Biography of Tom Walter Wake Forest
Tom Walter is a Division I baseball coach and social impact advocate with a record exceeding 900 career wins across tenures at George Washington, New Orleans, and Wake Forest Throughout his coaching journey, he has ensured that every athlete under his leadership completes their education and engages in meaningful community service. At Wake Forest, his teams achieved exceptional results, earning a No 1 national ranking and making several appearances in the NCAA tournament.
Early Years
Thomas was born in New York and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania However, his values and leadership skills were shaped most during his years in Washington, DC, while attending Georgetown University There, he served as captain of the baseball team during both his junior and senior years. He earned a place on the Big East All-Academic Team in 1990 and 1991, was named team MVP in his final year, and was recognized as the conference’s freshman of the year when he began his collegiate career
His dedication extended beyond the field After earning a degree in finance, he enrolled directly in a master’s program at George Washington University While pursuing his MBA, he tutored athletes in calculus, managed athletic equipment across all sports, and served as an assistant baseball coach That year, the team won the Atlantic 10 championship and secured a place in the 1992 NCAA tournament
Establishing a Force at George Washington University
Thomas became head coach at George Washington University in 1996 Over the next eight seasons, he built a consistently competitive program, finishing with a 273–181 record This performance made him the most successful coach in the school’s baseball history. During his last five years in office, his teams averaged 39 wins per season, significantly raising the program’s profile within the region
The 2002 season marked a milestone, as the team earned its fourth NCAA tournament appearance That same year, he was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year The program also produced 26 professional players during his tenure, including one who reached the Major League Baseball
His contributions have continued to be recognized In 2019, he was inducted into the GW Athletics Hall of Fame His accolades also include membership in the AAABA Hall of Fame and the Cambria County Hall of Fame.
Resilience Through Adversity at the University of New Orleans
In 2004, Thomas accepted the role of head coach at the University of New Orleans While the opportunity was significant, the challenges that followed were unprecedented. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused widespread destruction, displacing the team and destroying his home.
The team relocated to temporary sites in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Mobile, Alabama. Despite the upheaval, they achieved 30 wins the following season their first time reaching that number since 1996 The program continued to advance In 2007, they won the Sun Belt Championship and, in 2008, qualified for a second straight NCAA tournament. No other Louisiana program achieved this in the post-Katrina period
Transforming Wake Forest Baseball
Thomas Walter took over the Wake Forest baseball program in 2009 Over the next 15 years, he led it to some of the best results in its history, including multiple NCAA tournament appearances The program won a regional championship in 2017 and continued building momentum.
In 2011, a personal story captured national attention when he donated a kidney to Kevin Jordan, a freshman outfielder in the program. This selfless act received coverage from ESPN’s E60 and led to an appearance on NBC’s "The Wall" with his daughter
In recent seasons, Wake Forest Baseball has reached new heights. For four consecutive years, the team secured a 1- or 2-seed in the NCAA tournament something only six other programs in the country matched Within the Atlantic Coast Conference, no other team accomplished that In 2023, they achieved a No. 1 national ranking and reached the Final Four in Omaha. That same year, he was named ACC Coach of the Year
The Launch of Get In the Game
In 2020, Thomas launched Get In the Game, a nonprofit focused on promoting dialogue around race, service, and leadership among high school students The program targets youth between the ages of 13 and 18, encouraging them to engage in discussions, reflections, and service projects.
The initiative has already impacted roughly 1,500 students In 2021, the program was recognized with the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award during the ESPN/Disney Sports Humanitarian Awards, accompanied by a $100,000 grant from Disney to support further expansion
Giving Without Expectation
Thomas has long prioritized service. He contributes more than $25,000 each year to various causes and is preparing an additional $25,000 donation to the LGBTQ office on campus
Under his leadership, Wake Forest Baseball has become active in both local and national community service The team volunteers with groups such as Brenner’s Children’s Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill of North Carolina, Parenting Path, the Special Olympics, and JDRF. Players also engage with events like Walk a Mile in Her Shoes and contribute to youth development through RBI Baseball Academies
Approaching a Milestone
Now, with over 900 victories, Thomas Walter is on the verge of reaching 1,000 career wins. He is one of just two active head coaches to have led three different programs to the NCAA tournament Thomas Walter’s impact spans athletic performance, education, community service, and leadership, marking a career built on commitment and purpose.