Week 2 Open the Gate Honoree: Johnny Foster
9/2/2025 9:05:00 AM | Football
The Wake Forest alum and longtime volunteer assistant manager will serve as the Open the Gate honoree ahead of Wake Forest’s game against Western Carolina.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest alum and longtime volunteer manager for the Wake Forest Football team Johnny Foster ('78) will serve as the Open the Gate honoree during the Demon Deacons' Week 2 matchup against Western Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 6 inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium.
Foster has had a longstanding relationship with Wake Forest Football stemming from his time as a student manager, a position he held from 1974-77. After graduating from Wake Forest in 1978, Foster continued working in football with the Baltimore Colts until the team moved in 1984.
After the Colts moved to Indianapolis, Foster stayed in Baltimore to pursue his passion for aviation, ultimately leading him to serve as the President and CEO of Skytech, Inc., the authorized dealer of Pilatus and Piper Aircraft across nine states. During his time at Skytech, which ran from 1980 until his retirement in 2022, Foster assumed roles in every facet of the business along the way and was instrumental in ushering the next phase of company growth – Aircraft Sales.
Even while working in the aviation industry and helping to build Skytech, Inc., Foster continued his connection with Wake Forest football, leading him to become the unofficial "alumni captain" of the Wake Forest football program. Over the past 20 years, Foster has utilized his pilot skills to help fly head coaches Jim Caldwell, Jim Grobe, and Dave Clawson on recruiting trips. Foster has also attended every home and away game over the past 20 years while also serving as a volunteer equipment manager for the team for over a decade.
For his continued service to the Wake Forest football program, Foster was recognized as the recipient of the 2020 Gene Hooks Award, which is given to an athlete, manager, coach or administrator for integrity, charity and leadership.
This upcoming season, Wake Forest football will once again honor Foster's longstanding commitment to Wake Forest as the Director of Equipment Services will be dedicated in his honor.
Open the Gate Information & 2025 Honorees
The Open the Gate tradition, established in 2008, celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem communities. Honorees are recognized during football games by leading the team onto the field alongside the Demon Deacon mascot.
Week 1 - Tony Bresky
Week 2 - Johnny Foster ('78)
Foster has had a longstanding relationship with Wake Forest Football stemming from his time as a student manager, a position he held from 1974-77. After graduating from Wake Forest in 1978, Foster continued working in football with the Baltimore Colts until the team moved in 1984.
After the Colts moved to Indianapolis, Foster stayed in Baltimore to pursue his passion for aviation, ultimately leading him to serve as the President and CEO of Skytech, Inc., the authorized dealer of Pilatus and Piper Aircraft across nine states. During his time at Skytech, which ran from 1980 until his retirement in 2022, Foster assumed roles in every facet of the business along the way and was instrumental in ushering the next phase of company growth – Aircraft Sales.
Even while working in the aviation industry and helping to build Skytech, Inc., Foster continued his connection with Wake Forest football, leading him to become the unofficial "alumni captain" of the Wake Forest football program. Over the past 20 years, Foster has utilized his pilot skills to help fly head coaches Jim Caldwell, Jim Grobe, and Dave Clawson on recruiting trips. Foster has also attended every home and away game over the past 20 years while also serving as a volunteer equipment manager for the team for over a decade.
For his continued service to the Wake Forest football program, Foster was recognized as the recipient of the 2020 Gene Hooks Award, which is given to an athlete, manager, coach or administrator for integrity, charity and leadership.
This upcoming season, Wake Forest football will once again honor Foster's longstanding commitment to Wake Forest as the Director of Equipment Services will be dedicated in his honor.
Open the Gate Information & 2025 Honorees
The Open the Gate tradition, established in 2008, celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem communities. Honorees are recognized during football games by leading the team onto the field alongside the Demon Deacon mascot.
Week 1 - Tony Bresky
Week 2 - Johnny Foster ('78)
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