John Foster & Jake Dickert

Wake Forest Football Teammates Honor Johnny (‘78) & Sue Foster with Dedication of Director of Equipment Services Position

11/6/2025 11:49:00 AM | Football, General

Longtime volunteer manager, pilot and loyal alumnus recognized for decades of service to Demon Deacon Football.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest Athletics is proud to announce the dedication of the Johnny ('78) & Sue Foster Director of Football Equipment Services position, honoring the couple's lifelong devotion and impact on the Demon Deacon football program.
 
This endowed position, currently held by Brian Daniels, was made possible through the generosity of more than a dozen of Johnny's former football teammates, who joined together to contribute over $500,000 in recognition of his decades of service, leadership, and love for Wake Forest. Their collective gift not only celebrates Johnny's enduring connection to Demon Deacon Football but also strengthens the foundation of the program for future generations.
 
Brian Daniels, the Sue and Johnny Foster Director of Football Equipment Services, has led Wake Forest's equipment operations since joining the program ahead of the 2014 season. In his role, Daniels oversees all aspects of football equipment logistics—including player safety, inventory management, and coordination of team apparel and gear—ensuring the Demon Deacons are prepared for success on and off the field. A certified member of the AEMA, Daniels previously served as head equipment manager at Bowling Green, working under head coach Dave Clawson, as well as holding positions at Colgate, Buffalo, and his alma mater, Gardner-Webb, where he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees. A native of Norman Park, Georgia, Daniels and his wife, Jill, have two sons, Hayden and Cameron, and a daughter, Bailey.
 
Foster's relationship with Wake Forest spans more than five decades, beginning as a student manager from 1974–77. After graduating in 1978, he launched a professional career in both athletics and aviation while maintaining a steadfast commitment to his alma mater. Over the years, Foster has become one of the program's most devoted supporters—serving as a volunteer equipment manager, traveling to every home and away game for more than 20 years, and even using his pilot skills to assist Wake Forest head coaches on recruiting trips.
 
Following his time as a student manager, Foster worked with the Baltimore Colts until the team's relocation in 1984. He later transitioned into the aviation industry, where he built a distinguished career as President and CEO of Skytech, Inc., an authorized dealer of Pilatus and Piper Aircraft across nine states. Under his leadership, Skytech grew into one of the most respected names in business aviation before Foster's retirement in 2022.
 
Even as his professional responsibilities expanded, Foster's heart remained in Winston-Salem. His commitment to Wake Forest Football has earned him a reputation as the "alumni captain" of the program—a mentor, supporter, and friend to countless student-athletes, coaches, and staff. In recognition of his integrity, leadership, and service, Foster received the Gene Hooks Award in 2020, presented annually to an individual who exemplifies the Pro Humanitate spirit of Wake Forest Athletics.
 
This season, Wake Forest Football will formally dedicate its Director of Equipment Services position in Foster's honor, celebrating his unmatched loyalty and impact on generations of Demon Deacons.
 
What They're Saying
  • Johnny Foster ('78):
    • "Wake Forest has been part of my life for more than 50 years, and the friendships built here have truly lasted a lifetime. I'm deeply humbled that my teammates—guys I sweated and laughed with all those years ago—chose to come together to make this honor possible. Their generosity means more to me than words can express. To have this position named for Sue and me is one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I'm forever grateful to be part of a program that continues to represent everything good about Wake Forest."
  • Head Coach Jake Dickert:
    • "In my first year at Wake Forest, one of the true blessings has been getting to know Johnny Foster. From the moment I arrived, his warmth, energy, and passion for this program have stood out. Johnny represents everything that is best about Wake Forest—selflessness, loyalty, and genuine care for others. The fact that his teammates came together to honor him in this way speaks volumes about the kind of person he is and the lasting impact he's had on this program. This recognition is a perfect tribute to a man whose influence on Wake Forest Football will be felt for generations."
  • Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie:
    • "Johnny Foster has been a beloved part of our football family for decades, and his selfless service perfectly reflects the spirit of Wake Forest and the essence of Pro Humanitate. Few people have given more of themselves to our program than Johnny—his loyalty, humility, and genuine love for our student-athletes have strengthened Wake Forest Football in countless ways. Having known Johnny for many years, I've seen firsthand how deeply he cares for this place and the people in it. It's especially meaningful that this position now bears both his and Sue's names, honoring not only Johnny's lifetime of impact but also Sue's memory and the partnership they shared in supporting Wake Forest and our football program."
  • Johnny ('78) & Sue Foster Director of Football Equipment Services Brian Daniels:
    • "Having known Johnny and Sue Foster for more than a decade, I've seen the lasting impact they've made on Wake Forest Football. Johnny's friendship and unwavering love for this program, along with Sue's spirit and kindness that continue to be felt today, represent the very best of Wake Forest. It's an honor to serve in a position that carries their names and legacy." 
A Legacy of Loyalty: The Deacon Club's 75th Anniversary
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.
 
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 Previous Coaching & Directorship Announcements About Wake Forest University
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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