Wake Forest Athletics
.jpg&height=300&type=webp)
From The Quad
7/1/2026 5:06:00 PM | General
Good Afternoon Demon Deacon Nation!
It's hot in Winston-Salem – and our Deacon Club staff in Bridger Field House is especially fired up as Tuesday marked the last day of a record-breaking year. We'll have a complete year-end report in the next issue of From the Quad, but I am proud – and grateful – to share that as of yesterday, total cash contributions have surpassed $42 million, shattering the previous record of $37.5 million. This remarkable achievement for Wake Forest Athletics is testament to the generosity and commitment of the Demon Deacon supporters worldwide. These gifts have a direct and meaningful impact on our student-athletes and our ability to win – in the classroom and on the fields and courts of the ACC and Power 4 athletics!
While several weeks have passed since the last edition of From The Quad, it's not for a lack of action around campus and in college athletics. Did you know that Wake Forest head coaches host nearly 6,000 day and overnight campers each summer? It's fun to see youngsters from around the country experiencing the beauty of the Reynolda Campus, our state-of-the-art athletics facilities, personal instruction from our coaches and student-athletes, and of course great food from our Harvest Table partners in The Pit!
Let's get to the updates!
July 1 is Day 1! Welcome President Peter Rodriguez!
Today marks the first official day for President Rodriguez and I encourage you to click here to read his warm message to the campus community! Since the announcement of his hiring on May 20th, I have really enjoyed getting to know Dr. Rodriguez and I appreciate his deep interest in Athletics and thoughtful questions and observations. Last week's Board of Trustees meeting featured a formal introduction of Dr. Rodriguez and his wife, Kathleen, by outgoing Board Chair Jeanne Whitman Bobbitt and incoming Chair Curt Farmer at Thursday evening's reception in the Sutton Center. Friday morning, President Rodriguez led a great discussion session with the Board and it is already evident to me that the selection committee has hit a home run with this hire! In just a few weeks, I'll drive Dr. Rodriguez down to Charlotte for his orientation session with ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips and other key conference leaders as he establishes these important relationships for Wake Forest University & Athletics!
Lifetime Memories Live On as German National Team's Stay in Winston-Salem Concludes
Sadly, one of the most unique and special chapters in the history of Wake Forest and Winston-Salem came to a close earlier this week, as the German Men's National Team lost a heartbreaker on penalty kicks in the World Cup Round of 32 against Paraguay.
Excitement began from the moment the German Men's National Team selected Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University, and The Graylyn Estate as their official host site for the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. The community day on Monday, June 8 was a tremendous success, with fans lining up for giveaways, enjoying the chance to watch the team train, and taking photos with the players. With tickets hotter than a Taylor Swift concert, I'm especially grateful to our Rhino Security members as well as the Wake Forest and DFB operations teams who helped make it such a memorable experience for everyone involved.
Our community, campus, and Graylyn staff provided world-class hospitality to one of the world's premier soccer programs throughout their stay. It was fun to see players, support staff, and the hundreds of media members covering the team out in the community and around campus. Remember, you can still grab DFB x Wake Forest co-branded merch while supplies last!
On June 20, a few staff members and I had the chance to cheer Germany to victory over Ivory Coast at BMO Field in Toronto – the site of our Week 0 2027 football matchup against Syracuse. It was a quick, 95-minute nonstop commercial flight from Charlotte, and spending time with our game partners at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment while experiencing the beauty of Lake Ontario from BMO Field has me even more excited about this opportunity to showcase Wake Forest on an international stage. Later this August, we'll have lots more information about tickets, travel, and other elements of this game, but in the meantime, be sure to block off the weekend of August 28 & 29, 2027 on your calendar.
Late Friday afternoon, I had the opportunity to lead a group from the German media network ARD for a behind-the-scenes tour of Allegacy Stadium, our ACCN studios, and Sutton Sports Performance Center and Shah Basketball Complex where they met our new men's basketball center, Antonio Dorn – one of our five current German student-athletes. Following the tour, Mary Lawrence and I hosted the group back at our home. They were deeply appreciative of the hospitality Winston-Salem has provided and very impressed with all that Wake Forest has to offer, including our world-class athletic facilities!
Activation Alert: Cruz-Cantwell Bill Moves Forward in the The Senate
After a 19-9 vote in the Senate Commerce Committee, the Cruz-Cantwell Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) is hopefully moving to a full vote in the next few weeks, a monumental potential step forward for college athletics. This bipartisan effort offers a real opportunity to bring stability, clarity, and a long-term framework that keeps the "college" in college sports. Wake Forest and the ACC are proud to support this legislation, and we are encouraged by the broad backing it has already received from conferences, institutions, student-athletes, and leaders across the country.
What matters most is that PCSA this bill represents a thoughtful path forward – one that seeks to preserve what is best about college athletics while giving our student-athletes, our Universities and our leaders a more dependable foundation on which to build. We need Deacon fans to contact your Senate and House representatives NOW and make sure they know that this is a critical moment in the effort to ensure a sustainable future for the opportunities created for student-athletes through intercollegiate sports.
2026 Premium Seating Is Almost Gone at Allegacy Financial Stadium!
Football season is almost here, and there's some serious excitement building in Winston-Salem about what's in store for Coach Dickert's 2026 team! McCreary Tower suites are now sold out for the season, but there is still time to join the experience in the Deacon Hill Suites, on-field suites, the Touchdown Club, and the Flow Lexus Club. The Flow Lexus Club and Touchdown Club comprise our premier gameday experiences, with luxury seating, private concessions, and an atmosphere that is truly second to none. The Deacon Hill Suites and on-field suites give fans a great private group space fully immersed in the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina.
With kickoff times and television spots set for our first three football games, it's time for Demon Deacon fans to lock in their early fall gameday plans.
Thursday, Sept. 3 vs. Akron: 7:00 p.m. Opening Night at Allegacy Stadium - ACCN
Saturday, Sept. 12 at Purdue: 12:00 p.m. West Lafayette, Indiana - FS1
Friday, Sept. 18 vs. Miami: 7:30 p.m. Allegacy Stadium - ESPN
Be sure to check out the 2026 football theme calendar here before you head to Allegacy Financial Stadium this season, and if you have any questions or want to explore any seating options reach out to our ticket sales team at tix@wfu.edu.
National Runner-Up and All-American: Track and Field Shines in the Spring
Wake Forest track and field provided the final competitors of the 25-26 Demon Deacon athletics year at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Throughout the year both the men's and women's teams showed the kind of grit, growth, and championship-level standard that makes us so proud, capped by standout performances from Rocky Hansen and Elizabeth Whaley on the national stage in Eugene. I loved watching Rocky race to national runner-up finish in the men's 5000 meters live on ESPN2, while Elizabeth earned All-American honors of her own, giving us a fitting finish to a memorable outdoor campaign.
Celebrating Our 2026 Athletes of the Year
On Monday, Wake Forest Athletics announced two of our highest individual honors with Rocky Hansen earning the Arnold Palmer Award as Male Athlete of the Year and Mia Schoenbeck receiving the Marge Crisp Award as Female Athlete of the Year. Rocky's incredible year included the ACC and NCAA Regional Cross Country individual championships, being named ACC Performer of the Year honors, and being named a First Team All-American, in addition to the aforementioned 5,000 meters national runner-up finish. Meanwhile, Mia helped lead a tremendous year for Wake Forest Field Hockey with a dominant junior season that included First Team All-American recognition and ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Rocky and Mia will be back this fall to lead their respective squads toward goal #4 – Win Championships!
Momentum At The Grounds: Crosswalk Is Taking Shape
Those who regularly commute down University Parkway have undoubtedly noticed the new crosswalk construction at the Cherry Street intersection. This important long-term improvement will create a safer and more welcoming connection between Wake Forest and The Grounds – as this fall Demon Deacon students and fans will be able to make the easy walk down the pathway to Allegacy Stadium – I can't wait to see this new fan element come to life! In the meantime, please slow down and mind the workers in the area when you are passing through.
Baseball Turns Page To '27 Season After Fifth-Straight NCAA Appearance
Right on the heels of Wake Forest becoming one of only five programs nationally to earn a top-two Regionals seed each of the last five seasons, the baseball portal season launched. And, as we experienced earlier this year with football and men's and women's basketball, the era of student-athlete portability is jarring for fans of all schools. The Deacons portal achievements included significant acquisitions and major retention accomplishments especially among our very best pitchers, including team ace Chris Levonas, who will enter 2027 as one of the top hurlers in the country. I appreciate Coach Walter's strong leadership in steering the Deacon ship through the stormy waters of the revenue-sharing and NIL era. With Wake Forest now 134-30-1 at home since 2022, I can't wait for the action to start back up in Couch Ballpark next spring!
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
Wake Forest University
It's hot in Winston-Salem – and our Deacon Club staff in Bridger Field House is especially fired up as Tuesday marked the last day of a record-breaking year. We'll have a complete year-end report in the next issue of From the Quad, but I am proud – and grateful – to share that as of yesterday, total cash contributions have surpassed $42 million, shattering the previous record of $37.5 million. This remarkable achievement for Wake Forest Athletics is testament to the generosity and commitment of the Demon Deacon supporters worldwide. These gifts have a direct and meaningful impact on our student-athletes and our ability to win – in the classroom and on the fields and courts of the ACC and Power 4 athletics!
While several weeks have passed since the last edition of From The Quad, it's not for a lack of action around campus and in college athletics. Did you know that Wake Forest head coaches host nearly 6,000 day and overnight campers each summer? It's fun to see youngsters from around the country experiencing the beauty of the Reynolda Campus, our state-of-the-art athletics facilities, personal instruction from our coaches and student-athletes, and of course great food from our Harvest Table partners in The Pit!
Let's get to the updates!
July 1 is Day 1! Welcome President Peter Rodriguez!
Today marks the first official day for President Rodriguez and I encourage you to click here to read his warm message to the campus community! Since the announcement of his hiring on May 20th, I have really enjoyed getting to know Dr. Rodriguez and I appreciate his deep interest in Athletics and thoughtful questions and observations. Last week's Board of Trustees meeting featured a formal introduction of Dr. Rodriguez and his wife, Kathleen, by outgoing Board Chair Jeanne Whitman Bobbitt and incoming Chair Curt Farmer at Thursday evening's reception in the Sutton Center. Friday morning, President Rodriguez led a great discussion session with the Board and it is already evident to me that the selection committee has hit a home run with this hire! In just a few weeks, I'll drive Dr. Rodriguez down to Charlotte for his orientation session with ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips and other key conference leaders as he establishes these important relationships for Wake Forest University & Athletics!
Lifetime Memories Live On as German National Team's Stay in Winston-Salem Concludes
Sadly, one of the most unique and special chapters in the history of Wake Forest and Winston-Salem came to a close earlier this week, as the German Men's National Team lost a heartbreaker on penalty kicks in the World Cup Round of 32 against Paraguay.
Excitement began from the moment the German Men's National Team selected Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University, and The Graylyn Estate as their official host site for the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. The community day on Monday, June 8 was a tremendous success, with fans lining up for giveaways, enjoying the chance to watch the team train, and taking photos with the players. With tickets hotter than a Taylor Swift concert, I'm especially grateful to our Rhino Security members as well as the Wake Forest and DFB operations teams who helped make it such a memorable experience for everyone involved.
Our community, campus, and Graylyn staff provided world-class hospitality to one of the world's premier soccer programs throughout their stay. It was fun to see players, support staff, and the hundreds of media members covering the team out in the community and around campus. Remember, you can still grab DFB x Wake Forest co-branded merch while supplies last!
On June 20, a few staff members and I had the chance to cheer Germany to victory over Ivory Coast at BMO Field in Toronto – the site of our Week 0 2027 football matchup against Syracuse. It was a quick, 95-minute nonstop commercial flight from Charlotte, and spending time with our game partners at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment while experiencing the beauty of Lake Ontario from BMO Field has me even more excited about this opportunity to showcase Wake Forest on an international stage. Later this August, we'll have lots more information about tickets, travel, and other elements of this game, but in the meantime, be sure to block off the weekend of August 28 & 29, 2027 on your calendar.
Late Friday afternoon, I had the opportunity to lead a group from the German media network ARD for a behind-the-scenes tour of Allegacy Stadium, our ACCN studios, and Sutton Sports Performance Center and Shah Basketball Complex where they met our new men's basketball center, Antonio Dorn – one of our five current German student-athletes. Following the tour, Mary Lawrence and I hosted the group back at our home. They were deeply appreciative of the hospitality Winston-Salem has provided and very impressed with all that Wake Forest has to offer, including our world-class athletic facilities!
Activation Alert: Cruz-Cantwell Bill Moves Forward in the The Senate
After a 19-9 vote in the Senate Commerce Committee, the Cruz-Cantwell Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) is hopefully moving to a full vote in the next few weeks, a monumental potential step forward for college athletics. This bipartisan effort offers a real opportunity to bring stability, clarity, and a long-term framework that keeps the "college" in college sports. Wake Forest and the ACC are proud to support this legislation, and we are encouraged by the broad backing it has already received from conferences, institutions, student-athletes, and leaders across the country.
What matters most is that PCSA this bill represents a thoughtful path forward – one that seeks to preserve what is best about college athletics while giving our student-athletes, our Universities and our leaders a more dependable foundation on which to build. We need Deacon fans to contact your Senate and House representatives NOW and make sure they know that this is a critical moment in the effort to ensure a sustainable future for the opportunities created for student-athletes through intercollegiate sports.
2026 Premium Seating Is Almost Gone at Allegacy Financial Stadium!
Football season is almost here, and there's some serious excitement building in Winston-Salem about what's in store for Coach Dickert's 2026 team! McCreary Tower suites are now sold out for the season, but there is still time to join the experience in the Deacon Hill Suites, on-field suites, the Touchdown Club, and the Flow Lexus Club. The Flow Lexus Club and Touchdown Club comprise our premier gameday experiences, with luxury seating, private concessions, and an atmosphere that is truly second to none. The Deacon Hill Suites and on-field suites give fans a great private group space fully immersed in the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina.
With kickoff times and television spots set for our first three football games, it's time for Demon Deacon fans to lock in their early fall gameday plans.
Thursday, Sept. 3 vs. Akron: 7:00 p.m. Opening Night at Allegacy Stadium - ACCN
Saturday, Sept. 12 at Purdue: 12:00 p.m. West Lafayette, Indiana - FS1
Friday, Sept. 18 vs. Miami: 7:30 p.m. Allegacy Stadium - ESPN
Be sure to check out the 2026 football theme calendar here before you head to Allegacy Financial Stadium this season, and if you have any questions or want to explore any seating options reach out to our ticket sales team at tix@wfu.edu.
National Runner-Up and All-American: Track and Field Shines in the Spring
Wake Forest track and field provided the final competitors of the 25-26 Demon Deacon athletics year at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Throughout the year both the men's and women's teams showed the kind of grit, growth, and championship-level standard that makes us so proud, capped by standout performances from Rocky Hansen and Elizabeth Whaley on the national stage in Eugene. I loved watching Rocky race to national runner-up finish in the men's 5000 meters live on ESPN2, while Elizabeth earned All-American honors of her own, giving us a fitting finish to a memorable outdoor campaign.
Celebrating Our 2026 Athletes of the Year
On Monday, Wake Forest Athletics announced two of our highest individual honors with Rocky Hansen earning the Arnold Palmer Award as Male Athlete of the Year and Mia Schoenbeck receiving the Marge Crisp Award as Female Athlete of the Year. Rocky's incredible year included the ACC and NCAA Regional Cross Country individual championships, being named ACC Performer of the Year honors, and being named a First Team All-American, in addition to the aforementioned 5,000 meters national runner-up finish. Meanwhile, Mia helped lead a tremendous year for Wake Forest Field Hockey with a dominant junior season that included First Team All-American recognition and ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Rocky and Mia will be back this fall to lead their respective squads toward goal #4 – Win Championships!
Momentum At The Grounds: Crosswalk Is Taking Shape
Those who regularly commute down University Parkway have undoubtedly noticed the new crosswalk construction at the Cherry Street intersection. This important long-term improvement will create a safer and more welcoming connection between Wake Forest and The Grounds – as this fall Demon Deacon students and fans will be able to make the easy walk down the pathway to Allegacy Stadium – I can't wait to see this new fan element come to life! In the meantime, please slow down and mind the workers in the area when you are passing through.
Baseball Turns Page To '27 Season After Fifth-Straight NCAA Appearance
Right on the heels of Wake Forest becoming one of only five programs nationally to earn a top-two Regionals seed each of the last five seasons, the baseball portal season launched. And, as we experienced earlier this year with football and men's and women's basketball, the era of student-athlete portability is jarring for fans of all schools. The Deacons portal achievements included significant acquisitions and major retention accomplishments especially among our very best pitchers, including team ace Chris Levonas, who will enter 2027 as one of the top hurlers in the country. I appreciate Coach Walter's strong leadership in steering the Deacon ship through the stormy waters of the revenue-sharing and NIL era. With Wake Forest now 134-30-1 at home since 2022, I can't wait for the action to start back up in Couch Ballpark next spring!
From the Quad Big 3
Finally, here are today's Big 3 ways to help the Deacs:
- FREE 2026 Wake Forest Football yard signs are now available and an easy way to elevate the Demon Deacon brand and show your pride wherever you live, work or play. Stop by Bridger Field House and pick one up or reach out to a Deacon Club team member to secure yours!
- July is Soccer Time in Winston-Salem! Mark your calendars – July 26, 5:00-7:00 p.m: Wake Forest will host its annual Soccer Fan Fest at Spry Stadium! This FREE family-friendly event features all the players from both 2026 squads as well as games, inflatables, and concessions. Jr. Deacs members have early access to the activities at 4:30 p.m. – and all fans can register online starting today!
- Celebrate Independence Day at Couch Ballpark! Come see the Disco Turkeys battle the Wampus Cats in their annual 4th of July spectacular! Postgame fireworks will cap off the evening of baseball and family fun in celebration of America's 250th! Grab your tickets – first pitch is 6:30 p.m. Saturday!
Go Deacs!
John Currie
Vice President & Director of Athletics
Wake Forest University
Players Mentioned
Thursday, June 25
Thursday, June 18
Thursday, June 11
Sunday, May 31