Wake Forest Athletics
Baker Family Commitment Names Assistant Head Football Coach Position and Propels Wake Forest Football Forward in New Era of College Athletics
11/11/2025 9:29:00 AM | Football, General
Transformational gift from Prentiss (’65) and Joan Baker strengthens Wake Forest’s competitive edge and is a catalyst to help provide current Demon Deacons with a World Class Student-Athlete Experience.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest Athletics is proud to announce a landmark commitment from Prentiss ('65) and Joan Baker, one of the University's most generous and longstanding families, in support of Demon Deacon Football. Their multi-million dollar investment will directly advance Wake Forest's revised athletics operating model, provide critical current-use scholarship support, and name the Baker Family Assistant Head Coach position, currently held by Justin Kramer.
The Bakers' commitment will fuel key priorities within the football program, including the expansion of scholarship opportunities, direct support for program-enhancing areas such as performance and nutrition, and continued investment in leadership and infrastructure. Their gift will also create a new, named scholarship for a Wake Forest football student-athlete.
Additionally, by naming the Assistant Head Coach position, the Bakers are further advancing Wake Forest's Coaching and Directorship Initiative, a strategic priority designed to ensure long-term program excellence and create sustainable competitive advantages.
The Bakers' Wake Forest legacy spans generations. Prentiss, a 1965 graduate, served as CEO of Baker Roofing Company, a fourth-generation, family-run business headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., known for its expertise in complex commercial and residential roofing systems. Joan, their children, and grandchildren have all been deeply engaged in the life of the University, with several earning Wake Forest degrees. Their son-in-law, Ricky Proehl ('90), a former NFL standout and Super Bowl champion, is also part of the extended Deacon family.
A native of Liberty, Missouri, Baker Family Assistant Head Coach Justin Kramer joined Wake Forest in January 2025 as Assistant Head Coach after three seasons at Washington State, where he worked closely with Jake Dickert during the Cougars' rise into the national rankings. A former four-year letterman at Southern Illinois, Kramer brings extensive experience from previous roles at Missouri State, Southeast Missouri State, and Missouri. Known for his leadership and player development, he has helped build championship-level programs and played a key role in Wake Forest's historic first season under Coach Dickert.
In addition to its direct impact on Athletics, the Bakers' gift will also count toward the University's upcoming comprehensive campaign, ensuring their legacy contributes to Wake Forest's mission in both academics and athletics.
As the new era of college athletics begins to take shape, the Baker family's commitment is not only a game-changer—it is a reminder of the power of vision, loyalty, and leadership to transform the lives of student-athletes and elevate an entire institution.
What They Are Saying
This announcement comes during the 75th anniversary celebration of the Deacon Club, the official fundraising arm of Wake Forest Athletics. Since its founding in 1950, the Deacon Club has empowered generations of Demon Deacons through scholarship support, excellence funds, and strategic investments in facilities and leadership positions—delivering on Wake Forest's promise of a World Class Student-Athlete Experience.
The Baker Family will be recognized on Nov. 15, 2025 at Wake Forest's home football game against UNC for their generosity and commitment as a part of this year-long initiative.
To learn more about the Deacon Club's 75th Anniversary Celebration and ways to support Wake Forest student-athletes, visit DeaconClub.com.
Supporting Wake Forest Athletics
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. A Charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Demon Deacons have won 59 conference titles and are one of nine ACC schools to win 11 or more national championships. Additionally, with 1.7 million people within 30 miles of campus, Wake Forest anchors the Winston-Salem and Triad market, which ranks as ESPN's seventh-best nationally from a viewership perspective.
Wake Forest's comprehensive excellence includes its highly regarded school of medicine, business school, law school and an innovative department of engineering. Additionally, Wake Forest has campuses across Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Washington, DC – providing many academic offerings to students from across the nation and around the world.
Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu and at GoDeacs.com.
The Bakers' commitment will fuel key priorities within the football program, including the expansion of scholarship opportunities, direct support for program-enhancing areas such as performance and nutrition, and continued investment in leadership and infrastructure. Their gift will also create a new, named scholarship for a Wake Forest football student-athlete.
Additionally, by naming the Assistant Head Coach position, the Bakers are further advancing Wake Forest's Coaching and Directorship Initiative, a strategic priority designed to ensure long-term program excellence and create sustainable competitive advantages.
The Bakers' Wake Forest legacy spans generations. Prentiss, a 1965 graduate, served as CEO of Baker Roofing Company, a fourth-generation, family-run business headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., known for its expertise in complex commercial and residential roofing systems. Joan, their children, and grandchildren have all been deeply engaged in the life of the University, with several earning Wake Forest degrees. Their son-in-law, Ricky Proehl ('90), a former NFL standout and Super Bowl champion, is also part of the extended Deacon family.
A native of Liberty, Missouri, Baker Family Assistant Head Coach Justin Kramer joined Wake Forest in January 2025 as Assistant Head Coach after three seasons at Washington State, where he worked closely with Jake Dickert during the Cougars' rise into the national rankings. A former four-year letterman at Southern Illinois, Kramer brings extensive experience from previous roles at Missouri State, Southeast Missouri State, and Missouri. Known for his leadership and player development, he has helped build championship-level programs and played a key role in Wake Forest's historic first season under Coach Dickert.
In addition to its direct impact on Athletics, the Bakers' gift will also count toward the University's upcoming comprehensive campaign, ensuring their legacy contributes to Wake Forest's mission in both academics and athletics.
As the new era of college athletics begins to take shape, the Baker family's commitment is not only a game-changer—it is a reminder of the power of vision, loyalty, and leadership to transform the lives of student-athletes and elevate an entire institution.
What They Are Saying
- Prentiss ('65) and Joan Baker:
- "This is about helping the next generation of Demon Deacons succeed. Wake Forest has always been part of our family's story. We're proud to support Coach Dickert, his staff, and the young men in this program as they represent the values and excellence that define Wake Forest. We hope this gift encourages others to get involved and support this program we love."
- President Susan R. Wente:
- "The Baker family's generosity is representative of Wake Forest's long held values and bold aspirations. Their investment will positively impact the lives of student-athletes now and for generations to come. Additionally, this gift aligns with our enterprise-wide commitment to opportunity, excellence, and the holistic development of leaders of character. We are honored to count the Bakers among our most dedicated champions as we move the University forward together."
- Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie:
- "Prentiss and Joan Baker's generosity reflects everything that makes Wake Forest special—deep loyalty, bold vision, and an unwavering belief in our mission. This gift not only strengthens the core of our football program through scholarship expansion and enhanced excellence funds, but also supports our broader goal of sustaining named leadership positions across athletics. We are incredibly grateful to the Bakers for continuing to lead by example and helping ensure Wake Forest thrives in this new era."
- Head Coach Jake Dickert:
- "Prentiss and Joan are pillars of the Wake Forest community. Their commitment to our players and this program means everything. This gift not only enhances our ability to support our student-athletes today—it's a message about the future. With the Baker Family name attached to our Assistant Head Coach position and a new scholarship to help us attract elite talent, we are better positioned than ever to grow, compete, and build something special."
- Baker Family Assistant Head Coach Justin Kramer:
- "I'm incredibly grateful for Prentiss and Joan's remarkable generosity and belief in our program. It's an absolute honor to serve as the Baker Family Assistant Head Coach. Their commitment fuels our mission and reminds me daily why we do what we do — to build champion men, chase excellence, and continue elevating the profile of Wake Forest Football."
This announcement comes during the 75th anniversary celebration of the Deacon Club, the official fundraising arm of Wake Forest Athletics. Since its founding in 1950, the Deacon Club has empowered generations of Demon Deacons through scholarship support, excellence funds, and strategic investments in facilities and leadership positions—delivering on Wake Forest's promise of a World Class Student-Athlete Experience.
The Baker Family will be recognized on Nov. 15, 2025 at Wake Forest's home football game against UNC for their generosity and commitment as a part of this year-long initiative.
To learn more about the Deacon Club's 75th Anniversary Celebration and ways to support Wake Forest student-athletes, visit DeaconClub.com.
Supporting Wake Forest Athletics
- Wake Forest Athletics Excellence Funds program launched in 2018 as an avenue for alumni, family and friends to directly impact a specific program of their choice through a budget-enhancing gift specifically to that program. Join the Goldings in their support of the women's golf program or make an experience-enhancing gift to the program of your choosing today!
- The Balogh Family announced a transformative gift in Sept. 2023 gift to help Wake Forest's initiative to sustain and elevate coaching or directorship positions though specific endowment gifts. In gratitude for the generosity of Ed Balogh and his wife, Kathy, the position currently held by football's wide receivers coach Ari Confesor will be forever titled, The Balogh Family Football Assistant Coach for Wide Receivers Position.
- The Lyons family moved forward in May 2023 to become the first to participate in the Coaching and Directorship Initiative at Wake Forest, establishing the The Lyons Family Men's Golf Associate Head Coach position and The Lyons Family Women's Golf Associate Head Coach position.
- In celebration of his 50th Wake Forest reunion and a lifetime of support for his alma mater, Jeff Triplette and his wife, Laurie, endowed the Triplette Family Volleyball Assistant Coach position in 2024. A longtime Deacon Club Board member and advocate for women's athletics, Triplette has played a key role in shaping the Coaching and Directorship Initiative. His historic investment will provide perpetual support for the volleyball program, enhancing recruiting, development, and competitive opportunities for student-athletes.
- Tony and Vi Golding have named the head coach position for Wake Forest Women's Golf, held by 2023 NCAA Champion Kim Lewellen, in recognition of their transformative support for the program in June 2025. Their gift reflects a decades-long relationship with Wake Forest and a shared vision to elevate opportunities for Demon Deacon student-athletes on and off the course.
- Dr. Tom and Anne Fehring of Charlotte, N.C. endowed the Fehring Family Head Football Athletic Trainer position. A 1975 Wake Forest graduate, former football student-athlete, and nationally recognized orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Fehring and his wife, Anne, have long demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing student-athlete health, safety, and performance. Their generous gift will enhance Wake Forest's ability to invest in cutting-edge medical technology, foster innovation in sports medicine, and provide world-class care for Demon Deacons across all programs.
- In recognition of decades of loyalty, leadership, and service to Wake Forest Football, more than a dozen of Johnny Foster's former teammates joined together in 2025 to endow the Johnny ('78) & Sue Foster Director of Football Equipment Services position. Their collective gift honors the Fosters' lifelong devotion to the Demon Deacon program and ensures perpetual support for its equipment operations. A student manager from 1974–77 and a fixture on the sidelines for more than 20 years as a volunteer, Johnny Foster has remained a beloved presence within Wake Forest Athletics while building a distinguished professional career in aviation.
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. A Charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Demon Deacons have won 59 conference titles and are one of nine ACC schools to win 11 or more national championships. Additionally, with 1.7 million people within 30 miles of campus, Wake Forest anchors the Winston-Salem and Triad market, which ranks as ESPN's seventh-best nationally from a viewership perspective.
Wake Forest's comprehensive excellence includes its highly regarded school of medicine, business school, law school and an innovative department of engineering. Additionally, Wake Forest has campuses across Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Washington, DC – providing many academic offerings to students from across the nation and around the world.
Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu and at GoDeacs.com.
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