Wake Forest Athletics
Steve & Johnetta Forbes Commit $500,000 to Benefit Wake Forest Student-Athletes
4/30/2025 1:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Forbes family’s generosity to Wake Forest University and Wake Forest men’s basketball will help the Demon Deacons program in a multitude of ways.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest men's basketball head coach Steve Forbes and his wife Johnetta have announced a leadership commitment of $500,000 to the Wake Forest Men's Basketball Excellence Fund.
"Johnetta and I believe in the mission of Wake Forest and its Pro Humanitate motto of using your knowledge, talents and compassion to better the lives of others," Forbes said. "We believe this gift will perpetuate our passion and desire to help young people turn their academic and basketball dreams into reality, on and off the court. So many people have given generously to provide incredible facilities like the Shah Basketball Complex and Joel Coliseum, scholarships and other support for the men's basketball program and this gift is a reflection of our gratitude and belief in where we have been and where we are headed."
The Wake Forest Deacon Club's innovative Sports Excellence Fund programs enable contributors to designate funds to the program of their choice which has resulted in 1,701 commitments for more than $12.1M in this year alone. Including all athletic fundraising initiatives, Wake Forest has generated over $37M in total commitments this fiscal year.
"Coach Steve Forbes and Johnetta have poured themselves into leading the men's basketball renaissance at Wake Forest and this tremendous commitment is another example of their leadership and belief in Wake Forest," Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie said. "Whether attending games at the highest levels in decades, giving to the Deacon Club or investing in NIL support and the Roll the Quad Collective, Wake basketball fans continue to demonstrate their passion for success and a World Class Student-Athlete Experience. With this gift Steve and Johnetta are honoring all members of Deacon Nation, which is especially meaningful in this disrupted time in college athletics. We've been deeply inspired by Johnetta's strength and resilience in the face of profound health adversity, and we are grateful for the way both Steve and Johnetta lead with heart and purpose every day."
Over the last four seasons, Coach Forbes has guided the Demon Deacons a 61-10 record at home as Wake Forest is one of only six teams nationally with 61 or more home victories over the last four seasons. During that same span, the Demon Deacons have earned 86 total victories – fourth-most overall in the ACC – and claimed 47 ACC victories, most over a four-year period in program history.
In 2024-25, Coach Forbes led the Demon Deacons to 21 victories overall and the program's first-ever double bye in the ACC Tournament. With 13 ACC victories – tied for the most in a single season in school history and the second time in four seasons the Deacs have hit that mark – Wake Forest earned its highest regular season finish since the 2008-09 campaign. Wake Forest matched the school record for road ACC victories with six and became the only ACC program to sweep the West Coast swing with victories at Stanford and Cal.
Since the 2021-22 season, Wake Forest is also the only ACC program with a first-team All-ACC selection every year while Alondes Williams and Tyree Appleby each earned an ACC Player of the Year selection.
During the 2021-22 season, Coach Forbes was named ACC Coach of the Year.
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 Steve and Johnetta in their support of the men's basketball program or make an experience-enhancing gift to the program of your choosing today!
"Johnetta and I believe in the mission of Wake Forest and its Pro Humanitate motto of using your knowledge, talents and compassion to better the lives of others," Forbes said. "We believe this gift will perpetuate our passion and desire to help young people turn their academic and basketball dreams into reality, on and off the court. So many people have given generously to provide incredible facilities like the Shah Basketball Complex and Joel Coliseum, scholarships and other support for the men's basketball program and this gift is a reflection of our gratitude and belief in where we have been and where we are headed."
The Wake Forest Deacon Club's innovative Sports Excellence Fund programs enable contributors to designate funds to the program of their choice which has resulted in 1,701 commitments for more than $12.1M in this year alone. Including all athletic fundraising initiatives, Wake Forest has generated over $37M in total commitments this fiscal year.
"Coach Steve Forbes and Johnetta have poured themselves into leading the men's basketball renaissance at Wake Forest and this tremendous commitment is another example of their leadership and belief in Wake Forest," Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie said. "Whether attending games at the highest levels in decades, giving to the Deacon Club or investing in NIL support and the Roll the Quad Collective, Wake basketball fans continue to demonstrate their passion for success and a World Class Student-Athlete Experience. With this gift Steve and Johnetta are honoring all members of Deacon Nation, which is especially meaningful in this disrupted time in college athletics. We've been deeply inspired by Johnetta's strength and resilience in the face of profound health adversity, and we are grateful for the way both Steve and Johnetta lead with heart and purpose every day."
Over the last four seasons, Coach Forbes has guided the Demon Deacons a 61-10 record at home as Wake Forest is one of only six teams nationally with 61 or more home victories over the last four seasons. During that same span, the Demon Deacons have earned 86 total victories – fourth-most overall in the ACC – and claimed 47 ACC victories, most over a four-year period in program history.
In 2024-25, Coach Forbes led the Demon Deacons to 21 victories overall and the program's first-ever double bye in the ACC Tournament. With 13 ACC victories – tied for the most in a single season in school history and the second time in four seasons the Deacs have hit that mark – Wake Forest earned its highest regular season finish since the 2008-09 campaign. Wake Forest matched the school record for road ACC victories with six and became the only ACC program to sweep the West Coast swing with victories at Stanford and Cal.
Since the 2021-22 season, Wake Forest is also the only ACC program with a first-team All-ACC selection every year while Alondes Williams and Tyree Appleby each earned an ACC Player of the Year selection.
During the 2021-22 season, Coach Forbes was named ACC Coach of the Year.
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 Steve and Johnetta in their support of the men's basketball program or make an experience-enhancing gift to the program of your choosing today!
Steve Forbes - Postgame Presser vs. Stanford
Sunday, February 15
Wake Forest Baseball 2026 Opening Day Trailer
Friday, February 13
Steve Forbes - Postgame Presser at Georgia Tech
Thursday, February 12
2/7/26 - Trailblazer Award Ceremony Recap: Roper Osborne Halverson & Dr. Herman Eure Recognized
Wednesday, February 11