Wake Forest Athletics
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From the Quad
12/19/2025 9:45:00 AM | General
Presented by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Happy Friday Demon Deacon Nation!
Let's start today's From the Quad with a well-deserved round of applause for our world-class Wake Forest faculty – most of whom have spent this past week and last weekend immersed in grading final exams, projects, and papers! With the continued support of Senior Associate AD Jane Caldwell and her outstanding team, our Demon Deacon student-athletes are once again excelling at the highest level, reflecting the shared commitment to academic and athletic excellence that defines Wake Forest.
And while campus is nearly empty, our football student-athletes are practicing for the Duke's Mayo Bowl, and we have two more basketball games before Christmas break, including our men's squad's marquee showdown against No. 13 Vanderbilt on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. in the Joel! The Commodores arrive in Winston-Salem carrying the highest ranking of any non-conference opponent to visit since 2015, so we need Deacon Nation to bring championship-level energy to LJVM for this seismic matchup. If you can't make it to the Joel, tune into The CW – available nationwide in more than 100 million homes, even for the rabbit-ear dependent! The Deacs beat Longwood on Wednesday, which followed head coach Steve Forbes becoming the third-fastest head coach to reach 100 wins at Wake Forest in a victory over Queens on Sunday.
On Monday, Dec. 22, our 10-3 women's squad plays Gardner-Webb at 1:00 p.m. inside LJVM. The Deacs scored a huge ACC-opening win over Georgia Tech this past Sunday before dropping a tight game to Miami last night. Sophomore Aurora Sørbye netted a season-high 14 points, and her classmate Grace Oliver tied her for a team-high 14 points in the win over the Yellow Jackets!
For these games – or any ticket needs – visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets or call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322!
Charlotte Bound: Duke's Mayo Bowl Plans Coming Together
I've been hearing from Demon Deacons everywhere about their excitement for the Duke's Mayo Bowl coming up on Jan. 2! Although our initial allotment of tickets sold out, the good folks at Charlotte Sports Foundation consigned us additional tickets in both club and lower level sections on the Deacon side of Bank of America Stadium, so click here for the best ticket options.
Additionally, our crack advance team has put together great opportunities to get together all week. Although the Official Wake Forest Duke's Mayo Bowl Pre-Game Party is already sold out, there are lots of pregame options for Wake fans including the Duke's Mayo Bowl FanFest that is located along Mint & Graham Streets from 3-7 p.m. on gameday.
Also, Wake Forest students received a special promo code for discounted tickets – thanks to our generous donors – and there will be a specific-pregame tailgate for students and their friends and families at Clutch Kitchen & Pour House which is just around the corner from Bank of America Stadium.
Demon Deacon Football alumni are the foundation of the program and a gathering spot for former players and their families is set for Ri Ra Irish Pub on Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. With that, fans who are looking for a pregame tailgating spot to gather are encouraged to go by anytime after 4 p.m. until kickoff to gather! Finally, our hardworking University Advancement team has set up a same day, round-trip, Winston-Salem to Charlotte bus option for fans that has sold out as well!
Charlotte has become a second home for Wake Forest, and there's no better place to ring in the new year than by packing Bank of America Stadium. We hope you'll join us, bring the noise, and help make this another unforgettable postseason memory.
Another Page in the New Frontier – Single Portal and Roster Limits – And Contract Renewals
The latest "first" in the "new era" of college athletics is the "single portal window." You'll recall from earlier editions of From the Quad that the House Case Settlement took effect July 1, 2025, and we are now six months into the "revenue-sharing" era of college athletics. This includes sharing up to $20.5 million with student-athletes in the form of NIL licensing agreements, as well as new roster limits for all sports, including football's maximum of 105 players.
Meanwhile, the "transfer portal" in football has been reduced to just two weeks, running January 2 – January 16, and the "spring portal window" has been eliminated.
The convergence of these factors appropriately requires head football coaches to be more transparent and candid than ever before with student-athletes as to their current and future potential role on the team. There are only 105 roster spots (in the past, Wake Forest carried as many as 130 players on the team), there is now a "cap" on school revenue-sharing payments, and thankfully there is Collegiate Sports Commission monitoring and enforcement to ensure that third-party NIL deals are truly fair market value.
And for student-athletes, now is the time to assess their situation, and if they believe pursuing other opportunities is in their best interest, finish their academic work, turn the page, and prepare to enter the portal. For some players, their future playing time or role on the team may not project to be what they want. Or, in some cases, the monetary value of the NIL licensing agreement that Wake Forest offers may not be as much as a student-athlete believes they are "worth" or deserve.
After witnessing the careful evaluations, disciplined assessments, and team-building skills of Coach Jake Dickert, General Manager Rob Schlaeger, Director of Player Personnel Katie Bason and our staff over the last 12 months, I have tremendous confidence in our strategy and am very pleased with both the commitments of returners and our inbound class of high school recruits.
Meanwhile, our "front office", comprised of Scott Garrett, Randy Casstevens, Lindsey Babcock, Steve Weinman, Daren Koudele, Annette Medalie, Jordan Jarry, Reigan Lines, and Pete Paukstelis, along with our compliance and academic staff, have done a masterful job of creating the systems to serve our student-athletes – whether they are continuing at Wake or entering the portal – while also ensuring sound fiscal and legal practices.
I'm lucky to get to know many of our student-athletes well, but that means it's especially hard to see someone depart "early." Whether here only for a semester, or for their entire college careers like these men with whom I shared dinner this week, they are all Deacons for life in my eyes!
More Than Football: Pro Humanitate Guides Community Activation Day
Guided by Wake Forest's enduring Pro Humanitate ideal, Wake Forest Football took a break from practice Wednesday to get out and about in the Winston-Salem community for a Community Activation Day. Demon Deacon student-athletes visited local schools, nonprofits and many places that positively impact our community — including Ronald McDonald House, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA, and SECU Family House — to serve, connect, and make a positive impact.
New Nine-Game ACC Slate Awaits Deacon Nation Next Fall
Wake Forest has announced its 2026 football opponents in conjunction with the Atlantic Coast Conference and Allegacy Stadium will welcome a premier lineup of ACC opponents, including College Football Playoff qualifier Miami, 2025 ACC Championship game participants Duke and Virginia, and Stanford, which will make just its second-ever visit to Winston-Salem.
The 2026 road slate blends tradition and new territory, with first-ever trips to California and Dallas (vs. SMU), along with Georgia Tech, Louisville, and the annual Big-4 rivalry at NC State — the second-longest continuously played rivalry in the FBS and most enduring in the ACC.
Wake's non-conference games begin with Opening Night at Allegacy Stadium against Akron on Thursday, Sept. 3, before our Demon Deacons fulfill the conference's Power 4 non-conference requirement with a trip to Purdue on Sept. 12 for a Big Ten–ACC showdown. Merrimack will visit Winston-Salem on Nov. 7 for the Deacs third non-conference game in 2026.
With that, until the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Jan. 2, fans can score a $99 Built in the Dark season ticket package - only $16.50 per game - an especially great option for first-time buyers or as a holiday gift for a friend or new neighbor. This special price includes a Built in the Dark t-shirt and increases to $149 after the Duke's Mayo Bowl. Our 2026 renewal application is available online and you can also call the ticket office at 336-758-3322, ext. 1. The full menu of 2026 season ticket locations and pricing is available by clicking here and for your budgeting purposes, a convenient four-month payment plan is available if tickets are ordered by March 31, 2026. Finally, here's the link for information on our Annual Seat Rights Program.
"Santa's Helper" Embodies "Pro Humanitate" Spreading Holiday Cheer
Chip Rives, a former Wake Forest football player, founded Santa's Helper in 1986 to help provide holiday presents to children in Winston-Salem, and again this year, student-athletes, coaches, staff, Deacon Club members, and friends of Wake Forest gathered to wrap thousands of presents for families. If you would like to make a gift to Santa's Helper, click here!
A Transformational Investment: Bob McCreary's Leadership Launches the McCreary Triple Double Challenge
Earlier this month, Wake Forest University announced a transformational $20 million commitment from longtime benefactor and football alumnus Bob McCreary ('61). Bob's most recent investment establishes 10 new current-use football scholarships and accelerates essential football excellence initiatives at a pivotal moment. As such, Wake Forest has announced the McCreary Triple Double Challenge, a bold initiative to raise $100 million in new philanthropic commitments by December 31, 2026 for three championship-level priorities – scholarships, sport excellence, and competitive infrastructure – for sustained success in the new era of college athletics.
In just over the past 12 months, Wake Forest donors have already answered the call, including leadership investments from the Baker Family and Tucker Family. Bob's latest gift brings the total to $65 million, creating another rallying moment for Deacon Nation as we rise together to raise the remaining $35 million.
This momentum is perfectly aligned with the ascent of Wake Forest Football. Under Coach Jake Dickert's leadership in 2025, the Demon Deacons earned eight wins, secured two victories over CFP Top-25 opponents, posted the best record among the six Power Four programs in the Carolinas, signed the highest-rated recruiting class in program history, and accepted an invitation to the Duke's Mayo Bowl – our ninth postseason appearance in the last 10 years. Just as importantly, the growth of the International Leadership Circle – from 127 members in 2021 to 359 today – reflects the belief of our most committed supporters and plays a vital role in meeting Bob's Triple Double Challenge.
Appropriately, this announcement comes during the 75th anniversary of the Deacon Club. To learn more about the McCreary Triple Double Challenge and ways to support Wake Forest student-athletes, visit DeaconClub.com.
Another Milestone at The Grounds: Wake Forest Breaks Ground on New Office Building
Earlier this week, Wake Forest University celebrated the groundbreaking of a new five-story building that will become home to approximately 400 University staff when it opens in 2027. The project brings together key administrative units – including Financial Services, Human Resources, Information Systems, Legal, Audit and Compliance, University Advancement, and University Marketing and Communications – into a collaborative, energy-filled workspace at the heart of this new community. It was fun to join University leaders and our partners at Carter & Front Street as The Grounds continues to take shape as a vibrant, year-round hub for Winston-Salem and the Triad.
Welcoming the Next Generation of Demon Deacons
Speaking of providing World Class opportunities for student-athletes, National Signing Day is always exciting and we're proud to welcome 47 new Demon Deacons across our programs as part of the 2026–27 signing class. These student-athletes come to Wake Forest from more than 20 states and countries around the world — reflecting the breadth, depth and diversity of talent choosing to call Wake Forest home.
Our 2026 fall signing class includes 30 football signees, the largest high school class in program history. Men's golf adds one of the southeast's top juniors, Sage Bradshaw and Women's golf welcomes elite talent from Sweden, Denmark and New Jersey. Women's tennis inked three recruits, including two Blue Chips, and men's basketball signed three top-100 prospects, the program's best high school haul since 2010. Women's basketball adds the one of the nation's most prolific scorers, and volleyball marks four versatile and decorated signees from Michigan, Arizona, South Carolina and Ohio.
From the Quad Big 3
For today's Big 3, we offer a special request and some great nuggets about the Deacs:
Mary Lawrence and I wish you and yours a safe and special holiday season. We'll see you Sunday and Monday in Joel Coliseum and in Charlotte on Jan. 2!
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Vice President & Director of Athletics
Wake Forest University
Happy Friday Demon Deacon Nation!
Let's start today's From the Quad with a well-deserved round of applause for our world-class Wake Forest faculty – most of whom have spent this past week and last weekend immersed in grading final exams, projects, and papers! With the continued support of Senior Associate AD Jane Caldwell and her outstanding team, our Demon Deacon student-athletes are once again excelling at the highest level, reflecting the shared commitment to academic and athletic excellence that defines Wake Forest.
And while campus is nearly empty, our football student-athletes are practicing for the Duke's Mayo Bowl, and we have two more basketball games before Christmas break, including our men's squad's marquee showdown against No. 13 Vanderbilt on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. in the Joel! The Commodores arrive in Winston-Salem carrying the highest ranking of any non-conference opponent to visit since 2015, so we need Deacon Nation to bring championship-level energy to LJVM for this seismic matchup. If you can't make it to the Joel, tune into The CW – available nationwide in more than 100 million homes, even for the rabbit-ear dependent! The Deacs beat Longwood on Wednesday, which followed head coach Steve Forbes becoming the third-fastest head coach to reach 100 wins at Wake Forest in a victory over Queens on Sunday.
On Monday, Dec. 22, our 10-3 women's squad plays Gardner-Webb at 1:00 p.m. inside LJVM. The Deacs scored a huge ACC-opening win over Georgia Tech this past Sunday before dropping a tight game to Miami last night. Sophomore Aurora Sørbye netted a season-high 14 points, and her classmate Grace Oliver tied her for a team-high 14 points in the win over the Yellow Jackets!
For these games – or any ticket needs – visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets or call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322!
Charlotte Bound: Duke's Mayo Bowl Plans Coming Together
I've been hearing from Demon Deacons everywhere about their excitement for the Duke's Mayo Bowl coming up on Jan. 2! Although our initial allotment of tickets sold out, the good folks at Charlotte Sports Foundation consigned us additional tickets in both club and lower level sections on the Deacon side of Bank of America Stadium, so click here for the best ticket options.
Additionally, our crack advance team has put together great opportunities to get together all week. Although the Official Wake Forest Duke's Mayo Bowl Pre-Game Party is already sold out, there are lots of pregame options for Wake fans including the Duke's Mayo Bowl FanFest that is located along Mint & Graham Streets from 3-7 p.m. on gameday.
Also, Wake Forest students received a special promo code for discounted tickets – thanks to our generous donors – and there will be a specific-pregame tailgate for students and their friends and families at Clutch Kitchen & Pour House which is just around the corner from Bank of America Stadium.
Demon Deacon Football alumni are the foundation of the program and a gathering spot for former players and their families is set for Ri Ra Irish Pub on Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. With that, fans who are looking for a pregame tailgating spot to gather are encouraged to go by anytime after 4 p.m. until kickoff to gather! Finally, our hardworking University Advancement team has set up a same day, round-trip, Winston-Salem to Charlotte bus option for fans that has sold out as well!
Charlotte has become a second home for Wake Forest, and there's no better place to ring in the new year than by packing Bank of America Stadium. We hope you'll join us, bring the noise, and help make this another unforgettable postseason memory.
Another Page in the New Frontier – Single Portal and Roster Limits – And Contract Renewals
The latest "first" in the "new era" of college athletics is the "single portal window." You'll recall from earlier editions of From the Quad that the House Case Settlement took effect July 1, 2025, and we are now six months into the "revenue-sharing" era of college athletics. This includes sharing up to $20.5 million with student-athletes in the form of NIL licensing agreements, as well as new roster limits for all sports, including football's maximum of 105 players.
Meanwhile, the "transfer portal" in football has been reduced to just two weeks, running January 2 – January 16, and the "spring portal window" has been eliminated.
The convergence of these factors appropriately requires head football coaches to be more transparent and candid than ever before with student-athletes as to their current and future potential role on the team. There are only 105 roster spots (in the past, Wake Forest carried as many as 130 players on the team), there is now a "cap" on school revenue-sharing payments, and thankfully there is Collegiate Sports Commission monitoring and enforcement to ensure that third-party NIL deals are truly fair market value.
And for student-athletes, now is the time to assess their situation, and if they believe pursuing other opportunities is in their best interest, finish their academic work, turn the page, and prepare to enter the portal. For some players, their future playing time or role on the team may not project to be what they want. Or, in some cases, the monetary value of the NIL licensing agreement that Wake Forest offers may not be as much as a student-athlete believes they are "worth" or deserve.
After witnessing the careful evaluations, disciplined assessments, and team-building skills of Coach Jake Dickert, General Manager Rob Schlaeger, Director of Player Personnel Katie Bason and our staff over the last 12 months, I have tremendous confidence in our strategy and am very pleased with both the commitments of returners and our inbound class of high school recruits.
Meanwhile, our "front office", comprised of Scott Garrett, Randy Casstevens, Lindsey Babcock, Steve Weinman, Daren Koudele, Annette Medalie, Jordan Jarry, Reigan Lines, and Pete Paukstelis, along with our compliance and academic staff, have done a masterful job of creating the systems to serve our student-athletes – whether they are continuing at Wake or entering the portal – while also ensuring sound fiscal and legal practices.
I'm lucky to get to know many of our student-athletes well, but that means it's especially hard to see someone depart "early." Whether here only for a semester, or for their entire college careers like these men with whom I shared dinner this week, they are all Deacons for life in my eyes!
More Than Football: Pro Humanitate Guides Community Activation Day
Guided by Wake Forest's enduring Pro Humanitate ideal, Wake Forest Football took a break from practice Wednesday to get out and about in the Winston-Salem community for a Community Activation Day. Demon Deacon student-athletes visited local schools, nonprofits and many places that positively impact our community — including Ronald McDonald House, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA, and SECU Family House — to serve, connect, and make a positive impact.
New Nine-Game ACC Slate Awaits Deacon Nation Next Fall
Wake Forest has announced its 2026 football opponents in conjunction with the Atlantic Coast Conference and Allegacy Stadium will welcome a premier lineup of ACC opponents, including College Football Playoff qualifier Miami, 2025 ACC Championship game participants Duke and Virginia, and Stanford, which will make just its second-ever visit to Winston-Salem.
The 2026 road slate blends tradition and new territory, with first-ever trips to California and Dallas (vs. SMU), along with Georgia Tech, Louisville, and the annual Big-4 rivalry at NC State — the second-longest continuously played rivalry in the FBS and most enduring in the ACC.
Wake's non-conference games begin with Opening Night at Allegacy Stadium against Akron on Thursday, Sept. 3, before our Demon Deacons fulfill the conference's Power 4 non-conference requirement with a trip to Purdue on Sept. 12 for a Big Ten–ACC showdown. Merrimack will visit Winston-Salem on Nov. 7 for the Deacs third non-conference game in 2026.
With that, until the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Jan. 2, fans can score a $99 Built in the Dark season ticket package - only $16.50 per game - an especially great option for first-time buyers or as a holiday gift for a friend or new neighbor. This special price includes a Built in the Dark t-shirt and increases to $149 after the Duke's Mayo Bowl. Our 2026 renewal application is available online and you can also call the ticket office at 336-758-3322, ext. 1. The full menu of 2026 season ticket locations and pricing is available by clicking here and for your budgeting purposes, a convenient four-month payment plan is available if tickets are ordered by March 31, 2026. Finally, here's the link for information on our Annual Seat Rights Program.
"Santa's Helper" Embodies "Pro Humanitate" Spreading Holiday Cheer
Chip Rives, a former Wake Forest football player, founded Santa's Helper in 1986 to help provide holiday presents to children in Winston-Salem, and again this year, student-athletes, coaches, staff, Deacon Club members, and friends of Wake Forest gathered to wrap thousands of presents for families. If you would like to make a gift to Santa's Helper, click here!
A Transformational Investment: Bob McCreary's Leadership Launches the McCreary Triple Double Challenge
Earlier this month, Wake Forest University announced a transformational $20 million commitment from longtime benefactor and football alumnus Bob McCreary ('61). Bob's most recent investment establishes 10 new current-use football scholarships and accelerates essential football excellence initiatives at a pivotal moment. As such, Wake Forest has announced the McCreary Triple Double Challenge, a bold initiative to raise $100 million in new philanthropic commitments by December 31, 2026 for three championship-level priorities – scholarships, sport excellence, and competitive infrastructure – for sustained success in the new era of college athletics.
In just over the past 12 months, Wake Forest donors have already answered the call, including leadership investments from the Baker Family and Tucker Family. Bob's latest gift brings the total to $65 million, creating another rallying moment for Deacon Nation as we rise together to raise the remaining $35 million.
This momentum is perfectly aligned with the ascent of Wake Forest Football. Under Coach Jake Dickert's leadership in 2025, the Demon Deacons earned eight wins, secured two victories over CFP Top-25 opponents, posted the best record among the six Power Four programs in the Carolinas, signed the highest-rated recruiting class in program history, and accepted an invitation to the Duke's Mayo Bowl – our ninth postseason appearance in the last 10 years. Just as importantly, the growth of the International Leadership Circle – from 127 members in 2021 to 359 today – reflects the belief of our most committed supporters and plays a vital role in meeting Bob's Triple Double Challenge.
Appropriately, this announcement comes during the 75th anniversary of the Deacon Club. To learn more about the McCreary Triple Double Challenge and ways to support Wake Forest student-athletes, visit DeaconClub.com.
Another Milestone at The Grounds: Wake Forest Breaks Ground on New Office Building
Earlier this week, Wake Forest University celebrated the groundbreaking of a new five-story building that will become home to approximately 400 University staff when it opens in 2027. The project brings together key administrative units – including Financial Services, Human Resources, Information Systems, Legal, Audit and Compliance, University Advancement, and University Marketing and Communications – into a collaborative, energy-filled workspace at the heart of this new community. It was fun to join University leaders and our partners at Carter & Front Street as The Grounds continues to take shape as a vibrant, year-round hub for Winston-Salem and the Triad.
Welcoming the Next Generation of Demon Deacons
Speaking of providing World Class opportunities for student-athletes, National Signing Day is always exciting and we're proud to welcome 47 new Demon Deacons across our programs as part of the 2026–27 signing class. These student-athletes come to Wake Forest from more than 20 states and countries around the world — reflecting the breadth, depth and diversity of talent choosing to call Wake Forest home.
Our 2026 fall signing class includes 30 football signees, the largest high school class in program history. Men's golf adds one of the southeast's top juniors, Sage Bradshaw and Women's golf welcomes elite talent from Sweden, Denmark and New Jersey. Women's tennis inked three recruits, including two Blue Chips, and men's basketball signed three top-100 prospects, the program's best high school haul since 2010. Women's basketball adds the one of the nation's most prolific scorers, and volleyball marks four versatile and decorated signees from Michigan, Arizona, South Carolina and Ohio.
From the Quad Big 3
For today's Big 3, we offer a special request and some great nuggets about the Deacs:
- Help keep Wake Forest merchandise front and center at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro! A special selection of great Demon Deacons gear from Johnnie-O and other brands is now available in the main PGA Shop at the front entrance, before you enter security. It's an easy way to grab a present for a friend—and ensure the Wake Forest brand is strong at GSO!
- Check out this Wake Campus Life Instagram post featuring Kyan Patel ('27), a Presidential Scholar whose commissioned work spans professional and collegiate athletics. Filmed inside the new Wake Downtown student art studios – made possible through a collaborative partnership between Wake Downtown and the Department of Art – the post offers a behind-the-scenes look at Kyan's creative process as he brings his latest portrait to life, reflecting the powerful intersection of art, athletics, and the student experience at Wake Forest.
- Here are your From the Quad holiday reads - and a listen!
- Elaine Tooley from our University Advancement team shares the story of the Tucker family—how four generations built a values-driven business that has shaped their enduring impact on the lives of Wake Forest student-athletes.
- Abigail Devereaux tells the story of Justin and Jessica Strickland – how lessons learned through basketball, grit, and perseverance shaped a people-first business and now fuel a deeply personal commitment to scholarships and Pro Humanitate.
- Jeri Young from the Winston-Salem Journal explores Wake Forest's beloved "Rolling the Quad" tradition – tracing how generations of Demon Deacons have celebrated big wins by turning Hearn Plaza into a symbol of shared joy and spirit.
- And for your travel podcast convenience, download the latest episode of JohnWallStreet Presents: Big Business on Campus, where I joined Corey Leff and Michael Schreiber to discuss all the BIG things we are doing at Wake Forest!
Mary Lawrence and I wish you and yours a safe and special holiday season. We'll see you Sunday and Monday in Joel Coliseum and in Charlotte on Jan. 2!
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Vice President & Director of Athletics
Wake Forest University
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