Pro Humanitate & Winning Championships: Wake Forest Celebrates Historic $20 Million Gift from Bob McCreary (’61) & Launches the McCreary Triple Double Challenge — A $100 Million Initiative
12/11/2025 11:14:00 AM | General
Historic investment adds 10 new current-use scholarships and accelerates football excellence in the new era of Demon Deacons Football
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest University today announced a transformational $20 million gift from longtime benefactor and football alum Bob McCreary ('61), one of the most generous philanthropic leaders in Demon Deacon history. This landmark investment further elevates Wake Forest Football's competitive trajectory and reinforces the extraordinary momentum established in head coach Jake Dickert's first season.
McCreary's new commitment—strategically designated to fund 10 current-use football scholarships and advance key football excellence initiatives—propels Wake Forest into a new era by expanding opportunities for student-athletes and strengthening the resources required to compete for championships.
Introducing the McCreary Triple Double Challenge
In tandem with this historic gift, Wake Forest is launching The McCreary Triple Double Challenge: A $100 Million Initiative, a bold and future-defining fundraising effort inspired by Bob McCreary's passion for student-athlete success and competitive excellence.
The initiative's name reflects its core purpose: three mission-critical priorities, each delivered at championship-level scale—scholarships, sport excellence, and competitive infrastructure—combined to secure Wake Forest's future in the new era of college athletics.
The McCreary Triple Double Challenge seeks $100 million in new philanthropic commitments by December 31, 2026, supporting two primary goals:
To responsibly prepare for the new revenue-sharing model in college sports, Wake Forest University made a significant up-front investment to initiate the challenge. That commitment immediately inspired leading athletics donors, resulting in $45 million in new gifts to scholarships and excellence funds since July 1, 2024.
With Bob McCreary's latest $20 million investment—bringing total support to $65 million—he is calling on Deacon Nation to join him in completing the challenge and helping secure the remaining $35 million by December 31, 2026.
At its core, the McCreary Triple Double Challenge is grounded in a powerful belief: competitive excellence and Pro Humanitate are inseparable. This initiative will strengthen endowed scholarships, expand excellence funds, and fuel the holistic development of Demon Deacon student-athletes—ensuring Wake Forest remains nationally competitive while staying true to its values.
A Gift Aligned with an Ascending Program
Under Coach Dickert's leadership, Wake Forest returned to the national spotlight in 2025.
The Demon Deacons recorded eight wins, marking the fifth time in the last nine years Wake Forest has reached that benchmark—one of just four ACC programs (Clemson, Louisville, NC State, and Wake Forest) to do so. This season also featured two CFP Top-25 victories, including a road win at No. 12 Virginia, the Cavaliers' only home loss of the year, and a home triumph that snapped SMU's 20-game regular-season conference winning streak.
Additionally, the Demon Deacons added 30 signees on Dec. 3 as a part of National Signing Day where Wake Forest landed its largest and highest-rated class in program history.
The program's on-field success has galvanized the Wake Forest community. Since 2021, the Deacs have played in front of 12 sellouts, including the 32,390 who watched Wake Forest defeat North Carolina 28-12 this season. Student attendance averaged 80% of undergraduates, once again reinforcing Wake Forest's place as one of the ACC's most vibrant home-field environments.
McCreary's gift will immediately boost the program—and opportunities for more student-athletes to earn a Demon Deacon degree—by establishing 10 new current-use scholarships, expanding Wake Forest's ability to attract and retain top talent. The remainder of the commitment will support football excellence through enhanced recruiting operations, advanced player development resources, and strategic investment in competitive infrastructure.
A Legacy of Leadership and Investment
A former Wake Forest football student-athlete, McCreary grew up in a factory town in western North Carolina before earning his education through an athletics scholarship. His passion for providing life-changing opportunities for student-athletes has guided decades of philanthropic leadership—leadership that now totals over $75 million in support of Wake Forest.
Today's announcement on this investment from Bob McCreary, whose story was thoughtfully chronicled in 2017 by Elaine Tooley, is his commitment, which builds upon more than a decade of extraordinary leadership. From 2013 to 2023, Wake Forest completed a fully fundraised $180 million facilities transformation, including:
McCreary's generosity once again sets the pace—fueling opportunity, elevating excellence, and challenging Deacon Nation to rise to this pivotal moment for Wake Forest University.
Remembering Michele Acosta McCreary
Many Wake Foresters know the name Bob McCreary, but standing right beside Bob for nearly four decades was his wife and business partner, Michele Acosta McCreary. The success of their business, McCreary Modern, allowed Michele to do what she loved most — care for those around her and give generously to the communities she loved, including Wake Forest Athletics.
When Michele passed away unexpectedly in August 2024, the void she left was profound. To honor her extraordinary life of service, Bob established the Michele Acosta McCreary Baseball Scholarship. This $1 million investment provides two scholarships per year to Demon Deacon baseball players over the next five years. It is a fitting tribute to Michele's lifelong love for America's pastime and her instinct to lift others up.
Read more about Michele and the legacy she left behind.
What They're 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.
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 Bob McCreary in his support of the football program or make an experience-enhancing gift to the program of your choosing today!
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.
McCreary's new commitment—strategically designated to fund 10 current-use football scholarships and advance key football excellence initiatives—propels Wake Forest into a new era by expanding opportunities for student-athletes and strengthening the resources required to compete for championships.
Introducing the McCreary Triple Double Challenge
In tandem with this historic gift, Wake Forest is launching The McCreary Triple Double Challenge: A $100 Million Initiative, a bold and future-defining fundraising effort inspired by Bob McCreary's passion for student-athlete success and competitive excellence.
The initiative's name reflects its core purpose: three mission-critical priorities, each delivered at championship-level scale—scholarships, sport excellence, and competitive infrastructure—combined to secure Wake Forest's future in the new era of college athletics.
The McCreary Triple Double Challenge seeks $100 million in new philanthropic commitments by December 31, 2026, supporting two primary goals:
- $50 million for Current-Use Scholarships — ensuring Wake Forest can attract, retain, and support exceptional student-athletes across all sports.
- $50 million for Sport Excellence Funds — powering coaching, recruiting, player development, sports performance, technology, mental well-being, nutrition, and leadership programming.
To responsibly prepare for the new revenue-sharing model in college sports, Wake Forest University made a significant up-front investment to initiate the challenge. That commitment immediately inspired leading athletics donors, resulting in $45 million in new gifts to scholarships and excellence funds since July 1, 2024.
With Bob McCreary's latest $20 million investment—bringing total support to $65 million—he is calling on Deacon Nation to join him in completing the challenge and helping secure the remaining $35 million by December 31, 2026.
At its core, the McCreary Triple Double Challenge is grounded in a powerful belief: competitive excellence and Pro Humanitate are inseparable. This initiative will strengthen endowed scholarships, expand excellence funds, and fuel the holistic development of Demon Deacon student-athletes—ensuring Wake Forest remains nationally competitive while staying true to its values.
A Gift Aligned with an Ascending Program
Under Coach Dickert's leadership, Wake Forest returned to the national spotlight in 2025.
The Demon Deacons recorded eight wins, marking the fifth time in the last nine years Wake Forest has reached that benchmark—one of just four ACC programs (Clemson, Louisville, NC State, and Wake Forest) to do so. This season also featured two CFP Top-25 victories, including a road win at No. 12 Virginia, the Cavaliers' only home loss of the year, and a home triumph that snapped SMU's 20-game regular-season conference winning streak.
Additionally, the Demon Deacons added 30 signees on Dec. 3 as a part of National Signing Day where Wake Forest landed its largest and highest-rated class in program history.
The program's on-field success has galvanized the Wake Forest community. Since 2021, the Deacs have played in front of 12 sellouts, including the 32,390 who watched Wake Forest defeat North Carolina 28-12 this season. Student attendance averaged 80% of undergraduates, once again reinforcing Wake Forest's place as one of the ACC's most vibrant home-field environments.
McCreary's gift will immediately boost the program—and opportunities for more student-athletes to earn a Demon Deacon degree—by establishing 10 new current-use scholarships, expanding Wake Forest's ability to attract and retain top talent. The remainder of the commitment will support football excellence through enhanced recruiting operations, advanced player development resources, and strategic investment in competitive infrastructure.
A Legacy of Leadership and Investment
A former Wake Forest football student-athlete, McCreary grew up in a factory town in western North Carolina before earning his education through an athletics scholarship. His passion for providing life-changing opportunities for student-athletes has guided decades of philanthropic leadership—leadership that now totals over $75 million in support of Wake Forest.
Today's announcement on this investment from Bob McCreary, whose story was thoughtfully chronicled in 2017 by Elaine Tooley, is his commitment, which builds upon more than a decade of extraordinary leadership. From 2013 to 2023, Wake Forest completed a fully fundraised $180 million facilities transformation, including:
- McCreary Football Field House
- Sutton Sports Performance Center
- Shah Basketball Complex
- McCreary Football Complex
McCreary's generosity once again sets the pace—fueling opportunity, elevating excellence, and challenging Deacon Nation to rise to this pivotal moment for Wake Forest University.
Remembering Michele Acosta McCreary
Many Wake Foresters know the name Bob McCreary, but standing right beside Bob for nearly four decades was his wife and business partner, Michele Acosta McCreary. The success of their business, McCreary Modern, allowed Michele to do what she loved most — care for those around her and give generously to the communities she loved, including Wake Forest Athletics.
When Michele passed away unexpectedly in August 2024, the void she left was profound. To honor her extraordinary life of service, Bob established the Michele Acosta McCreary Baseball Scholarship. This $1 million investment provides two scholarships per year to Demon Deacon baseball players over the next five years. It is a fitting tribute to Michele's lifelong love for America's pastime and her instinct to lift others up.
Read more about Michele and the legacy she left behind.
What They're Saying
- Bob McCreary ('61):
- "Wake Forest changed the trajectory of my life, and I see that same possibility in every young man who comes through our football program. Under Coach Dickert's leadership, this team has rediscovered its edge, its belief, and its identity. His vision inspired me to make this commitment and to be a catalyst for the Triple Double Challenge. Now is the moment for all of us who love Wake Forest to rally together, invest boldly, and ensure that Coach Dickert and our student-athletes have the resources to compete for championships."
- President Susan R. Wente:
- "Bob McCreary has shaped Wake Forest in transformational ways. His story — from a scholarship student-athlete to one of our most influential benefactors — embodies the promise of this university. This pivotal gift fortifies Wake Forest's commitment to excellence and strengthens the foundation on which our student-athletes, coaches, and campus community will continue to thrive."
- Head Football Coach Jake Dickert:
- "Bob McCreary embodies what it means to be a Demon Deacon. His investment in our program isn't just financial — it's personal. His belief in our student-athletes and the direction of Wake Forest Football fuels everything we do. This gift elevates our ability to recruit, develop, and compete at the highest level, and we are incredibly grateful for his unwavering support."
- Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie:
- "Bob McCreary's generosity and commitment to excellence have reset expectations—and the horizon of possibility—for 21st-century Demon Deacon Football. In turn, Bob's leadership and sacrificial financial support have inspired thousands of other Demon Deacon fans to bond together with gifts of their own and their physical presence cheering on Wake Forest student-athletes. On that note—Bob's presence in our locker room after our dominant win over North Carolina in front of a sellout crowd on November 15 was a powerful reminder of what Wake Forest means to its people, and what its people mean to Wake Forest. This monumental commitment accelerates the momentum Coach Dickert and his staff have ignited, strengthens our ability to recruit and develop exceptional student-athletes, and positions Wake Forest for sustained excellence. Today's announcement provides another rallying opportunity for the Demon Deacon faithful, and we are profoundly grateful for the inspiration Bob provides us all."
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
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 Bob McCreary in his support of the football program or make an experience-enhancing gift to the program of your choosing today!
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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