Week 3 Open the Gate Honoree: Erin Regan
9/7/2025 4:31:00 PM | Football, Women's Soccer
The Wake Forest women’s soccer alum and 2025 Pat Tillman Award for Service recipient will serve as the Open the Gate honoree during the Demon Deacons’ game against NC State.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest women's soccer alum Erin Regan ('02), who received the Pat Tillman Award for Service during the 2025 ESPYs, will serve as the Open the Gate honoree during the Demon Deacons' Week 3 matchup against Big Four rival NC State on Thursday, Sept. 11, inside Allegacy Stadium.
Regan, who played in goal for the Demon Deacons from 1998-2001, established multiple program records that still stand to this day.
Over the course of her career with the Deacs, Regan recorded a program-leading 347 career saves across 6,621 minutes in net. During her sophomore campaign, the former First Team All-ACC honoree recorded a program-record 113 saves while only allowing a 0.71 goals against average, a record that stood until this past season. She also produced nine shutouts as a sophomore, which is second all-time for a single season.
Following her graduation in 2002, the Rancho San Margarita, Calif., native pursued a professional career with the Washington Freedom of the former Women's United Soccer Association, playing in one match during the 2003 season.
After wrapping up her playing career, Regan returned to California as she joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department in 2008 as one of the very few female firefighters in Los Angeles County during the time.
Beyond her work done within the LACoFD, Regan brought her talents to teaching the next generation of female firefighters by co-founding the Girls' Fire Camp in 2015 to encourage girls to consider a career in firefighting. The camp allows girls to meet with current and former firefighters, as well as learn some of the basics of the business in hopes of increasing female representation in a largely male-dominated field. Alongside her work developing the younger generation of girls, Regan also co-founded the Women's Fire Prep Academy, providing mentorship and hands-on training to prepare women for the fire academy and a hopeful future in fire service.
Through her efforts with Girls' Fire Camp, as well as her continued embodiment of the Pro Humanitate spirit, Regan was named the recipient of the 2025 Pat Tillman Award for Service.
The Pat Tillman Award is given out annually during the ESPYs to a person who has a connection to sports and also served others in a way that, "echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman."
Regan received the Pat Tillman Award for Service during this year's ESPY awards on July 16 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
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)
Week 3 - Erin Regan ('02)
Regan, who played in goal for the Demon Deacons from 1998-2001, established multiple program records that still stand to this day.
Over the course of her career with the Deacs, Regan recorded a program-leading 347 career saves across 6,621 minutes in net. During her sophomore campaign, the former First Team All-ACC honoree recorded a program-record 113 saves while only allowing a 0.71 goals against average, a record that stood until this past season. She also produced nine shutouts as a sophomore, which is second all-time for a single season.
Following her graduation in 2002, the Rancho San Margarita, Calif., native pursued a professional career with the Washington Freedom of the former Women's United Soccer Association, playing in one match during the 2003 season.
After wrapping up her playing career, Regan returned to California as she joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department in 2008 as one of the very few female firefighters in Los Angeles County during the time.
Beyond her work done within the LACoFD, Regan brought her talents to teaching the next generation of female firefighters by co-founding the Girls' Fire Camp in 2015 to encourage girls to consider a career in firefighting. The camp allows girls to meet with current and former firefighters, as well as learn some of the basics of the business in hopes of increasing female representation in a largely male-dominated field. Alongside her work developing the younger generation of girls, Regan also co-founded the Women's Fire Prep Academy, providing mentorship and hands-on training to prepare women for the fire academy and a hopeful future in fire service.
Through her efforts with Girls' Fire Camp, as well as her continued embodiment of the Pro Humanitate spirit, Regan was named the recipient of the 2025 Pat Tillman Award for Service.
The Pat Tillman Award is given out annually during the ESPYs to a person who has a connection to sports and also served others in a way that, "echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman."
Regan received the Pat Tillman Award for Service during this year's ESPY awards on July 16 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
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)
Week 3 - Erin Regan ('02)
Wake Forest Football Highlights vs WCU (Sept 6, 2025)
Sunday, September 07
Sterling Berkhalter snags a 51-yard touchdown
Saturday, September 06
Demond Claiborne takes it 85 yards for his 3rd TD of the day
Saturday, September 06
Claiborne get his 2nd score of the day
Saturday, September 06