Wake Forest Athletics News
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Wake Forest Championship Teams Return For Varsity Club Weekend
Oct. 5, 2000
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Four championship teams from Wake Forest's athletic history return to campus this week in honor of Varsity Club Weekend. As part of the festivities, the 1970 ACC Champion football team, the 1955 NCAA champion baseball team and the 1974 and '75 national champion men's golf teams will be introduced at halftime of Saturday's football game between Wake Forest and Vanderbilt at Groves Stadium.
The 1955 Demon Deacon baseball squad is the only team from the Atlantic Coast Conference to have claimed a national championship on the diamond. Wake Forest compiled a 29-7 record and, with an 11-3 mark, captured the 1955 ACC title en route to their NCAA championship. Under skipper Taylor Sanford, the 1955 National Coach of the Year, the Deacs opened NCAA tournament play with shutouts over Colgate and Colorado State before falling into the loser's bracket after a loss to Western Michigan. Wake Forest bounced back, however, to win more two more games, setting up a rematch with the Broncos for the national title. Sophomore pitcher Jack McGinley won his third game of the tournament as the Deacs edged Western Michigan, 7-6, for the championship. It marked the school's first national championship in any sport.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1970 Wake Forest football team which captured the school's only ACC football championship to date. That squad, under the guidance of head coach Cal Stoll, produced a 6-5 record, but became legendary for its come-from-behind victories over league rivals North Carolina and NC State. After opening the season with three straight losses, the Deacs rallied to win five ACC contests, including a 16-13 win over the Wolfpack in which a last-minute touchdown clinched the league championship.
The Wake Forest men's golf program has a strong and storied tradition, and one of its most notable accomplishments is winning back-to-back national championships in 1974 and '75. Under the direction of >legendary coach Jesse Haddock, the 1974 squad was one of the youngest NCAA championship teams ever with two freshmen, two sophomores, one junior and one senior. That year the Deacs won nine of 11 tournaments, placing second in the other two, and captured their eighth straight ACC Tournament. Sophomore Curtis Strange paved the way for the Deacons' national title by eagling the 18th hole in the final round, winning the individual championship as well. Four members of that talented squad went on to play professionally ? Bill Argabrite, Jay Haas, Strange and David Thore.
The 1975 Wake Forest men's golf team followed up the first national title by capturing the second one in record fashion, winning by an NCAA-record 33 strokes. The Deacs shattered the previous record of a 13-stroke winning margin. During that season, the Deacs won 12 of 14 tournaments, including a ninth consecutive ACC championship. Junior Jay Haas, older brother of current WFU head coach Jerry Haas, also brought the national individual championship back to Wake Forest for the second straight year.
For more information about Varsity Club Weekend activities, call (336) 758-5976. Tickets for Saturday's football game between Wake Forest and Vanderbilt are available by calling 1-888-758-DEAC (3322). Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. |