Investing in People: The Heart Behind The Strickland Family’s Wake Forest Giving
12/11/2025 9:13:00 AM | General
Justin Strickland grew up completely in love with basketball. It was all he did, all he thought about, and all he wanted to master. As a guard who relied more on grit than flash, he wasn't the tallest player on the court, but he was always the one who stayed the longest. Skipped proms, no summer vacations, no breaks, no shortcuts - just relentless work. That underdog edge, that discipline and fire he built chasing the game he loved, shaped the person he became long after the final buzzer faded.
Justin's love for the game brought tough moments, but the fire he built never faded. Instead, it shaped how he sees the world and how he chooses to give back. Basketball taught him what it means to pour yourself into something and to show up, even when the odds are stacked against you. That same drive now fuels his commitment to creating opportunities for others, especially the kind he wished he had when he was growing up.
"My most meaningful Wake Forest moments always come from sharing game days with others," Justin said. "I love bringing people who may never have had the chance to experience a courtside game. Watching them see it for the first time lets me relive that feeling through their eyes, and that never gets old."
But Justin's generosity isn't just about tickets or access. It's about belonging. He and his wife, Jessica, have made it their mission to open doors where none existed by providing scholarships and support for student-athletes navigating pressure and adversity. Through the Strickland Legacy Group - the family's philanthropic arm - the Stricklands have quickly made a meaningful impact since joining the Deacon Club. Their commitment includes a Moricle Society gift that provides a current-use scholarship, ensuring that students with immediate financial need have the support to stay focused on their goals. And their centerpiece gift - the Justin Strickland Pro Humanitate Scholarship - reflects Justin's own journey. It supports students who remind him of where he started: young athletes with big dreams who may not have had the resources or recognition to pursue them.
"Our relationship with Wake Forest grows deeper every year because we truly love this community," Justin explained. "And a lot of that comes from athletics. What's been special for me is that Wake Forest reconnected me with something I once loved. It feels like everything has come full circle."
That sense of coming full circle reaches well beyond the court. The discipline, humility, and persistence Justin learned as an athlete became the backbone of Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change, the national brand he built from the ground up. Named after Justin and Jessica's sons, Tate (14) and Beckett (10), Strickland Brothers began after dozens of banks and investors turned Justin down. It was his grandfather who ultimately put up the family homeplace through maxing out a $35,000 home equity loan to get the business started.
From painting the first shop to rebuilding pumps, fabricating equipment, and even writing some code into the earliest version of the company's software, Justin and longtime friend Mark Agan literally created Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change with their own hands. In just six years, the company has opened nearly 300 locations across 26 states, becoming one of the top oil change brands in the United States. It is an American-dream narrative shaped by grit and a people-first philosophy - proof that a clear vision, an uncompromising work ethic, and a unified team can create something truly extraordinary.
The same mindset that once pushed him through grueling practices now fuels his leadership: serve people well, invest in their success, and create opportunities that outlast you. When he watches a game today, it doesn't just spark nostalgia; it reminds him of the foundation that shaped both his business and his approach to giving.
"Justin and Jessica Strickland represent everything we hold dear at Wake Forest," Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie said. "Their generosity is rooted in lived experience - grit, perseverance, compassion - and it shows in the way they invest in people first. What inspires me most about the Strickland family is that their giving isn't about recognition; it's about opening doors for young people who remind Justin of his own journey. They have become true partners in our mission, and their belief in the power of a Wake Forest education and the student-athlete experience is transforming lives. We are profoundly grateful for their leadership and their commitment to helping the next generation of Demon Deacons flourish."
The empathy he carries from his own journey is reflected in his connection to Wake Forest. Justin understands what it feels like to work toward something without guarantees, and that perspective shapes the way he supports today's student-athletes. He wants them to feel resourced, encouraged, and surrounded by people who believe in their potential, especially during the moments that test them most.
"In my mind, giving is about helping Wake Forest become everything it's capable of being," Justin stated. "To me, the real win is watching Wake Forest shape people who will lead, serve, and lift others. The influence goes far beyond sports, and that's what matters. When I can share an experience or create an opportunity for someone, it reminds me why this community is so special and why its future is worth investing in."
In the end, Justin's story is about more than basketball, more than scholarships, and more than game days. It's about creating moments that matter, giving people experiences they might never have had, and paying forward the lessons of perseverance, passion, and empathy he learned on the court. His legacy isn't measured in points scored or businesses built—it's measured in the opportunities he provides, the lives he touches, and the gratitude he carries for the chance to make a difference.
Basketball gave him purpose. Wake Forest gave him connection. And through his giving, Justin Strickland now gives others a chance to chase their own dreams—one opportunity at a time.
A Legacy of Loyalty: The Deacon Club's 75th Anniversary
This story 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
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.
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, innovative department of engineering and its nationally renowned Program for Leadership and Character, which prepares students to live with purpose, integrity and courage. Additionally, Wake Forest has campuses across Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Washington, D.C. – 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.
Justin's love for the game brought tough moments, but the fire he built never faded. Instead, it shaped how he sees the world and how he chooses to give back. Basketball taught him what it means to pour yourself into something and to show up, even when the odds are stacked against you. That same drive now fuels his commitment to creating opportunities for others, especially the kind he wished he had when he was growing up.
"My most meaningful Wake Forest moments always come from sharing game days with others," Justin said. "I love bringing people who may never have had the chance to experience a courtside game. Watching them see it for the first time lets me relive that feeling through their eyes, and that never gets old."
But Justin's generosity isn't just about tickets or access. It's about belonging. He and his wife, Jessica, have made it their mission to open doors where none existed by providing scholarships and support for student-athletes navigating pressure and adversity. Through the Strickland Legacy Group - the family's philanthropic arm - the Stricklands have quickly made a meaningful impact since joining the Deacon Club. Their commitment includes a Moricle Society gift that provides a current-use scholarship, ensuring that students with immediate financial need have the support to stay focused on their goals. And their centerpiece gift - the Justin Strickland Pro Humanitate Scholarship - reflects Justin's own journey. It supports students who remind him of where he started: young athletes with big dreams who may not have had the resources or recognition to pursue them.
"Our relationship with Wake Forest grows deeper every year because we truly love this community," Justin explained. "And a lot of that comes from athletics. What's been special for me is that Wake Forest reconnected me with something I once loved. It feels like everything has come full circle."
That sense of coming full circle reaches well beyond the court. The discipline, humility, and persistence Justin learned as an athlete became the backbone of Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change, the national brand he built from the ground up. Named after Justin and Jessica's sons, Tate (14) and Beckett (10), Strickland Brothers began after dozens of banks and investors turned Justin down. It was his grandfather who ultimately put up the family homeplace through maxing out a $35,000 home equity loan to get the business started.
From painting the first shop to rebuilding pumps, fabricating equipment, and even writing some code into the earliest version of the company's software, Justin and longtime friend Mark Agan literally created Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change with their own hands. In just six years, the company has opened nearly 300 locations across 26 states, becoming one of the top oil change brands in the United States. It is an American-dream narrative shaped by grit and a people-first philosophy - proof that a clear vision, an uncompromising work ethic, and a unified team can create something truly extraordinary.
The same mindset that once pushed him through grueling practices now fuels his leadership: serve people well, invest in their success, and create opportunities that outlast you. When he watches a game today, it doesn't just spark nostalgia; it reminds him of the foundation that shaped both his business and his approach to giving.
"Justin and Jessica Strickland represent everything we hold dear at Wake Forest," Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie said. "Their generosity is rooted in lived experience - grit, perseverance, compassion - and it shows in the way they invest in people first. What inspires me most about the Strickland family is that their giving isn't about recognition; it's about opening doors for young people who remind Justin of his own journey. They have become true partners in our mission, and their belief in the power of a Wake Forest education and the student-athlete experience is transforming lives. We are profoundly grateful for their leadership and their commitment to helping the next generation of Demon Deacons flourish."
The empathy he carries from his own journey is reflected in his connection to Wake Forest. Justin understands what it feels like to work toward something without guarantees, and that perspective shapes the way he supports today's student-athletes. He wants them to feel resourced, encouraged, and surrounded by people who believe in their potential, especially during the moments that test them most.
"In my mind, giving is about helping Wake Forest become everything it's capable of being," Justin stated. "To me, the real win is watching Wake Forest shape people who will lead, serve, and lift others. The influence goes far beyond sports, and that's what matters. When I can share an experience or create an opportunity for someone, it reminds me why this community is so special and why its future is worth investing in."
In the end, Justin's story is about more than basketball, more than scholarships, and more than game days. It's about creating moments that matter, giving people experiences they might never have had, and paying forward the lessons of perseverance, passion, and empathy he learned on the court. His legacy isn't measured in points scored or businesses built—it's measured in the opportunities he provides, the lives he touches, and the gratitude he carries for the chance to make a difference.
Basketball gave him purpose. Wake Forest gave him connection. And through his giving, Justin Strickland now gives others a chance to chase their own dreams—one opportunity at a time.
A Legacy of Loyalty: The Deacon Club's 75th Anniversary
This story 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
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.
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, innovative department of engineering and its nationally renowned Program for Leadership and Character, which prepares students to live with purpose, integrity and courage. Additionally, Wake Forest has campuses across Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Washington, D.C. – 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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