Pro Humanitate in Action: Wake Forest Athletics Launches 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Deacon Club
8/26/2025 9:49:00 AM | Baseball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Men's Tennis, Men's Track and Field, Track and Field, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis
Honoring a Legacy. Powering the Future.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Fueled by an extraordinary era of donor-driven momentum—including more than $187 million in cash gifts over the past six years—Wake Forest Athletics will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Deacon Club throughout the 2025–26 academic year. This milestone honors the legacy of philanthropic excellence that has empowered generations of Demon Deacons while spotlighting the bold vision and generosity shaping the future of Wake Forest Athletics.
Since 1950, the Deacon Club has served as the bedrock of support for student-athletes, and in recent years its impact has reached unprecedented levels. The launch and rapid growth of the International Leadership Circle, a $100 million commitment to women's athletics through the In Her Wake initiative, and the fully donor-funded completion of the Chris Paul Family and Dr. Caryl Guth Basketball Clubhouses and the McCreary Football Complex illustrate the unmatched loyalty and ambition of Deacon Nation. Even in the face of a global pandemic, Deacon Club members set a cash giving record of $37.5 million in FY21 and followed with record participation from over 5,300 donors in FY22—proof that Wake Forest's intimate scale continues to deliver outsized impact as the Demon Deacons are the fastest growing brand in the Power 4 with over 2.7 million fans.
Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, Wake Forest will commemorate this occasion with a yearlong series of recognitions, events, and initiatives celebrating the impact of philanthropic support, while introducing new opportunities to invest in Wake Forest's future. These efforts align with Wake Forest University's efforts to be a Catalyst for Good, while ensuring that athletics priorities remain central within its Strategic Framework.
Among the focal points of the Deacon Club's 75th Anniversary Campaign:
The Deacon Club's 75th anniversary celebration affirms the vital role of philanthropy in Wake Forest's success—past, present, and future.
What They're Saying
The Deacon Club is the official fundraising arm of Wake Forest Athletics, supporting more than 400 Demon Deacon student-athletes across all varsity sports. Through annual giving, capital campaigns, estate commitments, and named scholarships, the Deacon Club empowers Wake Forest to deliver a World Class Student-Athlete Experience and remain competitive in the Power 4 era. To learn more about the 75th anniversary or to explore giving opportunities, visit DeaconClub.com or contact the Deacon Club team at deacclub@wfu.edu.
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 and an innovative department of engineering. Additionally, Wake Forest has campuses across Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Washington, DC – 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.
Since 1950, the Deacon Club has served as the bedrock of support for student-athletes, and in recent years its impact has reached unprecedented levels. The launch and rapid growth of the International Leadership Circle, a $100 million commitment to women's athletics through the In Her Wake initiative, and the fully donor-funded completion of the Chris Paul Family and Dr. Caryl Guth Basketball Clubhouses and the McCreary Football Complex illustrate the unmatched loyalty and ambition of Deacon Nation. Even in the face of a global pandemic, Deacon Club members set a cash giving record of $37.5 million in FY21 and followed with record participation from over 5,300 donors in FY22—proof that Wake Forest's intimate scale continues to deliver outsized impact as the Demon Deacons are the fastest growing brand in the Power 4 with over 2.7 million fans.
Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, Wake Forest will commemorate this occasion with a yearlong series of recognitions, events, and initiatives celebrating the impact of philanthropic support, while introducing new opportunities to invest in Wake Forest's future. These efforts align with Wake Forest University's efforts to be a Catalyst for Good, while ensuring that athletics priorities remain central within its Strategic Framework.
Among the focal points of the Deacon Club's 75th Anniversary Campaign:
- Celebrating 75 Years of Impact – Honoring the loyalty of Deacon Club members, spotlighting trailblazing donors, and sharing stories of student-athletes whose lives have been shaped by generosity.
- A Vision for the Future – Raising support for current-use and endowed scholarships, Excellence Funds, and named coaching/directorship positions in the new era of college athletics.
- Strategic Donor Engagement – Recognizing philanthropy at key events such as the annual Scholarship Brunch, International Leadership Circle Weekend, and in-game recognitions at Allegacy Stadium, Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum and other venues for Athletics contests.
- Advancing Women's Athletics – Building on momentum from the $100 million In Her Wake initiative by uplifting women's sports and honoring the visionary women donors who fuel their success.
- Expanding Legacy Giving – Inspiring future estate commitments through the Forever Deacs program.
The Deacon Club's 75th anniversary celebration affirms the vital role of philanthropy in Wake Forest's success—past, present, and future.
What They're Saying
- President Susan R. Wente:
- "The Deacon Club's impact can be felt in every corner of our athletics programs—and across our entire University. For 75 years, our generous donors have advanced Wake Forest's competitive success and the holistic development of our student-athletes as scholars and leaders of character – in our Wake Forest community and beyond. Their vision and loyalty have fueled academic achievement, championship moments and character formation that extend far beyond the playing field. I am deeply grateful for the generations of supporters who have brought us to this moment and inspired by all that we will accomplish together in the future."
- Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie:
- "For 75 years, the Deacon Club has been the heartbeat of Wake Forest Athletics—quietly and powerfully fueling the experiences, relationships, and results that define our success. This milestone is both a tribute to the loyal supporters who have brought us to this moment and a rallying cry for the future. The generosity and belief of our Deacon Club members have allowed Wake Forest to Win Championships while we provide a World Class Student-Athlete Experience in an ever-evolving environment. With strategic vision and a shared commitment to Pro Humanitate, our donors are empowering student-athletes to thrive in competition, in the classroom, and in life after graduation. The 75th anniversary of the Deacon Club reminds us that transformational impact doesn't happen by accident—it's built by people who give selflessly and dream boldly."
- Men's Soccer Head Coach Bobby Muuss:
- "Because of Deacon Club donors, our men's soccer student-athletes don't just dream big—they live their dreams every single day at Spry. Every scholarship tells the story of a family who chose to believe in them, and our players carry that belief onto the field every time they put on the Wake Forest jersey. That unwavering support fuels us to compete with the nation's best and to make Deacon Nation proud."
- Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame Inductee & Men's Basketball Alum, Ish Smith ('10):
- "Wake Forest shaped me, on and off the court. This is about opportunity. I'm here because others gave. Now it's our turn to pay it forward for future Demon Deacons."
- Senior Field Hockey Student-Athlete, Amelia Frey ('26):
- "It has been the highlight of my young adulthood and an incredible honor to compete in representation of Wake Forest. All facets of my development have been guided by the empowering forces of my coach, a mentor who has changed my life and in doing so has inspired me to live the rest of my own aiming to impact others in a similar vein. From my very first conversation about Wake Forest in high school, I had just five words for my parents: 'It has to be Wake.' I'm endlessly grateful for the opportunity to be here, to be surrounded by empowering and impactful women, and even more inspired to pay it forward."
The Deacon Club is the official fundraising arm of Wake Forest Athletics, supporting more than 400 Demon Deacon student-athletes across all varsity sports. Through annual giving, capital campaigns, estate commitments, and named scholarships, the Deacon Club empowers Wake Forest to deliver a World Class Student-Athlete Experience and remain competitive in the Power 4 era. To learn more about the 75th anniversary or to explore giving opportunities, visit DeaconClub.com or contact the Deacon Club team at deacclub@wfu.edu.
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 and an innovative department of engineering. Additionally, Wake Forest has campuses across Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Washington, DC – 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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