From the Quad

From the Quad

8/27/2025 12:17:00 PM | General

Presented by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
 
Good Afternoon Demon Deacon Nation!
 
It's a spectacularly beautiful day in DEACTOWN and it looks like the perfect weather will continue for our two big home soccer games tomorrow and Opening Night at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium - presented by the Winston-Salem Police Department – on Friday night!  
 
Friday's game will air live on the ACC Network, which continues to deliver stronger ratings and outstanding content across the board. When you're at your favorite restaurant, tavern, or club, don't hesitate to ask the bartender to switch the channel to the Deacs and ACCN! In addition, tomorrow night's men's and women's soccer doubleheader at Spry Stadium will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.
 
The last few weeks have been a blur of activity around Mother So Dear and it's inspiring to be around the energy of our students heading to classes and the intensity and electricity of all our athletics teams. 
 
With that, I am fired up to officially begin the Jake Dickert era of Demon Deacon Football! On that note, the Winston-Salem & Triad Community is excited too as we are less than 1,000 tickets away from a sellout! It's not too late to grab a friend or your neighbor and secure your spot for Friday night! Call our hardworking ticket sales team at 336-758-3322 or email them at tix@wfu.edu for assistance.
 
And, as you arrive at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, you'll see firsthand the progress of The Grounds - the mixed-use entertainment development taking shape in the heart of Winston-Salem's sports and entertainment district. I can't wait to see the orange barrels pulled off and the reimagined Deacon Boulevard back in service tomorrow!  
 
Of course, when you're coming off a huge Demon Deacons weekend that featured wins by No. 5 men's soccer, and fun exhibitions by No. 20 field hockey and volleyball inside Kentner Stadium & Varsity Arena, respectively, it's easy to be excited. We've already had incredible student attendance at Spry Stadium and Vice President for Campus Life Dr. Shea Kidd Brown's orientation charge to the Wake Forest Class of '29 led right into Coach Tony da Luz's No. 19 ranked squad's Thursday night victory over Villanova
 
Speaking of Orientation events, I could not have been more proud to see our student-athletes, coaches, and staff out front welcoming the Class of 2029 and their families during move-in. The energy, smiles, and teamwork on display were a true reflection of Pro Humanitate.
 
Beyond that, it's been fun to see Coach Dickert engaging with our community as he spoke at the New Deacs on the Block event last week and will be back tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Miller's on Robinhood for the second edition of the Coach Jake Dickert Show.
 
Finally, before we dive into all the news in today's From the Quad, I want to congratulate our 2025 National Champion men's tennis program for shining on our at the Winston-Salem Open. Stefan Dostanic won his ATP debut before heading to his first US Open; senior DK Suresh Ekambaram battled through qualifying for his first main draw, and he and junior Luca Pow pushed one of the world's top doubles teams to a third-set tiebreak. Please join me in thanking Winston-Salem Professional Tennis Inc. and Chair Don Flow for their leadership in bringing this world-class event to our city each year!
 
Radical Collaboration: Wake Forest Student Engagement Reaches Another Level
Tonight's Wake the Demons Pep Rally on Hearn Plaza — featuring remarks from President Susan R. Wente, Coach Jake Dickert, Coach Bobby Muuss, Coach Tony da Luz, plus hype videos, cheers, and traditions — along with Friday's Opening Night student festivities, would not be possible without the leadership of Dr. Shea Kidd Brown, Associate Vice President for Campus Life, Dean of Students Dr. Matt Clifford, and the many campus partners who help make these events fun and memorable for Wake students.
 
Remember, the fireworks display has become a fun element of our campus football tradition, just as they are for the Carolina Classic Fair and Winston-Salem Dash. If you live close to campus, please be sure and remind your neighbors and friends to expect a little noise around 10 p.m. later tonight and every night-before-home football game during the season. 
 
Finally, the DEACTOWN Student Tailgate space behind the East stands of Allegacy Stadium is back and better than ever! We'll have music, free food, games and so much more to create a fun experience for our Screamin' Demons! More information on this nationally recognized, dynamic outdoor club atmosphere for Wake Forest students and their guests can be found here.
 
Remind your student to download the Screamin' Demon Rewards App and follow @ScrDemonRewards on X and @screamin_demons on Instagram for more information.
 
Best Fan Experience in North Carolina Awaits Capacity Crowd at Allegacy Stadium
Fans love winning and exciting football – evidenced by the fact that we are on the verge of our 12th sellout crowd inside Allegacy Stadium since the 2021 season as our football program boasts a home 24-13 record over the last six seasons entering Friday night. With that said, we do ask everyone to bring a little extra patience and grace as we ramp up our full gameday operations and many experience-boosting enhancements for our capacity crowd. Allow plenty of time for your drive so you can find your parking spot and enjoy your tailgate or the live music in the DEACTOWN Fan Zone Presented by Lowes Foods and get to the entry gates early. Once inside, check out the new 1834 Market that is an easy-to-navigate self-scan concessions option behind Section 7 on the West Concourse or the upgraded Gate 5 layout that includes food trucks and gaming truck where your kids can play as Wake Forest in the EA Sports College Football video game. Those exciting food offerings are courtesy of our concessionaire partner, Proof of the Pudding.
 
Remember to be in your seat early for the annual "Deacon Dash" tradition as the Wake Forest Class of 2029 storms the field pregame prior to two-time NCAA Champion head coach Tony Bresky Opening the Gate on the 2025 season and our newly minted 2025 captains head to midfield for the coin toss!
 
Speaking of Opening the Gate, I want to thank our friends at Forsyth Tech for tuning up the motorcycle ahead of the 2025-26 academic year! 
 
Meanwhile at halftime, get your food and beverage quickly and don't miss Wake Forest's marching band – The Spirit of the Old Gold and Black – halftime show which will feature a joint performance with Kennesaw State's Marching Owls!
 
Remember, DEACTOWN is digital and cashless so download your mobile tickets for entry and bring a credit or debit card to use at concessions stands. Our Fan Experience and ticketing staff  along with our hard working Rhino Sports & Entertainment Services partners will be circulating and are available at guest information booths inside and around the stadium. Your input is really helpful as we strive to provide the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina so please email gameday@wfu.edu or text/call 336-758-GAME with gameday-related questions!
 
Safety is the number one priority at all times so utilize the handrails in all Allegacy Stadium aisles and use the stairs on either side of Deacon Hill if that's where you are sitting! Also, remember that we have energy efficient (and brighter) LED lighting and there will be special light shows and pyrotechnics during the game after the Deacons score or a big play takes place. And, remember to hydrate all day as we may enact our heat plan that includes multiple water bottle filling stations and misting fans throughout the venue. Any fan experiencing a heat-related illness should contact the nearest Rhino Event Staff member or visit a First Aid Room. 
 
Visit the Wake Forest Athletics gameday information website for a full schedule – which includes a slightly earlier Deacon Walk at 4:20 p.m. – for all gameday policies and procedures. 
 
Finally, I want to thank our partners like Allegacy Federal Credit Union, the Winston-Salem Police Department and Winston-Salem Police Foundation, and our Wake Forest University faculty and staff, who have hosted tailgates and fostered a sense of community like never before. We're grateful to everyone who helps create the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina!
 
Building Community: Friday's Game is Faculty & Staff Night at Allegacy Stadium
We are also excited to host a Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night at Allegacy Stadium in partnership with the Provost's Office and Wake Forest Human Resources. We encourage registered guests to arrive early to enjoy the pregame tailgate at Couch Ballpark and then head to the Allegacy gates by 6:30 p.m. for the pregame festivities. Remember, all Wake Forest employees are eligible for special offers at Wake Forest Athletics events. Contact the Wake Forest Ticket Office at (336) 758-3322 ext. 1 or tix@wfu.edu to redeem your deal today!
 
With that, I continue to be extremely proud of the connection Coach Dickert and our football program is making with our University community as recent visitors to practice include President Susan R. Wente and Ben Sutton ('80, '83 JD)!
 
Calling All Demon Deacons Football Alumni!
Wake Forest Football is excited to welcome alumni back for every home game in 2025! Coach Jake Dickert has been especially intentional in reaching out to former players, ensuring alumni stay connected to the program and each other. We have a special alumni-rate season ticket package and these esteemed Demon Deacons are always invited to gather two hours before kickoff (register here) at "Big Daddy's Tailgate," located in the corner of the Gold Lot, directly across from the Wake Forest Football Bridger Field House locker room. It's the perfect spot to reconnect with old teammates and make new memories.
 
For more information or to coordinate your visit, contact Director of High School and Alumni Relations Mark Holcomb at (holcombm@wfu.edu/336-470-1590) or Katie Bason, Director of Player Personnel (basonsc@wfu.edu/336-416-1728). With that, I would be remiss if I did not mention that Coach Al Groh, Coach John Mackovic, Coach Jim Caldwell & Coach Jim Grobe will all be returning for that weekend. We will honor our former coaches and alumni at our game against Western Carolina on Sept. 6 inside Allegacy Stadium. There will be other special alumni events in and around this game and those interested should connect with Mark and Kate.
 
Steve Weinman Joins Wake Forest as Basketball GM & Analytics Leader
Wake Forest Athletics has named Steve Weinman Senior Associate Athletics Director for Analytics and General Manager for the men's and women's basketball programs. A 13-year NBA veteran with the Chicago Bulls, he brings expertise in analytics, roster construction, and performance strategy. Steve will lead analytics with all our teams and work closely with Coaches Steve Forbes and Megan Gebbia on recruiting, roster evaluation, and transfer portal planning. He will also serve as an Executive Affiliate with the Wake Forest School of Business, helping to create a first-of-its-kind sports analytics concentration within the Master's in Business Analytics program. The partnership will provide hands-on learning for students, connect research with real-world athletics, and enhance decision-making across Wake Forest Athletics!
 
The Graylyn Estate Rises to #2 'Best Boutique Hotel'
The Graylyn Estate has been named the No. 2 Best Boutique Hotel in the U.S. by USA TODAY's Readers' Choice Awards, up from No. 4 last year and the only North Carolina hotel on the list! Nestled on 55 acres of historic Reynolda land, the estate features 85 unique guest rooms, legendary hospitality, and thoughtful touches like Mrs. Gray's Butterscotch cookies and unlimited ice cream for overnight guests. The Graylyn Estate, under the auspices of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dr. Jacqueline Travisano and Vice President for Hospitality & Auxiliary Services John Wise, continues to combine historic charm with modern luxury, providing unforgettable experiences for visitors and Wake Foresters alike. And, we're looking forward to hosting over 100 of our Graylyn staff colleagues for the game Friday night!
 
Samantha Heyison Shines at USATF Para Nationals with Top-Three Finishes
Wake Forest Track and Field standout Samantha Heyison delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 USATF Para Nationals in Eugene, Oregon. In the Women's Mixed Shot Put final, the rising junior secured third place with a throw of 11.57 meters, marking a strong start to the competition. Heyison concluded the event on a high note, clinching first place in the Women's Discus final with a personal-best throw of 37.00 meters, surpassing her previous best of 36.74 meters. These achievements underscore her continued excellence in both disciplines and her potential for the upcoming Para World Championships in New Delhi this fall.
 
Pro Humanitate in Action: Wake Forest Athletics Celebrates 75 Years of the Deacon Club
Wake Forest Athletics is marking the 75th anniversary of the Deacon Club, honoring decades of donor-driven support that have powered scholarships, facilities, and the student-athlete experience. Since 1950, the Deacon Club has been the heartbeat of Wake Forest Athletics—helping provide more than $300 million in scholarship and programmatic support. Recent initiatives, including the $100 million In Her Wake initiative for women's athletics and fully donor-funded upgrades to the Chris Paul Family and Dr. Caryl Guth Basketball Clubhouses and the McCreary Football Complex, showcase the transformative impact of philanthropy. Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, the celebration will highlight the legacy of generosity, recognize trailblazing donors, and introduce new opportunities for supporters to invest in the future of Wake Forest Athletics. 
 
For more information on the 75th anniversary and giving opportunities, visit our 75th Anniversary home page.
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From the Quad Big 3
Finally, here are today's Big 3 ways to help the Deacs: 
  1. Read about our newly announced 2025 Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame class, which includes some incredible Demon Deacons! The 2026 class has combined for 401 wins, eight All-American honors, nine All-ACC selections and two ACC championships!
  2. Follow our Wake Forest Sports Properties social media accounts. Your company or business can reap the benefits of affiliation with Wake Forest and the ACC by connecting with GM Banks Shepherd directly (bshepherd@wakeforestsportsproperties.com // 336-896-9719). Speaking of great partners,Wake Forest Football will once again join forces with Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital for the Gold Rush Childhood Cancer Game when the Demon Deacons host Western Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. inside Allegacy Stadium. Fans can purchase a special $35 Gold Rush package—including an East Side game ticket, gold Wake Forest t-shirt, and $20 Strickland Brothers Oil Change gift card—with $15 from each package benefiting Brenner Children's. To get lock in your tickets now, contact the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 or email tix@wfu.edu. With that, we are proud to host our friends from Atrium Health for the game next week and sales are going fast for this game, so buy now!
  3. Be in your seats early Friday to welcome WFU's Class of 2029 as they run the field! And if you need to brush up on the fight song lyrics, you can find them here.  
It's GO TIME! Be safe, send your thoughts to me at wfuad@wfu.edu and...
 
Go Deacs! 

John Currie Signature for FTQ 

John Currie
Vice President & Director of Athletics
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