Wake Forest Athletics
Photo by: Jacob Sterling
Wake Forest Field Hockey Hosts Annual Fight for Five Tournament on Friday
3/19/2026 12:32:00 PM | Field Hockey
The annual event honors the legacy of Wake Forest's own 2002 field hockey national champion, Maria Whitehead.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest field hockey team will host its 15th annual Fight for Five Pickleball Tournament on Friday, March 20, at 6 p.m. at the courts located behind Kentner Stadium.
The annual event honors the legacy of Wake Forest's own 2002 field hockey national champion, Maria Whitehead, who passed away from melanoma on Nov. 1, 2006.
Although small in stature, her hard work and determination never went unnoticed. Her relentless belief and pursuit of her dream to become a national champion empowered those around her and became a reality in 2002, when she helped lead the Demon Deacons to their first ACC and NCAA championships. Her legacy has left an imprint on countless lives and continues to inspire the Wake Forest community.
"Maria's impact on this program and this university continues to be felt every single day," head coach Jen Averill said. "The Fight for Five event is such a meaningful way for our team and community to celebrate her legacy while also supporting melanoma research that can help others."
Open to the entire Wake Forest and Winston-Salem community, anyone interested in participating can do so by signing up HERE.
All proceeds will benefit the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for melanoma research, and donations can be made by clicking HERE.
Everyone is encouraged to come out, enjoy food and drinks, and remember Wake hockey's forever No. 5, Maria Whitehead.
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
The annual event honors the legacy of Wake Forest's own 2002 field hockey national champion, Maria Whitehead, who passed away from melanoma on Nov. 1, 2006.
Although small in stature, her hard work and determination never went unnoticed. Her relentless belief and pursuit of her dream to become a national champion empowered those around her and became a reality in 2002, when she helped lead the Demon Deacons to their first ACC and NCAA championships. Her legacy has left an imprint on countless lives and continues to inspire the Wake Forest community.
"Maria's impact on this program and this university continues to be felt every single day," head coach Jen Averill said. "The Fight for Five event is such a meaningful way for our team and community to celebrate her legacy while also supporting melanoma research that can help others."
Open to the entire Wake Forest and Winston-Salem community, anyone interested in participating can do so by signing up HERE.
All proceeds will benefit the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for melanoma research, and donations can be made by clicking HERE.
Everyone is encouraged to come out, enjoy food and drinks, and remember Wake hockey's forever No. 5, Maria Whitehead.
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
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