Gold Rush - February/March 2016

BASEBALL’S PARKER DUNSHEE MAKES HIS PITCH

BUILDING

BLOCK John Collins is part of promising Deacon future

SPECIAL

REUNION

Basketball alumni weekend recognizes 1995 and 1996 ACC champions

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

WAKEFORESTSPORTS.COM

Can YP get you to the championship game?

YP, the even-more-powerful Yellow Pages.

Proud Supporter of Wake Forest University Athletics

Š2014 YP Intellectual Property LLC. All rights reserved. YP, the YP logo and all other YP marks contained herein are trademarks of YP Intellectual Property LLC and/or YP affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. 14-30493 PNT_07/25/14

VOL. 25 // ISSUE 5 (USPS 014-373) EDITOR

Jim Buice PHOTOGRAPHERS

Donnie Roberts, Brian Westerholt, WRITERS

Jay Reddick, Sam Walker, Stephanie Hudson, Rachael Paras Design & Layout

Summit Athletic Media www.summitathletics.com Advertising

IMG College Jeff Salisbury, Ike Fullard, Neil Bishop, Melissa Sexton For information on advertising, please call (336) 758-7230

CONTENTS Gold Rush is published eight times a year in August/ September, October, November/ December, January, February/ March, April, May/June and July

by IMG College in conjunction with Wake Forest Athletics.

Periodicals postage paid at Winston-Salem, NC 27102 and at additional mailing offices. The price of an annual subscription is $20. Members of the Deacon Club receive a one-year subscription as part of their membership. Persons wishing to subscribe to Gold Rush should send a check or money order (credit cards not accepted) to: IMG College 540 N. Trade St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101 All material produced in this publication is the property of Wake Forest University and IMG and shall not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission.

POSTMASTER: Please send all address changes to the attention of Stephanie Hudson, Wake Forest Athletics, 519 Deacon Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27105.

The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser and/or the advertiser’s product or service

by Wake Forest or IMG. The use of the name of the University or any of its identifying marks in advertisements must be approved by WFU and IMG.

// F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 1 6

ROOTING ON THE DEACONS: A Wake Forest fan applauds his team’s efforts during a scoring run in the victory over NC State on Jan 9. (Photo by Donnie Roberts)

4 22 24

FROM THE AD 100% COTTEN INSIDE THE DEACON CLUB

28 31 34

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? CALENDAR COMPLIANCE CORNER

// 6 HONORING 1995 AND 1996 ACC CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS Travis ‘Scooter’ Banks, Jerry Braswell, Ricky Peral and Tony Rutland, who were important parts of those title teams, share their memories of a special time.

// 10 PROMISE IN THE POST 6-10 freshman John Collins adds a strong presence to the frontcourt for Deacon basketball team.

// 14 PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER Junior Parker Dunshee puts lessons to work as a valuable member of the Wake Forest starting rotation in the 2016 baseball season.

// 18 SCORING LEADER As a freshman, Colorado’s Jennifer Kupcho leads Deacons in scoring average at the midpoint of her first year.

ON THE COVER John Collins (top photo) is averaging 8.6 points and 5 rebounds per game as a freshman while averaging 15 minutes a game through 15 games. (Photo by Donnie Roberts); The basketball alumni weekend brought back Deacon players from the past (bottom photo) and honored the 1995 and 1996 ACC championship teams. (Basketball Reunion photos by Bob Hebert and Deacon Club staff) FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

3

FROM THE A.D.

// R O N W E L L M A N

Anticipation builds for release of ACC football schedule Dear Demon Deacons, Happy New Year! I trust that your holidays were enjoyable and hope that 2016 will be a banner year for you.

RON WELLMAN DIRECTOR O F AT H L E T I C S

With the start of each new calendar year, we anxiously await the release of the ACC conference football schedule.

The ACC typically releases the schedule around the beginning of February. Many of our fans have noticed that other conferences, most notably the SEC and Big 10, released their 2016 schedules a number of weeks ago. The Big 10 has released its conference schedule through 2019 while the SEC has released only its 2016 conference schedule.

Understandably, our fans wonder why the ACC delays releasing our conference game schedule until February.

The later release of the ACC football schedule is a result of our contractual obligations with our television partners. By working with our television partners a few extra weeks, it allows the ACC to maximize Saturday primetime exposure as well as coordinate the Thursday and Friday game inventory to which we are committed contractually. Television exposure is a critical component in building the ACC football product. However, that exposure must be balanced with the

convenience and interest of our fan bases. Although the release of our schedule is a bit delayed compared to other conferences, we do believe that we have struck a good balance between creating the most attractive schedule for our fans and television partners.

Actually, this is the same process that we use in developing the ACC basketball schedule. That schedule is typically released around Labor Day. The ACC has announced the conference basketball schedule at that time for many years. The difference between the ACC date to release our basketball schedule and the release date for the other major conferences is negligible.

The ACC will continue to develop football and basketball schedules that are attractive to our fans, meet our contractual obligations to our television partners and give us the best opportunity to build national championship-caliber programs.

Go Deacs!

Ron Wellman

Toll Free: 1.800.852.1504 www.timwelborn.com

PROUD SUPPORTER OF 2015-2016 WFU BASKETBALL 4

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

Authentically Local Honoring the Gray family’s commitment to supporting a thriving local community for more than 80 years, your choice to meet, stay and dine locally ensures an ongoing commitment to local schools, scholarships and preservation. winston-salem, nc | www.graylyn.com | 1.800.472.9596

Your donations of clothes, household items, and sports gear help fund employment and training programs that enable people from all walks of life to find better jobs and create brighter futures for themselves and their families.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

5

MEN’S BASKETBALL

// 1 9 9 5 A N D 1 9 9 6 A C C C H A M P S

SHARING MEMORIES 6

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

PLAYERS FROM 1995 AND 1996 ACC CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS REUNITED AT BASKETBALL ALUMNI WEEKEND

By Sam Walker

W

ake Forest University celebrated basketball alumni weekend Saturday, Jan. 16, as the Demon Deacons hosted Syracuse. Basketball alumni are invited back yearly, but this year the 1995 and 1996 back-to-back ACC championship teams were singled out for recognition.

SCOOTER BANKS

JERRY BRASWELL

TONY RUTLAND

RICKY PERAL

Randolph Childress hitting the winning bucket with four seconds left to beat fourthranked North Carolina in overtime and set the ACC Tournament scoring record in 1995, and the dramatic one-point victory over 18th-ranked Georgia Tech a year later are moments never forgotten.

But the star-power names were just part of the collective whole and results. Without Travis “Scooter” Banks, Tim Duncan wouldn’t have had a senior mentor. Without the likes of Tony Rutland, Jerry Braswell, Ricky Peral and others, the pieces wouldn’t have completed the dynamic puzzle.

The 1995 team set records for victories in a season, finishing 26-6 (12-1 at home) and advancing to the Sweet 16.

The 1996 team matched that 26-6 record and also duplicated the 12-4 ACC record the Deacons earned in 1995. That 1996 team advanced to the Elite 8.

A number of players from those two historic years were there to relive and share it once again. Banks, Braswell, Peral and Rutland were among those who returned to share stories, renew friendships with the Wake Forest family and celebrate the synergy those teams exemplified for two compelling seasons.

Peral was the 6-10 wing forward from Spain with a deft shooting touch. He shot 52 percent from the field and scored 214 points in 1995, and in 1996 he shot 51 percent from the field and 51 percent from threepoint range.

Peral played professional basketball for three years in Greece after finishing his undergraduate degree and then returned to Wake Forest to get his graduate degree in computer science. Since 2007, he has been writing medical research software for the Wake Forest School of Medicine.

“I think you realize that the most important thing in basketball is teamwork,” Peral said.

“You can have the greatest players and have a terrible team. We had some great players like Tim Duncan and Randolph Childress, but the

rest of us, we all played together. Everything was understood, and we did our jobs.”

Banks was the second leading rebounder as a senior on the 1995 squad, which, considering the leading rebounder turned out to be one of the best post players ever in basketball – Duncan – is admirable. Banks hoped to get taken in the NBA draft, but he eventually ended up playing in Sweden, then played a season in France before returning for two seasons in Sweden where his team won back-to-back championships.

He left for Argentina, where he met up with former teammate Trelonnie Owens.

“I’m now managing a tire shop back in Clinton, N.C, called Tires Inc.,” Banks said. “I have two kids, Jalen and Isa, so I’m enjoying life watching them grow up.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

7

MEN’S BASKETBALL “But playing here the most memorable thing was the championship and watching Randolph do all those things in the tournament. That was mind-blowing. We lost at Florida State and then we went on that run until we lost in the NCAA to Oklahoma State. I’ll always remember Coach (Dave) Odom in practice yelling, ‘Scooter, what are you doing?’ and it took me two years to stop looking over at the sideline looking for him to say, ‘what are you doing?’ ”

only wish for. I’m in Atlanta now but am trying to get back into coaching. I’m probably going to Hampton, Va., and help out Boo Williams with one of the biggest AAU programs in the country. I’ll get home and hopefully get into college (coaching).”

Rutland was a freshman on the 1995 team and in 1996 finished as the team’s second leading scorer behind Duncan.

Braswell played two years in Germany before breaking his ankle. He became an account manager at UPS and lived in New Jersey for 10 years. Today, he resides in Atlanta and coaches three youth teams – a 4th-5th grade team, a 6th-7th grade team and a high school AAU team. Braswell has a wife, Sarah, and two sons – Jaxon and Jacob.

“It was just the camaraderie of the team and staying together, being at the house,” he said. “Basketball was fun and winning the championships was fun, but the friendships have been long-lasting. I remember Coach Odom saying if Tony did it, Jerry did it. He always put us together. The most useful thing I got is that my knowledge of basketball grew under Coach Odom. Then I was able to help and tell my story.”

Rutland played in Europe, Asia and in the Middle East with stints in Austria, Cypress and Korea after leaving Wake Forest.

“I enjoyed it,” Rutland said. “I got to travel the world and see a lot of things you could

8

// 1 9 9 5 A N D 1 9 9 6 A C C C H A M P S

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

Rutland and his wife, Julie, are expecting a child in June, and he has a daughter currently living in the Bahamas.

“The most memorable part of those teams was just how close we were, always joking and laughing,” Braswell said. “The closeness was what made us good because we hung together off the court as well.

“Coach Odom just always told us to, ‘be great,’ and he came out and said it from the time we got here as freshmen. And we tried.

The most powerful thing I learned was responsibility for self and others. I grew up

here. I was a young kid when I came here, and I left a young man.”

Odom has many wonderful memories of the players that provided those special seasons.

“As I look back on those days, we had really good talent and probably better talent than people realized at the time,” Odom said.

“When you are around guys like Scooter Banks, who is probably the most underrated player we had, I don’t know that I’ve ever coached a better defensive frontline player.

A guy like Ricky Peral didn’t need headlines or to score, but to be the role player we needed at that time. Tony Rutland was the best guard in the country in 1996 until he hurt his knee. And then when you’ve got players the caliber of Tim Duncan and Randolph Childress and with those others you look back and say we were the best team. We did what we should have done.

“I’m so appreciative to Ron Wellman and Dr. Nathan Hatch for a weekend like this and making it possible. You come back, and it’s kind of like fishing. The stories may be bigger than they need to be, but they did bring back championships through hard work and sharing, and there’s a certain brotherhood still there.”

Recently awarded “Certificate of Excellence” from Trip Advisor

Outdoor Pool

MEN’S BASKETBALL

// J O H N C O L L I N S

EARLY

CONTRIBUTIONS FRESHMAN JOHN COLLINS ADDS SIZE AND STRENGTH TO THE DEACON FRONTCOURT

By Sam Walker

T

rust is a firm belief in reliability, strength and a measure of faith. It’s something college basketball players strive to earn from their head coaches because of the direct correlation of trust to playing time.

we communicate well. We work with John, and that’s the next step for me is to get that (chemistry) with him. He’s still a freshman and doesn’t always know fully where to go and how to fully post up, and I think as a freshman everybody does that.

“Many times he has asked what he’s supposed to do in certain plays and situations, but everybody learns from their mistakes. But we have a great coaching staff, and they’ll get us playing the right way. They push us, all of us, to play tough in every practice, and that’s good for him and me, too.

Good teams are built with competition, so he’s part of that, and that makes him a big part of this team.”

Freshman forward John Collins understands he’s still trying to earn trust from head coach Danny Manning, and he’s earned enough, through 15 games, to average almost 15 minutes of playing time. However, he’s confident that ultimately there’s more minutes, more rebounds, more blocks and more points in his future.

10

Collins has scored in double digits in nine of 15 games. He had a career-high nine rebounds in an 82-78 victory over Indiana in the Maui Jim Invitational. He’s shooting a solid 71 percent from the foul line as well. He’s also revealed a rebounding presence, an ability to collect missed shots and follow with a soft touch around the rim along with a consistent 10- to 12-foot jumper that defenders have to respect.

Collins is one of three top-100 recruits in the Wake Forest freshman class and in front of him are a senior and sophomore who have more games under their belts, more experience and perhaps a little more trust.

He is competing with senior Devin Thomas and sophomore Dinos Mitoglou, which is no easy task as both players bring their own unique skill sets to the mix.

aggressive play have proven a formidable presence for opposing teams. He’s solid in the paint, agile around the rim and skilled.

But, through those 15 contests, the time on the floor for Collins is producing an average of 8.6 points and 5 rebounds per game. At 6-10 and 225 pounds, his size, strength and

“John is a really good player and one of the most athletic guys I’ve seen,” Mitoglou said.

“Devin and I have a good chemistry with this being our second year playing together, so

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

But to show his skill set in a game, he continually has to earn the right to see court time. He knew nothing would be given.

“Coach Manning stressed to us that it isn’t that he doesn’t want to not play us (freshmen) more, but we have to earn our minutes in practice,” Collins said. “Both those dudes in front of me are averaging double-doubles, so

JOHN Collins HOMETOWN: West Palm Beach, Fla. YEAR: Freshman POSITION: Forward MAJOR: Undeclared Chose Wake Forest over interest and/or offers from East Carolina, Memphis, Miami, Murray State, San Francisco, Texas and Vanderbilt TOP ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS: Florida Class 4-A Player of the Year in 2014-15 after averaging 20.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game at Cardinal Newman H.S.; As a senior, was named Palm Beach Post Player of the Year and the Gatorade Palm Beach Player of the Year; Earned Sun Sentinel Player of the Year honors; Averaged 20.3 points and 10.2 rebounds during his senior season in 2014-15.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

11

MEN’S BASKETBALL

// J O H N C O L L I N S

it’s they’re more seasoned, and it’s just those guys have earned Coach Manning’s trust.

We’re freshmen. It’s coming along, but I’m glad to be behind Devin and Dinos.

just to name a few,” Collins said. “It really came down to Vanderbilt, Wake and Miami. Miami, I’d be close to home, but what really sold me on Wake was Coach Manning. I’d get coached by one of the best basketball players of all-time.

A career in the NBA and All-Star, Coach is a big man, and I wanted to get coached by him, and obviously between Wake and Miami, I was wanting be in the ACC.

“Part of the reason I’m so active on rebounds is because Devin is the first guy to hit you or go at you. He’s probably the guy with the most energy I’ve ever played against by going against him every day in practice, so there’s nothing better that I could ask for than for him to teach me.”

“Coach Manning offered me a chance to do something new. No matter who you are, you have to answer that phone call when Coach Manning calls. Being part of that recruiting class, I knew we would have a chance to do something new, and I’m proud to be part of that. Coach Manning told me I have as high a ceiling as anybody in this country, and I just have to believe that myself.”

Against Duke on Jan. 6, and with Thomas picking up his fourth foul with eight minutes remaining in the game, Collins delivered with 11 points and seven rebounds.

“Coach tells us every possession counts,” Collins said. “In high school, I could just dominate, and I could just be on the floor (and succeed), and now every offensive possession, every defensive possession counts. Every single possession, every rebound, every boxout counts.

Collins is just one piece in the construction of the Manning era at Wake Forest. He’s a player who is humble enough to admit he doesn’t know it all and is willing to work on his game. At the same time, he understands

the game is bigger than he or any one player may be. Players have streaks, halves and moments. But winning teams have consistency and toughness. That was one selling point of Wake Forest to Collins.

“I had a good amount of offers from places like Tulane, Miami, Vanderbilt, K (Kansas) State,

As the season progresses, Collins hopes to do just that – make progress and contribute, and by the end of the season hopes the team will have done the same.

“It’s a lesson,” Collins said. “We’ve proven we can play with anybody. (Losses) teach us not to let off the gas, but they also teach us what we’re capable of against some of the best basketball teams in America.”

When Convenience Matters The Twin City Quarter, home to the newly renovated Marriott, upscale Embassy Suites and Benton Convention Center, is the answer.

It’s more than a central, convenient downtown location near the city’s colleges and universities, the most popular attractions and museums, golf courses, wineries, the arts district and Fourth Street’s Restaurant Row. It’s also about the convenience of not one but two premiere full-service hotels with all the features, amenities and services guests have come to expect...Wi-Fi, cafes, restaurants, lounges, spa and salon, Starbucks and fitness centers. Come see for yourself.

Ask about our Wine Country, Romance & Honeymoon packages.

Proud Sponsor of Wake Forest University Athletics 5th and Cherry Streets • Winston-Salem NC 27101 336.725.3500 • www.twincityquarter.com

12

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

13

BASEBALL

// PA R K E R D U N S H E E

PARKER DUNSHEE HOMETOWN: Zionsville, Indiana YEAR: Junior POSITION: Pitcher MAJOR: Finance, with a minor in Spanish FAVORITE COLLEGE CLASSES: “Quantitative analysis for finance – it’s kind of a real-world application of stuff we’ve learned, using tools we got in previous classes. I also liked conversational Spanish – just reading something and talking about it made it fun. The more you talk, the better you get.”

FAVORITE FOOD: “Filet mignon, and the pasta salad that Mom makes for us is pretty good.”

FAVORITE SPORTS MOVIE: “ ‘Hoosiers,’ of course. It’s a cool basketball story. I practiced in the gym that Hickory High is based on.”

FAVORITE ATHLETE TO WATCH GROWING UP: “Peyton [Manning], obviously, all the time. Reggie Miller, too. I’d always watch them play. Baseball was Ken Griffey Jr. He was always fun to watch, and he was always good on the video games we’d play.”

IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANY ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? “Probably Steph Curry. He’s gotten where he is through hard work and dedication to his craft. I’d love to talk to him about how he’s done it when it always seems like the odds are stacked against him.”

FAVORITE WFU MOMENT: “My freshman year, we beat UVa, who was ranked No. 1 and hadn’t lost an ACC series in some ridiculous amount of time. I was pitching when the third game ended, and that was a great memory.

We have to expect to win those kinds of series now, and I think we do. This year will be huge in that regard.”

14

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

LESSONS LEARNED

HARD-THROWING JUNIOR PARKER DUNSHEE WORKS HIS WAY INTO STARTING ROTATION FOR DEACONS

By Jay Reddick preparation, performance under pressure and above all, leadership.

The Zionsville, Ind., righthander is ready to put all of those lessons to work as a valuable member of the starting rotation in 2016.

Dunshee lettered in three sports at Zionsville Community High, and though he obviously did it for the love of the game, Dunshee was an active participant with an eye toward his future, in college and beyond.

G

oing to college is all about getting an education – whether that education comes in the classroom or the locker room.

Parker Dunshee has done a great job of getting both.

As a student, Dunshee is a junior pursuing a finance major and Spanish minor. As a pitcher for the Wake Forest baseball team, he has learned countless lessons about

“Each sport had a different bunch of guys – that let me get to know a lot of different people in high school,” Dunshee said. “It let me learn to be a good leader for different groups. There were aspects of it that really help me at this level, dealing with guys of different backgrounds, dealing with success and failure on different teams. It’s all been beneficial in making me into a good athlete overall, not just a good baseball player.”

Dunshee that said striving for success as a leader comes from the way he was raised, as the middle child in an athletic family – brothers Blake and Carter also played baseball at the high-school level.

“I’ve always kind of had the personality and the ability to interact with people,” Dunshee said. “Being a good player is important, but the way I can interact with guys has been big for me.”

Dunshee’s maturity was a boon for the Deacons last season, when he led the staff with a 2.89 earned-run average while compiling a 5-3 record with four saves. He gained even more experience last summer in the Cape Cod League, leading the Chatham Anglers’ starting rotation with a 2.16 ERA. Now an upperclassman, he’s expected to be a stalwart in Wake Forest’s weekend starting rotation in 2016, a change from his usual focus on high-level versatility. He was an allconference quarterback who got some recruiting attention, but loved basketball even more – an expected reaction from an Indiana kid.

“I still love playing basketball,” Dunshee said.

“I love the constant flow of the game, the high pace. I didn’t start football until seventh grade, but I had a lot of fun playing quarterback.”

Even after he came to Wake Forest, he filled many different roles – he was uncertain if he would pitch or play the field as a freshman for the Deacs until a preseason conversation with coach Tom Walter.

“I hadn’t had the best fall,” Dunshee said. “I wasn’t sure I’d be on the roster as a freshman, then coach Walter sat me down and said, ‘If you want to be a part of this team with a chance to help us, do you think pitching full-time is an option?’ I focused on it through January and February, then a spot opened up, I had some good success and it’s taken off from there.”

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

15

BASEBALL

// PA R K E R D U N S H E E

For all the talk of his leadership ability, let’s not forget – Dunshee also has tons of natural ability, as Walter points out. “(He throws) 90-94 [mph] with sink, a put-away slider and solid change-up put Parker at the front of our staff,” Walter said. “We need the ball in his hands with the game on the line as much as possible.”

This season, Dunshee is hoping to put it all together, the on-field talent and the off-field mentorship, toward the ultimate goal of team success and an NCAA tournament berth.

“It starts from our mindset,” Dunshee said. “Our attitude is way better than it was last year. There was no offensive team that was better last year in the ACC or in the country, in my opinion, and we didn’t really lose any offense. That’s a great building block.

“Of course, pitching is the determining factor on any team,” he continued. “I like our group. My class has pitched a lot since we got here, gotten good experience, and now it’s time to let that show.”

Dunshee said that the Deacons are looking to avoid a repeat of last season, when they squandered a 7-3 start in the ACC on the way to a 12-18 final conference record.

“We have to attack the season and be ready for the long haul,” Dunshee said. “As juniors and seniors, we have to be ready to lead and turn things around when we see something like that happen.”

ALLow uS to poiNt out Some fAN fAvoriteS. view®2

ArouNd moNitor for eASY eScApeS from the StAdium Lot

pANorAmic mooN roof, Your perSoNAL retrActABLe dome

third row SeAtiNG3 So You cAN BriNG the whoLe teAm power LiftGAte for eASY AcceSS to ALL Your tAiLGAtiNG GeAr

33 mpG hwY1 So You’LL Never miSS ANAwAY GAme

the NiSSAN roGue Shop At Your LocAL NiSSAN Store todAY or viSit 1. 2015 EPA Fuel Economy Estimate for 2015 Rogue 33 MPG Highway. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions-use for comparison only. 2. Parking aid/convenience feature.

Cannot completely eliminate blind spots. May not detect every object and does not warn of moving objects. Always check surroundings and turn to look behind you before moving vehicle.

3. Available feature with purchase of S/SL Family Package.

16

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Q U A N T O B A S TA : I TA L I A N E AT E R Y & W I N E B A R Located in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem, NC, Quanto Basta: Italian Eatery & Wine Bar reveals the rich, comforting flavors of “Cucina Italiana,” as remembered and re-fashioned by Chef/Owner Timothy Grandinetti. His Italian heritage and upbringing has inspired a new dining destination reminiscent of a classic Italian neighborhood restaurant and gathering place ~ family-owned and operated ~ with the familiar aromas, flavors, passion, and joie de vivre associated with this beloved cuisine.

The concept of Quanto Basta ~“qb” for short ~ is true to its Italian culinary definition: “as much as you like; as much as you need.” Antipastas and appetizers offer satisfying lighter fare and starters. For heartier appetites, Quanto Basta offers a delicious progression to heaping platefuls of freshly prepared pastas with rustic sauces, hand-crafted pizzette and rotisserie fire-roasted porchetta. Old world Italian specialties are prepared in an open kitchen, and showcase Chef-curated artisanal provisions from Italy ~ foods that are naturally beautiful, traditional and honest, earthy and authentic.

Our staff is passionate and knowledgeable about our ever-evolving wine list and will help guests find the perfect taste, glass or bottle.

An Italian-inspired Eatery & Wine Bar, Quanto Basta celebrates the art of food and the joyful voice of the Italian culture. Andiamo ~ guests are invited to gather, to taste and to enjoy!

QUANTO BASTA: ITALIAN EATERY & WINE BAR Featuring Pizzette • Homemade Pasta • Old World Italian Specialties • Italian Desserts • Espresso/Coffee Bar

The Quanto Basta Wine Bar offers a unique opportunity for wine lovers in the Piedmont region, boasting a comprehensive wine list of more than 200 labels with more than 50 0f them from Italy. The list includes both old and new world offerings, covering every major wine-growing region in the world and selections from the local Yadkin Valley AVA as well. Wines are stored in a one-of-a-kind, climate-controlled Tuscan Wine Tower, allowing for an amazing selection of more than 50 wines by the glass. The list provides a depth, excitement and value found nowhere else in the region.

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday thru Thursday: 4pm – 11pm Friday and Saturday: 4pm – Late Night LOCATION: Quanto Basta 680 West 4th Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 336.893.6144

Our commitment to oenophiles extends to regular wine tastings and pairings that delight and inform: from hard-to-find Italian Barolo, classifiedgrowth Bordeaux, top Burgundy producers, allocated wines from world class winemakers to the newest offerings from Argentina, Chile, and Spain.

OWNERS: Lynn Murphy & Lynette Matthews-Murphy; Timothy & Heidi Grandinetti

CUISINE: Rustic, Authentic Italian-American

SEATING: Dining Room – 48 guests Loggia – 32 guests Wine Bar – 26 guests Pizzette Counter – 8 guests

a

Progressive, southern-insPired

destination for

dining, hosPitality &

sPecial events

450 North Spring Street, Winston-Salem | (336) 293-4797 | info @ Spring House NC . com | www. Spring House NC . com

The Gold Rush Magazine Ad.indd 1

9/3/13 2:27 PM

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

17

WOMEN’S GOLF

// J E N N I F E R K U P C H O

FAST START

PROMISING FRESHMAN JENNIFER KUPCHO LEADS WFU WOMEN’S GOLF TEAM IN SCORING AVERAGE

By Jay Reddick

18

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

J

ennifer Kupcho’s recruitment to Wake Forest started with a sound – the solid thwack and hiss familiar to all elite golfers.

Dianne Dailey heard the sweet sound at a junior tournament a couple of years ago, and though she didn’t know it then, that was a moment that might shape the future of Wake Forest golf.

“I was at the U.S. Juniors, just walking from one place to another,” Dailey said. “I heard the hit before I saw the ball. I didn’t know anything about Jennifer then, but I thought, ‘Who hit that? I need to follow her some more.’”

Kupcho, a Littleton, Colo., freshman, now leads the Deacons in scoring average at the midpoint of her first year.

She said she first picked up a golf club at the age of 5 after tagging along with her parents and older brother on their golf outings.

“It was a family thing,” Kupcho said. “They always said they threw me into it to make ‘the perfect foursome.’ I don’t think I always liked it from the beginning, but they said I could either play for fun or play to be competitive, then I started to get pretty good and decided I’d see what I can do.”

JENNIFER KUPCHO HOMETOWN: Littleton, Colo.

YEAR: Freshman MAJOR: Undeclared FAVORITE SPORTS MOVIE: “Miracle” FAVORITE BOOK: “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins FAVORITE FOOD: “Mom’s homemade pizza.”

FAVORITE ATHLETE: “It started as Phil Mickelson, then transferred to Adam Scott, and now it’s Jordan Spieth.”

IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANY ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? Jordan Spieth

From there, it quickly became clear she could do quite a lot. She played in her first tournament at age 8 and hasn’t slowed down since, winning top state honors from the Colorado Women’s Golf Association every year since age 13 (three times as the state’s top junior golfer, then the state’s best female overall in 2014 and ’15).

Last summer, just before coming to WFU, she got on an especially hot streak, winning the Colorado stroke-play championship by 21 shots, finishing third at the prestigious Big “I” National Championship in California, then reaching the final 16 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Her scorching summer was a good balance with the snow-covered winters she’s grown accustomed to. High-school golf is a spring sport in Colorado, and she said much of her preseason practice was spent on indoor driving ranges or hitting balls into the net at her house.

“Even when the season starts, so much of it is in the snow, it’s just awful,” Kupcho said. “We practice a lot inside. In the fall, it’s OK to play until Thanksgiving-ish. After that, the snow doesn’t disappear.”

Golf was always Kupcho’s sport of choice, though she played basketball at Jefferson Academy just to have something else to do in the winter months.

Kupcho entered Wake Forest with all the hype of a champion, but she didn’t get off to the quick start she was hoping for. At her first tournament, the Powerade Cougar Classic, she posted rounds of 78-76-77 and finished tied for 70th out of 95 players.

“I was still adjusting to the college thing,” Kupcho admits now. “I was nervous. Once I got used to it, I started to do what I’d hoped.”

Dailey said after Kupcho’s early stumble, she didn’t need encouragement or even coddling – she just wanted to get back to work.

“As a coach, after that first tournament I wanted to say, ‘Oh, it was your first time. You’ll do better later.’ But she was having none of that,” Dailey said. “She knew, these are the things I did wrong, these are the things I have

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

19

WOMEN’S GOLF

// J E N N I F E R K U P C H O

Kupcho said her drives and long irons have always been the best part of her game, while putting has often lagged behind. But that day, things were different.

“I asked Coach Kevin [Diaz] to read my putts that day,” Kupcho said. “On the first hole, he gave me my line, I put a stroke on it and it went in. The next three holes, I had three birdies. It was pretty sweet.”

Kupcho is hoping to help the Deacons build on their success from the 2015 spring season, when they made the NCAA tournament field for the first time in four years. She said the strong chemistry with her more experienced teammates has been crucial.

to do differently. She stayed with her process, and she has thrived on the competition.”

After that quick adjustment, Kupcho played her next nine collegiate rounds in even par and earned top-10 finishes in all three remaining fall

tournaments. She closed her first semester with a 68 at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, the Deacons’ best round of the fall.

Kupcho sees that Oct. 25 round as a possible turning point toward even better things.

Woo d- fire d Ki t ch en A N obl e G r i l le

380 Knollwood St. | Winston-Salem, NC

roosterskitchen.com | 336.777.8477

20

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

“They definitely helped me get adjusted,” Kupcho said. “Once I got shooting better scores, we’ve all been helping each other stay focused.

“We’re definitely focused on the postseason, but right now it’s about how we get there and how good we are when we get to the NCAAs. For me, that means I need to keep playing the way I have.”

We Have the Car of Your Dreams ® 2015 Porsche Cars North America Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of all traffic laws at all times.

Teamwork Wins

Whether on the field or in the field of law, in the classroom or in the boardroom, on the court or in the courtroom, we understand the vision, dedication and teamwork that it takes to win.

Kilpatrick Townsend is proud to support the Wake Forest University athletic program.

www.kilpatricktownsend.com © 2015 Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP

A shock felt at the heart of convention.

A top track speed of 167mph and a combined output of 416hp. It’s the kind of performance you wouldn’t expect from a hybrid, but demand from a Porsche. With over five different driving modes, the Panamera S E-Hybrid has defied convention, surpassed expectations, and embraced our philosophy of Porsche Intelligent Performance. Contact Porsche of Greensboro today to learn more. Porsche. There is no substitute.

The Panamera S E-Hybrid Porsche of Greensboro 5603 Roanne Way Greensboro, NC 27409 (336) 294-0200

PorscheGreensboro.com

*Maserati Ghibli MY2015 base MSRP $69,800; Ghibli S Q4 MY2015 base MSRP $77,900. Not including dealer prep and transportation.

Actual selling price may vary. Taxes, title, license and $699 dealer administration fee not included. ©2015 Maserati North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Maserati and the Trident logo are registred trademarks of Maserati SpA. Maserati urges you to obey all posted speed limits.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

21

100% COTTEN

// S TA N C O T T E N

Thanking Dave Odom There wasn’t much to celebrate recently as Wake’s game with Syracuse reached the midway point.

The Deacons trailed the Orange by 20 points, and almost nothing had gone right on a day that had been long but would only get longer.

Typically at halftime, I pry myself up from my courtside seat and make it back to the press room where I can stretch my legs for a few minutes, get a drink refill and get ready for the second half.

S TA N COTTEN VOICE OF THE DEMON DEACONS

Typically.

But this was a halftime act I wanted to catch. Border Collies chasing Frisbees and the acts Quick Change and Red Panda will also usually keep me in my seat, but the special guests being honored this day were also worth staying put for and honoring them with my attention. On this day, former basketball players, coaches and staff were recognized and the back-to-back ACC Champions of

1995 and 1996 were also honored with a video on the scoreboard that featured their coach, Hall of Fame member Dave Odom, talking about the titles and what made those teams so very special.

The coach who won 240 games in 12 seasons and guided the Deacons to 52 victories to go along with the consecutive ACC titles now lives back in Winston-Salem and from time to time will drop by practice to visit and watch Danny Manning put the Deacs through their paces. We sat together recently at practice and caught up, talked a little about basketball. And family. And there was no doubt watching him out on the court with members of his championship teams, grinning ear to ear, he was at home.

And he is also one of the big reasons why I have the job I have.

Twenty years ago now this summer I was finishing up my fourth season at Marshall. The Wake Forest/ ISP Sports radio job had opened up, and I wanted it badly. Coach Odom was holding a basketball camp for girls at Lynchburg College, and it was suggested that an endorsement from Coach Odom might go a long way toward my securing the radio job I coveted. So, I got in the car with tape and resume in hand and made the trip from Huntington, W. Va., to Lynchburg to see if I could meet Coach Odom and plead my case.

I worried about dropping in on him unannounced.

I mean, I had never met him and had no idea if he would see me, think I was crazy or order me back to West Virginia. I’m smiling as I think about that last sentence. If you know anything about Dave Odom, you know he’s an All-World talker and a genuinely nice person. I think he appreciated the effort I had made to come

22

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

see him, and he got his camp started before finding an empty classroom where we could sit down and visit.

He looked exactly in person as he did on television. I had only seen him on TV when watching some of the ACC Tournament. What surprised me, though, was his approachability and willingness to engage me and have a serious discussion about the position that he said was “very important” to him. It also surprised me that he took over an hour with me having no idea what I even sounded like, but he took that opportunity to find out directly from me why I wanted to come to Wake Forest, what my qualifications were and also to get a feel, I believe, if I would be a fit at Wake Forest and for his program. We talked a little about basketball. And family. Come to think of it, our conversation that day two decades ago wasn’t all that different than the one we had the day before the Syracuse game. Some things change. Some things don’t I guess.

I left Lynchburg feeling good, not necessarily about my chances of getting the Wake Forest radio job but about the person I had just met.

He didn’t have to take the time with me that he did. But he did, and I will be forever grateful.

I left him a cassette tape – hey, it was a long time ago – and a resume and went on back to West Virginia never knowing if I would ever see him again. I got a nice note from him a few days later and a new job a few weeks after that. I have no idea if he had anything to do with me getting my job as the “Voice of the Deacs.” I’ve never asked him if he influenced the folks at ISP Sports (multimedia rights holder at the time) or Ron Wellman in any way.

And it doesn’t matter, and it’s not the point. The only point is I liked Dave Odom when I met him, I enjoyed very much working with him and it’s always good to see him.

He looked at peace out on that court with his Deacons.

A little basketball. A little family.

Just like Coach Odom likes it.

Come In Today!

No Appointment Necessary Mon-Fri 8am-6pm & Sat 8am-4pm

WE DO STATE INSPECTIONS

INSIDE THE DEACON CLUB

The Start of a New Era for Wake Forest Athletics

BA R RY FA I R C L O T H A S S O C I AT E AT H L E T I C DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT & SALES

A thunderous ovation greeted Bob McCreary and Ben Sutton as they entered the football team meeting in Decker Auditorium on a cold and rainy January afternoon. This day was special for Wake Forest Athletics in that it signified the beginning of a new era — an era in which dated and ineffective facilities would no longer handicap our coaches and student-athletes. This day was the day that Wake Forest football would first step foot in the newly constructed McCreary Field House, a $21 million facility that will allow all Wake Forest athletic programs to train yearround on its 120-yard artificial turf field.

In addition, McCreary Field House is now the temporary home to the Wake Forest football weight room, which now includes brand new, stateof-the-art equipment to allow our team to train and prepare to its full potential. Once completed, the new Sports Performance Center will become the permanent home of the Wake Forest football

weight room, and McCreary Field House will remain a much-needed place to practice and train year-round, regardless of weather.

The emotional outpouring of thanks to Bob and Ben from the student-athletes and coaches during that team meeting seemed to go on forever; it was evident that everyone involved knew that a new era of Wake Forest football was beginning that day.

Upon the conclusion of the meeting, it was time for Bob and Ben to lead everyone to the first walk-through of McCreary Field House. The cold and rainy January afternoon was a perfect reminder as to why such a facility was so badly needed for Wake Forest. As the team and coaches entered the sprawling facility, their jaws dropped in amazement, closely followed by ear-to-ear smiles and cheering. The energy and excitement was uncontainable.

As the team took a knee on the 50-yard line, Bob began a heartfelt address. He spoke of his commitment and dedication to Wake Forest Athletics and expressed that he felt that his gift was paid back many times over just by seeing the pure joy and excitement of the team that afternoon.

Ben followed Bob in his address of the team, expressing that Wake Forest can and will reach the pinnacle of college football and that the facility improvements now completed as well as those still in progress are a critical step toward the ultimate goal of a Wake Forest football National Championship.

It was then time for members of the team to begin their first lift in the new weight room occupying the end zone of McCreary Field House. All of the equipment gleamed black and gold and sported “Wake Forest Football” proudly on it; this is the first time Wake Forest has ever had a weight room dedicated solely to football. Excitement was still abuzz as Brandon Hourigan, head strength and conditioning coach, began shouting instructions for the lift.

As workouts ensued, many other coaches and administrators toured through the facility. Tony da Luz, head coach of women’s soccer, even walked a top-level recruit through the facility, eager and excited to show off a facility that will undoubtedly be used by many of our other sports.

24

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

INSIDE THE DEACON CLUB

I am still amazed that this 120-yard indoor facility is nestled right on campus, only a short walk from Manchester Athletic Center. I am even more amazed and excited that this facility is only the beginning for Wake Forest Athletics; the ground for the next game-changer, the Sports Performance Center, sits ready.

The 95,000-square-foot Sports Performance Center will create a permanent strength and conditioning area for all sports, nutrition space, coaches’ offices and other team spaces. Thanks to the generosity of many, we are within striking distance of our goal to break ground

by June 2016. With $8 million still needed by our deadline of March 2016, we are truly in the home stretch of funding for this project. There is still time to make a difference for Wake Forest Athletics by participating in the McCreary-Sutton match where any gift to the Sports Performance Center by March 2016 will be matched, dollar for dollar, by Bob and Ben. This

generous match has catapulted our fundraising efforts to make this $58 million project a reality solely with donor support. To those who have already given to the Sports Performance Center, I can’t thank you enough for investing in the future of Wake Forest Athletics.

Go Deacs!

For more information on the Sports Performance Center, please visit wakewill.wfu.edu/lets-roll.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

25

DONOR PROFILE

// 1 9 7 0 F O O T B A L L T E A M

1970 ACC Championship football team helps with fundraising for Sports Performance Center

W

hen you hear ‘Wake Forest football’ and ‘ACC Champs’ in the same sentence, your mind probably goes to the iconic 2006 season.

However, long before 2006 was another Wake Forest football team that also made Wake Forest history; it was the first-ever Wake Forest football ACC Championship team.

“It really started in 1969 when Cal Stoll came to Wake Forest as head coach,” Ed Bradley (’72), Wake Forest football player from 1969-1971, remembers.

“When we came back from Christmas break after Coach Stoll was hired, we were told that we had a team meeting in Reynolds Gymnasium at four o’clock to meet the new head coach and staff. I remember being in the meeting room, and we didn’t even know what Cal Stoll looked like.

“At 10 minutes before four, in came a whitehaired gentleman and all of the assistant coaches. Cal told the assistant coaches to lock the doors. I remember Cal saying, ‘gentlemen, any players on the other side of those doors are no longer on this team. When I say four o’clock

26

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

meeting, that means 10 minutes before four.’

That was known as Cal’s time and to this day I am still on Cal’s time.”

The team immediately began some of the longest and most brutal workouts and practices they had ever experienced. Most practices lasted longer than four hours and, as Bradley remembers, “that is what galvanized us. Of the core group of us that made it through to the season, our bond was stronger than ever.”

The Deacs went 3-7 overall in the 1969 season, but “that was the foundation for the 1970 season,” Bradley said.

“Back then Playboy came out every September with ‘Playboy’s Pigskin Preview,’ an issue that reviewed and predicted all of the football conferences. When they got to the ACC and Wake Forest, the quote was ‘No offense. No defense. No hope.’ Cal picked up on that and turned it into a rallying cry for the 1970 season.”

In the fall of 1970, the season began with three consecutive losses against Nebraska, Florida State and South Carolina, but the atmosphere

and momentum quickly changed on Oct. 3, 1970, when the Deacs won over Virginia 27-7.

The momentum continued as the team had five additional wins over Virginia Tech (28-9), Clemson (38-20), North Carolina (14-13), Duke (28-14) and NC State (16-13).

The team finished with a conference record of 5-1 and secured the first ACC football title in Wake Forest history when North Carolina defeated Duke on Nov. 21, 1970.

“We flew home from our game against Houston and got in late Saturday night,” Bradley fondly recalls.

“There were students piled in front of Reynolds Gymnasium ready to greet the new ACC Champs.”

Throughout the years, the players of the 1970 ACC Championship team have remained close, reuniting for reunions, serving as best men in each other’s weddings and even godfathers to each other’s children.

“Coach Cal made us believe in ourselves and not only brought us together as a family, but created a lifelong bond between us that still remains today.” Bradley said.

As the 50th reunion of the 1970 team approaches in 2020, the team wanted to honor Coach Stoll and the 1970 team in a permanent way at Wake Forest. And so, the team is currently fundraising toward a significant gift to the new Sports Performance Center so that a room in the new facility can be named and forever remembered for Coach Stoll and the team.

“In my 49 years around Wake Forest football, no team ever worked harder or played harder than the 1970 team,” said Jody Puckett (’70), a loyal Deacon Club member and lifelong Wake Forest football fan. “Let’s help honor Coach Stoll by putting his name on a part of this new building. Besides, think what Cal could have accomplished with an indoor practice facility!”

The new Sports Performance Center is a 95,000-square-foot multi-use building designed to feature a larger, state-of-the-art strength and conditioning area that will include weight rooms and cardio areas. It will also include a dedicated space for nutrition, football coaches’ offices, team meeting areas and other programmable space. This new facility will support Wake Forest’s student-athletes’ goals of competing and winning at the highest level. What was the smallest facility in the ACC will become one of the nation’s best, with state-of-the-art equipment, technology and resources that will honor Wake’s mission of building champions while educating the whole person.

“I’m very excited about the Sports Performance Center,” Bradley said. “To think back to when I

was in school, the only weight room we had was the little weight room in Reynolds Gymnasium in the basement, and that was for the whole school!

Seeing the weight room Wake Forest has now is light years ahead of what we had back then, and to see it transform even further is very exciting.

The Sports Performance Center will be a great tool for Coach Clawson. It will allow him to not only build and strengthen his team to compete at a higher level but will also be a recruiting tool to attract the best athletes out there. I am truly excited for the seasons to come.”

The Sports Performance Center is in the final stages of fundraising, as an astounding $50 million of the $58 million needed has already

been raised. Through the McCreary-Sutton match, Bob McCreary (’61) and Ben Sutton (’80, JD ’83) have made a generous combined matching gift of $10 million to challenge the Wake Forest community to complete the funding needed for the Sports Performance Center.

Each capital gift made through March 2016 to the Sports Performance Center project will be matched, dollar for dollar, by Bob McCreary and Ben Sutton. In order to complete the funding for the Sports Performance Center, the Deacon Club must raise the final $8 million by March 2016 in order to receive the full amount of the match.

For more information on the Sports Performance Center, please visit wakewill.wfu.edu/lets-roll.

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!

1

2

1 Deacon Club member Renea Cobb enjoys a

2 Little Deacon Elinore, daughter of Matt

game with her buddy and Junior Deacon Club member Deac Haas.

(‘06, ‘08) and Lauren (‘10) Imboden.

3

3 Deacon Club member and former women’s basketball player LaChina Robinson (’02) and Deacon Club member Evan Lepler (’07) get ready to call ACC women’s hoops for TV.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

27

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

//

OVIE MUGHELLI

I

n each issue, Where Are They Now showcases a former Wake Forest student-athlete. Ovie Mughelli, a four-year letterman, was a member of the Wake Forest football team from 1998 to 2002. As a fullback, he made 35 career starts for the Demon Deacons with 530 career rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 137 carries. During his senior season, he scored 12 touchdowns and still ranks sixth in program history. He was a member of the 1999 Aloha Bowl team and 2002 Seattle Bowl team. After graduating from Wake Forest he was a fourth-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens and spent nine years in the NFL playing for the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons.

Ovie Mughelli When did you graduate from Wake Forest?

2003 What was your major and/or minor?

Majored in Health and Exercise Science What does being a Demon Deacon mean to you?

Being a Deac means that I get to hold my head up high whenever people ask me where I went to college because it’s one of the top academic institutions in the country. From the athletics side, being a Deac also gives me pride because being a smaller school and a program not known for football, it seemed like I always had something to prove. And while I was at Wake, we proved it, upsetting team after team. I feel like going to Wake made me stronger and added to my character. Also, having the privilege to be coached by Jim Caldwell and Jim Grobe made me better as a football player and person. Everything from the campus to the professors to the students was first class and made my time as a Deac special.

Why are you still involved in Wake Forest Athletics?

I remember having several past Wake football players come back and talk to the team and give us words of encouragement as well as help us steer clear of mistakes they made while they were student-athletes. Their words helped me maximize my time at Wake and realize the opportunity before me.

I want to do the same for the current crop of student-athletes. You are always told at Wake that this school will give you the tools to accomplish great things but when you see the end product of it through alumni student-athletes coming back and speaking on their experiences, it makes that goal even more attainable.

I just enjoy showing the world that just because Wake is a small school, its athletes don’t think small or play small, and I love helping that fire that our athletes have continue to burn.

28

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

Why do you feel it is important to give back to the University?

Giving back to the University is the only way to keep the tradition of great Wake athletics alive. Wake gave so much to me, and it’s only right that I return the favor.

Whether it’s with your time or talents, there is always a way to support your school, and I want to do so. Plus, just knowing that you can positively impact a student-athlete’s life through your words or actions is important enough to take the time to give back. As athletes we don’t always see what goes on behind the scenes that helps us do what we do.

But there are so many people in so many areas that are essential to our success.

I feel like it’s important for everyone to play his or her part.

What is your current occupation?

I am a studio analyst for FOX Sports South ACC Gridiron Live. I’m also a color analyst with Raycom for ACC games and a radio host for 680 The Fan in Atlanta.

Finally, I’m a professional speaker.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Wake Forest?

It’s easily my redshirt freshman year when we beat Georgia Tech to go to the Aloha Bowl. It was something out of a movie.

We had to beat Duke (which was horrible at the time) or top-ranked Georgia Tech.

Somehow we ended up losing to Duke, so how the heck could we beat Heisman Trophy candidate Joe Hamilton and Georgia Tech? Being the only freshman starting on offense, all I wanted to do was to not be the reason we lost. Instead, I was a part of the reason we won when Morgan Kane, the offensive line and myself held the ball in the fourth quarter by running almost every play. While watching the goal posts get torn down and the fans rush the field, all I could think was ‘THIS is what college football is all about.’

What makes you most proud of Wake Forest?

I am proud of the academic excellence

that comes with the letters WFU. I’m most proud that Wake doesn’t cut corners like other places and allows its athletes to get the full benefit of a Wake Forest education, which I feel is one of the best in the world. Even though I played almost 10 years in the NFL, it’s my Wake education that will help me truly succeed at life.

When you come back to Wake Forest, you always…

Go see Big Daddy. Coach Faircloth is a staple of WFU football, and he knows everybody and everything around the sport. I also go to the practice field to reminisce on all the fun and tough practices I had that helped shape me into who I am today.

I was there when…

We beat an Oregon team that everyone said was unbeatable in the Seattle Bowl.

Who is your favorite coach at Wake Forest, current or past?

Jim Caldwell gave me a chance when no one else would at this level. He was the only D1 coach to recruit me. I remember him sitting in my living room telling my mom that he would turn her boy into a man. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. :-)

Push’em back, Push’em back, waaay back.

Get discounts up to 35%*.

Call, click, or visit on your car insurance and find out how you can save money by switching to the #1 team.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7.

Rick Babusiak, Agent 4960 Martin View Ln Winston-Salem, NC 27104 Bus: 336-760-9994 rick.babusiak.uwlj@statefarm.com

Sarah Zuvich, Agent 5066 Peters Creek Parkway Winston Salem, NC 27127 Bus: 336-602-1999 sarah.zuvich.fl38@statefarm.com

Stef Hamilton Ins Agcy Inc Stef Hamilton, Agent 1624 S Hawthorne Road Winston Salem, NC 27103 Bus: 336-765-0301

Kristen Martin, Agent 3487 Robinhood Road Winston Salem, NC 27106 Bus: 336-765-5751 kristen.martin.g2kt@statefarm.com

Jitima Ins and Fin Svcs Inc Nick Jitima, Agent 710 Coliseum Drive Ste 60 Winston Salem, NC 27106 Bus: 336-448-5650

Elizabeth R Soots, Agent 110 Oakwood Drive Suite E Winston Salem, NC 27103 Bus: 336-293-7232 elizabeth.soots.dkyq@statefarm.com

Brett V Lindquist, Agent 5383 Robinhood Village Drive Winston Salem, NC 27106 Bus: 336-924-2000 brett.lindquist.k2p8@statefarm.com

Emma S Allen, Agent 4680 Brownsboro Road Winston Salem, NC 27106 Bus: 336-759-0205 emma.allen.kiq4@statefarm.com

John Nelms, Agent 2641 Reynolda Road Winston Salem, NC 27106 Bus: 336-773-0850 john.nelms.b5q1@statefarm.com

Donna M. Jones, Agent 682 Saint George Square Ct Winston Salem, NC 27103 Bus: 336-602-2980 www.dmjinsurance.com

Andy Scott, Agent 1533 Union Cross Road Kernersville, NC 27284 Bus: 336-992-3276 andy.scott.prch@statefarm.com

statefarm.com® P090236.1

*Discounts vary by state.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company • State Farm Indemnity Company • Bloomington, IL

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

29

DEACONS IN THE COMMUNITY

30 Years of Santa’s Helper This past December, for the 30th year in a row, Wake Forest student-athletes, coaches and staff came together over the course of a couple days to wrap and deliver more than 2,000 gifts to local children as part of the Santa’s Helper program.

The Santa’s Helper program was started in 1986 by Wake Forest football player Chip Rives, who was on hand this year to participate in both the wrapping and delivering of gifts. The program, which now serves more than 400 families in the local community, has helped provide holiday presents to children in Winston-Salem every year since its inception.

To see more photos from the 30th year of Santa’s Helper, visit the Wake Forest Student-Athlete Development Facebook page or the Wake Forest Santa’s Helper Facebook page or search for #wfsh2015 on Instagram.

30

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

SUN 07

MON

TUE

WED

08

09

10

15

16

17

THUR 11

FRI 12

SAT 13

FEBRUARY // MARCH 2016

WAKE FOREST ATHLETICS

Women’s Basketball vs. NC State 3pm

14 Women’s Basketball vs. Duke 2pm

18

19

20

Women’s Basketball vs. Notre Dame 7pm

Baseball vs. Georgetown 6pm

Baseball vs. UMBC 4pm Track UCS Invitational

21

22

Baseball vs. VMI 2pm

23

24

25

26

27

Baseball vs. Davidson 4pm

McCreary Field House Dedication, 6pm

Women’s Basketball vs. Virginia Tech 7pm

Women’s Tennis vs. Louisville 2pm, UNCG 6pm

Men’s Tennis vs. Texas 1pm

Men’s Basketball vs. Notre Dame 9pm

Men’s Basketball vs. Boston College 6:30pm

28

29

01

Men’s Tennis vs. Texas Tech 11am, Norfolk State 5pm

02

03

04

05

Baseball vs. Mount St. Marys 4pm

Baseball vs. St. Peters 4pm

Men’s Tennis vs. Georgia Tech 4pm

Women’s Tennis vs. Virginia Tech 11am, vs. App State 4pm

Baseball vs. Towson 6pm

Women’s Tennis vs. South Carolina 2pm

Baseball vs. Harvard 2pm

Deacon Club Appreciation Day, 3:30pm Men’s Basketball vs. Virginia Tech 6:30pm

06

Men’s Tennis vs. NC State 1pm, Tennessee Tech 5pm

07

08

09

10

11

Men’s Basketball ACC Tournament

Men’s Basketball ACC Tournament

Men’s Basketball ACC Tournament

Men’s Tennis vs. Boston College 4pm

Baseball vs. Richmond 2pm

Baseball vs. Clemson 6pm

12

Baseball vs. Clemson 4pm Men’s Basketball ACC Tournament

Men’s Basketball ACC Tournement

Deacon Club members at or above the Deacon Bench level may present their 2015-16 membership cards for free admission to Olympic Sport events (immediate family only).

Olympic Sport single game tickets and season passes are available at WakeForestSports.com or by calling (336) 758-3322.

SPORTS MARKETING (336) 758-5011 TICKET OFFICE (336) 758-3322 GROUP TICKETS (Football & Basketball) (336) 758-4030 DEACON CLUB (336) 758-5626 www.deaconclub.com deacclub@wfu.edu

13

14

15

16

17

Baseball vs. High Point 6pm

Men’s Tennis vs. Notre Dame 1pm, Moorehead State 5pm

18

19

Track Wake Forest Open

Track Wake Forest Open

2016 Pledge Deadline

Baseball vs. Clemson 1pm

20 Women’s Tennis vs. Virginia 10am, E. Carolina 4:30pm

21

22

23

24

Baseball vs. Charlotte 6pm

Men’s Tennis vs. Clemson 1pm, S. Carolina State 5pm

25

26

Women’s Tennis vs. Pittsburgh 12pm

Women’s Tennis vs. Duke 12pm

Baseball vs. Duke 6pm

Baseball vs. Duke 4pm

EVERY GIFT COUNTS! RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY THE 2016 PLEDGE DEADLINE ON MARCH 15 When you make a pledge by the 2016 Pledge Deadline, it allows the athletic department to better plan for the upcoming year and ensure that we are able to continue offering the best athletic and educational opportunities for our talented student-athletes. If you haven’t already, please consider making your gift or pledge today. Gifts and pledges can be made online at deaconclub.com/donate or by calling (336) 758-5626.

MCCREARY FIELD HOUSE DEDICATION ON FEBRUARY 24 A dedication of McCreary Field House has been scheduled for February 24 at 6pm. Be sure to attend for an evening of interactives, fun and celebration.

SPRING FOOTBALL GAME SET FOR APRIL 9 The football spring game will be held on April 9, 2016 at BB&T Field. We also invite all football alumni to reconnect with friends and former teammates and stay engaged with Wake Forest Athletics by attending the reunion April 8-9. Remain on the lookout for more information coming soon!

GoldRushCalendar_Feb_Mar_2016.indd 1

1/15/16 12:57 PM

INSIDE THE DEACON CLUB

EVERY GIFT COUNTS! RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

BY THE 2016 PLEDGE DEADLINE ON MARCH 15 When you make a pledge by the 2016 Pledge Deadline, it allows the athletic department to better plan for the upcoming year and ensure that we are able to continue offering the best athletic and educational opportunities for our talented student-athletes. If you haven’t already, please consider making your gift or pledge today. Gifts and pledges can be made online at deaconclub.com/donate or by calling (336) 758-5626.

Keep up with the Deacon Club on Facebook, Twitter and NOW Instagram!

For the latest news and information from the Deacon Club and to connect with other members, be sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter and NOW on Instagram! @WFUDeaconClub NEW! Facebook.com/WFUDeaconClub @WFUDeaconClub @DeacOnTheRun @BarryFaircloth

32

Save the Date: Football Spring Game and Reunion Weekend

Deacon Club Appreciation Day, Feb. 28, 2016

The football spring game will be held on April 9 at BB&T Field. We also invite all football alumni to reconnect with friends and former teammates and stay engaged with Wake Forest Athletics by attending the reunion April 8-9.

Remain on the lookout for more information coming soon!

We invite you to join fellow Deacon Club members, Wake Forest coaches and staff in celebrating your generous support of Wake Forest Athletics on Sunday, Feb. 28, prior to the men’s basketball game vs.

Virginia Tech at 6:30 pm. We hope to see you there!

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

R

Keeping Deacon Fans

MOSQUITO FREE! Locally owned & operated by Chip & Shea Crutchfield

278

2-5 336-71

ITO

SQU MBugsBITE.com TY 800.709.1190 THORI AU

TE.com

BugsBI

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

33

COMPLIANCE CORNER

// T O D D H A I R S T O N

NCAA’s Major Conferences Deregulate Amateurism Rules

TODD HAIRSTON A S S O C I AT E AT H L E T I C DIRECTOR, COMPLIANCE

The NCAA’s five major conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, PAC-12), commonly known as the Power Five, adopted legislation at the recent NCAA Convention that will allow prospective student-athletes in the sport of baseball to utilize the services of an agent in negotiations with professional teams prior to their collegiate enrollment. This is a stark deviation from the NCAA’s long-held amateurism bylaws in which representation by an agent would previously result in a student forfeiting all remaining eligibility.

The rationale behind this decision lies in the fact that in baseball, prospective student-athletes are permitted to join the professional ranks straight out of high school. The membership recognized that

at that stage, very few prospects or their families felt comfortable negotiating a contract with a professional team. This legislative change will now give these students the opportunity to receive the sound, professional advice necessary to make an informed decision about their future.

While the current legislation applies only to baseball, it is uncertain whether similar proposals will now be considered in other sports such as basketball and football. This new legislation will be effective immediately, allowing current high school seniors to retain the services of an agent prior to the Major League Baseball draft in June.

LiveFearlessNC.com

SM, ® Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. U11058, 8/15

34

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

WITH THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE A PLAN THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU

From rookie to Rookie of the Year.

Wake Forest Baptist Health offers athletes of all ages and skill levels a full range of orthopaedic treatment and physical therapy delivered by the region’s most experienced sports medicine team. Our new Stratford location now has extended and weekend hours. And we’re a proud partner of D1 Sports Training. To make an appointment with a physician or a physical therapist, call 888-716-WAKE or visit WakeHealth.edu/SportsMedicine.

SPORTS MEDICINE 888-716-WAKE 1901 Mooney St. (off Stratford Road near Hanes Mall)

131 Miller St.

A proud

partner