JIM GROBE STEPS DOWN AS FOOTBALL COACH
Graduate student transfer Coron Williams fills key role in Deacon backcourt
THE NEW
OLD GUY JANUARY 2014
MOVING UP
Junior Riley Ridgik emerges as new threat for women’s soccer team after star Katie Stengel is sidelined
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contents
// J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4
Jim Grobe resigned as Wake Forest’s head football coach on Dec. 2 after 13 seasons. He compiled a record of 77-82, tying the school record for the most victories in a career. “Jim Grobe’s tenure at Wake Forest will go down as the greatest run of football success in school history,” said Director of Athletics Ron Wellman. See story, Page 6
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inside the deacon club
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// 8 MORE THAN A SHOOTER Coron Williams, a graduate student transfer from Robert Morris, brings a reputation as long-range bomber to Deacon backcourt, but he offers more than that.
// 10 TAKING OVER Versatile junior Riley Ridgik saw a need and filled it for Deacon women’s soccer team after star Katie Stengel is sidelined.
// 14 BACK ON THE FIELD Alphonso Smith, a former standout cornerback on WFU’s 2006 ACC title team, stays busy on more than just sidelines in his new role on the radio. ON THE COVER Coron Williams comes to Wake Forest as a graduate student transfer after three years as a guard at Robert Morris where he had a knack for knocking down three-pointers. (Photo by Brian Westerholt / Sports on Film)
JANUARY 2014
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fr o m t h e a . d .
// r o n w e llma n
Improvements at coliseum add to fans’ enjoyments Dear Deacon Club, I first want to take a moment to acknowledge Jim Grobe who announced his resignation earlier this month. Jim’s tenure at Wake Forest will go down as the greatest run of football success in school history. He and his staff have lifted our program to great heights. Every Demon Deacon fan will be forever grateful for the 2006 ACC Championship and the trip to the Orange Bowl. Jim showed us that winning championships is a worthy and realistic goal for us, and we are indebted to him for raising our expectations. On behalf of the entire athletic department, we extend our sincerest thanks to Jim for everything he has done for our program, and we wish him nothing but the very best.
ron WELLMAN D I R ECTO R O F AT H L ET I CS
Turning our attention to the start of the basketball season, fans attending our games at the coliseum have had the opportunity to see some of the improvements that have taken place since we purchased the facility this summer. Our staff has worked feverishly to complete the renovations prior to our opening game ... and they succeeded as everything was done for the first tip-off. The two major improvements are the total rebuilding of the concession stands and kitchen as well as the replacement of the audio system. Both of those projects add to our fans’ enjoyment at our games as well as other events at the coliseum. While all of the service components of the concessions stands were completed in time for the first game, additional
graphics will be added soon. The response from our fans about the concession stand food has been extremely positive. The food selection, quality and the prices have all received encouraging comments from our guests. The new television monitors at each concession stand allow our fans to keep up with the game action while ordering and getting their food ... a major guest amenity. The new audio system is also a marked improvement for our fans. The balance and clarity of the system is a significant upgrade, and I am sure that you will enjoy the quality of the audio presentation. Just over a month ago, we sent our initial email survey to all of our season ticket holders and Deacon Club members regarding future plans for the coliseum. The response to that survey was extremely encouraging. Thank you for participating and giving us valuable feedback about what you would like the coliseum to eventually become. We will continue to email surveys to you as we work through the Strategic Facility Plan for the coliseum. We are determined to meet the needs and wants of our fan base, so your suggestions and ideas are important to us. As always, thank you for all that you do for our studentathletes and program. I look forward to seeing you at our games!
Go Deacs! Ron Wellman
Russell Cockman, Football Fan
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// jim gr o b e
Time To Move On Jim Grobe steps down after historic 13-year run By Jay Reddick
J
im Grobe is a man with high standards. It’s one of the things that made him a perfect fit as Wake Forest’s football coach for the last 13 seasons, and in the end, it’s why he resigned as coach Dec. 2. The man who led the program to its greatest on-field glory — the 2006 ACC championship and 2007 Orange Bowl — said that a series of close losses over the last two seasons led him to the realization that the Deacons might be better off without him. “In the last couple of years, all the close games start to beat you up a little bit,” Grobe said during his farewell news conference. “I felt like we were working as hard as we could. I started to think, ‘Is Jim Grobe the right guy going forward?’ The program is at a position right now where there needs to be new energy and focus.” Grobe’s teams shattered WFU fans’ expectations of what is possible for the program. The Deacons had reached five bowl games before his arrival in 2001, and they reached five during his first 11 seasons in Winston-Salem. The Deacons haven’t had a winning record since 2008, but even during the five years since, the team averaged nearly five victories per season. There have been many times in WFU’s football history that averaging five victories a year would have been welcomed. But that was never Grobe’s way. He couldn’t settle for a win total that was just ordinary — he demanded more of himself as a coach. He thought Wake Forest deserved better, and that is why he stepped down. “I had certain expectations. We didn’t meet them, and that’s my fault,” Grobe said. “People get disappointed (in the win total), but the coach’s bar is even higher. From my standpoint, the last two years did not meet expectations.” Of course, Grobe’s tenure will be marked by much more than wins and losses. As Director of Athletics Ron Wellman pointed out, the program during the past 13 seasons can be called a success in every way, including academics and the caliber of young men who graduate from WFU after playing for Grobe. The coach has often said that he wanted to nurture young men who could be better dads, better husbands and better people. It was made obvious by all of the supportive messages to be found in the media and on social networks that many of those young men appreciated the lessons Grobe taught. “He and his wife, Holly, handled everything with class,” Riley Skinner, a four-year starter at quarterback, told the ACC Digital Network. “He really, truly loved his players. He put his team before himself and his players before himself.” The Deacons’ legacy under Grobe is full of success stories. But the coach doesn’t want his departure to mark the end of a chapter in school history — he hopes there are more heroes to be found in the future. “What I want is great things for our kids and our program at Wake Forest,” Grobe said. “If somebody else can come in and do that, I’ll be their biggest fan.”
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// C o r o n W illiam s
Credit - Brian Westerholt / Sports on Film for Coron Williams action shots
More Than A Shooter Coron Williams brings reputation as long-range bomber to Deacon backcourt, but he offers more than that By Sam Walker
E
xpectation plus anticipation equals perspiration. Perhaps Coron Williams fell victim to that equation in his first couple of games as a Demon Deacon basketball player. The graduate student transfer from Robert Morris was a combined 3 of 15 from the field and 0 of 7 from three-point range, his supposed sweet spot from the floor, in 40 minutes of action over his first two games. Admittedly he was “sweating it,” excited and anxious to start the final chapter of his collegiate career as a Demon Deacon, which was made possible when he missed his freshman season and was given a redshirt season because of an ankle injury. He toiled three seasons at Robert Morris in Pittsburgh where he established himself as a guard with a knack for knocking down the three. So when he broke out to score 18 points off six three-pointers against Presbyterian in the third game of the season, he was relieved to have the metaphoric monkey off his back and look like the player he expected himself to be. “It was nice to see one go down one time, and all it takes is one,” said
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Williams with a satisfied smile after the victory over Presbyterian. “I came in and got my second open jumper and third, and from there it was history. I was not coming here through the first two games to go 3 for 15 or whatever it was, but it happened though, and I got frustrated. I was a little upset at times. But as a shooter, you always have to go back to basics. I got in the gym, worked on a few things, and I came out here and it proved right. “The coaches said, ‘don’t get frustrated, we know you are going to make shots,’ and that gave me some confidence, and coming in I had no worries. Then when I hit that first three, I heard the crowd go wild, and that made me feel good that I could give them something good (to cheer about). I know people want me to put up a lot of shots, but I’m not forcing things. It’s not just my shot, it’s our team shot. But I know the fans want me to put the ball up.” He followed with 14 points and hit four threes in the follow-up victory over Jacksonville in a tighter 90-83 victory and was 4 of 6 from three for 12 points against The Citadel two nights later. With his 14
threes in three of the first five games of the season, Williams became the first Demon Deacon to hit 14 threes in five games since Justin Gray accomplished the feat during the 2005-06 season. Williams graduated from Robert Morris with a degree in business, but he still had one year of eligibility remaining. With the degree, he felt some sense of closure at Robert Morris. He had just helped the Colonials earn a historic victory over Kentucky in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament last March. But after hitting 210 of 497 shots for 42.3 percent from three and starting 71 of 72 games, he wanted the one last season he was due.
He knew there was opportunity somewhere to pursue a graduate degree and play that final season. Wake Forest, needing a seasoned guard after the graduation of C.J. Harris, saw a player who had experience, the ability to shoot the ball, stretch defenses and protect the ball, so the relationship was potentially mutually beneficial. The end result — Williams transferred to Wake Forest on May 1. “It was a tough decision, but I decided to get closer to home,” said Williams, who is from Richmond. “My parents rarely got to see me unless we had an away game in Virginia or North Carolina. My high school coach helped me with it, and Wake Forest came out of nowhere. I got my release from Robert Morris, I had my degree, and it made a lot of sense, so I jumped on it. They were looking for an experienced guard.” Jeff Bzdelik, the head coach of the Deacons,
knew what he was getting. “Coron, with his ability to shoot the ball gave us a huge lift (against Presbyterian),” Bzdelik said. “I wasn’t worried one bit (about Williams having not having shot the ball well in the first two games). Sometimes you’re pressing because you want to show the fans and everybody that you can shoot. It happens, but I wasn’t worried about it. He is one of the guys who is mentally involved in every play, defensively, on and off the ball. Through his experience and maturity, he brings a great example to our team, and we need to see that collectively.” A couple of the players agree that Williams has been a good fit. “Coron brings leadership, he’s a great three-point shooter, a great defender,” said sophomore forward Devin Thomas. “He’s appreciative of the opportunity, and he’s just cherishing the moment. He gives positive feedback and says what needs to be said, and he’s not scared to say it. There are no captains on this team, so nobody is above anybody else. If there were a captain, to me it would be Travis (McKie) because he has the most experience, but Coron has fit in well, and Cody (Miller-McIntyre) can run the wing now because Coron is there.” “Coron brings a maturity to this team that we need, having played three years of college ball and brings some confidence,” McKie said. “He has an adjustment period, too, and once we get in conference play, it will be different. He’s just got to come in and hit shots, bring maturity to the team and calm us down and play hard.” Williams is in the unique position of being the new, old guy on the team. He has the challenge of getting used to graduate degree academics and a higher level of college basketball. But he realizes what his role on this team can be and intends to fill it well. He’s not looking past the next dribble, the next pass, next practice or next game. And although he can provide the lift from three, he understands basketball is a game of picking your spots and making smart decisions on both ends of the floor. “It’s still a big change,” Williams said. “Work Forest — I see why they call it that. Summer was easier because I had one class each summer session, but this fall I come in and have three classes, and they put you to work. That’s probably the biggest change. “The media is a big change. There’s a lot of media. Whenever everybody heard about me coming, I got plenty of calls from a lot of media. That was a big change and the life here, coming from Robert Morris, a small college. But playing in the ACC is historic. Playing here with the history of Chris Paul, Tim Duncan, Randolph Childress, Rusty LaRue, and I can go down the line...”
Coron Williams Class: Graduate Hometown: Midlothian, Va. Chose Wake Forest: After completing his business degree at Robert Morris University, he had one year of eligibility remaining and wanted to move closer to his hometown and family and wanted to play in the ACC. Top Athletic Accomplishments: “I was 62 points from 1,000 and within 35 threes from breaking the Robert Morris all-time record for threes in just three years. I had one game in high school where I had 31 points and 15 rebounds. I was about 5-10 in high school, so having 15 rebounds was an accomplishment.”
Wake Forest will open its ACC slate against archrival North Carolina on Jan. 5, and it will be Williams’ first taste of ACC competition. Growing up most of his life outside Richmond in Midlothian, Va., he was once a UNC admirer, but there’s no question now as to where his loyalties lie. “I watched them (UNC) growing up, but I’m a Demon Deacon now, so I’ve put those feelings aside,” Williams said. “I can’t stress enough how good it feels to be in this position. My dad says what you do now affects the 28-year-old Coron, the 40-year-old Coron, so I want to put myself in a position when I’m 40 I can say I’ve accomplished many things. It’s a blessing to be here, and I thank my Lord and Savior for it. I’m going to take advantage of it. I come to work every day, and I treat this like a job. I told my mom one time this is my last year, and I’m going to enjoy every suicide (drill) we do, every sprint, enjoy it all.” JANUARY 2014
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women’s soccer
// ril e y ridgi k
Taking Over Riley Ridgik saw a need and she filled it By Jay Reddick
W
hen the 2013 women’s soccer season started, much of the attention was on the senior class. Katie Stengel was already the top scorer in program history and figured to be the focal point of every opposing defense from August through the postseason. But early in the campaign, a new threat began to quietly emerge. Junior Riley Ridgik, a defensive midfielder who had moved up into the attack by necessity, was finding the knack to score goals. By Sept. 15, when she had her first multi-goal game in a victory over Miami, Ridgik was always near the top of the Deacons’ stat charts. After Stengel was felled in early October with blood clots in her leg, it was Ridgik who became the lead forward, the focus of the defense, and she responded, finishing with a team-high 11 goals and 26 points as the Deacons advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament. Not bad for someone who describes herself as “defensive-minded.” Ridgik was a fixture in the Deacons’ lineup during her first two years in Winston-Salem, starting 46 games as a back-line player and holding midfielder. She was used to that position — she said she had never played forward before this year. “I grew up playing outside back, always,” the Ventura, Calif., native said. “During my
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junior and senior year, I was moved to center mid, where I could go into attacking mode as well — the position allowed me to do both. But I’ve never been a forward.” This season the decision was made to move her into a more offensive position. For one, the team needed more firepower, and Ridgik’s offensive game had developed. But another factor was that Ridgik suffered a concussion at the end of the 2012 season, and the team was anxious to get her away from a position where she would have to take so many headers. “We had talked about moving her out of a more defensive role before,” Deacons coach Tony da Luz said. “We talked about taking her wider in the midfield, getting her some opportunities at the goal. After the concussion, we also wanted to get her out of the battling spot and the heading. She’s a soccer player. She knows how to play, no matter what role.” As the season progressed, the emergence of freshman Sarah Teegarden in the midfield meant Ridgik moved up again, as a scoring forward. “I was excited,” Ridgik said. “I love to shoot. I love to be up there with something to prove. Coming into the year, I was a little nervous but mostly excited.” Ridgik had many individual workouts with Stengel throughout the summer and fall, working on improving her shot percentage
One of the all-time greats Even before missing the final eight games of her senior season with deep vein thrombosis in her left leg, Katie Stengel had established herself as one of the all-time greats at Wake Forest. Her list of accolades could practically fill this magazine. She became the Deacons’ leading career goal-scorer just three games into her junior year. She scored almost 40 points more than the previous recordholder in that category. She’s the first three-time All-American in WFU history, and one of only two players to be named All-ACC four times. Most importantly, Stengel and the rest of her program-altering recruiting class led the Deacons to their first ACC title and their first College Cup. And as noted elsewhere, Stengel has also played a big role in molding the next generation of Wake Forest athletes. Despite losing their top scorer at midseason, the Deacs advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament for the third time in five years. Coach Tony da Luz said he was proud of the way the team bounced back after Stengel’s loss. “Initially, it was a big shock losing her,” da Luz said. “Everybody was pretty down, but that only lasted a day or two. I told them, ‘We don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves. If you don’t get over it, it will eat you up.’ To their credit, they bounced back quickly and learned to compete without her.” Riley Ridgik, who will be a senior next year, was named a team captain after Stengel was sidelined. “Our main mindset was all of us coming together,” Ridgik said. “We can’t rely on Katie to finish for us anymore. It was a real eye-opener, and I think it worked.”
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women’s soccer
// ril e y ridgi k
“She didn’t come here as the most confident player in her attacking game,” da Luz said. “She had great instincts, and she’s super creative. She put in the work, and with every game, she has grown more confident in that aspect of her game.” In the latter part of the 2013 campaign, da Luz named Ridgik a team captain, a role she figures to keep for her senior season. But next year, she won’t be sneaking up on anyone as a goal-scoring weapon — instead of being a year behind the greatest class in school history, she’ll be trying to eclipse them. “I try to play every year as if it were my last,” Ridgik said. “I think as you get older, you get more composed. I feel more prepared because this senior class has shown me what being a senior is supposed to be. “Being here has been better than I expected for the most part. The national championship is still on my radar. Once we get that, it’ll be perfect.”
RILEY RIDGIK Hometown: Ventura, Calif. Class: Junior Birthdate: Dec. 6, 1992 Favorite WFU moment: “Making it to the Final Four my freshman year.” Favorite book: “Love Does” by Bob Goff Favorite sports movie: “Remember the Titans” Favorite food: My Grandma’s homemade chicken noodle soup Any pregame superstitions? I listen to the same playlist before every game and write the same thing on my wrist before every game. If you could have dinner with any one person, living or dead, who would it be? John Wooden Favorite college class: Education 201L Why did you pick your jersey number? “My oldest sister played soccer when she was young. And they handed out jersey numbers by size, and since she was always the smallest, she would get number two. And since I was the baby sister, and looked up to her, I wanted to be just like her. And have been No. 2 since I started playing soccer.”
and just getting more experience as a shooter. After all, she had taken only 18 shots on goal total during her first two years. The training paid off — Ridgik unleashed 25 shots on goal in 2013, and several of her successful tallies came from long distance. “I worked a lot more on finishing, and a lot more on my play in the top of the box,” Ridgik said. “That just comes from practice and working on my own. You can’t honestly get much better than going to work out with Katie.” When all was said and done, Ridgik wasn’t just transformed into an attacker — she was developed into a versatile force. Example: During one game at Syracuse on Sept. 29, she started the game at center forward (Stengel was moved wide to get some room on the attack, da Luz said). Ridgik scored a goal from that position in the 10th minute. Then as players were fatigued or injured, Ridgik moved back into a midfield spot, then closed the game on the back line as the Deacons worked to finish off their 1-0 victory. “To have a player of that caliber in all positions, where her level stays high no matter what, is a coach’s dream,” da Luz said. da Luz said Ridgik had a strong work ethic when she first came to Wake Forest in 2011, but her poise and maturity have only grown during her college years.
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Enjoying the view! — with Albert Bierstadt in Sierra, Nevada
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f o o t b all
// alph o n s o s mi t h
Three for the Zo
Alphonso Smith stays busy on more than just sidelines By Jay Reddick
O
n Wake Forest football Saturdays, when you’ve heard Alphonso Smith on the radio or seen him patrolling behind the bench as a sideline reporter, forgive him if he looked a little tired — in a way, he’s working three jobs. If he had his way, he’d keep all three – not for the money of it, but for the love. When Smith left the NFL’s Detroit Lions last November, he had two career paths in mind. One was marketing or sales, and the other was staying close to the game of football. A visit to a Deacon Club fundraiser
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sent him on one path, toward Barrister’s Title Services of the Carolinas, owned by WFU alumnus Sal Balsamo. “It was the spring tour down in Charlotte,” Smith said. “I met Sal that day; the next day he emailed me and said he might have an opportunity for me selling title insurance. At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to sell, but I tried it out and really loved it.” So that let Smith pay the bills – but it didn’t scratch his itch for football. He volunteered to help coach the Carver High School varsity team, then a call from Stan Cotten with the Wake Forest/IMG Sports
Network added even more to his plate. “Stan asked me if I wanted to be a sideline reporter,” Smith said. “It wasn’t even on my mind. I had pondered doing something with TV but never bothered pursuing it, and then this opportunity came. It’s sort of like fate.” So now, after an absence of almost five years, Smith is back on the Wake Forest sideline — this time with a headset on. He said the job lets him see the game he loves in a new context. “That’s been the most rewarding part, being able to see the game from a different
perspective,” Smith said. “For the last 21 of money to give expert advice,” Smith said. years, I’ve just been playing, but now I can “The most I’ll ever do is say, ‘Great play.’ see all the moving pieces, see what we do When Merrill Noel got his interception well and where we make mistakes, and against Maryland, I congratulated him, and understand ‘Why did this happen?’” he told me he knew the play because it was Smith sounds like a natural on the the same one they had run earlier that game, sidelines, but he said whatever success he so he was able to capitalize on it. That was has, a lot of credit goes to Cotten and his great recognition on his part, and things broadcast partner, Dave Goren. like that are the reason I’m there on the “It seems like an easy job — just be me sidelines. I try to stay out of the way.” and talk football — but Stan and Dave Instead, he uses what he learns from have made me so much better,” Smith said. the sideline perspective on Saturdays and “They make me comfortable, give me tips applies it to his Carver coaching job on — they’re really like a head coach and an Fridays, and vice versa. offensive, defensive coordinator for me. “When I’m coaching now, I can better They coach me up, give me critiques.” recognize, ‘This is what they’re doing, this In turn, Cotten has praise for Smith’s is why, and this is how we fix it,’” Smith said. growth in the position. “It goes hand-in-hand.” “You can tell from his comments that he’s So what does Smith’s future hold? It’s a student of the game,” Cotten said. “He’s almost a multiple-choice question: a) added a different perspective for sure, one Insurance; b) Coaching; c) Broadcasting… that I know the fans appreciate. He’s been d) All of the above? laid-back and has enjoyed himself and has “I thought I would do all of these jobs, been fun to be around … he’s still the same then find the one I loved and make my way Zo we’ve known for years.” to that,” Smith said. “But to be honest with It would be tempting for Smith, as you, I can’t commit all my time to any of someone with an NFL pedigree and a good them right now. I love all three of them, and relationship with the WFU coaching staff, to I want to keep going.” provide advice and almost become an extra There may not be enough hours in the day coach on the sidelines for the Deacons. But to hold all of Alphonso Smith’s aspirations, that’s not his job, and he has resisted. but he’s ready to try. Rush_2013_v.mech.pdf 1 7/18/13 10:42 AM “We haveSRC_Gold a great staff who gets paid a lot
ALPHONSO SMITH Age: 28 Occupation: Sales/Marketing, Barrister’s Title Services of the Carolinas; Volunteer Coach, Carver High School; Sideline Reporter, Wake Forest/IMG Sports Network Family: Wife Brittany; daughters Zoey and Khloe
JANUARY 2014
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// s ta n c o t t e n
Nikita Whitlock Just Keeps Motoring On
S ta n Cotten Voice of the Demon Deacons
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I was sitting at a traffic light recently, not really paying much attention to the things around me, when I heard this roaring type of a sound coming from another car that had apparently pulled up beside me. As I regained my focus and turned to look, I saw the familiar face of a younger friend who was driving a late model Mustang and mocking me and my Toyota sedan while we both waited for the light to change. I smiled back at his grin. He had me. I knew that, if we were going to drive west to Knoxville, I’d get there first. He’d have to stop for gas. Statesville? No chance. He had a faster motor than I did. He knew it. I knew it. Some things just are. Senior nose guard Nikita Whitlock has a motor that’s turned heads for years now. He’s one of the best football players I’ve seen come through in my nearly two decades of broadcasting Demon Deacon football. Words to accurately describe the way he played the game have been hard to find. Trying to explain his worth to his teammates impossible. Plain and simple he was the heartbeat of his team’s defensive unit – heck, the whole team really. One never had to wonder if No. 50 was ready to play. Was there a game? Well then, Whitlock was sitting on go. If the coaches were looking for someone to fire up, they were wasting their breath talking to him. The sad thing about this column is its predominantly past tense. By the time you read these words, Wake’s 2013 football season will have ended. And so will have the college career of the “tiny” Texan who anchored the Deacs’
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defensive line like it was his last possession. And Whitlock was tiny by major college standards applied to defensive linemen. I’d be willing to guess that he was outweighed, on average, by around 40-50 pounds every time he stepped on to the field. And yet, rarely did a Wake opponent snap the football without assigning two offensive linemen to try to block Whitlock – “try” being the operative word. Many times he was simply unblockable. He just wouldn’t have it. He’s right up there on the all-time lists for tackles for loss and sacks with other names such as Mike McCrary, Calvin Pace, Fred Robbins, Aaron Curry and others. And what do those former players have in common other than the fact they wore the Old Gold and Black in college? The NFL. And that’s where I figure we’ll get to continue to see Whitlock play football. Oh, he’s WAY too small to play on the defensive line at the next, and last, level. Everybody knows that. But, if it’s all the same to you, YOU can tell him. I just think he’ll find a way to get paid to play. It might not be on the defensive line. Many pro scouts think it could be as a fullback or H-back. Somewhere. Nikita Whitlock is a football player. It’s the motor. Some things just are.
Noble’s Grille, opened in 1992, is the benchmark for fine cuisine in WinstonSalem. Our seasonally-inspired menu is a tribute to all the craftsmen, artisans and small local farmers that we have built strong relationships with over the years. We are able to source the finest our region has to offer, but also push the boundaries by working in concert with our growers to cultivate specialty crops and heirloom varieties exclusively for our restaurant. The use of a hickory wood fired grill and oven gives our handcrafted food that unique sweet-smoky flavor. With a diverse menu ranging from small plates and bar bites to steaks and chops, local draft beers and over 25 wines by the
glass, Noble’s Grille offers something for any occasion. Our lively bar is perfect for a casual bite and cold local draft, where our dining room and private dining room suits anything from a quiet dinner for two to a lively family get-together. What truly sets Noble’s Grille apart is our passionate attention to detail. Each day begins early at our bakery, The King’s Bakery in Charlotte, where all our pastries and breads, crafted from locally milled organic flour, are made daily. Our executive Chef travels there each and everyday to gather our daily breads and pastries before service. Most of our fish and game comes in whole from local ranchers and
fish mongers and is butchered in house to ensure the finest and freshest products for our guests. Under the direction of our talented Executive Chef John Bobby our guests are able to enjoy everything from handmade charcuterie to fresh pastas and pizzas. Noble’s Grille is open for lunch Monday thru Friday from 11:30 to 2:30 and for dinner Monday thru Thursday from 5:30 to 10:00, Friday and Saturday 5:30 to 11:00. Walk ins are always welcome however if you would prefer to make reservations please call 336.777.8477
i n s id e t h e d e a c o n c lu b
A Time for Thanks As I look forward to the holiday season, I always find myself reflecting on the things in life for which I am very thankful. During the start of the new academic year and the following rush of our fall sports season, it can be difficult to stop and take stock of all of the wonderful things happening within our department. With students on break and a lighter game schedule, the holidays offer a short respite and allow us to reflect and realize just how much we have to be grateful for. Here are a few of the many things I am thankful for.
b arry fair c l o t h
Experiences The experiences and memories created through my involvement with Wake Forest are a treasure. As a kid traveling to the Tangerine Bowl in 1979, to the ACC Football Championship and Orange Bowl, to the many bowls in between, I have been blessed to experience, first-hand, some of the very best highlights of our history. The memories are not limited to football either – I look back fondly on our basketball tournament runs, such as when we retired Ray Meyer in 1984, the ACC Men’s Basketball Championships in 1995 and 1996, enjoying men’s soccer from the Walt Chyzowych Alumni Hill and women’s soccer ACC Tournament games, among others. The feeling that each game could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience is a unique part of our work in the athletic department and is something I am extremely grateful for.
A s s o c iat e At hl e t i c D ir e c t o r , D e v e l o pm e n t & Sal e s
Wake Forest Each time I drive onto campus I realize how special this place is. The beauty of our University, the landscaping, architecture and vibrancy of campus life, create a special feeling. We are so fortunate to be part of an institution that thousands clamor to attend each year. Wake Forest is a special combination of bigtime athletics and renowned academic excellence — the perfect blend of small size and big resources. It holds a special place in higher education, truly unrivaled by any.
Students The heart of what we do is educate. I marvel at the quality and character of our current students. The selectivity and demand for a Wake Forest education only increases the value of the diplomas issued to our graduates each year. I am thankful for the opportunity to get to know some of these talented studentathletes and watch them grow during their time here at Wake Forest. These relationships will be with me forever.
2. Providing first-class facilities that allow our athletes to compete at the highest level while giving our fans a unique and enjoyable experience.
Alumni, Friends and Parents
3. Connecting our Deacon Club members through athletic contests, events, reunions and travel.
Some of my closest friends are supporters of Wake Forest. In our role of development, we are fortunate to often become intertwined in the personal lives of our fans. I have experienced the joy of birth announcements, family accomplishments and wedding vows, as well as the pain shared in tears shed at funerals. Wake Forest is about people, connections and relationships. We not only share the wonderful feeling of victory and commiserate in the sting of defeat, we also share life experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.
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There is much to be thankful for this time of the year. I challenge you to think about your own list in the coming weeks, but the heart of what I am thankful for lies in the mission of the Deacon Club:
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1. Providing scholarships to deserving student-athletes — giving them a chance to grow, develop, learn and compete, and to ultimately go on to positively impact the world.
All of these points revolve around our overall mission of the Athletic Department — developing champions. Thank you for all that you do to support the Deacon Club and Wake Forest Athletics in this mission. I hope that you have a wonderful holiday season.
Go Deacs!
i n s id e t h e d e a c o n c lu b
Renew your membership and take advantage of year-end tax benefits Now is the perfect time to make your gift count by renewing your Deacon Club membership. You can support Wake Forest student-athletes while taking advantage of the potential tax benefits associated with your year-end charitable giving. Make a gift by Dec. 31 in order to be eligible for deductions on your 2013 taxes. Gifts can be made online at www.DeaconClub.com or by calling (336) 758-5626.
Keep up with the Deacon Club on Facebook & Twitter For the latest news and information from the Deacon Club and to connect with other members, be sure to find us on Facebook and Twitter. Facebook.com/WFUDeaconClub @WFUDeaconClub @DeacOnTheRun @BarryFaircloth
Holiday Gift Ideas for Deacon Fans
With the holidays quickly approaching, you may be scrambling to find the perfect gift for the Deacon fans in your life. Well, look no further. Take out a pen and cross every Demon Deacon fan off your list. These unique gift ideas are sure to please even the pickiest among the Wake Forest faithful.
Give the Gift of Basketball
For the Golf Enthusiast
Give the gift that keeps on giving. Season tickets and ticket packages are now available through the Wake Forest Ticket Office.
Do you know someone who can’t get enough when it comes to golf? Then consider a gift certificate to the Wake Forest Golf Academy. Led by Director of Instruction, John Buczek, the Wake Forest Golf Academy is the perfect place for your favorite Deacon fan to work on his or her golf game. For more information, visit WakeForestGolfAcademy.com, or to purchase a gift certificate, call Laura Statham at (336) 7586000.
Best Darn Package Just in time for the holidays, the “Best Darn Package” features the following five prime time matchups: UNC, NC State, Duke, Notre Dame and Syracuse. This package starts at $160. For more information or to purchase, please call (336) 758-4030.
Junior Deacon Club Membership Get the perfect gift for the little Deacon fans in your life, a Junior Deacon Club membership. A one-year membership is only $25 and includes a membership card, t-shirt, birthday card from the Deacon, invitations to special events and much more! For more information or to purchase, please contact the Sports Marketing office at (336) 758-5011 or visit WakeForestSprots.com.
Deacon Shop And, of course, don’t forget the Deacon Shop. Visit the Hanes Mall location in Winston-Salem, or shop online at http://go.wfu.edu/by7.
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D ONO R P R O F I L E
// M ill e r family
Miller family is all about Wake Forest
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owen and John Miller (’87) are Demon Deacons through and through. Both graduates of Wake Forest, their son, John (Quint), and daughter, Julianna, are both currently enrolled at the University. Although the Millers are grateful for the opportunity to share their love of Wake Forest with their children, Bowen and John’s deep-seated love of Wake Forest began long before they first set foot on campus. Bowen, a North Carolina native, grew up with the goal of going to Wake Forest. It was her admiration for her father, who graduated from the old campus in 1954, that drove her to apply. John, meanwhile, grew up on Long Island and had lived in the Northeast his entire life. John’s uncle was involved with Wake Forest, however, and he had heard about the University through him, as well as family friends in his community. During a college trip with his father, he had a “phenomenal tour” and fell in love with the campus. He applied Early Decision I, and it was not long before he set foot on campus again as a freshman. Once Bowen and John arrived on campus, they soon found each other. The two dated for four years at Wake Forest and were married one month after graduation. Shortly thereafter, Bowen, an education major, was offered a position at Eagle Hill School in Greenwich, Conn., teaching learning disabled children.
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Bowen has been able to continue to use her education major, even after leaving the workforce. “Because I have my education major, I have been a better mother,” she said. “I feel like I was able to teach my children, which is important to me.” Bowen is heavily involved with Save the Children, an organization that serves children and their families internationally. She currently serves on the board of the Save the Children Long Island Council and has served on delegations to both Appalachia and the country of Jordan. Upon graduation, John went to work in finance at Time, Inc. for Life Magazine. After a few years, he determined that publishing wasn’t the right fit for him and decided to go back to graduate school. John earned his MBA from Columbia, where he studied finance and international business and graduated as a Beta Gamma Sigma with honors. He went on to work for J.P. Morgan, where he was promoted to partner and eventually recruited to Lehman Brothers. Serving in various roles, John was ultimately responsible for running the financial sponsors business for Lehman Brothers globally. When the firm was acquired in 2008, Barclays became his new employer. He remains there today and recently took over the role of running investment banking for the Americas.
Celebrating 26 years of marriage this past June, Bowen and John see Wake Forest as not only giving them a great college experience and foundation for their future endeavors but, most importantly, giving them each other. It is this deep appreciation for the University that has driven them to dedicate their time to activities such as the Parents’ Council and the Board of Visitors for the business school. Bowen also said that being able to put their efforts behind an institution that stays true to its mission is important for them as well. “I am a big believer in the motto Pro Humanitate and the message that education stems from character first. I believe that Wake Forest stays true to its motto, and that’s why we give a lot of time and energy to the University. We are really grateful for that blessing we received by attending Wake Forest,” she said. The family tradition has carried on with Quint, a senior this year at Wake Forest, and his younger sister, Julianna, who joined him this past fall on campus as a freshman. Although John admits Bowen sometimes has to temper his enthusiasm for Wake Forest in speaking to their youngest daughter, Caroline, about college, he is hoping that she will join her siblings for “a clean sweep.” Having two of their children on campus added more permanence to their trips to Winston-Salem. They use football games as an opportunity to catch up with Quint and Julianna as well as gather together with family and friends. Bowen and John initially purchased tickets for a suite in Deacon Tower
for Family Weekend and enjoyed the experience so much that they wanted to repeat it for every game. The idea of underwriting a suite, John said, “was a page out of the book of what I do for a living, which is which is underwriting and distributing securities as an investment banker.” John and Bowen made the initial commitment to secure the suite and then asked other Wake Forest parents they knew or had met through the University to join them. As John explained, “There’s a philanthropic element, so you’re giving back to the school, but as importantly there’s a reason to come to campus and spend time with your child watching a football game.” Upon the recommendation of Brad McIlwain in University Advancement, the Millers invited two couples they did not know previously to round out the suite. They were a perfect fit. “You find you have common interests,” Bowen said, “not only the connection with Wake Forest, and your children, but in everyday life as well.” “(Gathering in the suite is) more than
just going to watch a football game,” John explained. “It’s an opportunity to have a really unique experience with your family and friends in a different way. It becomes an event — to have a meal, to gather with friends and loved ones, and spend really good quality time with your children while they’re in school and do it in a way that’s deeper and more meaningful.” Bowen agreed completely. “This was about bringing people together, and having fun and celebrating family,” she said. “It’s just a totally different experience than buying seats in the stadium — a real opportunity to bond on a different level.” For more information on purchasing a suite or to connect with other Wake Forest supporters interested in purchasing a suite together, please contact Mike Piscetelli at (336) 758-3646.
deacon club photos
Deacon Club members are encouraged to submit photos for publication in the Gold Rush. Send your photos in digital format to deacclub@wfu.edu. Submission of a photo does not guarantee that it will be published. Thanks for showing off your Demon Deacon pride!
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1 Lauren and Dean Judson pose by the new display honoring their parents’ legacy in the lobby of Deacon Tower.
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2 Deacon Club members Ken and Bo Miller pose with Randolph Childress. Bo has been accepted early admission to the Class of 2017.
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3 Faye Rogers and Susan Moffitt chat in the lobby of Bridger Field House. Rodney Rogers was honored as the second annual recipient of the Pete Moffitt Courage Award before the Maryland game on Oct. 19.
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wh e r e ar e t h e y n o w ?
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n each issue, Where Are They Now showcases a former Wake Forest student-athlete. This issue highlights former volleyball player, Lauren McIntyre. A double major in studio art and communication, Lauren currently works as part of the corporate partnerships team for the Chicago Cubs.
Lauren McIntyre When did you graduate from Wake Forest? 2011 What was your major and/or minor? Double majored in communication and studio art What does being a Demon Deacon mean to you? Paying it forward. Pro Humanitate is a huge part of being a Demon Deacon. Not only are we expected to succeed, but more than anything, you are expected to take others with you. Giving back can come in more ways than one. Whether through one’s time or pocket, we can all give back to others. Having had the privilege to play for Wake Forest and receive a full scholarship taught me this valuable lesson.
What is your favorite memory of your time at Wake Forest? So many to choose from! If I had to choose from the many amazing moments at Wake, it would have to be when my team (volleyball) beat Duke on our senior night in three sets at Reynolds Gym, after the Blue Devils had just been named ACC Volleyball Champions. What makes you most proud of Wake Forest? The fact that people are always so surprised at our size compared to the reputation the university has earned throughout the years — academics and athletics combined. When I come back to Wake Forest, I always… Stop by the volleyball locker room, Bridger Field House offices, go to a sporting event, have a reunion with old friends and teammates. I was there when… The Wake Forest Volleyball team ended the 2010 season with an 11-9 record in the ACC, the first time the Deacs have finished with 11 wins in the ACC in school history.
Why are you still involved in Wake Forest Athletics? I am so proud to have played for such an amazing athletic department, school and community that I am eager to fly my black and gold colors. Having received a full scholarship from the many generous members of the Wake Forest Deacon Club, I plan to pay back every penny I received while wearing the Wake Forest jersey. I am currently achieving this by continually renewing my Deacon Club membership. Why do you feel it is important to give back to the University?
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Because it is our University’s motto. It becomes 100 percent a part of the Wake Forest graduate. It is more than a phrase we pass by every day on the quad; it is a living, breathing way of life that is instilled in each individual at Wake. The Wake Forest Athletic Department ensured the athletes had any and every opportunity to partake in community service, even with our strong schedule restraints throughout our seasons. What is your current occupation? I am currently working on the Corporate Partnerships team for the Chicago Cubs organization.
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Since 1926, Goodwill has provided hope and opportunity for people in Winston-Salem. With every donation, you support programs that help others in our community find jobs and reach financial stability.
Financial planning from the people you know. *
Investment services offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P.
Allegacy Investment Group, available through CFS,* can be your partner dedicated to providing individuals and businesses with sound financial planning as well as specialized products and services for every stage of life — from building wealth to protecting it. Our CFS* advisors offer Allegacy members complimentary plans and free, no-obligation educational workshops to help you stay informed in an ever-changing market. We understand that financial planning is an individualized process and we will work with you to address your unique goals.
Not yet a member of Allegacy? Not a problem. It’s easy to join. To schedule a meeting with an advisor, visit your nearest Financial Center, AllegacyInvestmentGroup.org or call 336.774.3400. *Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (“CFS”), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC) and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. Allegacy Federal Credit Union has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products and services available to credit union members. For specific tax advice, please consult a professional tax advisor. ©2013 Allegacy Federal Credit Union
JANUARY 2014
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b a s k e t b all
// a c c t o ur n am e n t
ACC Tournament To Expand To Five-Day Format And Will Include Special ‘Opening Day’
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o accommodate the expansion of the conference to include Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame, the Atlantic Coast Conference has announced that the 2014 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament will now feature a five-day bracket that will kick off in Greensboro on Wednesday, March 12, with ‘Opening Day Presented By Food Lion.’ Tickets for Wednesday’s ‘Opening Day’ will be sold separately from the tournament book. Each ticket is $35 and includes admission to all three of the tournament’s first-day games. Tip-off times are scheduled for 1 p.m. (No. 12 vs. No. 13), 3:30 p.m. (No. 10 vs. No. 15) and 7 p.m. (No. 11 vs. No. 14). In addition to all the exciting ACC basketball action, ticketholders may also enjoy a performance by country music sensation Scotty McCreery. The concert will take place inside the Greensboro Coliseum after the conclusion of the second game of the day (approximately 6 p.m.). “With our conference expansion this year, we felt it was important to do something special to celebrate the start of this historic, 15-team ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “Having the opportunity
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to purchase a single ticket for Wednesday that includes three ACC basketball games and a performance by one of the rising young stars in the recording industry offers a tremendous value to our fans.” Demon Deacon fans have two options for purchasing tickets for Wednesday’s ‘Opening Day.’ Tickets may be purchased through the Wake Forest Ticket Office or purchased directly through Ticketmaster. Tickets purchased through Wake Forest will be assigned in a Wake Forest block (exact location is TBD), whereas tickets purchased directly through Ticketmaster will be general admission. The option to purchase the $35 ‘Opening Day’ ticket will be included on the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament ticket applications that will be mailed to Deacon Club members in early January. However, fans who are interested in purchasing the ‘Opening Day’ tickets sooner, may call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at (336) 7583322. Full tournament ticket books will not be available until January. Fans who would like to purchase general admission tickets directly through Ticketmaster may do so online at http:// theacc.co/14TourneyTix, at any Ticketmaster outlet, charge-by-
phone at (800) 745-3000 or contact the Greensboro Coliseum box office. Ticketholders for ‘Opening Day’ are encouraged to visit ACC FanFest in the Pavilion prior to the day’s games. ACC FanFest includes the ACC store,
historical exhibits, face painting, entertainment, food, drinks and more. On March 12, FanFest will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and admission is free! For those who are planning to take part in all of the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament
action throughout the weekend, full tournament ticket books will be available for purchase by Deacon Club members beginning in January, so please be on the lookout for ticket applications arriving in the mail after the first of the year. Full tournament book ticketholders will enjoy four action-packed days of ACC basketball. Thursday and Friday will each feature four games, played in two sessions. Two semifinal games will be held on Saturday, and the championship game will be played on Sunday at 1 p.m. Fans may also celebrate in style between sessions on Thursday and Friday as Tournament Town hosts year two of THE BACCOURT CLUB. This exclusive and limited entry event will be pre-sold to a limited number of participants for $30 per person, per day and will be offered between sessions on both Thursday and Friday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment, gourmet Southern foods, an oversized TV screen to catch the latest scores, autographs by ACC Legends and more. This giant sports-bar themed event will be held in the spacious, climate-controlled Special Events Center on the Coliseum Complex campus. Each day will feature different menus with beer and wine included in the purchase price. The option to purchase tickets for THE BACCOURT CLUB will be included on the ticket applications. If you have any questions regarding the purchase of ‘Opening Day’ tickets, please contact the Wake Forest Ticket Office at (336) 758-3322. Deacon Club members will be receiving more information about the 2014 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in the mail in early January. For other questions, or if you would like to join the Deacon Club in order to be eligible for priority tickets and seating, please call (336) 758-5626.
Local seasonal ingredients. Fresh from scratch. Extensive wine list.
411 South Marshall Street | Winston-Salem, NC 27107 336-722-8889 | www.meridianws.com
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d e a c o n s i n t h e pr o s BASEBALL Coaches/Scouts Neil Avent Adam Bourassa John Hendricks Michael Holmes Kevin Jarvis Bill Masse Matt Price Mike Rikard Eric Schmitt Ross Atkins Danny Borrell
MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB
Adam Wogan Tommy Gregg George Greer
MLB AAA A
Oakland A’s Area Scout San Diego Padres Area Scout Toronto Blue Jays Area Scout Oakland A’s Assistant Scouting Director San Diego Padres Pro Scout Seattle Mariners Area Scout Kansas City Royals Pro Scout Boston Red Sox National Cross Checker New York Yankees International Scouting Cleveland Indians Director of Player Development New York Yankees Minor League Pitching Rehab Coordinator New York Mets Director of Minor League Operations Kansas City Omaha Storm Chasers Hitting Coach New York Mets St. Lucie Mets Hitting Coach
Minor League Ranks Matt Antonelli Pat Blair Dave Bush Tim Cooney Michael Dimock Allan Dykstra Brian Holmes Carlos Lopez Mike MacDougal Niko Spezial Justin Van Grouw Mac Williamson
Cleveland Indians Tampa Bay Rays Toronto Blue Jays St. Louis Cardinals Houston Astros New York Mets Houston Astros Washington Nationals Philadelphia Phillies Washington Nationals Arizona Diamondbacks San Francisco Giants
MEN’S GOLF Lee Bedford Bill Haas Jay Haas Gary Hallberg Scott Hoch Len Mattiace Kyle Reifers Jay Sigel Curtis Strange Webb Simpson Ron Whittaker
Web.com Made over $30,000 in first full pro season; advanced to final stage of Q-School PGA Started the 13-14 season with a pair of top-25s in Asia Champions Finished 2nd at the Senior PGA; had 7 top-10s in 21 events Champions Finished fourth at the SAS Championship and had five top-25s on the year Champions Had 12 top-25s in 20 events; best finish is T10 at Dicks Sporting Goods Open Web.com Finished T4 at the Panama Claro Championship; had three top-10s in 23 events Web.com Finished T5 at the PGA Tour Sanderson Farms; had 1 top-25 in 13 Web.com events Champions Played in two events, best finish was 78th at ACE Group Classic Champions Finished T36 at the Insperity Championship, his best finish in four starts PGA Won the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, had 6 top-10s last season. Web.com Tied for 11th at the Columbia Championship; made 10 cuts on the year
Commercial Realty Advisors, LLC We are pleased to announce that Charlie McCurry has joined our brokerage team. As a licensed North Carolina attorney, Charlie is a strong advocate for his clients and provides a unique perspective of the real estate process.
WOMEN’S GOLF Laura (Philo) Diaz Jean Chua Nannette Hill Natalie Sheary Michelle Shin Cheyenne Woods
LPGA Made over $40,000 in 18 events: was co-captain for the Solheim Cup team Symetra Had 5 top-15 finishes and finished 25th on the money list Symetra Posted a top finish of T21 in nine events; advanced to final stage of LPGA Q-School Symetra Was 44th on the money list; advanced to final stage of LPGA Q-School Symetra Finished 36th on the money list with one top-10; advanced to final stage of LPGA Q-School European Made the cut in 8 of 11 events; advanced to final stage of LPGA Q-School
MEN’S SOCCER Anthony Arena Corben Bone Brian Carroll Sam Cronin Austin da Luz Akira Fitzgerald Stephen Keel Michael Lahoud Justin Moose Ike Opara Michael Parkhurst Pat Phelan James Riley Zack Schilawski Wells Thompson
Houston Dynamo Chicago Fire Philadelphia Union San Jose Earthquakes Carolina RailHawks (NASL) Carolina RailHawks (NASL) FC Dallas Philadelphia Union SJK (Finland) Sporting Kansas City FC Augsburg (Germany) San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) DC United Carolina RailHawks (NASL) Chicago Fire
Coaches John Hackworth Rob Vartughian
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Philadelphia Union (Head Coach) Philadelphia Union (Technical Director)
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Wake Forest University Class of 2005 Wake Forest University Law School Class of 2008
Follow Charlie on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @cbmrealestate
Charlie McCurry 336.782.4421
Charlie@CommercialRealtyNC.com
101 N. Cherry Street, Suite 502 | Winston-Salem, NC 27101 336.793.0890 | CommercialRealtyNC.com
Providing Environmentally Responsible Pest & Wildlife Solutions The McNeely family has been providing pest control services for homes and businesses throughout the Piedmont, Northwest North Carolina and Southern Virginia since 1944. MCNEELYPEST.COM • 336-922-0606 TOLL FREE 855-671-7855 facebook.com/McNeelyPestControl
Teamwork Wins Whether on the field or in the field of law, in the classroom or the boardroom, on the court or in the courtroom, we understand the vision, dedication and teamwork that it takes to win. ATLANTA AUGUSTA CHARLOTTE DENVER
Kilpatrick Townsend is proud to support the Wake Forest University athletic program. Go Deacons!
LOS ANGELES NEW YORK RALEIGH SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO SEATTLE SHANGHAI SILICON VALLEY STOCKHOLM TOKYO WALNUT CREEK WASHINGTON D.C. WINSTON-SALEM
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d e a c o n S I N T H E P R OS Women’s Soccer Kirsten Meier
Free agent
MEN’S BASKETBALL Al-Farouq Aminu NBA Tim Duncan NBA Taron Downey Cyprus Josh Howard NBA James Johnson NBA Chris Paul NBA Ishmael Smith NBA Jeff Teague NBA Justin Gray Turkey C.J. Harris Germany Jamaal Levy Argentina Chas McFarland Japan Nikita Mescheriakov Belarus Darius Songaila Lithuania Kyle Visser Germany David Weaver Portugal L.D. Williams France
New Orleans Pelicans San Antonio Spurs Etha (Cyprus) Austin Toros Rio Grande Valley Vipers L.A. Clippers Phoenix Suns Atlanta Hawks Pertevniyal Istanbul Ludwigsburg MH Basket Akita NH Tsmoki-Minsk Lietuvos Rytas NY Phantoms Benfica Bourg
WOMEN’S PRO BASKETBALL Lakevia Boykin Sandra Garcia Alex Tchangoue
France Puerto Rico France
Pau Orthez FoA Nice
FOOTBALL Tommy Bohanon Josh Bush Tyson Clabo Brandon Ghee Chris Givens Joe Looney Calvin Pace Steve Vallos Kyle Wilber
NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL Coaches/Staff Charlie Dayton NFL Pat Flaherty NFL Joe Kenn NFL Ricky Proehl NFL Diron Reynolds NFL John Spanos NFL Brad White NFL
FB S OL CB WR OL LB OG LB
NY Jets NY Jets Miami Cincinnati St. Louis San Francisco NY Jets Denver Dallas
Carolina NY Giants Carolina Carolina Minnesota San Diego Indianapolis
Vice President Offensive Line Coach Strength Coach Wide Receivers Coach Defensive Line Coach Executive VP of Football Operations Quality Control Defense
THANK YOU
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ake Forest Athletics would like to thank the following individuals and businesses for their loyalty to Wake Forest Football and for supporting the “Triad’s ACC Team” during our nationally televised game against Florida State on Saturday, November 9 at BB&T Field. • • • • • • • • • • •
BB&T Cone Health Grass America, Inc. Hanesbrands, Inc. Ian’s Body Works Inmar Investors Title Insurance Liberty Hardware MRF Deli Provisions, Inc. National General Insurance Company Novant Health
• Ray’s Body Shop & Wrecker Service • Salem Printing • Truliant • Volvo Trucks North America • Wake Forest Baptist Health Special thanks to the following for their “MVP” level support. • Matthew Gallins - Gallins Foods • Gaither Keener - Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
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c o mplia n c e c o r n e r
// t o dd hair s t o n
Explaining The Rules On Institutional Memorabilia As Wake Forest fans, we all have lots of items with pictures or autographs of our favorite Deacs. While in most cases these are priceless keepsakes that we could never part with, it is important to remember that NCAA rules strictly prohibit individuals from selling any item that bears the name or image of a current student-athlete. This would include all non-institutional retail outlets, online sites (e.g. eBay) or private transactions.
t o dd hair s t o n A s s o c iat e At hl e t i c D ir e c t o r , C o mplia n c e
Another potential area of concern involves the donation of these items to fundraisers where they will, in turn, be sold or auctioned. In addition to the fact that pictures of student-athletes may not be sold, it is also impermissible for institutional memorabilia to be used to support the fundraising efforts of schools or athletic organizations (e.g. AAU teams) that include prospective student-athletes (grades 9-12), even if these items don’t contain pictures of current studentathletes. So while the funds that are generated from these efforts may be going to support very worthy causes, we must still consider the implications of donating these items for such purposes. For other questions related to this issue, please contact Todd Hairston at hairstct@wfu.edu.
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