Tucker Family Commitment Provides Transformational Gift to Propel Wake Forest Athletics Forward in New Era of College Athletics
12/8/2025 9:27:00 AM | Football, Men's Basketball
A transformational gift from Carl and Linda Tucker and their family strengthens Wake Forest’s revised operating model and names the Tucker Family Assistant Basketball Coach position and three current-use football scholarships.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest Athletics is proud to announce a transformational commitment from Carl '68 and Linda Tucker and their family — David '95 (Mary Goodloe), Mark '97 (Jennifer), and Andrew '04 (Blair) — in support of Demon Deacon student-athletes. This landmark investment strengthens Wake Forest's revised operating model, inspires future giving and names the Tucker Family Assistant Basketball Coach position, currently held by BJ McKie, as well as three current-use football scholarships.
Their investment will be split equally between newly created current-use scholarships and sport-restricted excellence funds, which will directly enhance the operating budgets of various athletics programs. With recent changes to roster limits, the creation of additional scholarship opportunities will allow Wake Forest to expand access to deserving student-athletes while also sustaining resources needed for competitive excellence.
This commitment builds on the family's extraordinary legacy of support for Wake Forest Athletics, including a previous investment in the Tucker Family Student-Athlete Excellence Center. With this latest gift, the Tucker family's overall lifetime giving to Wake Forest cements their place among the University's most loyal and impactful benefactors.
Carl Tucker has served as a leader within the Deacon Club for decades, including as president from 2010– 2012, and was named Deacon Club Member of the Year in 2024. He has also been honored with the Pete Moffitt Courage Award for his perseverance during a courageous battle with leukemia and skin cancer. Together with Linda and their four sons—David, Mark, Andrew, and Paul—the Tucker family has carried forward a remarkable legacy of leadership, generosity, and commitment to Wake Forest. The Tuckers also represent the fourth generation of ownership of Tucker Lumber, a family-run timber business headquartered in Pageland, S.C.
A former All-SEC guard at South Carolina and one of the most decorated players in Gamecock history, BJ McKie joined the Wake Forest staff in 2020 after coaching alongside Steve Forbes at East Tennessee State. A proven leader and player developer, McKie has helped guide the Demon Deacons to four consecutive winning seasons, two 20-win campaigns, and a school-record 47 ACC regular-season victories over that span. A native of Norfolk, Va., McKie previously coached at Charleston Southern, where he was part of two Big South championship teams, and enjoyed a successful professional career in the U.S. and overseas before transitioning to coaching.
This gift is meant to inspire the Wake Forest community to step forward in support of Athletics during this pivotal moment. The Tuckers would like to challenge other Wake Forest donors to step up and directly contribute to sustaining a World Class Student-Athlete Experience for all Demon Deacons.
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 Tucker Family will be recognized on Nov. 22, 2025 at Wake Forest's home football game against Delaware 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, 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.
Their investment will be split equally between newly created current-use scholarships and sport-restricted excellence funds, which will directly enhance the operating budgets of various athletics programs. With recent changes to roster limits, the creation of additional scholarship opportunities will allow Wake Forest to expand access to deserving student-athletes while also sustaining resources needed for competitive excellence.
This commitment builds on the family's extraordinary legacy of support for Wake Forest Athletics, including a previous investment in the Tucker Family Student-Athlete Excellence Center. With this latest gift, the Tucker family's overall lifetime giving to Wake Forest cements their place among the University's most loyal and impactful benefactors.
Carl Tucker has served as a leader within the Deacon Club for decades, including as president from 2010– 2012, and was named Deacon Club Member of the Year in 2024. He has also been honored with the Pete Moffitt Courage Award for his perseverance during a courageous battle with leukemia and skin cancer. Together with Linda and their four sons—David, Mark, Andrew, and Paul—the Tucker family has carried forward a remarkable legacy of leadership, generosity, and commitment to Wake Forest. The Tuckers also represent the fourth generation of ownership of Tucker Lumber, a family-run timber business headquartered in Pageland, S.C.
A former All-SEC guard at South Carolina and one of the most decorated players in Gamecock history, BJ McKie joined the Wake Forest staff in 2020 after coaching alongside Steve Forbes at East Tennessee State. A proven leader and player developer, McKie has helped guide the Demon Deacons to four consecutive winning seasons, two 20-win campaigns, and a school-record 47 ACC regular-season victories over that span. A native of Norfolk, Va., McKie previously coached at Charleston Southern, where he was part of two Big South championship teams, and enjoyed a successful professional career in the U.S. and overseas before transitioning to coaching.
This gift is meant to inspire the Wake Forest community to step forward in support of Athletics during this pivotal moment. The Tuckers would like to challenge other Wake Forest donors to step up and directly contribute to sustaining a World Class Student-Athlete Experience for all Demon Deacons.
What They Are Saying
- Carl and Linda Tucker:
- "Wake Forest has given so much to our family over the years, and this gift is our way of giving back to a place that has meant so much to us," said Carl and Linda Tucker. "We hope our commitment encourages others to join us in supporting the opportunities and experiences that make being a Demon Deacon so special."
- President Susan R. Wente:
- "The Tucker family's extraordinary commitment reflects not only their deep love for Wake Forest, but also their enduring belief in the power of university athletics to shape lives. Their gifts — spanning decades — continue to strengthen our programs, support countless student-athletes, and create an enduring legacy that will inspire the Deacon community for generations. We are deeply grateful for their leadership, vision, and unwavering dedication to the University's mission."
- Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie:
- "My relationship with the Tucker family spans decades, and I've witnessed firsthand their unwavering commitment to Wake Forest and our student-athletes. Their generosity touches all Athletics programs and areas of the University and strengthens the foundation of our enterprise while creating opportunities for student-athletes to thrive both on and off the field. The Tuckers' vision, leadership, and dedication set a standard for giving that will leave a lasting impact on this University for generations to come."
- Head Coach Steve Forbes:
- "The Tucker family has long been a pillar of the Wake Forest community. Their commitment to our student-athletes and Wake Forest Athletics overall is remarkable. This gift not only strengthens multiple areas but also signals a significant investment in our basketball program. With the Tucker Family name attached to the Assistant Basketball Coach position, we are proud that they will be associated with our program for a long time."
- Tucker Family Assistant Basketball Coach BJ McKie:
- "The Tucker family's incredible generosity means so much to our basketball program. It's a privilege to serve as the Tucker Family Assistant Basketball Coach. Their commitment inspires us and I'm excited to see the lasting impact this transformative gift will have on our student-athletes."
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 Tucker Family will be recognized on Nov. 22, 2025 at Wake Forest's home football game against Delaware 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.
- Prentiss ('65) and Joan Baker of Raleigh, N.C., made a landmark multi-million dollar commitment to Wake Forest Athletics in support of Demon Deacon Football. Their investment will advance key priorities within the program—expanding scholarship opportunities, enhancing performance and nutrition resources, and strengthening infrastructure—while also naming the Baker Family Assistant Head Coach position. Among the University's most loyal and generous families, the Bakers have built a lasting legacy of leadership and service that reflects Wake Forest's Pro Humanitate values and will continue to elevate opportunities for student-athletes for generations to come.
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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