From the Quad

From the Quad

9/27/2024 9:44:00 AM | General

Presented by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
 
Good Morning Demon Deacon Nation! 
 
It's Family Weekend at Wake Forest and as we welcome parents, grandparents, siblings, and those who are just like family of our Demon Deacon undergraduates rolling into Winston-Salem, we also want to send a wish of safety for all affected by torrential rains across our state and those in the path of Tropical Storm Helene.
 
Fortunately the forecasters are calling for sunny skies and a sold out Allegacy Stadium for our 3:30 p.m. kickoff against Sun Belt Conference contender Louisiana on Saturday live on ACC Network. Only a handful of tickets remain, so contact the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1, email them at tix@wfu.edu, or visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets right now to get yours!
 
The home action starts later today with a big field hockey match against Syracuse inside Kentner Stadium at 6:00 p.m. and a 7 p.m. volleyball match a few steps away in Reynolds Gym's Varsity Arena. Both contests are free to all Deacon fans!
 
Right now, the hottest Deacon squad of them all is our No. 5 ranked women's soccer team who within the last two weeks has dominated No. 2 Virginia and No. 1 Stanford in back-to-back matches becoming the first program in NCAA history to beat the top-two teams in the country in the same week! 
 
With that seismic victory over the then-top-ranked Cardinal, our women's soccer team became the sixth program in Wake Forest history to knock off the No. 1 team in the country joining baseball, field hockey, men's basketball, men's soccer and men's tennis.
 
Next up for legendary head coach Tony Da Luz and his squad is a trip to Syracuse to take on the Orange at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon live on ACCNX
 
Electric Atmosphere Awaits Capacity Crowd on Saturday Afternoon at Allegacy Stadium
Coach Dave Clawson's football team and a capacity Family Weekend Allegacy Stadium crowd await a strong Louisiana team on Saturday with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. before a national ACC Network audience. I stopped by the Doc Martin Practice Fields yesterday and it was great to see senior captain Jasheen Davis going full speed as he's been sidelined since our Opening Night win over North Carolina A&T. 
 
Following our sellout Homecoming crowd of 32,849 and record student attendance of 4,702 Screamin' Demons two weeks ago, we've hosted almost 100,000 fans in our first three games and I know our full house tomorrow will provide great energy to help the Deacs get back in the win column.
 
Please arrive at Allegacy Stadium early on Saturday. Wake Forest Athletics will open all stadium parking and tailgate lots at 10:30 a.m. and we encourage all fans to allow for extra time to park, enter and get to their seats before the game. We'll also open up the free DEACTOWN Fan Zone presented by Lowes Foods at 12:30 p.m. that includes live music, food, and games for all ages, and the Deacon Walk at approximately 1:15 p.m. as Taylor Morin, Demond Claiborne, Luke Petibon and company arrive for the game!
 
Get in your seats in time to see one of our all-time Wake Forest golf greats, multi-time All-American, ACC and NCAA Champion Rachel Kuehn, Open the Gate on the Deacon's motorcycle! 
 
Just the Facts, Ma'am - New Football Series Adds a Major Home Game to Allegacy Stadium
Last week we announced that we have exercised our contract option to cancel our scheduled trip to Ole Miss next year in favor of adding a home-and-home football series with Oregon State from the Pac-12. In short, this is a smart business decision as we were able to leverage some unique circumstances and relationships to convert the one remaining road game into two additional games - one away and one at home in Winston-Salem against a Power 5 opponent. We take our stewardship responsibilities seriously and this is a significant net positive financial decision for Wake Forest and Winston-Salem. Remember, social media and the internet don't always tell the truth!
 
Wake Forest Golf Hosts Reunion Weekend and 50th Anniversary National Champion Teams
We're excited to welcome back our men's and women's golf alumni for a special Reunion Weekend, Nov. 8-10, in Winston-Salem! We'll celebrate the 50th anniversary of the men's 1974-75 back-to-back NCAA Championship teams and festivities will include facility tours and a tailgate ahead of our Friday night football game vs. Cal on Nov. 8. Plus, our champions will be recognized on-field during the aforementioned football game inside Allegacy Stadium. Wake Forest Golf Alumni can register for the tours and a football-gameday tailgate here. The public is encouraged to come engage with these legendary alums on Saturday, Nov. 9 at an event brought to by Wake Forest Sports Properties partner, Roll the Quad!
 
Attention Triad Hoops Fans! Wake - Michigan Basketball in Greensboro Set for Nov. 10!
The men's basketball season gets serious fast for Wake Forest on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum as Deacon Nation will come together for a seismic neutral site game between Wake Forest and Big Ten power Michigan. We are proud to return big time college basketball to the historic home of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and, neutral site games offer an important opportunity for both teams to bolster their NET rating – an important metric utilized by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee.
 
With the Triad scored as the seventh-best ESPN national market in the entire country, I know Tobacco Road basketball fans will create a great atmosphere inside the Greensboro Coliseum. 
 
As you likely noticed, that is a HUGE weekend (Nov. 8-10) for Winston Salem and the Triad!  Football vs. Cal on Friday night, 'Putts & Pancakes' on Saturday morning and then the seismic ACC-B1G men's basketball clash in Greensboro on Sunday!
 
Update Your Calendars! Men's & Women's Basketball Schedules Announced
It's time to add all our home dates for our men's and women's basketball into your calendars! 
 
On the men's side, Wake Forest welcomes back a key group of returners from last season's squad, including first team All-ACC performer Hunter Sallis, Efton Reid III, Cameron Hildreth, Parker Friedrichsen and Marqus Marion. Also, Coach Megan Gebbia's women's team is primed for a bounce-back season with a strong core returning led by fifth-year guard Elise Williams and a veteran group of transfers. 
 
With that, men's basketball season tickets are on sale now starting at just $199. Season tickets are the best way to ensure you get access to all the action at the LJVM Coliseum this season at the best price per-game! Additionally, Wake Forest is offering a new ACC Premier 3-Game option for the North Carolina and Duke home games in January. Both packages will start at $120 and will go on sale starting Monday. Women's hoops season tickets are on sale now for just $60 and include tons of inside-access and behind-the-scenes engaging events.
 
For questions or assistance as you lock in your seats for this season, please contact the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1 or tix@wfu.edu. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..
 
Annual Hit the Bricks Event Took Center Stage on Hearn Plaza
Wake students persevered through the rain at yesterday's Hit the Bricks event - another example of Pro Humanitate spirit in action. Since 2003 this campus-wide philanthropic event has benefited the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund and the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. All Wake Forest Athletics teams that are in town signed up and participated at the event on Hearn Plaza as students, faculty, staff, and alumni took turns running and walking laps around the Quad to show their solidarity in the fight against cancer. To support Hit the Bricks and Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund, click and make your donation here.

World Class Student-Athlete Experience on Display at Truist Leadership Institute Retreat
Several Deacon student-athletes capitalized on a special opportunity to attend the Truist Leadership Institute earlier this month. This unique opportunity, made possible by Truist's partnership with Wake Forest Sports Properties and Wake Forest Athletics, enables our student-athletes to enhance leadership skills, gain insights into career planning and personal branding, and connect with potential mentors and industry professionals. Thanks, Truist!
 
Star-Studded Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame Class Announced
Under the leadership of Faculty Athletics Representative and HOF Selection Committee Chair Dr. Pete Brubaker, we proudly announced the latest Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame 2025 induction class last week. This class includes the late Skip Prosser, the 2003 ACC men's basketball coach of the year, women's soccer icons Katie Stengel and Aubrey Bledsoe, 2007 NCAA men's soccer national champion Ike Opara, perhaps the best fullback in Demon Deacons history, Ovie Mughelli, 2023 Trailblazer Award recipient Keeva Jackson-Breland and renowned golf course designer Bill Coore. 
 
This incredible group of Demon Deacons achieved 12 All-ACC selections, nine All-American selections, four NCAA College Cup appearances, men's soccer's National Championship in 2007, an ACC Coach of the Year award, a trailblazing path in women's basketball and multiple program and NCAA records. Their stories of achievement, dedication and excellence continue to inspire and resonate within our community. 
 
Loaded Competition Schedule as Big Wins Help Deacons Build Momentum  
Remember to download the Wake Forest Athletics Mobile App on your phone where you can download schedules for your favorite Deacon teams directly onto your digital calendar! In addition to our home field hockey and volleyball matches tonight, men's soccer competes at Syracuse at 7 p.m. and that match can be watched on ACCNX, and our men's and women's cross country runners compete at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational this afternoon. Additionally, after tomorrow's aforementioned football game, Sunday's action includes a home field hockey match at noon against Kent State that will be broadcast on ACCNX and a home volleyball match vs. Virginia Tech with first serve set for 1 p.m. on ACCNX
 
Finally, our No. 5 women's soccer team will battle the Orange in Syracuse, N.Y. at 1 p.m. on ACCNX on Sunday afternoon and our golf programs begin tournaments early next week with our women's squad at the Windy City Classic in Chicago and the men's team in Fort Worth, Texas for the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational. 
 
Meanwhile, other outstanding results in the last two weeks include volleyball capping off an undefeated road weekend with a huge win at South Carolina from the Southeastern Conference and completing a non-conference home sweep of App State and Davidson; women's soccer also earned a point against Cal last weekend; Coach Bobby Muuss' men's soccer team notching a point against No. 10 Elon inside Spry Stadium and a third-place finish by our men's cross country team at the Adidas XC Challenge in Raleigh a week ago. Also, our men's and women's tennis student-athletes were competing at the ITA All-American Championships all week!
 
Not to be outdone, Coach Jerry Haas and the men's golf team accomplished two of our Wake Forest Athletics goals last week as his squad competed at the Lyons Links Invitational in Dublin, Ireland! Behind four Deacs placing in the top-10, Wake captured its first team title of the 2024-25 season and the 46th in Coach Jerry Haas' tenure as our leader!
 
With Wake Forest as the official hosts at one of Ireland's most historic Championship Links, this was the first known collegiate golf event on Irish soil. The Deacs' trip to Ireland also included a round at the prominent Portmarnock Old, where our own Arnold Palmer elevated the links' reputation at a global level.
 
Nothing better than providing a World Class Student-Athlete Experience while we Win Championships!
 
Wake Forest School of Divinity Receives Multi-Million Dollar Gift!
Our School of Divinity has received a $3.3 million gift, the second-largest in its 25-year history, from the estate of Edward Kent Griffin. This generous donation will support the Wake Div Promise, providing full-tuition scholarships for all Master of Divinity students. My colleague and good friend, Dean Corey D. B. Walker, will utilize the gift to impact and prepare future faith leaders, enabling students to graduate debt-free as they pursue their calling. This gift aligns with Wake Divinity's mission of fostering justice, reconciliation, and compassion while removing financial barriers for students.
 
Wake Stays Hot - Demand for a Demon Deacon Education is at an All-Time High
Earlier this week at President Susan R. Wente's Cabinet meeting, my colleague Eric Maguire, who is our Vice President for Enrollment, reported that the Class of 2028 was selected from a record applicant pool of 18,735, a seven percent increase over the previous year. Wake Forest is bucking a national trend as a recent Washington Post article revealed that a cross-section of well-regarded universities missed their enrollment targets by more than 20 percent!  
 
Welcome to DEACTOWN, Norman Stockton!
For over 115 years, Norman Stockton has been a Winston-Salem institution, providing quality menswear and Wake Forest apparel. Now located in Reynolda Village, this family-owned business has been a trusted name since 1909, proudly outfitting the Triad's best-dressed men—including generations of Wake Forest fans!
 
As part of their new partnership with Wake Forest Athletics, Norman Stockton will be featured on our radio broadcasts and in custom social content, highlighting their timeless styles with some familiar Deacon faces! They have some great Deacon gear - stop by and see them. 
 
From the Quad Big 3
Finally, here are today's Big 3 ways to help the Deacs: 
  1. Wake student-athletes are the best! Mary Lawrence and I recently hosted the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for a meeting and last week I had a great lunch meeting with our football captains. As these young men and women inspire us, remember the 'One More Rule' and get to another Wake Forest contest soon - your presence inspires them! 
  2. Share this Adobe Express Visual Recap of our Demon Deacon partnership with Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital for the 'Gold Rush' game that raised awareness and benefit research for childhood cancer Sept. 7 when the Deacs hosted Virginia inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. 
  3. Make your plans now to join us at Allegacy Stadium for our remaining three ACC games with our new ACC three-game combo mini-plan that includes a ticket to Clemson (Saturday, Oct. 12), Cal (Friday, Nov. 8), and Duke (Saturday, Nov. 30). With limited supplies there is a max of four tickets that can be ordered per account. Remember that the Oct. 12 game with Clemson, is a WEAR BLACK SATURDAY so get your gear here from WakeForestShop.com!
While we cheer loud for the Deacs, please remember that our goal of providing The Best Fan Experience in North Carolina includes ensuring all fans feel welcome in Winston-Salem.  Thanks for continuing our reputation for hospitality and helping to ensure a great experience for all wherever you may be sitting inside Allegacy Stadium. Anytime you need help or have concerns during the game, call or text our Gameday Hotline at 336-758-GAME.
 
Send me your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to me at wfuad@wfu.edu, and…
 
Go Deacs! 

John Currie Signature for FTQ

 
John Currie
Vice President & Director of Athletics
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