Wake Forest Athletics
Week 5 Open the Gate Honoree: Traci Piccolo Dolby
9/30/2026 8:48:00 AM | Football
Wake Forest alumna Traci Piccolo Dolby, daughter of Demon Deacon football legend Brian Piccolo, is set to be the Open the Gate honoree for Saturday's matchup against Stanford.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest alum Traci Piccolo Dolby ('89) will serve as the Open the Gate honoree during the Demon Deacons' Week 5 Family Weekend matchup against Stanford on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Allegacy Financial Stadium.
Piccolo Dolby is the daughter of Brian Piccolo, the Wake Forest All-American running back who led the nation in rushing and touchdowns in 1964 before going on to play for the Chicago Bears. Piccolo's friendship with teammate Gale Sayers, with whom he became the NFL's first interracial roommates, is chronicled in the acclaimed 1971 television film "Brian's Song."
Piccolo passed away of cancer in 1970 at age 26, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape the Wake Forest community more than five decades later.
Two of Brian Piccolo's three daughters followed their father to Wake Forest: Lori Piccolo ('87) and Traci. Traci was present in November 1980 when a group of students, led by Sigma Pi fraternity member Johnny Dawkins ('81), held the first fund drive in her father's memory.
That inaugural event raised $3,600 and laid the foundation for what has become one of the most meaningful traditions on Wake Forest's Reynolda campus: Hit The Bricks, an annual student-led philanthropy event that has become a cornerstone of the community since its founding in 2003.
Each fall, teams of students, faculty, staff and alumni gather on Hearn Plaza for an eight-hour relay, taking turns running and walking laps around the Quad while enjoying live music, guest speakers and campus-wide camaraderie. The day concludes with a ceremonial remembrance lap and a moment of silence at Wait Chapel, honoring those who have been affected by cancer.
The event's growth has mirrored its impact. What began as a roughly $4,000 fundraiser in its first year has become a philanthropic phenomenon, with more than $2 million raised for cancer research since Hit the Bricks began in 2003.
This year's Hit the Bricks event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1 — just two days before the Demon Deacons host the Cardinal — continuing a tradition that has turned personal loss into one of the university's most enduring symbols of community and hope.
Piccolo Dolby has remained closely connected to the event that bears her father's name, sharing her family's story with generations of Wake Forest students and reminding each new class why Hit the Bricks matters.
Open the Gate Information & 2026 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 - Dr. Peter Rodriguez
Week 3 - Al-Farouq Aminu
Week 5 - Traci Piccolo Dolby
Piccolo Dolby is the daughter of Brian Piccolo, the Wake Forest All-American running back who led the nation in rushing and touchdowns in 1964 before going on to play for the Chicago Bears. Piccolo's friendship with teammate Gale Sayers, with whom he became the NFL's first interracial roommates, is chronicled in the acclaimed 1971 television film "Brian's Song."
Piccolo passed away of cancer in 1970 at age 26, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape the Wake Forest community more than five decades later.
Two of Brian Piccolo's three daughters followed their father to Wake Forest: Lori Piccolo ('87) and Traci. Traci was present in November 1980 when a group of students, led by Sigma Pi fraternity member Johnny Dawkins ('81), held the first fund drive in her father's memory.
That inaugural event raised $3,600 and laid the foundation for what has become one of the most meaningful traditions on Wake Forest's Reynolda campus: Hit The Bricks, an annual student-led philanthropy event that has become a cornerstone of the community since its founding in 2003.
Each fall, teams of students, faculty, staff and alumni gather on Hearn Plaza for an eight-hour relay, taking turns running and walking laps around the Quad while enjoying live music, guest speakers and campus-wide camaraderie. The day concludes with a ceremonial remembrance lap and a moment of silence at Wait Chapel, honoring those who have been affected by cancer.
The event's growth has mirrored its impact. What began as a roughly $4,000 fundraiser in its first year has become a philanthropic phenomenon, with more than $2 million raised for cancer research since Hit the Bricks began in 2003.
This year's Hit the Bricks event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1 — just two days before the Demon Deacons host the Cardinal — continuing a tradition that has turned personal loss into one of the university's most enduring symbols of community and hope.
Piccolo Dolby has remained closely connected to the event that bears her father's name, sharing her family's story with generations of Wake Forest students and reminding each new class why Hit the Bricks matters.
Open the Gate Information & 2026 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 - Dr. Peter Rodriguez
Week 3 - Al-Farouq Aminu
Week 5 - Traci Piccolo Dolby
Wednesday, September 30
Tuesday, September 29
Monday, September 28
Friday, September 25