Pro Humanitate: Innovative “In Her Wake” Initiative Hits $25 Million Milestone En Route to $100M Goal in Support of Demon Deacons Women’s Athletics
7/2/2024 8:00:00 AM | Cross Country, Field Hockey, General, Track and Field, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Women's Track and Field, Women's Volleyball, Spirit Program (Cheer/Dance/Mascot)
This fundraising effort helps Wake Forest Athletics create a World Class Student-Athlete Experience for these historic and successful programs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – As one of seven schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 10 NCAA Championships, including a title just over a year ago by the Demon Deacons women's golf program in May 2023, Wake Forest University has a proud and storied tradition of intercollegiate athletics. Women's athletics and the broad-based success of those programs have helped Wake Forest become the fastest-growing brand in the Power 5 since 2019 with 2.7 million fans worldwide.
Back in February, on National Girls & Women's in Sports Day, Wake Forest Athletics announced a $100 million initiative to further transform opportunities for female student-athletes. Specifically, this effort enhances scholarships, personal development, and investments for women's sports programs.
With that, following the tremendous leadership and generosity of Wake Forest Athletics' International Leadership Circle members and the benevolent support of countless other Demon Deacon fans, the "In Her Wake" initiative has surpassed its first milestone, raising $26,539,651.23!
These extraordinary efforts include 25 new scholarships and three named coaching positions.
Ignited by the 50th Anniversary of Wake Forest Women's Athletics Celebration in the 2021-22 academic year, Wake Forest philanthropic efforts for women's programs have soared. During the celebration, Wake Athletics raised $4.1 million, allowing for a launching pad to raise another $25 million+ in the following two years —a staggering increase of nearly 520%. This remarkable growth underscores the incredible support and commitment from the Wake Forest community towards empowering Demon Deacon female student-athletes.
What They're Saying
This fundraising effort provides centralized marketing messages that highlight the ongoing philanthropic efforts creating a World Class Student-Athlete Experience at Wake Forest, such as telling stories of trailblazers who came before them and the indelible mark those individuals would like to leave behind them. With that, current student-athletes will learn and share how they reached current levels of success and whose wake they followed behind to reach that feat. Past student-athletes will look back at the wake that has followed them as they share how their experience as a Demon Deacon had an impact on their career trajectory.
It's a progression of inspiration and legacy, connecting past, present, and future Demon Deacons.
Also, the In Her Wake initiative will further enhance scholarship support; create new opportunities in personal, leadership and career development; and provide strategic investments in areas that create a competitive advantage for individual sport programs. Supporters will also be encouraged to consider the legacy they leave to others who follow in their wake by exploring Forever Deacs endowments that make permanent the impact of their contributions on generations of student-athletes to come.
Those interested in learning more or in supporting the In Her Wake initiative can visit this website. Truist and other lead investors have already committed over $25 million to the In Her Wake initiative this past year, as Wake Forest Athletics aims to surpass $100 million by 2029.
Thank you for your support of the Deacs! If you have any questions about giving, feel free to reach out to the Deacon Club at deacclub@wfu.edu.
___________________________________________________________________________________
HONOR THE PAST. INVEST IN THE PRESENT. CHANGE THE FUTURE.
Back in February, on National Girls & Women's in Sports Day, Wake Forest Athletics announced a $100 million initiative to further transform opportunities for female student-athletes. Specifically, this effort enhances scholarships, personal development, and investments for women's sports programs.
With that, following the tremendous leadership and generosity of Wake Forest Athletics' International Leadership Circle members and the benevolent support of countless other Demon Deacon fans, the "In Her Wake" initiative has surpassed its first milestone, raising $26,539,651.23!
These extraordinary efforts include 25 new scholarships and three named coaching positions.
Ignited by the 50th Anniversary of Wake Forest Women's Athletics Celebration in the 2021-22 academic year, Wake Forest philanthropic efforts for women's programs have soared. During the celebration, Wake Athletics raised $4.1 million, allowing for a launching pad to raise another $25 million+ in the following two years —a staggering increase of nearly 520%. This remarkable growth underscores the incredible support and commitment from the Wake Forest community towards empowering Demon Deacon female student-athletes.
What They're Saying
- Director of Athletics John Currie:
- "Wake Forest has become synonymous with excellence in women's intercollegiate athletics and the success competitively, academically and in the community by our female student-athletes over the course of our storied history has elevated our University. The impact of the investments from our ILC members and loyal supporters can't be overstated as we strive to be A Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program and provide a World Class Student-Athlete Experience. Additionally, I would be remiss to not recognize the incredible support we have received from Truist - the Presenting Partner of Wake Forest Women's Athletics. Collectively, in addition to the $25 million milestone mentioned in this announcement, Wake Forest Athletics has now raised $30.5 million for women's athletics since the 2021-22 academic year when we celebrated 50 years of women's athletics at Wake Forest."
- Head Women's Basketball Coach Megan Gebbia:
- "We are excited to have the amazing opportunity to travel to Croatia and Greece this summer. Not only does this international trip provide a great opportunity for our program to showcase their skills on the court, but it also reflects the tremendous support and success of our In Her Wake. This initiative has been instrumental in creating such unique opportunities for our student-athletes, ensuring they have the resources and experiences needed to excel. Our trip will also provide the team with numerous learning and life experiences to help them excel off the court."
- Head Field Hockey Coach Jen Averill:
- "This past year, the Field Hockey coaches have invested in PDS Coaching, which has provided transformational psychology to better prepare the coaching staff to train the total student-athlete. PDS Coaching emphasizes a need-centered approach, focusing on the individual needs of each athlete to enhance their performance and well-being. This cutting-edge method prioritizes safety, enabling our players to better understand their learning styles, both on the field and in the classroom. Our coaches are now equipped with advanced technology and knowledge to support our athletes' mental health and educational needs, fostering a holistic approach to their development. This incredible advancement was made possible by the generous support of our donors, whose contributions have enriched our program and provided these invaluable opportunities for our student-athletes."
This fundraising effort provides centralized marketing messages that highlight the ongoing philanthropic efforts creating a World Class Student-Athlete Experience at Wake Forest, such as telling stories of trailblazers who came before them and the indelible mark those individuals would like to leave behind them. With that, current student-athletes will learn and share how they reached current levels of success and whose wake they followed behind to reach that feat. Past student-athletes will look back at the wake that has followed them as they share how their experience as a Demon Deacon had an impact on their career trajectory.
It's a progression of inspiration and legacy, connecting past, present, and future Demon Deacons.
Also, the In Her Wake initiative will further enhance scholarship support; create new opportunities in personal, leadership and career development; and provide strategic investments in areas that create a competitive advantage for individual sport programs. Supporters will also be encouraged to consider the legacy they leave to others who follow in their wake by exploring Forever Deacs endowments that make permanent the impact of their contributions on generations of student-athletes to come.
Those interested in learning more or in supporting the In Her Wake initiative can visit this website. Truist and other lead investors have already committed over $25 million to the In Her Wake initiative this past year, as Wake Forest Athletics aims to surpass $100 million by 2029.
- MAKE A GIFT: https://deaconclub.com/pages/in-her-wake
- SPREAD THE MESSAGE: https://app.godeacs.com/InHerWake
- Women's Basketball:
- Women's basketball will embark on their first international trip to Croatia and Greece later this summer. The journey will be filled with international games, immersive visits to landmarks, and enriching experiences that will help them excel off the court.
- Women's Cross Country/Track:
- To prepare for the third annual Wake Forest Invitational and the 2025 ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championship, the track at Kentner Stadium was resurfaced. This upgrade enhances the training environment with a state-of-the-art surface that boosts performance and reduces injury risk.
- Field Hockey:
- The Wake Forest field hockey team had an extraordinary journey to the Netherlands, competing in international matches, exploring historic landmarks, and enjoying unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
- Women's Golf:
- The Wake Forest women's golf team received a transformative gift from the Lyons Family, providing immediate and lasting impact to build on its ongoing success, most recently seen as the 2024 ACC Champions.
- Women's Soccer:
- Wake Forest women's soccer embarked on an unforgettable trip to Spain. Between international friendly matches, the team spent their time visiting landmarks, creating everlasting memories, and having once in a lifetime experiences.
- Spirit Squads:
- The Wake Forest spirit squad participated in two collegiate competitions this past year, showcasing their talent and fostering team growth and school pride on a national stage.
- Women's Tennis:
- Wake Forest women's tennis has received substantial scholarship support, enhancing resources for comprehensive academic and athletic support for student-athletes.
- Volleyball:
- Jeff and Laurie Triplette have jointly endowed the Triplette Family Volleyball Assistant Coach position — providing a historical commitment to the program that will live in perpetuity and make an annual ongoing impact.
Thank you for your support of the Deacs! If you have any questions about giving, feel free to reach out to the Deacon Club at deacclub@wfu.edu.
___________________________________________________________________________________
HONOR THE PAST. INVEST IN THE PRESENT. CHANGE THE FUTURE.
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