wake Forest fans!
As I previously mentioned, that squad is in Los Angeles for a 5 p.m. EST match on Friday at Southern Cal. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+ with the winner securing a spot in the College Cup in Cary, N.C. next weekend! Additionally on Friday, we have an afternoon matinee volleyball match at noon inside Varsity Arena when Florida State comes to our beautiful Reynolda Campus. Remember, admission is free and our student-athletes appreciate your support!
The weekend action concludes on Sunday evening as Coach Bobby Muuss' ACC Champion men's soccer program earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Maryland at Spry Stadium to advance to the NCAA Round of 16 for the eighth time in 10 seasons under his leadership and the 16th time in program history last weekend. Junior midfielder Cooper Flax delivered the game-winner in the 63rd minute, while freshman Dylan Borso opened the scoring with the Deacs' earliest goal of the season. Wake Forest now ranks second nationally with eight Round of 16 appearances since 2015 and their postseason run continues on Sunday at 6 p.m. when archrival Clemson comes to Spry Stadium. Get your tickets now as you won't want to miss this seismic match!
Finally, let's jump into the centerpiece of an exciting weekend in Winston-Salem with football's Senior & Graduates Day home finale inside Allegacy Stadium against Duke!
Graduates & Seniors Day, National Broadcast on ACC Network Highlight Saturday's Home Football Finale Inside Allegacy Stadium
Another exciting ACC home football season comes to a close on Saturday as we honor a group of very special senior and graduate student-athletes, band members, cheerleaders, Dazzling Deacs and football student staffers who have persevered to raise the standard of excellence for both Wake Forest football and the overall Demon Deacons gameday experience! I'm proud of our coaching staff and team for continuing to battle despite some very close losses and tough breaks.
Under Coach Dave Clawson's transformative leadership, Wake Forest has established itself as one of the most successful programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference since 2016. Despite some close losses over the past two years, the Demon Deacons remain the top football program in North Carolina this century, boasting an impressive 48-27 (.640) overall record against in-state opponents—the highest winning percentage among the Big Four.
Our success has always been driven by exceptional players, and this season is no different. Tailback Demond Claiborne has delivered standout performances week after week, while offensive lineman and captain Luke Petitbon has helped guide our offense back to its high-performing form. On defense, junior captain Nick Andersen has led a unit that has shown consistent improvement throughout the season. As we reflect on this past season in the months ahead, that victory at NC State was unforgettable and we have now downed the Wolfpack in five of our last eight matchups.
I'm excited to see Deacon Nation rally around this team for our final contest inside Allegacy Stadium on Saturday in a Big Four rivalry game against Duke. Kickoff is set for noon and we encourage you to arrive at Allegacy Stadium early to enjoy the DEACTOWN Fan Zone presented by Lowes Foods and then be in your seat by 11:38 a.m. as we honor our seniors and graduates that pregame. Wake Forest Athletics will open all stadium parking and tailgate lots at 7 a.m.
Remember, in the spirit of Pro Humanitate, Wake Forest Athletics is proud to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Western North Carolina as we have a unique ticket deal where $15 from every promotional ticket sold will go directly to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. Additionally, click here for our other fan engagement plans for our home finale.
Best Fan Experience in North Carolina = Incredible Efforts By All
Please join me in giving a tip of the Deacon top hat to our game day event and operations staff, traffic, security and concessions workers! We are grateful for the synchronized effort of more than a thousand dedicated folks from the following production partners who provide safe and festive game day environment and deliver The Best Fan Experience in North Carolina:
- ASM Wake Forest
- BeatGig
- Bee-Newtiful Cleaning
- The Budd Group
- Carolina Balloons
- City of Winston-Salem Fairgrounds
- Comer Sanitary Services, Inc.
- Forsyth County Emergency Medical Services
- Forsyth County Sheriff's Office
- Golden Event Solutions
- Guilford County Sheriff's Office
- Harvest Table Culinary Group
- Holiday Ice
- Sunway Charters
- Learfield
- Magic Castle Entertainment
- McTron Inc.
- Piedmont Disposal
- Proof of the Pudding
- Pyro Shows East Coast
- Random Task Management
- Rhino Sport and Entertainment Services
- REVELXP
- Special Event Services
- Triad Industrial
- Winston-Salem Department of Transportation
- Winston-Salem Fire Department
- Winston-Salem Police Department
- Zekos 2 Go
- Wake Forest Office of Residence Life and Housing
- Deacon Onecard Office
- Wake Forest Facilities and Campus Services
- Wake Forest University Marketing and Communications
- Wake Forest Office of Diversity and Inclusion
- Wake Forest Office of Student Engagement
- Wake Forest Police Dept. and Emergency Management
- Wake Forest University Advancement
- Wake Line
- Allegacy Federal Credit Union
- Truist
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
- Pepsi
- Kelly Office Solutions
- Lowes Foods
- Parrish Tire Company
- NC Education Lottery
Men's Cross Country Caps Memorable Season With Top-10 Finish at NCAA Championships
In their 14th NCAA Cross Country Championship appearance and fifth straight, Coach John Hayes' squad delivered an outstanding performance, finishing seventh in a loaded field. Junior Charlie Sprott earned All-American honors with a personal-best 32nd-place finish, while ACC Freshman of the Year JoJo Jourdon impressed as the highest-finishing American freshman in his debut. Joe O'Brien, Luke Tewalt, and Rocky Hansen rounded out the Deacs' top-five scorers, all delivering personal-best times to cap off a historic season for the program. Also, Coach Hayes was recognized as the USTFCCCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year for the fourth time!
DK Suresh Ekambaram's Memorable Run Caps Fall Tennis Season
Junior DK Suresh Ekambaram's incredible run to the NCAA Singles semifinals capped a standout fall season for Wake Forest men's tennis, earning him All-American honors in singles and making him just the second Demon Deacon to achieve All-American status in both singles and doubles. He notched wins over three nationally-ranked opponents, including eighth-seeded Aidan Kim, before falling to top-ranked Ozan Baris in the semifinals. In doubles, Luca Pow and Luciano Tacchi reached the quarterfinals, earning All-American recognition—the ninth doubles pair in program history to achieve the honor.
This is the first of a two year trial program where NCAA singles and doubles championships were conducted in the fall. We now turn our attention to the team championship season and I know Coach Tony Bresky's has his eyes focused on an exciting spring ahead!
Deacs Set Highest Graduation Success Rate for Fifth-Straight Year
Wake Forest Athletics continues to excel in the classroom, with seven programs achieving a perfect 100 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and 11 programs posting scores of 91 or higher, contributing to an impressive overall GSR of 96 percent according to the latest NCAA data. This ties a program record that Wake Forest has matched for four consecutive years and ranks as the sixth-highest among all Power-4 institutions. The NCAA's GSR measures the proportion of student-athletes who earn a degree within six years, with the latest data reflecting cohorts from 2014-17.
Breaking New Ground – at The Grounds!
Make plans to join Carter and Front Street Capital for the official groundbreaking of The Grounds on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m. in the Baity Street cul-de-sac. As we detailed in a From the Quad back in September, The Grounds will serve as a vibrant community hub, featuring dining, retail, residential, and office spaces, all within steps of Allegacy Stadium, Couch Ballpark, and Joel Coliseum. Following the ceremony, continue the excitement by heading to Joel Coliseum as Wake Forest Men's Basketball takes on Boston College at noon. Be sure to RSVP for the groundbreaking here, and secure your game tickets here. We look forward to seeing you there!
From the Quad Big 3
Finally, here are today's Big 3 ways to help the Deacs:
- Following our men's basketball team's action in Orlando this week, Coach Steve Forbes' squad heads to College Station, Texas for a seismic non-conference matchup at Texas A&M – a contest that is a part of the ACC-SEC Challenge. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. on Tuesday night in front of a national audience on ESPN2. Looking ahead, the Deacs return home to Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum for a 12 p.m. tip against Boston College in both programs' ACC opener. Get your tickets now to cheer on this exciting team!
- Read about how the Institute of International Education's Open Doors 2024 report ranks Wake Forest University fourth among doctoral universities, with 83 percent of undergraduates earning study abroad credit during the 2022-23 academic year and summer 2023. The report also highlighted a record 1.1 million international students in the U.S. during 2023-24, a 7% increase from the previous year. Wake Forest celebrated International Education Week (Nov. 18-22) with events like a Night Market featuring global cuisine, music, and crafts, emphasizing its commitment to global engagement. Talk about a World Class Student Experience!
- Check out the details on TurkeyPalooza – an annual tradition that brings the campus together to prepare a Thanksgiving feast from scratch and deliver the meals to local nonprofits that serve individuals and families. Nearly 300 pounds of turkey will be prepared. TurkeyPalooza coincides with National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week. Wake Forest University is hosting several events on campus and that includes students making fleece blankets to distribute when the weather turns colder and packing menstrual products to donate to community partner organizations. Pro Humanitate at its finest!
I'm grateful for my wife, Mary Lawrence, our three wonderful children, Jack, Gigi and Mary-Dell, our two playful pups, Chase and Scout, and the incredible privilege of serving Wake Forest University. Wishing you all a joyful holiday filled with time well spent with loved ones. Thank you for your continued support, and as always, feel free to share your thoughts at wfuad@wfu.edu.
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Vice President & Director of Athletics
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