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From the Quad
9/5/2025 8:36:00 AM | General
Presented by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Happy #WFFriday Demon Deacon Nation!
DEACTOWN is popping with action as our undefeated & seventh-ranked men's soccer team plays Lipscomb tonight at 7 p.m. in Spry Stadium and we are super excited to welcome back 269 guests for Wake Football Alumni Weekend! Our No. 17 women's soccer squad set the weekend pace with a shutout win at the College of Charleston last night!
Meanwhile, back in Winston-Salem, Coach Jake Dickert and I had the very special opportunity to toast our former head coaches Dave Clawson, Jim Grobe, Jim Caldwell, Al Groh, and John Mackovic last night inside Allegacy Stadium.
There were plenty of laughs, memorable stories, and fun reflections on big wins as these incredibly accomplished men talked football and life during an intimate gathering in the Flow Lexus Club inside McCreary Tower. Being in the room with the architects of some of the greatest moments in Wake Forest Football history—who recruited and mentored nearly 1,000 Demon Deacon student-athletes that have gone on to lead successful lives as alumni—was truly a lifetime memory for me. From Coach Mackovic's legendary "never give up" halftime speech during the upset win over Auburn in 1979, to Coach Groh's Big Four championship in 1984, Coach Caldwell's Aloha Bowl victory over Arizona State in 1999, the ACC Championship under Coach Grobe in 2006, and Coach Clawson guiding Wake Forest to a No. 9 College Football Playoff ranking in 2021—the highest national rating in our history—each of these men brought success to Wake Forest and set the expectation that winning can and will happen for Wake Forest football. Together, they account for 210 of Wake Forest's total wins, and collectively this group of leaders has accumulated 583 college and NFL head coaching victories.
As each of these veteran coaches will tell you, winning is hard! While the offensive highlights may have been understated, our defense delivered a stellar performance in last Friday night's win No. 1. It was great to be back inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, where Coach Dickert fired up the 4,319 students in attendance. Our team committed no turnovers, and the Deacon defense held our opponent to the fewest points since 2021.
As we look ahead, we have three big games at Allegacy Stadium this month starting with game No. 2 of the Coach Dickert era tomorrow at 2 p.m. as the Demon Deacons host Western Carolina inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Even better, this matchup is our annual Gold Rush Childhood Cancer Game, presented by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Strickland Brothers Oil Change, where Wake Forest Football proudly joins forces with Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital. This special partnership gives all of us a chance to make an impact beyond the field. Fans can purchase a $35 Gold Rush package that includes an East Side ticket, a commemorative gold Wake Forest t-shirt, and a $20 Strickland Brothers Oil Change gift card—with $15 from each package benefiting Brenner Children's. Together, we'll raise awareness during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and show our support for young patients and families right here in our community.
Then, it'll be a short week as the NC State Wolfpack come west on I-40 for a Thursday night 7:30 p.m. ESPN kickoff in the second-longest running continuous rivalry in college football. It's the perfect opportunity to showcase the passion of Triad and Winston-Salem area football fans to a huge national audience and it'll be the first taste of a Big Four clash for the Wake Forest Class of '29, which stormed the field pregame last week for the annual Deacon Dash! Limited numbers of our best value Bojangles Four Pack are still available for the NC State game – those include four tickets, a parking pass and $20 Bojangles gift card for only $129!
And, a sellout is nearing for the Family Weekend matchup on Sept. 27 when Wake Forest hosts Georgia Tech, which notched one of the ACC's biggest opening weekend wins by dispatching Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffalos in Boulder.
So, wear your Old Gold tomorrow and lock in your tickets by calling 336-758-3322, email tix@wfu.edu or visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets, and let's create an unforgettable Deacon home field atmosphere!
And now, let's get to the updates!
Deacon Legends Return for Football Alumni Weekend
This weekend marks the largest gathering of Wake Forest Football alumni ever as we welcome back former players and coaches from across the decades. Former players can still register for tours, tonight's social and Saturday's alumni tailgate and on-field recognition by clicking here.
Tomorrow, Wake Forest will recognize our former head coaches in attendance, including Coach Grobe and his wife, Holly, who will serve as honorary captains for the coin toss.
Former players can also 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) at any time with questions or information to coordinate their visit back to Winston-Salem to be around our program. Additionally, all football alumni can visit GoDeacs.com/FBAlumniTix for ticket information.
Record 353 Wake Forest Student-Athletes Earn ACC Academic Honor Roll Recognition
A record 353 Wake Forest student-athletes—more than 70 percent of all Demon Deacons—have been named to the 2024-25 ACC Academic Honor Roll, the highest mark in program history. This achievement marks the fifth-consecutive year the Deacs have placed over 280 student-athletes on the list and the seventh-straight year more than half of all student-athletes earned the honor. Football led the way with 106 honorees, and 205 student-athletes earned ACC All-Academic honors multiple times, including four six-time honorees.
Nate Plageman Named Wake Forest Faculty Athletics Representative as Dr. Peter Brubaker Concludes Transformational Decade
Speaking of world-class academics, Wake Forest is proud to welcome Nate Plageman as the University's next Faculty Athletics Representative. Plageman, an associate professor of history and coordinator of the African Studies minor, will take over for transformational leader Dr. Peter Brubaker—our FAR for the past decade—next year. Similar to Dr. Brubaker, Plageman is a major advocate for student-athletes and strengthening the bridge between athletics and academics, which is one of the core pillars of our world-class University.
Wake Forest Golfers Make National Headlines
Wake Forest men's golf continues its tradition of excellence on the professional stage. Alum Cameron Young will make his Ryder Cup debut this September at Bethpage Black, returning home after a breakout PGA TOUR season that included his first PGA Tour victory and a fourth-place finish in the FedEx Cup standings. Meanwhile, Michael Brennan claimed his second win of the season on PGA TOUR Americas, closing out the CRMC Championship with a clutch playoff victory. Together, Young and Brennan exemplify Wake Forest's storied golf legacy. Specifically, Young joins Darren Clarke, Jay Haas, Scott Hoch, Arnold Palmer, Webb Simpson, Curtis Strange and Lanny Wadkins as Demon Deacons who have played in a Ryder Cup!
Annie Forbes Named Wake Forest Director of Spirit
Annie Forbes was promoted to Director of Spirit at Wake Forest University. A familiar face to the Demon Deacon community, Forbes has led the Gold Cheer Team and most recently served as Head Dance Team Coach, guiding her units to top finishes at Gameday Live and UDA Nationals. In her new role, she will oversee all spirit programs—including cheer, dance, the Demon Deacon mascot, and student engagement—continuing to energize Wake Forest's fan experience. They play an integral role in helping us provide the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina!
Deacon Nation – First Dibs on WVU Tickets!
Coach Forbes and our Demon Deacons are headed to Charleston, West Virginia, on Saturday, Dec. 6, for an exciting neutral-site showdown with the Mountaineers! As part of Deacon Nation, you have the first opportunity to secure your seats before they go on sale to the public. An exclusive pre-sale is open now — just use promo code GODEACS and lock in your tickets today. Let's turn Charleston Old Gold & Black!
Old Dominion Freight Line Expands College Sports Sponsorship Program with Learfield
Old Dominion Freight Line has strengthened its collaboration with Learfield to enhance its college athletics sponsorship program just ahead of football season. As the Official Freight Carrier for leading programs, including Wake Forest, OD continues to deliver "The Best in the Game" in both shipping and fan engagement. The multi-year partnership showcases team mascots, marks, and logos in national campaigns, while offering behind-the-scenes access and hospitality opportunities for clients. Companies interested in connecting with Wake Forest and the ACC can follow Wake Forest Sports Properties on social media or reach out directly to GM Banks Shepherd (bshepherd@wakeforestsportsproperties.com).
Wake Forest Juniors Earn Prestigious National Fellowships
Wake Forest juniors Evan Harris and Mai Soliman have received national recognition for their outstanding work in journalism and STEM. Harris, a politics and international affairs major from Greensboro, was awarded a Pulitzer Center Fellowship to report on the impact of overtourism in Bali using writing, photography, and audio. Also, he has been a great photographer for the Old & Gold & Black Newspaper in recent years, too! Soliman, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Winston-Salem, was named a 2025 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar for her exceptional research in regenerative medicine and public health. Both students exemplify Wake Forest's commitment to preparing leaders who make meaningful contributions on a global stage.
Up Next for the Deacs:
Today, No. 20 Field hockey is on the road at Davidson and will be back to host Longwood in its 2025 home opener on Sunday (admission is FREE) at 1 p.m. inside Kentner Stadium. Meanwhile women's soccer plays Brown at noon Sunday inside Spry Stadium. In addition to the home slate, volleyball traveled to Annapolis, Md., for the Kristen Dickmann Invitational (Sept. 5-7) this weekend, and cross country competes at the Queen City Invite in Charlotte a week from today.
Our men's golf team will make their fall debut this weekend in the Bryan National Collegiate at Bryan National in Greensboro Saturday and Sunday while No. 13 women's golf will kick off action for the fall in the prestigious Annika Intercollegiate Monday-Wednesday in Minnesota.
From the Quad Big 3
Finally, here are today's Big 3 ways to help the Deacs:
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Vice President & Director of Athletics
Happy #WFFriday Demon Deacon Nation!
DEACTOWN is popping with action as our undefeated & seventh-ranked men's soccer team plays Lipscomb tonight at 7 p.m. in Spry Stadium and we are super excited to welcome back 269 guests for Wake Football Alumni Weekend! Our No. 17 women's soccer squad set the weekend pace with a shutout win at the College of Charleston last night!
Meanwhile, back in Winston-Salem, Coach Jake Dickert and I had the very special opportunity to toast our former head coaches Dave Clawson, Jim Grobe, Jim Caldwell, Al Groh, and John Mackovic last night inside Allegacy Stadium.
There were plenty of laughs, memorable stories, and fun reflections on big wins as these incredibly accomplished men talked football and life during an intimate gathering in the Flow Lexus Club inside McCreary Tower. Being in the room with the architects of some of the greatest moments in Wake Forest Football history—who recruited and mentored nearly 1,000 Demon Deacon student-athletes that have gone on to lead successful lives as alumni—was truly a lifetime memory for me. From Coach Mackovic's legendary "never give up" halftime speech during the upset win over Auburn in 1979, to Coach Groh's Big Four championship in 1984, Coach Caldwell's Aloha Bowl victory over Arizona State in 1999, the ACC Championship under Coach Grobe in 2006, and Coach Clawson guiding Wake Forest to a No. 9 College Football Playoff ranking in 2021—the highest national rating in our history—each of these men brought success to Wake Forest and set the expectation that winning can and will happen for Wake Forest football. Together, they account for 210 of Wake Forest's total wins, and collectively this group of leaders has accumulated 583 college and NFL head coaching victories.
As each of these veteran coaches will tell you, winning is hard! While the offensive highlights may have been understated, our defense delivered a stellar performance in last Friday night's win No. 1. It was great to be back inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, where Coach Dickert fired up the 4,319 students in attendance. Our team committed no turnovers, and the Deacon defense held our opponent to the fewest points since 2021.
As we look ahead, we have three big games at Allegacy Stadium this month starting with game No. 2 of the Coach Dickert era tomorrow at 2 p.m. as the Demon Deacons host Western Carolina inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Even better, this matchup is our annual Gold Rush Childhood Cancer Game, presented by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Strickland Brothers Oil Change, where Wake Forest Football proudly joins forces with Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital. This special partnership gives all of us a chance to make an impact beyond the field. Fans can purchase a $35 Gold Rush package that includes an East Side ticket, a commemorative gold Wake Forest t-shirt, and a $20 Strickland Brothers Oil Change gift card—with $15 from each package benefiting Brenner Children's. Together, we'll raise awareness during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and show our support for young patients and families right here in our community.
Then, it'll be a short week as the NC State Wolfpack come west on I-40 for a Thursday night 7:30 p.m. ESPN kickoff in the second-longest running continuous rivalry in college football. It's the perfect opportunity to showcase the passion of Triad and Winston-Salem area football fans to a huge national audience and it'll be the first taste of a Big Four clash for the Wake Forest Class of '29, which stormed the field pregame last week for the annual Deacon Dash! Limited numbers of our best value Bojangles Four Pack are still available for the NC State game – those include four tickets, a parking pass and $20 Bojangles gift card for only $129!
And, a sellout is nearing for the Family Weekend matchup on Sept. 27 when Wake Forest hosts Georgia Tech, which notched one of the ACC's biggest opening weekend wins by dispatching Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffalos in Boulder.
So, wear your Old Gold tomorrow and lock in your tickets by calling 336-758-3322, email tix@wfu.edu or visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets, and let's create an unforgettable Deacon home field atmosphere!
And now, let's get to the updates!
Deacon Legends Return for Football Alumni Weekend
This weekend marks the largest gathering of Wake Forest Football alumni ever as we welcome back former players and coaches from across the decades. Former players can still register for tours, tonight's social and Saturday's alumni tailgate and on-field recognition by clicking here.
Tomorrow, Wake Forest will recognize our former head coaches in attendance, including Coach Grobe and his wife, Holly, who will serve as honorary captains for the coin toss.
Former players can also 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) at any time with questions or information to coordinate their visit back to Winston-Salem to be around our program. Additionally, all football alumni can visit GoDeacs.com/FBAlumniTix for ticket information.
Record 353 Wake Forest Student-Athletes Earn ACC Academic Honor Roll Recognition
A record 353 Wake Forest student-athletes—more than 70 percent of all Demon Deacons—have been named to the 2024-25 ACC Academic Honor Roll, the highest mark in program history. This achievement marks the fifth-consecutive year the Deacs have placed over 280 student-athletes on the list and the seventh-straight year more than half of all student-athletes earned the honor. Football led the way with 106 honorees, and 205 student-athletes earned ACC All-Academic honors multiple times, including four six-time honorees.
Nate Plageman Named Wake Forest Faculty Athletics Representative as Dr. Peter Brubaker Concludes Transformational Decade
Speaking of world-class academics, Wake Forest is proud to welcome Nate Plageman as the University's next Faculty Athletics Representative. Plageman, an associate professor of history and coordinator of the African Studies minor, will take over for transformational leader Dr. Peter Brubaker—our FAR for the past decade—next year. Similar to Dr. Brubaker, Plageman is a major advocate for student-athletes and strengthening the bridge between athletics and academics, which is one of the core pillars of our world-class University.
Wake Forest Golfers Make National Headlines
Wake Forest men's golf continues its tradition of excellence on the professional stage. Alum Cameron Young will make his Ryder Cup debut this September at Bethpage Black, returning home after a breakout PGA TOUR season that included his first PGA Tour victory and a fourth-place finish in the FedEx Cup standings. Meanwhile, Michael Brennan claimed his second win of the season on PGA TOUR Americas, closing out the CRMC Championship with a clutch playoff victory. Together, Young and Brennan exemplify Wake Forest's storied golf legacy. Specifically, Young joins Darren Clarke, Jay Haas, Scott Hoch, Arnold Palmer, Webb Simpson, Curtis Strange and Lanny Wadkins as Demon Deacons who have played in a Ryder Cup!
Annie Forbes Named Wake Forest Director of Spirit
Annie Forbes was promoted to Director of Spirit at Wake Forest University. A familiar face to the Demon Deacon community, Forbes has led the Gold Cheer Team and most recently served as Head Dance Team Coach, guiding her units to top finishes at Gameday Live and UDA Nationals. In her new role, she will oversee all spirit programs—including cheer, dance, the Demon Deacon mascot, and student engagement—continuing to energize Wake Forest's fan experience. They play an integral role in helping us provide the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina!
Deacon Nation – First Dibs on WVU Tickets!
Coach Forbes and our Demon Deacons are headed to Charleston, West Virginia, on Saturday, Dec. 6, for an exciting neutral-site showdown with the Mountaineers! As part of Deacon Nation, you have the first opportunity to secure your seats before they go on sale to the public. An exclusive pre-sale is open now — just use promo code GODEACS and lock in your tickets today. Let's turn Charleston Old Gold & Black!
Old Dominion Freight Line Expands College Sports Sponsorship Program with Learfield
Old Dominion Freight Line has strengthened its collaboration with Learfield to enhance its college athletics sponsorship program just ahead of football season. As the Official Freight Carrier for leading programs, including Wake Forest, OD continues to deliver "The Best in the Game" in both shipping and fan engagement. The multi-year partnership showcases team mascots, marks, and logos in national campaigns, while offering behind-the-scenes access and hospitality opportunities for clients. Companies interested in connecting with Wake Forest and the ACC can follow Wake Forest Sports Properties on social media or reach out directly to GM Banks Shepherd (bshepherd@wakeforestsportsproperties.com).
Wake Forest Juniors Earn Prestigious National Fellowships
Wake Forest juniors Evan Harris and Mai Soliman have received national recognition for their outstanding work in journalism and STEM. Harris, a politics and international affairs major from Greensboro, was awarded a Pulitzer Center Fellowship to report on the impact of overtourism in Bali using writing, photography, and audio. Also, he has been a great photographer for the Old & Gold & Black Newspaper in recent years, too! Soliman, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Winston-Salem, was named a 2025 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar for her exceptional research in regenerative medicine and public health. Both students exemplify Wake Forest's commitment to preparing leaders who make meaningful contributions on a global stage.
Up Next for the Deacs:
Today, No. 20 Field hockey is on the road at Davidson and will be back to host Longwood in its 2025 home opener on Sunday (admission is FREE) at 1 p.m. inside Kentner Stadium. Meanwhile women's soccer plays Brown at noon Sunday inside Spry Stadium. In addition to the home slate, volleyball traveled to Annapolis, Md., for the Kristen Dickmann Invitational (Sept. 5-7) this weekend, and cross country competes at the Queen City Invite in Charlotte a week from today.
Our men's golf team will make their fall debut this weekend in the Bryan National Collegiate at Bryan National in Greensboro Saturday and Sunday while No. 13 women's golf will kick off action for the fall in the prestigious Annika Intercollegiate Monday-Wednesday in Minnesota.
From the Quad Big 3
Finally, here are today's Big 3 ways to help the Deacs:
- Come join us Tuesday and Thursday on campus in advance of the big ESPN telecast of the NC State football game! First, a special on-campus edition of the Coach Jake Dickert Show will broadcast live from Manchester Plaza, on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 7:00 p.m., giving students and fans the chance to join Coach Jake Dickert and Voice of the Demon Deacons Stan Cotten in -person for interviews, activities, and a lively-fun atmosphere. Then, on Thursday, Sept. 11, ESPN's flagship program SportsCenter will air live from Hearn Plaza in front of Wait Chapel from 2-3 p.m., featuring interviews with Coach Dickert, campus traditions, giveaways, and appearances by the Spirit of the Old Gold & Black Marching Band, cheer and dance teams, and the Demon Deacon mascot.
- Our traditional night-before-home-football-game fireworks display will take place tonight around 9:15 p.m. following the conclusion of our aforementioned men's soccer match at Spry Stadium and will be launched from the throws field adjacent to the McCreary Football Complex. If you live close to campus, please be sure and remind your neighbors to expect a little noise around that time.
- Plan your Saturday with ease! Visit GoDeacs.com/Parking2025 to check out our Gameday Central page and map out your plans. Allow plenty of time to find parking, enjoy your tailgate, or catch live music in the DEACTOWN Fan Zone Presented by Lowes Foods, and get to the gates early for a stress-free, fun day with the Deacs!
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Vice President & Director of Athletics
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Wake Forest Football 2025 Week Two Trailer
Friday, September 05
Football Media Availability (9/3/25)
Wednesday, September 03
Football Media Availability (9/2/25)
Tuesday, September 02
Coach Jake Dickert Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 1, 2025)
Monday, September 01