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From the Quad
8/28/2024 10:15:00 AM | General
Presented by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Good Morning Demon Deacon Nation!
Opening Night at Allegacy Stadium – presented by the Winston-Salem Police Department and Winston-Salem Police Foundation – is less than 34 hours away and there are less than 500 tickets remaining for tomorrow's football season opener! On that note, it was great to have Chief of Police William H. Penn, Jr. speak to our football team just over a week ago after practice.
Meanwhile, I am already fired up following this past Sunday's double Demon Deacons dip at Spry Stadium where our women's soccer team defeated No. 20 Mississippi State and the day was capped off by a come-from-behind victory from our men's soccer squad! As you can tell from these images and videos of our passionate soccer fans, the #DEACTOWN spirit-meter is already sky high as our four home soccer matches have brought together 1,905 students and 3,376 total fans.
Speaking of tremendous crowds and a ton of energy, Opening Night festivities begin on Hearn Plaza - the Quad - at 9 p.m. tonight as thousands of Screamin' Demons – as well as Wake Forest and Winston-Salem community members – will gather as we introduce the Class of 2028 to our gameday traditions with Wake Cheer, the Dazzlin' Deacs, and the Spirit of Old Gold & Black. Guest speakers will include President Susan R. Wente, Ph.D., head football coach Dave Clawson, head men's soccer coach Bobby Muuss, head volleyball coach Randi Smart, Vice President for Campus Life Dr. Shea Kidd Brown and me before our traditional night-before-home-game fireworks display over Wait Chapel!
Free student "WAKE THE DEMONS" t-shirts will be available while supplies last, and several late-night food trucks will be on hand to provide free food for students. Students are encouraged to download the Screamin' Demon Rewards App and follow @ScrDemonRewards on X and @screamin_demons on Instagram for more information.
With so many updates to get to, let's jump right in with what's on tap inside Allegacy Stadium tomorrow!
Best Fan Experience in North Carolina Awaits Capacity Crowd at Allegacy Stadium
Fans love winning and exciting football – evidenced by the fact that we are on the verge of our 10th sellout crowd inside Allegacy Stadium since the 2021 season as Coach Dave Clawson's Demon Deacons boast a home 23-7 record over the last five seasons entering tomorrow night.
With that said, we do ask everyone to bring a little extra patience and grace as we ramp up our full gameday operations and experience that includes many experience-boosting enhancements for our capacity crowd at Thursday's game. Allow plenty of time for your drive so you can enjoy your tailgate or the live music in the upgraded DEACTOWN Fan Zone Presented by Lowes Foods and get to the entry gates early. Once inside, check out the new 1834 Market that is an easy-to-navigate self-scan concessions option behind Section 7 on the West Concourse. This is just one of several new upgraded offerings from our concessionaire partner, Proof of the Pudding.
Remember to be in your seat early for the annual "Deacon Dash" tradition as the Wake Forest Class of 2028 storms the field pregame prior to Trailblazer and Triad Community Legend Bill Hayes Opening the Gate on the 2024 season!
Speaking of Opening the Gate, I want to thank our friends at Forsyth Tech for tuning up and painting the motorcycle ahead of the 2024-25 academic year!
At halftime, in the continued effort to bring Value to Wake Forest, Winston-Salem and our Triad Communities, Wake Forest's marching band – The Spirit of the Old Gold and Black – and North Carolina A&T's Blue & Gold Marching Machine will perform together in a combined show.
Remember, DEACTOWN is digital and cashless so download your mobile tickets for entry and bring a credit or debit card to use at concessions stands. Our Fan Experience and ticketing staff along with our hard working Rhino Sports & Entertainment Services partners will be circulating and are available at guest information booths inside and around the stadium. Your input is really helpful as we strive to provide the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina so please email gameday@wfu.edu or call 336-758-GAME with suggestions and observations!
Safety is the number one priority at all times so utilize the handrails in all Allegacy Stadium aisles and use the stairs on either side of Deacon Hill if that's where you are sitting! Also, remember that we have energy efficient (and brighter) LED lighting and there will be special light shows and pyrotechnics during the game after the Deacons score or a big play takes place. And, remember to hydrate all day - our heat plan will be in effect and that includes multiple water bottle filling stations and misting fans throughout the venue. Any fan experiencing a heat-related illness should contact the nearest Rhino Event Staff member or visit a First Aid Room.
Be sure and visit the Wake Forest Athletics gameday information website for a full schedule for the day and all gameday policies and procedures.
We look to have our second-consecutive Opening Night sellout crowd for the first time since the 2007 and 2008 seasons, thanks to the incredible support of partners like Allegacy Federal Credit Union, the Winston-Salem Police Department and Winston-Salem Police Foundation, and our Wake Forest University faculty and staff, who have hosted tailgates and fostered a sense of community like never before. We're grateful to everyone who helps create the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina!.
Radical Collaboration: Wake Forest Student Engagement Reaches Another Level
Tonight's Wake the Demons Pep Rally on Hearn Plaza and tomorrow's Opening Night student festivities would not be possible without engagement of Vice President for Campus Life Dr. Shea Kidd Brown, Dean of Residence Life Matt Clifford, Executive Director of Student Engagement Tim Wilkinson and their entire staff along with many other campus partners who help create these fun and memorable events for Wake students. Remember, the fireworks display has become a fun element of our campus football tradition, just as they are for the Carolina Classic Fair and Winston-Salem Dash. If you live close to campus, please be sure and remind your neighbors and friends to expect a little noise around 10 p.m. later tonight and every night-before-home football game during the season.
Also, tomorrow night we are test-driving a new option for student groups inside the student section as we've partnered with Winston-Salem's REVELxp to erect new hospitality & game-viewing platforms in Section 20 inside Allegacy Stadium. In conjunction with the Office of Student Engagement, groups of up to 30 students can email rewards@wfu.edu to sign up for the opportunity to experience this unique way to enjoy Deacon football!
Finally, the DEACTOWN Student Tailgate space behind the East stands of Allegacy Stadium is back and better than ever! We'll have a free live band performance at the tailgate tomorrow night again on Saturday, Sept. 28 prior to the Louisiana game. More information on this nationally recognized, dynamic outdoor club atmosphere for Wake Forest students and their guests can be found here.
Remind your student to download the Screamin' Demon Rewards App and follow @ScrDemonRewards on X and @screamin_demons on Instagram for more information.
Calling All Demon Deacons Football Alumni!
Every home game Wake Forest football alumni have a dedicated gathering spot two hours before kickoff at "Big Daddy's Tailgate." For former players and their families, it's the perfect place to meet up with old teammates, in the corner of the Gold Lot right across from the Wake Forest football Bridger Field House locker room. For more information, contact Director of Recruiting Operations / Roster Management Katie Bason (basonsc@wfu.edu / 336-416-1728) or the Deacon Club's Laurie W. Venuto (336-758-5626 /venutol@wfu.edu).
World Class Student-Athlete Experience on Display at "Deac Bash"
Wake Forest's Student-Athlete Advisory Council hosted hundreds of student-athletes, coaches and administrators to celebrate the first day of classes on Monday. Being around our world class student-athletes is the very best part of my job! Additionally, I'm inspired by the strength and talent of our Athletics staff who gathered for our first all-staff meeting of the year last Friday where we heard an inspiring message from President Susan R. Wente!
More Deacs in Action This Weekend
Deacon volleyball, field hockey and cross country teams all begin their 2024 seasons on Friday and continue play throughout the weekend.
Coach Randi Smart is building Wake Forest Volleyball into a consistent contender, with the team winning at least 17 matches in each of the last two years, a feat not achieved since 2000-01. This season, the Deacons return 10 players, including standout seniors Olivia Franke, Kalani Whillock, and Kendall Phillips. We'll start the season with the Wake Forest Invitational, facing Hofstra on Friday at 6 p.m., West Virginia on Saturday at 6 p.m., and Navy on Sunday at 3 p.m., all inside Varsity Arena. The matches will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra. Follow @WakeVolleyball for updates, and remember, admission is FREE.
Coach John Hayes and his cross country teams begin their season on Friday morning in Greensboro at UNCG. The men's team returns Rocky Hansen – a sophomore who earned Wake Forest Athletics Male Freshman of the Year Award and was a 2023 Second Team All-American runner – and a host of other talented Demon Deacons across both our programs. Stay tuned to @WakeTrack and GoDeacs.com for updates from the meet.
Also on the road, three-time NCAA Championship head coach Jen Averill, sophomore Mia Schoenbeck – who was named a preseason All-ACC team honoree – and the Wake Forest Field Hockey team open the 2024 season on Friday in Ann Arbor, Mich. against Iowa at 3 p.m., as part of the ACC/B1G Ten Challenge. That match and Sunday's afternoon tilt against Michigan will be streamed on B1G Plus and fans can follow @WakeHockey for updates. Wake Forest opens the home portion of the schedule next Sunday, Sept. 8, against Harvard at 12 p.m. in Kentner Stadium and admission is free.
Finally, both Deacon soccer teams are on the road with our women's team at Richmond tomorrow and at Iowa on Sunday, and men's soccer is at UCF on Saturday night. Follow it all on GoDeacs.com and our social media feeds.
Demon Deacons Make Headlines at Winston-Salem Open
The annual ATP 250 Winston-Salem Open wrapped up last weekend after stellar weather and record crowds again marked this community treasure. A hometown highlight this year was junior DK Suresh Ekambaram and sophomore Luca Pow's memorable run from a qualifier to the semifinals of the doubles draw! Playing in their backyard at the world class Wake Forest Tennis Center, just behind the east stands of Allegacy Stadium, DK & Luca took down the No. 6-seeded pairing of Ariel Behar and Andres Molteni en route to the semis.
Individually, Suresh, ranked No. 1089 in the world, made a splash in his ATP debut last week by defeating No. 332 Alexey Zakharov in straight sets, 7-6, 6-2. He saved two break points and overcame a mini-break deficit to secure the win, delivering one of the tournament's biggest upsets. Additionally, Wake Forest alum Skander Mansouri, with partner Nicolas Barrientos, reached the doubles quarterfinals.
Adding Value to Community – KinderCare at Wake Forest University
Speaking of making headlines, Wake Forest University has partnered with KinderCare Learning Companies for Employers to establish a third-party operated child care and early education center at the University Corporate Center. The center had its ribbon cutting this morning and held an open house for our community this afternoon to tour the space. I want to commend President Susan R. Wente, Ph.D. and our entire University Leadership team for their continued efforts over the last few years to make today possible. Just another example of the embodiment of our Pro Humanitate motto in action!
Women's Basketball Goes 3-0 in Croatia and Greece
Check our Demon Deacon women's basketball team international tour blog! Coach Megan Gebbia's Deacs went 3-0 during their trip to Greece and Croatia, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our student-athletes made possible by Deacon Club donors.
From the Quad Big 3
Before we close, here are today's From the Quad Big 3:
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Vice President & Director of Athletics
Good Morning Demon Deacon Nation!
Opening Night at Allegacy Stadium – presented by the Winston-Salem Police Department and Winston-Salem Police Foundation – is less than 34 hours away and there are less than 500 tickets remaining for tomorrow's football season opener! On that note, it was great to have Chief of Police William H. Penn, Jr. speak to our football team just over a week ago after practice.
Meanwhile, I am already fired up following this past Sunday's double Demon Deacons dip at Spry Stadium where our women's soccer team defeated No. 20 Mississippi State and the day was capped off by a come-from-behind victory from our men's soccer squad! As you can tell from these images and videos of our passionate soccer fans, the #DEACTOWN spirit-meter is already sky high as our four home soccer matches have brought together 1,905 students and 3,376 total fans.
Speaking of tremendous crowds and a ton of energy, Opening Night festivities begin on Hearn Plaza - the Quad - at 9 p.m. tonight as thousands of Screamin' Demons – as well as Wake Forest and Winston-Salem community members – will gather as we introduce the Class of 2028 to our gameday traditions with Wake Cheer, the Dazzlin' Deacs, and the Spirit of Old Gold & Black. Guest speakers will include President Susan R. Wente, Ph.D., head football coach Dave Clawson, head men's soccer coach Bobby Muuss, head volleyball coach Randi Smart, Vice President for Campus Life Dr. Shea Kidd Brown and me before our traditional night-before-home-game fireworks display over Wait Chapel!
Free student "WAKE THE DEMONS" t-shirts will be available while supplies last, and several late-night food trucks will be on hand to provide free food for students. Students are encouraged to download the Screamin' Demon Rewards App and follow @ScrDemonRewards on X and @screamin_demons on Instagram for more information.
With so many updates to get to, let's jump right in with what's on tap inside Allegacy Stadium tomorrow!
Best Fan Experience in North Carolina Awaits Capacity Crowd at Allegacy Stadium
Fans love winning and exciting football – evidenced by the fact that we are on the verge of our 10th sellout crowd inside Allegacy Stadium since the 2021 season as Coach Dave Clawson's Demon Deacons boast a home 23-7 record over the last five seasons entering tomorrow night.
With that said, we do ask everyone to bring a little extra patience and grace as we ramp up our full gameday operations and experience that includes many experience-boosting enhancements for our capacity crowd at Thursday's game. Allow plenty of time for your drive so you can enjoy your tailgate or the live music in the upgraded DEACTOWN Fan Zone Presented by Lowes Foods and get to the entry gates early. Once inside, check out the new 1834 Market that is an easy-to-navigate self-scan concessions option behind Section 7 on the West Concourse. This is just one of several new upgraded offerings from our concessionaire partner, Proof of the Pudding.
Remember to be in your seat early for the annual "Deacon Dash" tradition as the Wake Forest Class of 2028 storms the field pregame prior to Trailblazer and Triad Community Legend Bill Hayes Opening the Gate on the 2024 season!
Speaking of Opening the Gate, I want to thank our friends at Forsyth Tech for tuning up and painting the motorcycle ahead of the 2024-25 academic year!
At halftime, in the continued effort to bring Value to Wake Forest, Winston-Salem and our Triad Communities, Wake Forest's marching band – The Spirit of the Old Gold and Black – and North Carolina A&T's Blue & Gold Marching Machine will perform together in a combined show.
Remember, DEACTOWN is digital and cashless so download your mobile tickets for entry and bring a credit or debit card to use at concessions stands. Our Fan Experience and ticketing staff along with our hard working Rhino Sports & Entertainment Services partners will be circulating and are available at guest information booths inside and around the stadium. Your input is really helpful as we strive to provide the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina so please email gameday@wfu.edu or call 336-758-GAME with suggestions and observations!
Safety is the number one priority at all times so utilize the handrails in all Allegacy Stadium aisles and use the stairs on either side of Deacon Hill if that's where you are sitting! Also, remember that we have energy efficient (and brighter) LED lighting and there will be special light shows and pyrotechnics during the game after the Deacons score or a big play takes place. And, remember to hydrate all day - our heat plan will be in effect and that includes multiple water bottle filling stations and misting fans throughout the venue. Any fan experiencing a heat-related illness should contact the nearest Rhino Event Staff member or visit a First Aid Room.
Be sure and visit the Wake Forest Athletics gameday information website for a full schedule for the day and all gameday policies and procedures.
We look to have our second-consecutive Opening Night sellout crowd for the first time since the 2007 and 2008 seasons, thanks to the incredible support of partners like Allegacy Federal Credit Union, the Winston-Salem Police Department and Winston-Salem Police Foundation, and our Wake Forest University faculty and staff, who have hosted tailgates and fostered a sense of community like never before. We're grateful to everyone who helps create the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina!.
Radical Collaboration: Wake Forest Student Engagement Reaches Another Level
Tonight's Wake the Demons Pep Rally on Hearn Plaza and tomorrow's Opening Night student festivities would not be possible without engagement of Vice President for Campus Life Dr. Shea Kidd Brown, Dean of Residence Life Matt Clifford, Executive Director of Student Engagement Tim Wilkinson and their entire staff along with many other campus partners who help create these fun and memorable events for Wake students. Remember, the fireworks display has become a fun element of our campus football tradition, just as they are for the Carolina Classic Fair and Winston-Salem Dash. If you live close to campus, please be sure and remind your neighbors and friends to expect a little noise around 10 p.m. later tonight and every night-before-home football game during the season.
Also, tomorrow night we are test-driving a new option for student groups inside the student section as we've partnered with Winston-Salem's REVELxp to erect new hospitality & game-viewing platforms in Section 20 inside Allegacy Stadium. In conjunction with the Office of Student Engagement, groups of up to 30 students can email rewards@wfu.edu to sign up for the opportunity to experience this unique way to enjoy Deacon football!
Finally, the DEACTOWN Student Tailgate space behind the East stands of Allegacy Stadium is back and better than ever! We'll have a free live band performance at the tailgate tomorrow night again on Saturday, Sept. 28 prior to the Louisiana game. More information on this nationally recognized, dynamic outdoor club atmosphere for Wake Forest students and their guests can be found here.
Remind your student to download the Screamin' Demon Rewards App and follow @ScrDemonRewards on X and @screamin_demons on Instagram for more information.
Calling All Demon Deacons Football Alumni!
Every home game Wake Forest football alumni have a dedicated gathering spot two hours before kickoff at "Big Daddy's Tailgate." For former players and their families, it's the perfect place to meet up with old teammates, in the corner of the Gold Lot right across from the Wake Forest football Bridger Field House locker room. For more information, contact Director of Recruiting Operations / Roster Management Katie Bason (basonsc@wfu.edu / 336-416-1728) or the Deacon Club's Laurie W. Venuto (336-758-5626 /venutol@wfu.edu).
World Class Student-Athlete Experience on Display at "Deac Bash"
Wake Forest's Student-Athlete Advisory Council hosted hundreds of student-athletes, coaches and administrators to celebrate the first day of classes on Monday. Being around our world class student-athletes is the very best part of my job! Additionally, I'm inspired by the strength and talent of our Athletics staff who gathered for our first all-staff meeting of the year last Friday where we heard an inspiring message from President Susan R. Wente!
More Deacs in Action This Weekend
Deacon volleyball, field hockey and cross country teams all begin their 2024 seasons on Friday and continue play throughout the weekend.
Coach Randi Smart is building Wake Forest Volleyball into a consistent contender, with the team winning at least 17 matches in each of the last two years, a feat not achieved since 2000-01. This season, the Deacons return 10 players, including standout seniors Olivia Franke, Kalani Whillock, and Kendall Phillips. We'll start the season with the Wake Forest Invitational, facing Hofstra on Friday at 6 p.m., West Virginia on Saturday at 6 p.m., and Navy on Sunday at 3 p.m., all inside Varsity Arena. The matches will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra. Follow @WakeVolleyball for updates, and remember, admission is FREE.
Coach John Hayes and his cross country teams begin their season on Friday morning in Greensboro at UNCG. The men's team returns Rocky Hansen – a sophomore who earned Wake Forest Athletics Male Freshman of the Year Award and was a 2023 Second Team All-American runner – and a host of other talented Demon Deacons across both our programs. Stay tuned to @WakeTrack and GoDeacs.com for updates from the meet.
Also on the road, three-time NCAA Championship head coach Jen Averill, sophomore Mia Schoenbeck – who was named a preseason All-ACC team honoree – and the Wake Forest Field Hockey team open the 2024 season on Friday in Ann Arbor, Mich. against Iowa at 3 p.m., as part of the ACC/B1G Ten Challenge. That match and Sunday's afternoon tilt against Michigan will be streamed on B1G Plus and fans can follow @WakeHockey for updates. Wake Forest opens the home portion of the schedule next Sunday, Sept. 8, against Harvard at 12 p.m. in Kentner Stadium and admission is free.
Finally, both Deacon soccer teams are on the road with our women's team at Richmond tomorrow and at Iowa on Sunday, and men's soccer is at UCF on Saturday night. Follow it all on GoDeacs.com and our social media feeds.
Demon Deacons Make Headlines at Winston-Salem Open
The annual ATP 250 Winston-Salem Open wrapped up last weekend after stellar weather and record crowds again marked this community treasure. A hometown highlight this year was junior DK Suresh Ekambaram and sophomore Luca Pow's memorable run from a qualifier to the semifinals of the doubles draw! Playing in their backyard at the world class Wake Forest Tennis Center, just behind the east stands of Allegacy Stadium, DK & Luca took down the No. 6-seeded pairing of Ariel Behar and Andres Molteni en route to the semis.
Individually, Suresh, ranked No. 1089 in the world, made a splash in his ATP debut last week by defeating No. 332 Alexey Zakharov in straight sets, 7-6, 6-2. He saved two break points and overcame a mini-break deficit to secure the win, delivering one of the tournament's biggest upsets. Additionally, Wake Forest alum Skander Mansouri, with partner Nicolas Barrientos, reached the doubles quarterfinals.
Adding Value to Community – KinderCare at Wake Forest University
Speaking of making headlines, Wake Forest University has partnered with KinderCare Learning Companies for Employers to establish a third-party operated child care and early education center at the University Corporate Center. The center had its ribbon cutting this morning and held an open house for our community this afternoon to tour the space. I want to commend President Susan R. Wente, Ph.D. and our entire University Leadership team for their continued efforts over the last few years to make today possible. Just another example of the embodiment of our Pro Humanitate motto in action!
Women's Basketball Goes 3-0 in Croatia and Greece
Check our Demon Deacon women's basketball team international tour blog! Coach Megan Gebbia's Deacs went 3-0 during their trip to Greece and Croatia, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our student-athletes made possible by Deacon Club donors.
From the Quad Big 3
Before we close, here are today's From the Quad Big 3:
- Follow our Wake Forest Sports Properties social media accounts. Your company or business can reap the benefits of affiliation with Wake Forest and the ACC by connecting with GM Banks Shepherd directly (bshepherd@wakeforestsportsproperties.com // 336-896-9719). Speaking of great partners, watch this video recap of our football student-athletes visiting Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist's Brenner Children's Hospital as in just over a week we will host a "Gold Rush" game when the Deacs host Virginia in primetime on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. inside Allegacy Stadium. We are proud to host our friends from Atrium Health for the game next week and less than 2,500 tickets remain our ACC opener and single-game sales begin at just $30!
- Join me in thanking Steve Forbes for his efforts to help the game of college basketball as he was recently selected to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Oversight Committee. Coach Forbes has won championships and positively impacted student-athlete lives at virtually every level of college basketball over his 30-year career and his perspective will be so important for this group.
- Let's collectively give a 'Tip of the Deacon Top Hat' to our colleagues at ESPN and the ACC Network as our conference's network just celebrated its five-year anniversary! We are proud of our partnership with the Worldwide Leader in Sports!
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Vice President & Director of Athletics
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