Wake Forest Athletics
Remembering Longtime Wake Forest Men’s Basketball Analyst Mark Freidinger
3/8/2026 3:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Freidinger served as a men’s basketball commentator for 35 years calling numerous memorable Demon Deacon moments.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest Athletics mourns the passing of Mark Freidinger, who served as an analyst for Demon Deacon men's basketball from 1990-2025. Freidinger was part of the first Wake Forest International Sports Properties (ISP) team that formed in 1990-91, managed by university alum Ben Sutton '80, '83 JD.
For nearly three decades, Freidinger partnered with play-by-play announcer Stan Cotten, the "Voice of the Demon Deacons," to cover men's basketball games. The pair called more than 1,000 games while also highlighting 10 Deacs named All-Americans, five ACC Players of the Year and three head coaches honored as ACC Coach of the Year.
During his first five seasons on the call, Freidinger was joined by Mac MacDonald.
Prior to his work as a broadcaster, Freidinger served as an assistant coach at Kansas under coaching legend Larry Brown from 1985-87.
He was also an assistant coach in Winston-Salem for the Deacs from 1981-85 under Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Carl Tacy, helping guide the team to three seasons of 20-plus wins.
Additionally, Freidinger worked as a scout for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs.
What They're Saying About Mark Freidinger
For nearly three decades, Freidinger partnered with play-by-play announcer Stan Cotten, the "Voice of the Demon Deacons," to cover men's basketball games. The pair called more than 1,000 games while also highlighting 10 Deacs named All-Americans, five ACC Players of the Year and three head coaches honored as ACC Coach of the Year.
During his first five seasons on the call, Freidinger was joined by Mac MacDonald.
Prior to his work as a broadcaster, Freidinger served as an assistant coach at Kansas under coaching legend Larry Brown from 1985-87.
He was also an assistant coach in Winston-Salem for the Deacs from 1981-85 under Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Carl Tacy, helping guide the team to three seasons of 20-plus wins.
Additionally, Freidinger worked as a scout for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs.
What They're Saying About Mark Freidinger
- Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie ('93):
- "Mark Freidinger left a lasting impact that will go well beyond his four decades in the game of basketball. His passion and knowledge of the game and for Demon Deacon basketball was evident for every single game he called over his legendary 35-year run as an analyst. Our hearts are with the entire Fredinger family."
- Men's Basketball Head Coach Steve Forbes:
- "I speak for our entire program in mourning the passing of Mark Freidinger. Some of my most cherished memories from my time at Wake Forest were spent with Dinger just hearing his stories and sharing his experiences in this game we all cherish. We will miss him greatly."
- Wake Forest Athletics Play-by-Play Announcer Stan Cotten:
- "Dinger was one of a kind. He had such a big personality and a passion for basketball. I was so lucky to have him by my side. It's been an honor to be his friend and partner over the years."
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