Gold Rush - March 2012 by Wake Forest Athletics

deacon club rolls out loyalty rewards program

deacons in the pros

back to

baseball Kevin Jordan returns to the field for Diamond Deacs a year after receiving a kidney from Coach Tom Walter

RETURN OF A LEGEND Randolph Childress still hears about basketball exploits 16 years later

march 2012

www.wakeforestsports.com

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contents

// m a r c h 2 0 1 2

Presented by American Premium Beverage

VOL. 21 // ISSUE 6 EDITOR

Jim Buice PHOTOGRAPHER

Donnie Roberts WRITERS

Jay Reddick, Sam Walker, Stephanie Hudson Design & Layout

Summit Athletic Media www.summitathletics.com Advertising

IMG College Derek Morel, Drew Annas For information on advertising, please call (336) 831-0700 x1765

Gold Rush is published eight times a year by IMG College in conjunction with Wake Forest Athletics. The price of an annual subscription is $20. Members of the Deacon Club receive a oneyear 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. Please send all address changes to the attention of Stephanie Hudson, Wake Forest Athletics, 499 Deacon Blvd., WinstonSalem, NC 27105

Track athlete Hiter Harris serves as the brakeman on a four-man bobsled. He was part of the four-man USA-5 sled that qualified for the America’s Cup. Story, Page 14

4 12 16

from the a.d. 100% cotten

18 24

donor profile where are they now?

inside the deacon club

// 6 A YEAR LATER It’s back to baseball for Kevin Jordan after getting a kidney from Coach Tom Walter

// 10 BACK HOME Former basketball star Randolph Childress adjusting to new job and star status

// 14 LIVING THE DREAM(S)

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 Just a little 1more2/6/2012 than a year9:31:20 ago, Kevin LibertySchoolAd_NoBleed_7-15-11.Page AMJordan was getting a kidney from his coach, Tom Walter. Now the young outfielder is approved by WFU and IMG.

Hiter Harris balances track and bobsledding

ON THE COVER

back to health and a starting outfielder for the Deacons. Story, Page 6

march 2012

from the a.d.

// r o n w e ll m a n

Adding Syracuse and Pittsburgh will mean changes in schedules

ron W E L L MAN D I RECTOR O F ATH L ET I CS

A few weeks ago, the ACC athletic directors met to discuss the various issues related to Syracuse and Pittsburgh joining the ACC. At this point, we do not know when those two institutions will join us and begin playing ACC schedules. The Big East bylaws mandate that they remain in the Big East for 27 months after notifying the Big East that they will depart. If those bylaws are followed, Pitt and Syracuse would not come to the ACC until the 2014-15 season. However, we are all hopeful that they will make the transition prior to that year. In any event, we must be prepared to absorb the two institutions as seamlessly as possible into the ACC. The issues associated with adding two new members were therefore discussed and mostly resolved at the athletic directors’ recent meetings. As you undoubtedly have read, we will increase the number of conference football and basketball games played. Starting in 2013, we will play nine conference football games, even if Pitt and Syracuse have not made the transition to the ACC. We will eventually add Syracuse to our division, the Atlantic Division, and Pitt to the Coastal Division. Our crossover partner from the Coastal Division will continue to be Duke, so we will play the Blue Devils every year. The nine-game conference schedule will include games against all Atlantic Division opponents (Boston College, Maryland, North Carolina State, Clemson, Syracuse, Florida State) and Duke every year. In addition, we will play two other Coastal Division (Pittsburgh, Virginia, Virginia Tech, UNC, Duke, Miami, Georgia Tech) schools annually. The complete rotation (playing all opponents home and away) will take six years. Every attempt will be made to balance the schedule as much as possible by having all Atlantic and Coastal division teams playing the same number of home and away ACC games. In other words, the Atlantic Division teams will all have five home games one year and four away games while the Coastal would have four home games and five away games. The schedule would reverse itself the following year. In basketball, we will increase the number of conference games to 18 starting in the 2012-13 season. As currently

exists, we will not break the teams into divisions but we will have one annual rival opponent, which will guarantee two games against that team each year. Our rival opponent will be N.C. State. We will play all schools every year but not everyone home and away. The regular season schedule format is yet to be determined as to whom we will play twice and whom we will play only one time the first couple years of the schedule. The women’s basketball regular season schedule and tournament format will be the same as the men’s. The ACC Basketball Tournament format is still under consideration. Obviously, adding two teams to the conference will change the format and add games to the tournament. The athletic directors will continue to discuss the tournament format and hopefully have the bracket finalized in the next few months. Since only one team, Pittsburgh, will be added in baseball (Syracuse does not have a baseball program), we have decided to continue our discussions about the regular season schedule format as well as tournament format. We are considering keeping our 30-game regular season schedule (playing 10 teams a three-game series) or possibly increasing the schedule to 36 games (playing all 12 opponents a three-game series). The current tournament format of taking eight teams to the tournament may be continued, or we may increase the number of teams advancing to the ACC Tournament. Again, we hope to make those decisions in the next few months. Adding Syracuse and Pittsburgh to the ACC will strengthen our conference and give us very attractive competitive opportunities for all of our sports once those two schools come to the ACC. We are anxious to have them as ACC members.

Go Deacs!

2012 football schedule

Date Opponent

Location

Time

09/01/12

vs. Liberty

Winston-Salem, N.C.

TBA

09/08/12

vs. North Carolina

Winston-Salem, N.C.

TBA

09/15/12

at Florida State

Tallahassee, Fla.

TBA

09/22/12

vs. Army

Winston-Salem, N.C.

TBA

09/29/12

vs. Duke

Winston-Salem, N.C.

TBA

10/06/12

at Maryland

College Park, Md.

TBA

10/20/12

at Virginia

Charlottesville, Va.

TBA

10/25/12

vs. Clemson

Winston-Salem, N.C.

TBA

11/03/12

vs. Boston College

Winston-Salem, N.C.

TBA

11/10/12

at North Carolina State

Raleigh, N.C.

TBA

11/17/12

at Notre Dame

South Bend, Ind.

TBA

11/24/12

vs. Vanderbilt

Winston-Salem, N.C.

TBA

gold rush magazine

B a s e b a ll

// K E V I N J OR D AN

A Year Later It’s back to baseball for DEACON OUTFIELDER Kevin Jordan after getting a kidney from his coach By Sam Walker

Wake Forest coach Tom Walter and freshman outfielder Kevin Jordan provided arguably the most uplifting story of the 2011 NCAA baseball season. Quite humbly, Walter volunteered to be tested to become an organ donor for Jordan. Jordan developed ANCA vasculitis, a type of autoimmune swelling caused by autoantibodies. The only cure, as finally diagnosed by Dr. Barry Freedman at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, was to receive the transplant of a healthy kidney. Ultimately, Walter donated a kidney on Feb. 7, 2011, at the Emory Transplant Center in Atlanta. The once perfectly healthy Jordan has returned to full health. The kidney transplant changed his life from one where he was on dialysis most of the day and taking, at one point, more than 30 daily

Coach Tom Walter

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medications. He was living a very restrictive college life, but Jordan was determined to start his college career and refused to let his health issues stand in the way. In retrospect, the donation was an act of kindness, it gave back Jordan quality of life, but it may have also saved what may now turn into a quite extraordinary baseball career. “This was the first time that organ donation has touched my life in any meaningful way,” Walter said. “First, from what he had been through the eight months previous and what he was about to go through with dialysis and the getting on the donor list... I just wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines. I was going to help.” That first doctor’s appointment Walter attended was Aug. 25, 2010. “Kevin’s parents and myself were meeting with Dr. Freedman, and it was the first time he had met with him,” Walter said. “He spent the first 15 minutes just talking about everything Kevin had been through and how he had flashed down to 8 percent kidney function. But there wasn’t a time where I didn’t think I wouldn’t be a match. “Previously I think they thought medication would reverse this, but Dr. Freedman was like, ‘We’re past that stage.’ Then the next words out of his mouth were you’re going to need a kidney transplant, and I want to do it as soon as possible. Kevin was taking 35 pills a day, so he said the first thing was that he needed to get off the medication since it was masking the condition. Then he talked about how you find a kidney, first through the family and then through the donor list. The most important factor in finding a match was blood type, blood family. That was the first step. Kevin’s O-negative and I’m O-positive, so that’s when I said to his dad if you need me to get tested, I’ll get tested.” Initially the family decided they would explore options within the family, but eventually no match was found, and in early December 2010 Walter was called upon. “Coach called me and then my mom called and then my doctor, and I was excited, Coach Walter was excited...” Jordan said. “Relief was a good word to describe it, and it’s something to think about. I’m not going to get much further down than I was last year. It was tough being reduced to what I was at 18-19-years-old. Going from being a draft pick and major college baseball player to down there, but that’s also made the trip back easier

because I know what it takes to get there. I know it’s a gift for me to be in this situation. Baseball is a lot more of a gift. “If Coach Walter had never stepped up, they predicted it would be a three- to five-year process and with three to five years being out of baseball and then come back, I would have been trying to revive a career at 23, and that’s not a good situation. Having my regular life back has been a gift and having baseball back has been a blessing.” The story reaffirms ones faith in humanity. It was a selfless act for which Walter wanted no special attention. In fact, the act of kindness wasn’t even officially released until after the transplant was completed. Since then, Walter has embraced the accolades for which it might inspire others to commit a similar selfless act or support organizations who make organ donation a possibility for others. So, Jordan’s return to a normal life and college baseball is not the end of the story. In fact it’s just the beginning of the second chapter. Because of Jordan’s misfortune with ANCA vasculitis and Walter’s response, others who have heard their story have been inspired to act in kind, pay it forward if you will. Kevin Jordan was already identified as a major league baseball player when he signed to become a Demon Deacon. The now freshman was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 19th round of the 2010 MLB Draft. He had confirmation he could be a special player and was on track to hone his skills at Wake Forest under Walter. Baseball was and is Jordan’s passion, and one year later, you won’t find a happier student-athlete than Jordan to just be competing again. And so now he is a healthy 6-1, 195 pound outfielder with a ton of potential and adjusting to collegiate baseball. The worries and routines of the past are gone, and he’s focused on baseball and determined to help Wake Forest return to prominence. “It feels like what I had been doing the other 18 years of life,” Jordan said. “That’s why last year was so weird. I had never even been injured. Then last year that whole year off and a half a year of recovery was rough. So it feels like its been a long time since I’ve played baseball.” Walter said that he remains amazed at Jordan’s courage and determination. “How many of us faced with going to school 400 miles away and fighting for your life — how many

Kevin Jordan Class: Freshman Hometown: Columbus, Ga. Major: Undeclared Top athletic achievements: Being drafted by the New York Yankees (in the 19th round of the 2010 MLB Draft). “That’s been a goal since I was 12 years old, and somebody told me I had the talent to play pro ball. A lot of players in better situations hadn’t been drafted. At this point it means nothing at all, but inside that’s where I know I can be and where I want to get back to.” http://www.kidney.org/news/ekidney/ april11/CoachTomWalter_April11.cfm http://www.gopack.com/sports/m-basebl/ spec-rel/040111aaa.html

march 2012

of us would have left the comfort of our homes?” Walter asked. “There’s a lot of of us who would have stayed home until they could get this fixed, but to Kevin’s credit he showed up, went to classes, and he only had two hours a day where he was without dialysis, but he’d sit out here with the guys, and he always had a smile on his face and never once said why me, never once made excuses about his condition keeping him from his classwork and always said, ‘I’ll be back.’ ” Now he is back, and Walter and Jordan are both expecting good things to happen this season. ”I’ve tried to become a goal-oriented person,” Jordan said. “I want to win an ACC Championship, I want to do something special in and out of baseball, but as long as I have baseball, I’m going to go as far as I can. We’re an older team this year. I really want to play well for those older guys, our seniors, and this should be a better year. I need to get on those guys’ level as soon as possible. I know I’m going to have to put the work back in because there is nothing like seeing live pitching, a ball coming at you. I’ve never had to work hard at being fast, but I want to be a better leader. I’ll be 21 next year, so I will probably be somebody the younger guys will look up to. “Now it’s time to lay off the emotions and get back into it. I’m really excited because I forgot how much fun baseball is. To be here, it’s nice, and the stakes are bigger, but I want to prove myself. There were people who told me I wouldn’t play baseball (again) and people who wondered if I’m going to be the same player. I want to prove them wrong, and the friends I’ve made on this team — I want to do something special with those guys and have some fun in college.” ■ Deacon Club member David Couch made a recent capital gift in honor of head coach Tom Walter to help make the installation of the new video board at Wake Forest Baseball Park possible. See the Donor Profile on Page 20.

gold rush magazine

Walter’s act of kindness inspires others to be donors Allison Batson, a nurse on the transplant floor at the Emory Transplant Center in Atlanta, was charged with taking care of Wake Forest coach Tom Walter after his surgery. She was so inspired by Walter, she followed by donating a kidney to coincidentally a young man from Jordan’s hometown of Columbus, Ga. “I took care of Coach and just remember him being so inspirational, and it was the same with me,” Batson said. “I never thought, how can I do this, and of course I had family support, but it was just the right thing to do. In my case, I just saw a young man who was in need, Clay Taber, and after hearing about his story I had been mulling it over and eventually told the family if they needed me, I would be tested. The day after my surgery, Coach Walter called me, and that was a call I was looking very forward to. “Clay is a 23-year old Auburn graduate, and now he is going on with his life. Our families met at dinner the day before the transplant, and my four children and family bonded immediately. In fact, my family now calls Clay the kidney-in-law, so our family has expanded.” Walter met Taber a month after his surgery when he returned for a check-up. “When I went back I met Clay, who was going to receive the transplant from Allison, and he asked for Kevin’s phone number, and they talked,” Walter said. “I met Clay and his mom, and Clay called Kevin and just chatted with him.

That was about 11 months before he had the transplant, so there are a lot of connections. “But I’ve been contacted by countless people, more than dozens, who have shared their stories with me. They were just saying they put a heart on their driver’s license because of our story, and I’ve had a couple of people tell me, write letters, that they have donated a kidney because of our story. The National Kidney Foundation said that their request for information had spiked drastically since the story a year ago. and I’ve done many events with them over the last year.” Ellie Schlam, vice president of communications for the National Kidney Foundation, applauded Walter’s efforts. “Coach Tom Walter has been an incredible role model for young and old alike,” Schlam said. ”His heroic act has inspired hundreds of others who would never have given organ donation a moment’s thought to consider becoming organ donors. As a result of his kidney donation, the National Kidney Foundation received many calls from people eager to learn more about the gift of life. “Coach Walter has been an extremely articulate spokesperson whose sincerity and true altruism are apparent in every communication. His continued commitment is helping showcase the lifesaving power of organ donation to the public.” — Sam Walker

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march 2012

wa k e f o r e s t at h l e t i c s

// RAN D O L P H CH I L D RESS

Finally, Home Childress adjusting to new job, star status By Jay Reddick

Randolph Childress didn’t know. During 14 years playing basketball overseas, Childress didn’t realize that his exploits at Wake Forest — The Shot, The Crossover, 107 points in three days, the 1995 ACC championship — had grown to almost legendary status. Now that he’s back on campus as assistant to the athletic director, he’s learning quickly. “That was an adjustment,” Childress said. “I had been warned, I had been told, but I just thought, are you kidding me? I’ve been away 16 years! I felt like I’d get back, and everyone would say, ‘Who?’” Far from it. If you’re reading this magazine, you have either seen Childress’ greatest hits or know someone who has. Childress gets stopped in restaurants by fans imitating his ankle-breaking crossover dribble (and bonus taunt) against UNC’s Jeff McInnis. When he first moved into his WFU office last August, he said he was inundated by well-wishers.

gold rush magazine

“I’m honored to be so well-received,” he said, “and not just by the people who knew me, but the people who had just heard nice things about me. Everybody comes to tell me stories, and every day it puts a smile on my face.” The newest generation of Wake Forest student-athletes gets to see him in a different way: as a teacher. Besides his administrative work, part of his job is mentoring players on the current teams. You’ll often see him in the crowd or on the sidelines, but he also shows up at practices, in the training room...wherever he can give advice or encouragement. Director of Athletics Ron Wellman said he has become a valuable member of the department and the community. “He has connected with our student-athletes,” Wellman said. “He is anxious to serve as a positive role model for all of our student-athletes, not just the basketball players.” No wonder he earned the nickname Il Professore — The Teacher — during his playing career in Italy. In 2003, after an injury to one of the team’s veterans, he led a young Rida Scafati team to an unlikely championship by schooling and motivating his young teammates.

Now, he hopes to find a few members of the current crop of Deacons who exhibit the leadership qualities that he did. “You have to have the personality for it, but you also have to put in the work,” Childress said. “Some people wait until they’re seniors, but then it isn’t natural. A lot of people have those leadership qualities when they’re younger. As a freshman, I said what I wanted, but I worked my tail off so I could earn that respect and that right. “Chelsea Douglas on the women’s (basketball) team has that. She’s a sophomore, and so she feels like she has to wait her turn. I get on her constantly. You’re held to a higher standard and you have to embrace it, but if you put in the work, you don’t have to wait. You need someone who will do it himself or herself, and also demand it from the next person.” Childress said he sees some of the same qualities in men’s basketball junior C.J. Harris and others across the program. He works extensively with the men’s team, and while he understands the disappointment surrounding this year’s record, he believes things are moving in the right direction. “It’s not that I didn’t have high expectations, but last year’s team won eight games, and this year is not as talented as last year,” Childress said. “We’ll finish with significant improvement, which when you consider the situation and the lack of bodies we had, is great.” Every March, Childress gets excited for the ACC tournament, not only for fond memories of his tournament scoring record, but the thrill of the event itself. This year, he’s being honored as an ACC Legend at the tournament in Atlanta. He admits that the growth of the conference from nine teams to 12 and more is necessary, but he can’t quite get used to it. “I was joking with (Ron) Wellman the other day,” Childress said. “It took 30some years for me to break the freaking record, and now you’re going to give these kids four or five games to do it. Are you kidding me? I averaged 35, now they can average 20-something and get their name in the book. It’s just not right.” Record or not, Childress’ legacy is secure — and now, it can only grow. ■

Childress Wanted To Come Back For Years Randolph Childress’ playing career in Italy didn’t end until last year, but he said he’s been preparing for life after basketball — a life, he hoped, at Wake Forest — for much longer than that. “I’ve wanted to come here for years. At least since Skip Prosser was here,” Childress said. “It’s been talked about and talked about and finally we said, ‘Let’s make this happen now.’ And I’m blessed that we did. “You’re always learning, preparing for the next change in your life. That’s what I’ve been doing the past few years, making contacts, calling up old friends and coaches, getting advice, so that when the time came, I could hit the ground running.”

march 2012

100% cotten

// s ta n c o t t e n

Caring Is Certainly A Good Place To Begin

S ta n Cotten Voice of the Demon Deacons

They care. Jeff Bzdelik has said that more than once about his second Wake Forest basketball team. And with how the Demon Deacons played for the most part down the stretch of the regular season, I don’t see how anyone could make the argument that they didn’t. The Deacs could have packed it in long ago. Wake only won two if its first 11 ACC games, and few gave the young team much of a chance to do anything else the rest of the way. But as the season hit the home stretch, the Deacons won two of their last five to make sure somebody else occupied the ACC cellar this year — an address that belonged to Wake a season ago because of only one conference win. They care. They certainly did when highly regarded Duke came calling on Feb. 28, the last time this Wake team would play at home together before the ACC Tournament. Things weren’t looking up when the Blue

gold rush magazine

Devils built their lead to 23 in the second half, but because the Deacs refused to quit, they hung tough and slowly got themselves back in the game and sliced the deficit to two tiny possessions. Had Wake Forest made it all the way back to upset the Devils, it would have gone down as the largest comeback win in school history. Duke eventually won the game 79-71, but the Deacons left an impression on every single person in the Joel Coliseum, including Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. As the Deacs and Devils met for the after the game hand shakes, the man who has engineered more wins than any other in the history of the game stopped Deacon senior Nikita Mescherikov to offer a word of encouragement. In his final home game, Mescherikov had poured in a career best 18 points, more than double his per game average, pulled down five rebounds and dished out four assists — another career high. When the horn sounded, Mescherikov’s

emotions said it all. He was spent. His face was red. His eyes were full of tears, head slightly bowed. That doesn’t happen if you don’t care. It had impacted Coach K so that he addressed it in his postgame press conference before talking about the game and fielding questions from the media. He said that the Wake Forest coaches must be doing something right with this team. He noted Mescherikov’s desire to win against tough odds on a team that was not going to have a winning season — one that was rebuilding and laying a foundation for the future. And for those of you scoring at home, Mescherikov had seven assists, another career high, and 12 points in Wake’s final regular season game at Georgia Tech. He was still giving it all he had. It hadn’t just been Duke or his final home game that had inspired him. He just cared. They care. And that’s a good place to begin. ■

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march 2012

TRAC K

// H I TER HARR I S

HITER HARRIS Harris (center) serves as the brakeman on a 4-man sled driven by Jay Noller.

Living The Dream(s) Hiter Harris balances track, bobsledding By Jay Reddick

Call it in the air. Heads or tails? Tails, you stay on the very successful path you’ve carved out for yourself: The good life at Wake Forest, working steadily toward a degree and becoming a valued member of the track team. Heads, you ditch it all, put the good life on hold for a while, and pursue a crazy dream in bobsledding, a sport you’ve barely tried. Call it in the air. For Hiter Harris, it wasn’t quite that easy. Because even when the coin lands, it may not say what you want it to. That’s why Harris became an America’s Cup bobsled brakeman last fall. Harris, a sophomore sprinter, faced his big choice last summer. The Richmond, Va., native had fallen in love with bobsledding, and after two weeks of training with the elites of the sport, he realized he was pretty good at being a brakeman, the guy in the back of any bobsled twosome or

gold rush magazine

foursome who does the most pushing and needs the most speed. To truly gauge his potential, Harris would have to take a semester off from Wake Forest to train full time and travel to national-level races. If he failed, he would be that much further away from graduation and would have to live with the disappointment. “Bobsled is a completely new experience, so I was uncomfortable getting all situated with school, then having to leave and start a new situation,” Harris said. “So part of it was fear of going somewhere unknown vs. being comfortable. On the other side, I knew it was a big opportunity, and I know it may not come around again. I thought I might need to take the opportunity, even if on some level I may not have wanted to.” That made it a complete 50/50 decision for him, and in a moment of desperation, he took out the coin. It landed tails, meaning he would stay in school.

Class: Sophomore Hometown: Richmond, Va. Major: Undeclared, but leaning toward Health and Exercise Science Favorite WFU memory: “So far, just enjoying the camaraderie with my teammates as we work toward a common goal.” Favorite WFU class: “Introduction to Economics. I’ve always been interested in it, because my dad is an investment banker, so I have that mentality.” Favorite food: Pancakes If you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who would it be? “My grandfather. He passed away when I was pretty young, and there are times when I’d like to ask him questions.” Athlete you most admire: Tim Tebow What item tops your bucket list? “The Olympics. But also getting a college degree.”

Sigh of relief. At least that’s over. Let’s move on. Only Harris wasn’t ready to move on. During the few seconds the coin was in the air, Harris said, he had a revelation. “I realized I was young and had time to try different things,” Harris said in February, after coming back from his semester of travel. “I had time to make a bad decision ... if it were a bad decision, I’d still have time to go back to school. If it was a great decision, stick with that and go to school later.” For most people, bobsledding is a sport you see maybe every four years at the Olympics. Harris was that way, too, when he watched the 2010 Winter Games competition on TV with his older sister, Katie. As the competitors were introduced, both Hiter, then a high school senior, and Katie realized how many of the top competitors got their starts as sprinters with superior upper-body strength. That’s you, Katie said to Hiter. You could do that. And the lightbulb came on. Harris’ father, Hiter Harris III, realized very quickly this wasn’t some passing phase for his son. “While they were watching this upstairs, my wife and I were downstairs,” Harris III said. “He came down one night and said, ‘Mom, Dad, if I want to go to a bobsled camp, will you send me?’ We said, ‘Sure. What’s that?’ Then he pursued it the rest of the way on his own.” Harris attended a combine the next month in Lake Placid, N.Y., the chance for aspiring bobsledders to test their skills and be trained by elite coaches. He never even got to ride in a sled during that week, but based on his strength and agility, the coaches saw his potential. He knew he needed to be a little older, faster and stronger. But more than anything else, that week he found the hunger to get better. Life went on. Harris went away to college, enjoyed life away from home, joined the track team ... but the yearning for the sled remained. After he finished his freshman year, he decided to go through another combine last summer. His improvement there got him invited to the U.S. Push Championships, a sanctioned skills competition where sled teams are timed on a simulated race start, from first push to loading. Even though he didn’t do well in that event — “I hit a steep learning curve right as I was learning all the techniques,” he said — he was invited to stay on as an alternate for the America’s Cup, a series of twoman and four-man sled events across the country through the fall. That’s where the coin flip came in. So what do bobsledders do? To the untrained eye, it looks like they run and push a sled, then jump in and hang on for dear life. But of course, it’s a little more complicated than that. The driver in the front seat, Harris said, has his own separate skill set, responsible for minute calculations to hit the corners just right, quickly and safely. But for the others, it’s largely about that first push and load. Athletic ability and speed is required, obviously, but sprinters are especially valuable because of the explosive start and the ability to get low in the blocks. You also have to be strong — a four-man sled with crew loaded weighs just under 1,400 pounds. “Since you’re pushing, it’s about driving out at a

Harris put the logos of Wake Forest and his high school, St. Christopher’s, on his competition helmet.

low angle pushing the sled,” Harris said. “You have to be strong and fast, but it’s much more specific than you’d think it would be, so if you’re not applying it correctly, it can go wrong.” Harris isn’t a big guy — about 6 feet, 180 pounds — which is small for a brakeman, but the ideal team has less weight in the back than the front. He can power-clean 380 pounds in the weight room, and he said his particular running style is an asset. “The one difference for me (as a brakeman), since I’m the last guy to load, I’ll be pushing the longest,” Harris said. “You want a pretty decent turnover rate for your strides, and that’s why the sprinters are the better brakemen.” Getting into a moving sled smoothly requires its own set of techniques, but then, it’s off to the races. If you’ve seen bobsledding on TV, you might think you know what the speed and curves are like, but according to Harris’ father, you have no idea. “We took some of our friends up for one of Hiter’s races in Lake Placid, and his driver said he would be happy to take a couple of people down the track on a sled,” Harris said. “He walked us through it first. ‘When you get to turn 12, it’s only about 4 feet wide, this is the angle you get to fit through here, you have to bank completely left, then completely right to get out.’ We were standing at the base of that turn when a sled came through at 82 mph, and all of us immediately said, ‘I’m out. No way.’ “ Once the younger Harris committed to bobsledding, he had to find a team. Thanks to injuries and changing priorities, he said, the turnover rate among bobsledders is pretty high. Soon, Jay Noller, the driver of the four-man USA-5 sled, asked him to come aboard for national-team trials, and he also found rides with some younger drivers of two-man sleds. Harris missed out on the elite World Cup circuit, but qualified for the America’s Cup, six events held in Lake Placid; Calgary, Alberta; and Park City,

Utah. His best finishes during the season were two fourth-place finishes in Lake Placid, both on fourman sleds with Noller. The final grade from his coaches: Not bad for a beginner. “Based on numbers and feedback, I was pleased because I was brand new, but there was a distinct separation between the rookies and the veterans,” Harris said. “These veterans do this every day, and for me, I realized quickly, it would take time. Overall, though, I got positive feedback.” Since returning, he’s gone back into sprint training. He didn’t run many meets as a freshman, but coach John Millar is hopeful that he’ll work his way into a bigger role this spring. “He works hard at it, like he works hard at everything he does,” Millar said. “Last year, he came to my office when it was 33 degrees outside, wanting me to help him with some starts. Based on some things he’s working on, I think we’ll see a better runner.” After that, it will be decision time again for Harris. The fall 2012 bobsledding season is considered the first step toward the 2014 Olympic team, but Harris would have to leave Wake Forest behind completely to make that work. The choice won’t come until summer, but Harris said he already struggles with it every day. “It weighs on me,” Harris said. “I don’t want to take too many gaps, going back and forth, so if I leave this time, it’ll probably be long-term. If I stay and graduate on time, that’ll be the winter of 2014, and I’ll have four years to prepare for the next Olympics. My head coach was 40 when he competed in his last Olympics, so I could have plenty of time to work on it. I just don’t know.” If Harris gets stuck again with an impossible decision, there’s always the coin. ■

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Loyalty Rewards

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 for Ex t e r na l Op e r at i o n s

How do you define “loyal”? Faithful….Unwavering…. Allegiance…Constant….Steadfast. In characterizing our fans, I would say that “loyal” is an adjective that we use regularly with our counterparts across the country. We have fans than stick with us during tough times. They stay until the end of the game, win or lose. Donors who continue giving year after year are loyal in their support. There are employees who stay with an institution their entire careers and institutions that stay with their employees. Loyalty is a word that is used loosely these days. Some would even say that loyalty is a concept from the past and is much harder to find today than it used to be. Sometimes loyalty is a casualty of change. There is no doubt that Wake Forest has changed over the years. Change is everywhere: Groves Stadium has transformed into the glistening new BB&T Field; Gene Hooks Field has relocated, and the traditional grass playing field has been replaced with artificial turf; tennis matches are no longer held at Leighton Tennis Stadium, but our teams compete in a brand new facility that also hosts the Winston-Salem Open. From Football Seat Rights to the basketball seat selection process, some may say that a few of the changes that have been considered or instituted over the years call into question our loyalty to long-standing Deacon Club members, but I can assure you that all of the decisions we make are made with the best longterm interest of Wake Forest in mind. How do we fund various infrastructure improvements? How do we cover eve-increasing scholarship costs? How do we remain competitive in the consistently challenging environment of the ACC? How do we prepare our student-athletes to

make the world a better place? In order to make all of these priorities happen, it does require change. I believe that, over the years, we have updated our systems of fundraising to put Wake Forest in the best position to compete for championships. However, we have admittedly not done enough to reward the loyalty of our donors. That is why this issue of Gold Rush introduces a plan to do just that. The purpose of the Loyalty Rewards Program is multi-faceted. It is designed to reward longtime donors for their consistency of support, to provide an incentive for current donors to continue their support and to provide the impetus for the next generation of donors to start their own membership in order realize the full value of the Loyalty Rewards Program. Details of the Loyalty Rewards Program can be found on Page 19. Please take some time to read about the program and contact a Deacon Club representative if you have any questions. Remember, the longer you are a member, the more points you are eligible to receive, so if you have children, consider signing them up for the Junior Deacon Club (birth to 8th grade) or the Student Deacon Club (11th grade through college). I can tell you that my all of my children now have their own membership in the Deacon Club and are building a foundation to become long-standing members in the future. We know that maintaining your Deacon Club membership year in and year out may not always be easy, so we want you to know how much we appreciate your loyalty. On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and the entire athletic department, thank you for your continued support. ■

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Loyalty Rewards Program to enhance existing system The Deacon Club is excited to introduce the Loyalty Rewards Program, an enhancement to the existing Priority Point System that will reward Deacon Club members for their long-time commitment to Wake Forest Athletics by awarding a significant “point bonus” when they reach various membership milestones. What is the Priority Point System? Designed to reward both giving and loyalty, the Priority Point System is the basis for a variety of Deacon Club benefits. Priority points are used to calculate the overall rank of a Deacon Club member, and the more priority points a member has, the higher their rank will be. Points are assigned based on the following: • 1 point for every $100 donated to the Annual Scholarship Fund • 1 point for every $100 donated to premium seating • 2 points for every $100 donated to an Endowment Fund or as an outright gift to a Capital Project • 5 points for every year of consecutive Deacon Club membership • 5 points for every football and men’s basketball season in which all season tickets associated with the members account are scanned at every home game • 1 point for every 10 hours of volunteer service with the Deacon Club What are Priority Points used for? The Deacon Club utilizes a combination of the priority point system and Annual Fund giving level in an effort to fairly allocate seats and other benefits to members. The system is designed to acknowledge both consistent annual giving as well as current giving. Benefits that are allocated based on rank or rank within giving level are affected by priority points. The following details how various benefits are allocated: • Football Season Tickets – Deacon Club Rank • Football Parking Passes – Deacon Club Rank within Giving Level • Men’s Basketball Season Tickets – Deacon Club Rank within Giving Level • Men’s Basketball Parking – Deacon Club Rank within Giving Level • Post-Season Men’s Basketball and Bowl Game Tickets – Eligibility determined by Deacon Club Giving Level; Ticket location based on Deacon Club Rank What is the new Loyalty Rewards Program? The Loyalty Rewards Program will award additional priority points to donors based on total years of consecutive membership. Prior to the introduction of this program, donors received 5 points for each consecutive year of membership, but there were no additional rewards for those who have been loyal supporters for many years. With the implementation of this program, long-time donors will receive a onetime point bonus that correlates with their total years of consecutive membership and will then continue to earn additional bonus points as they reach future milestones.

Children and students are also able to begin building a solid foundation for future Deacon Club membership because points will also be awarded for consecutive years of membership in the Junior Deacon Club and Student Deacon Club. However, benefits associated with these points will not be realized until they become a full-fledged member of the Deacon Club with their own personal account. How many points will I receive from the Loyalty Rewards Program? At the close of the 2011-12 membership year (June 30th), active Deacon Club members with a minimum of 10 years of consecutive membership will receive bonus points based on their actual years of membership. # of Years Point Bonus 10 20 20 60 30 100 40 140 50 180 60 220

$ Value (1 point = $100) $2,000 $6,000 $10,000 $14,000 $18,000 $22,000

Scenario #3 – Donor X became the “owner” of the family membership when their father passed away and has maintained the membership for 8 years. Prior to that, Donor X’s father had accumulated 32 years of consecutive giving. Donor X will only receive credit for the 8 years they have been giving to the membership, so they will not receive any points this year but will receive a 20-point bonus in two years when they reach the 10-year milestone. Where is my money going? One-hundred percent of the annual Deacon Club membership fees go toward the Annual Fund. The Annual Fund is the Deacon Club’s key tool for covering the costs of scholarships that allow our student-athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level and earn a degree from one of the finest universities in the nation. Each year, the Deacon Club strives to cover at least 70 percent of total scholarship costs, but with these costs continuing to rise, the continued support of Deacon Club members is crucial to these efforts.

It is important to note that memberships that have been passed down over the years will only receive bonus points based on the number of years of consecutive giving of the current membership “owner.” For example, if a particular family membership has been active for 60 years, but the current contact for the membership has only been giving for 10 years, the membership will receive credit for 10 years. Following the initial allocation of bonus points at the end of the 2011-12 membership year, members will be awarded additional bonus points when they reach designated milestones (10 years, 20 years, 30 years, etc.). # of Years Point Bonus 10 20 20 40 30 40 40 40 50 40 60 40

$ Value (1 point = $100) $2,000 $4,000 $4,000 $4,000 $4,000 $4,000

Again, if a membership is transferred for any reason, bonus points will only be awarded based on the years of giving for the current membership “owner.” Examples: Scenario #1 – Donor X currently has 19 years of consecutive giving, so they will receive 20 points at the end of the 2011-12 membership year. If they maintain the membership for another year, they will receive an additional 40 points for reaching the 20year milestone. Scenario #2 – Donor X has just joined the Deacon Club at the General Level, but they have been a member of the Student Deacon Club for 5 years. They will not receive any points this year, but if the membership is maintained for 5 more years, Donor X will receive 20 points for reaching the 10-year milestone.

In addition to rewarding long-time members for their loyalty, the Loyalty Rewards Program is also designed to provide an incentive for current donors to continue their support and to provide the impetus for the next generation of donors to start their own membership, both of which will have a significant impact on the Annual Fund and the department’s ability to bridge the gap between funding and total scholarship costs. If you have any questions regarding the Loyalty Rewards Program, please contact the Deacon Club at (336) 758-5626. ■

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d o n o r p r o fil e

// D avid C o u c h

Born in Durham and raised in Asheboro, David Couch (’84) comes from a family with a four-generation tradition of loyalty to the Duke Blue Devils. Fortunately for Wake Forest, that didn’t deter David, whose loyalties now lie with the Demon Deacons. Growing up, David was a fan of the “Big Four” schools, and as a football and baseball player, he was determined to compete in the ACC. After being accepted at each of the “Big Four” schools, David had a decision to make. “My older brother was playing [baseball] at Duke at the same time,” Couch explained. “We played the same position and knew that probably wasn’t going to work out too well for either of us.” So, he chose to attend Wake Forest where he double majored in Economics and Spanish, played football his freshman year and competed for the Deacs as a member of the baseball team for four years.

Today, David is a proud father to Sara (19) and Andrew (15), a dedicated baseball coach at Westchester Country Day School in High Point and has a successful career as the CEO of Blue Ridge Companies, Inc. but his passion for athletics and Wake Forest endures. He has become a loyal supporter of Wake Forest Athletics and particularly the baseball program. He has been a member of the Deacon Club for more than 20 years, and his recent capital gift, made in honor of head coach Tom Walter, made the installation of the new video board at Wake Forest Baseball Park possible. But when you talk to David Couch, it becomes clear that he is motivated by more than his passion for the Deacs or his love of baseball. David believes in inspiring others to make a difference and truly embodies the “Pro Humanitate” spirit in every facet of his life. According to his personal mission statement, his life’s purpose is “to strive daily to be my highest self, and awaken in others the drive to achieve their highest self by inspiring them and opening doors to create a better future.” This purpose guides him in his primary role of being a father, as well as his professional life, his work as a baseball coach, and it was a key factor in his decision to support the baseball program. “I saw a serious commitment on the part of the University to take our baseball program to the next level. That commitment was evident in the hiring of Coach Tom Walter and the purchase of Ernie

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Shore Field and the plans for its renovation into the Wake Forest Baseball Park. I was pleased with that, but then I saw Coach Walter illustrate his love for his players, which mirrors my love for my own players. I love coaching baseball, and I try to use that platform, power and position to communicate with kids about making good choices as young people. It’s more than just improving their skills or just teaching them how to play the game the right way. I try to use coaching as a platform to connect with them about things that I think will benefit them throughout the game of life. One of the things I think will benefit them is becoming men built for others. I think Tom Walter illustrates that perfectly, not only through his gift of his kidney to Kevin, but in his daily interactions with the kids. When I talk to Tom, we always talk baseball, but mainly we talk about how the kids are developing as men and what they’re engaged in outside of the game. And he knows. He knows each one of them inside and out and knowing that our two programs are so closely aligned in that regard motivated me to make this gift in his honor.” David was also motivated by the appreciation he feels for the opportunities he received at Wake Forest and his desire to make things better for the players and all students that have come after him. “I was on scholarship at one of the finest schools in the country, and I was very blessed to have that opportunity. The education I received has served me extremely well in my professional career. The caliber of the education here is and always has been phenomenal, and the University continually strives to improve on all fronts — everything’s better today — and I think it’s incumbent upon those of us who have been given opportunities in the past to motivate ourselves and try to encourage others to give back and to continue that pursuit of sustained excellence here at Wake Forest.” He hopes that his gift to the program will encourage other former student-athletes to stay involved and make a commitment to give back. “It’s not only a gift to try and make that video board appear at a time when Tom needed to add it as a recruiting tool, but it was also meant to inspire others — guys that I know who have come through here and received the same benefits. Wake’s current commitment to baseball is obvious. Five minutes of talking with Coach Walter and you know we’ve hired the right guy; we have and are improving daily on the right facilities; we simply need to seize this opportunity to build upon the momentum that’s been generated by so many generous donors and dedicated staff here, so we can not only be competitive, but hopefully establish a legacy of excellence within our program, both in terms of our success on the field, in the classroom, and most importantly in terms of the character and integrity of the kids we graduate from here.” When asked what he would say to others who are thinking about making a commitment to the baseball project, David points again to Coach Walter. “I would say come and get to know Coach Walter and understand where he is headed with the kids and our program, both in terms of his pursuit of excellence on the baseball field and his pursuit of breeding a family of ‘men built for others.’ I hope that would motivate them to want to be a part a program like that. He is, simply put, the kind of man you want coaching your son if you have one, and I think that has a lot of value for building a successful program long term.” David’s relationship with Coach Walter began shortly after he was hired. According to David, one of the first things Coach Walter did was reach out to him and his fellow coach at Westchester, Joey Hammond. Coach Walter recognized that coaches like them were an important component to his recruiting strategy in North Carolina DONOR PROFILE

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Be a part of a social network where having hundreds of friends still means something. When you get behind Wake Forest, we stay ahead of the competition. To find out more about how you can stay involved with Wake Forest and connected to your fellow alumni, visit wfu.edu/alumni.

// D avid C o u c h

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hours each year that we encourage them to go and give to others. We want to provide them with an organization where, if they’re passionate about something like I am about kids and baseball, then they have an energized team of folks at their disposal that can help leverage their passion to get things done in that arena. You can do a little bit by yourself, but you can do a lot when you have a large, really driven organization behind you, and that is our brand — that’s how we view our role in the world. When asked what kind of legacy he ultimately hopes to leave, he sums it up with his favorite quote from Dr. Martin Luther King that appears on the back of his business cards, “Life’s most urgent and persistent question is: What are you doing for others?” “We all know what we’re doing for ourselves, that’s tops on our list every day. But I think given our current economy and where things are, some beautiful things are happening in our society that are likely one positive result of a less robust economy. You turn the clock back five years and a lot fewer people ever had a notion of the concept of scarcity of resources. But in many facets of American life, there is more scarcity of resources now than there has been in a long while. The beautiful thing that’s happening, I think, is that people are realizing there’s a whole different level of joy that comes when we turn away from our addiction to materialism and start asking the question ‘What am I doing for others?’ ” This spring, when the Deacs take the field at the Wake Forest Baseball Park and the crowds gather to cheer them on, there will be no doubt that David Couch’s efforts are having an impact on others. With the beautiful new video board standing tall in right field, a passionate and dedicated coach who truly cares about his players in the dugout, and a donor and fan who is committed to motivating others to make an investment in the program, it is clear that the future of Wake Forest Baseball is very bright. ■

because they know what’s going on and see the talent day in and day out. Since then, the relationship has continued to grow, not just from a pursuit of great players, but because, as David sees it, the two programs are so closely aligned in terms of their purpose and values. “It (Westchester Baseball) has become a premier program for that kid who wants to have his best foot forward behaviorally, which is our number one priority. Our number two priority is each kid maximizing their potential academically; number three is maximizing his performance as an athlete. When you approach it in that order; the idea is that self-confidence and self-esteem are built, and winning then simply becomes a by-product of each player maximizing their potential as a young man. When a young man graduates from our program, not only has he learned about being a great contributor to his community, he’s learned the value of one day being a great father, husband and friend later in life. They also develop a strong foundation for what it means to be a great teammate and how important excellence in academics is in today’s world. By their senior years, we’re able to see kids exceed their own expectations in terms of where they once thought they’d be academically and athletically, and to develop a strong foundations as men. That’s what we’re about and that’s what Coach Walter is doing here at Wake Forest.” David also credits another important relationship for inspiring his gift to the baseball program. His friend and mentor, Joe Ehrmann, whom David describes as “my biggest hero in my professional life and what I’m doing with kids in coaching,” has been very influential. A former NFL defensive lineman, Joe is currently a minister, author and a nationally recognized motivational speaker. Joe’s son Joey is a member of the Wake Forest football team. David, Joe and a small group of local volunteers are currently working with the Guilford County Schools athletics department on an initiative that would take what has developed with Westchester’s baseball program and its other sports programs and with Joe’s guidance, share it with other schools both public and private across Guilford County. “I think sports are co-curricular not extra-curricular in the development of young people. Sports have a universal appeal and language. When you can’t get students to listen in geometry class or calculus or philosophy or whatever, mention what’s happening on ESPN, and all of a sudden you have their undivided attention and participation. Why not try to broadcast positive mentoring messages that benefit our society across the channel that our youth naturally want to listen to? That’s the whole reason I got involved with coaching to begin with. Joe and his wife Paula recently wrote a book titled Inside Out Coaching. It’s an absolute bible in my opinion, regarding an approach to the coaching of kids in a manner very different than most traditional views of coaching a team. It’s about understanding the power, the platform and the position one has as a coach. Many times, we have more time with some kids than even their parents do on a daily basis. We as coaches are fortunate to have a very powerful channel — the channel that has the programming tied to a young person’s athletic goals. I remember my parents used (sometimes I was convinced they abused it too!) the leverage of that to encourage positive behaviors and to discipline negative behaviors when I was a youngster. We want to share with all coaches the power, platform and position they hold in a young person’s life as a coach, and the tremendous positive impact that they can make.” David’s commitment to inspiring and motivating others permeates his professional life as well. Blue Ridge Companies’ core business is the development, construction and management of multifamily and commercial real estate throughout the southeastern United States. But David says that he is most proud of the company’s culture, which is one that fosters an environment of service to others. ”What makes [our employees] tick the most are the thousands of

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Football Schedule & Ticket Options 2012 Football season tickets are on sale now, starting at $129. It promises to be another exciting season at BB&T Field. The Demon Deacons will host North Carolina, Duke, Clemson and Boston College in ACC action at BB&T Field while also playing non-conference opponents Vanderbilt, Army and Liberty at home. For season tickets, please call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at (336) 758-3322.

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 or @DeacOnTheRun

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Renew your membership by the 2012 pledge deadline.

Reconnect with friends and former teammates and stay engaged with Wake Forest Athletics

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better plan for the upcoming year and ensure

Football Reunion - April 13-14

that we are able to continue offering the best

Baseball Reunion – April 20-22 Field Hockey Alumni Weekend – April 20-22

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 or by calling (336) 758-5626.

march 2012

f r o m t h e d e a c o n c lub b o a r d

// ji m m y s t r i c kl a n d

Deacon Club Board of Directors

Jimmy s t r i c kl a n d p r e s id e n t d e a c o n c lub board of di r e c t o r s

We just recently completed another Deacon Club Board meeting. The Deacon Club Board meetings are held three times during the year, usually one in the fall, winter and spring. Parts of our meeting are recognizable to any BOD meeting with reviews of previous goals and objectives, committee reports and the financial review of our Deacon Club. Ron Wellman’s “AD Update” always provides great information on the status of the ACC, graduation rates of our student-athletes, facility projects within the athletic department and the university. At each meeting, we also have a “Deacon Spotlight” on a student, organization, department or staff member from the athletic department. This is one of my favorite parts of each meeting as it enables us to meet and talk with someone who is a part of our studentathletes’ lives each and every day. At our recent meeting, we had the opportunity to hear from Jane Caldwell and Julie Griffin from Student-Athlete Services. Jane Caldwell is in her 13th year as a member of the Wake Forest athletic department. She currently serves as Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Academic Counseling and Assistant to the Dean of the College. In her role, Jane oversees the entire counseling program, which assists Deacon student-athletes with academic counseling, tutorial guidance and all study hall sessions during the year. Jane also works directly with the men’s and women’s basketball teams and the women’s tennis team. The student-athletes all know who is in charge when it comes to academics and insuring that each student-athlete is taking care of their academic responsibilities… that is “Mrs. Caldwell.” One of the most interesting facts about Jane is that she has twice been named the Wake Forest men’s basketball team MVP, winning the award in 2002 and again in 2007. Jane boasts an impressive track record with men’s basketball academic achievements as she has been instrumental in seeing that every member in the past 12 seasons has received his degree in four years. For the fall 2011 semester, 76 of our 364 student-athletes earned dean’s list honors. The requirement for Wake Forest University dean’s list is 3.4 GPA with no grade C- or lower. For the fall 2011 semester, 154 out of 364 student-athletes earned a 3.0 GPA or higher to earn a place on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. A BIG thanks to Jane and her entire staff for motivating our student-athletes to perform in the classroom as well as in their athletic fields. Julie Griffin is the Director of the CHAMPS/Life Skills and has been running this program for Student-Athlete Services since

2001. What is the “CHAMPS/Life Skills” program? The mission of the NCAA is to maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the campus education program and the student-athlete as an integral part of the student body. With this in mind, the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program (Challenging Athletes’ Minds for Personal Success) was created to support the student-athlete initiatives of NCAA member institutions and to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the context of higher education. The program fosters academic, athletic, and personal development through a variety of programs and encourages student-athletes to serve the local community through activities such as “Eat with the Deacs,” Santa’s Helpers, Special Olympics, Coach’s Kids, our Speaker’s Bureau and tutoring kids in Winston-Salem schools. Julie is a 1969 graduate of Wake Forest and began working for the university in 1971. She served as “Varsity Club Director” in the athletic department from 1985 – 2001. Julie and her husband, Cook (’65), live in WinstonSalem and she enjoys “beating UNC” in any athletic event more than any person I know. Julie will tell you she has “the best job at WFU.” I will tell you, Julie and Cook Griffin are two of the “most loved” people at WFU by students, student-athletes, alumni and our administration. The Deacon Club Board is a great place to serve and learn more about Wake Forest University. We are fortunate to have good people from our community and great alumni, both locally and nationally, to serve on the Deacon Club Board. You don’t have to be a graduate to serve as some of our members are graduates of other institutions. During the spring of each year, the Deacon Club staff accepts and solicits nominations for the Deacon Club Board. The position is a three-year commitment. I would encourage you to reach out to a staff member and nominate someone you feel should serve on this board. I would also like to personally “thank” the following members who will be rotating off this year. Caleb Barnhardt, Anne Fehring, Steve Holcomb, Dale Jenkins, Gary Lambert, Mike Lebo and Dr. Kyle Young have all served our board with their time, effort and energy. We all appreciate their dedication to the board, the Athletic Department and Wake Forest University. Thanks to Barry Faircloth and his entire staff for making it a pleasure to serve on this board and help promote the athletic department and its mission at Wake Forest University. ■

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 Karri Lawson and her husband, Will, traveled to LP Field to cheer on the Deacs at the Music City Bowl. 2 Drew Sprague (’00), Matt Francis (’00), Randy Batten (’04), Dave Odom, Rahul Thapar (’00), Randolph Childress (’95), Cameron Farmer (’00) and his son Jackson, and Mark Crum (’00) celebrate at a Homecoming tailgate.

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3 Elliott Harrington, son of Matt (’99) and Courtney (’03), showing off his Deacon pride.

4 Twins Austin and Blake, sons of Helen King Stockstill (’03) and her husband Adam, enjoy their first Wake Forest tailgate.

5 Jenni Huffman (’00) and her son Dean pose with the Deacon.

S P ONSOR S P OT L I G HT

// M . CHR I STO P HER

Successful Deacons Can Dress for Success at M. Christopher’s

When fans of Demon Deacon sports say their favorite teams are “looking good,” they usually are referring to impressive records and positions at the top of the ACC standings or national rankings. When those same fans want to “look good” themselves, though, they aren’t as concerned with wins and losses as they are with finding a place that will take care of their clothing needs. A place exactly like M. Christopher’s. Located in the beautiful and easily accessible shopping area of Reynolda Village adjacent to the WFU campus on Reynolda Road, M. Christopher’s has been supplying high quality clothing for men and women of the Piedmont Triad since 1990. The business is also a valuable sponsor of Deacon Athletics through its partnership with IMG College and this publication. “We’ve been Deacon supporters since first joining the Deacon Club in the 1960s,” says Steve Duggins, owner and manager of M. Christopher’s along with his wife Nancy. “We rely heavily on the patronage of the university — its faculty and staff, parents of students — and are committed to providing a truly quality product from primarily American brand suppliers at great value.” Among the clothing lines available at M. Christopher’s are Hickey Freeman, Peter Millar, Bobby Jones and Southern Tide (for men), as well as Elliot Lauren, Peace of Cloth and Foxcroft (for women). The store offers free alterations with every purchase, private appointments and expert advice for all of its customers. Named for the Duggins’ twin sons, Matt and Chris, M. Christopher’s has been located in Reynolda Village for all but a brief three-year period since its founding in 1990. “We like to say that ‘From the Boardwalk to the Board Room’ or even ‘From the soccer field to the Board Room,’ we can service your every clothing need,” Duggins says. An enthusiastic Demon Deacon supporter himself, Duggins tries to attend as many sporting events at Lawrence Joel Coliseum, BB&T Field or on campus as his schedule permits, but says he follows all the teams, as well as university activities, closely throughout the year. “By and large, Wake Forest students, student-athletes and parents are the best in the world,” he states. “We are just proud that we can support them in this manner and look forward to having them visit us often.” To show appreciation to the valued sponsors of Wake Forest Athletics, IMG College includes a “Sponsor Spotlight” in selected issues of Gold Rush. This is one way the company provides added value to the corporate partners who invest in Deacon Sports. ■

march 2012

where are they now?

// Eli z a b e t h R e m y P e r ki n s

In each issue, Where Are They Now showcases a former Wake Forest student-athlete. This issue highlights Elizabeth Remy Perkins, a former women’s soccer player. Her successful career as a forward led to 29 career goals, 22 career assists, and 80 career points. She ranks fourth in school history in career goals and points, third in career assists and holds the Wake Forest single-season record for assists with 11 during the 2005 season. Other accolades include 2006 Soccer Buzz All-America (Third Team), First Team All-ACC in 2006, 2003 ACC All-Freshman Team, and 2005 and 2006 AllACC Academic Team.

Elizabeth Remy Perkins When did you graduate from Wake Forest? 2007 What was your major? Psychology What does being a Demon Deacon mean to you? Wake Forest soccer, team bonding, two-a-days, road trips, fitness tests, victories, all-nighters, study hall, cookout, date parties, croakies, polos, the Quad, Benson ... I could go on and on. So much of my experience as a Demon Deacon is found in the little moments that made up one of the greatest times of my life. Why are you still involved with Wake Forest Athletics? Wake Forest Athletics was such an integral part of my college experience. It afforded me the opportunity to receive a top-notch education while doing something I loved. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing their alma mater excel in sports?! It gives me serious bragging rights in a home of a Tar Heel and a couple Blue Devils. Why do you feel it is important to give back to the University? I want to afford others the same opportunity I was given and contribute in any way possible to the future and tradition of success of Wake Forest. What is your current occupation? I am currently in graduate school for marriage and family therapy in Chicago. What is your favorite memory of your time at Wake Forest? It is incredibly hard to pinpoint one memory out of my time spent there. There are a few games that stand out in my head and so many moments with my teammates that I cherish, but the one that sticks out most is when my good friend, Kori Collins, introduced me to my future husband, Robby Perkins, at a Wake Forest basketball game. What makes you most proud of Wake Forest? It is unique to see a school with such an incredible

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educational AND athletic reputation, especially at the size Wake Forest is. I truly am proud to call myself a Demon Deacon. When you come back to Wake, you always... Go to the Village Tavern (and Bojangles), watch a soccer game on the hill and enjoy a few “Natty-Lights” (like the good old days). I was there when... Chris Paul played, the football team went to the Orange Bowl, and fraternities had on-campus parties. Who is your favorite coach at Wake Forest, past or present? Tony da Luz, of course!

SUN 18 MAR

MON 19

TUE 20

WED 21

THUR 22

Baseball vs. Winthrop 6pm

M.Tennis vs. Duke 11am

FRI

S AT

Baseball vs. FL State 6pm

W. Tennis vs. Miami 1pm

MARCH // APRIL 2012

WAKE FOREST ATHLETICS

Baseball vs. FL State 6pm

W. Tennis vs. FL State 12pm

31 W. Tennis vs. VA Tech 12pm

Baseball vs. FL State 1pm

01 APR

Baseball vs. UNCG 6pm

W.Tennis vs. Virginia 12pm

M.Tennis vs. NC State 3pm

M. Tennis vs. GA Tech 12pm

M.Tennis vs. Maryland 3pm

M.Tennis vs. Boston College 12pm

M. Tennis vs. Clemson 3pm

Spring Football Game BB&T Field 1pm

Baseball vs. GA Tech 6pm

Baseball vs. GA Tech 4pm

Baseball vs. VA Tech 6pm

Baseball vs. VA Tech 4pm Field Hockey Alumni Game & Tourney Time: TBD

Baseball vs. GA Tech 1pm M. Tennis vs. Longwood 5pm

01 MAY.

Baseball vs. VA Tech 1pm

Deacon Club members at or above the Golden C level may present their 11-12 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

DODGE Melanoma Dodgeball Tournament 1pm

WAKE FOREST BASEBALL - SPECIAL EVENTS March 25 - Military Appreciation Day Active duty & retired members of the armed forces receive free admission April 3 - Spring Festival Bring your family out to Wake Forest Baseball Park before the game and celebrate the arrival of spring. The fun begins at 5pm. April 15 - Bark-N-The-Park Bring your beloved four-legged friends to the ballpark and enjoy an afternoon of baseball

SPRING FOOTBALL GAME Saturday, April 14, 2012 1pm – BB&T Field Parking lots will open at 11am Admission is free 3rd ANNUAL DODGE MELANOMA DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT April 22 - Kentner Stadium - 1pm The Wake Forest men’s soccer team will partner with the Demon Deacon field hockey squad to host this annual event to raise money for melanoma research. For more info, email Faith at adamfm8@wfu.edu or Lauren at greelc8@wfu.edu.

Travel with the Deacs to South Bend “This is the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen.” These are the words that are spoken by Rudy Ruettiger’s dad in the classic film “Rudy” as he reaches the top of the steps and sees the field at Notre Dame Stadium for the first time. Although many Deacon fans may argue that BB&T Field is a much more beautiful sight to behold on game-day, the aura and legend surrounding Notre Dame Football is undeniable. The Leprechaun…Touchdown Jesus…the ghost of Knute Rockne… historic Notre Dame Stadium… These are just some of the things that await those who travel to South Bend to experience one of the most storied game-day experiences in college football. This November, the Demon Deacons will make the trip to South Bend for their firstever meeting with the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium, and it promises to be an experience that Deacon fans won’t want to miss. The Deacon Club in a partnership with Premier Global Sports is excited to offer fan travel packages to see the Deacs take on the Irish on Nov. 17, 2012. Fans will stay in deluxe accommodations at the Westin Chicago River North and will kick-off the weekend with an exciting “Welcome Party” on Friday night. On game day, everyone will board the “Deacon Express” train from Chicago to South Bend,

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complete with open bar and buffet. Upon arrival, fans will enjoy a pregame tailgate before taking in all the action on the field. Following the game, fans will get back on the “Deacon Express” for the return trip to Chicago. Package prices start at $619/person. A game day train-only package is available for fans who would like to arrange their own accommodations, and individual tickets for the Welcome Party and Pregame Tailgate will be available soon. Please note that travel packages do not include game tickets. For more information on travel packages or to make reservations, please visit WakeForestSportsTravel.com. Book now because space is limited on this exclusive package. Wake Forest has a limited number of tickets available for the game and will be distributing more information to Deacon Club members later this spring. Eligibility to purchase tickets will be based on Deacon Club giving level, and each membership will be limited to a maximum of four tickets. If you have questions about purchasing tickets for Wake Forest at Notre Dame, please call the ticket office at (336) 758-3322. ■

march 2012

WA K E FO R E S T A L L ACC E S S

spring coaches Tour Save the Date! Demon Deacon enthusiasts will not want to miss out on the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with Wake Forest Athletics. Look for more dates, locations & information coming soon on DeaconClub.com.

Date

Location

Special Guest(s)

April 21

Los Angeles, CA

Randolph Childress

April 25

Raleigh, NC

Randolph Childress

April 26

Charlotte, NC

Jeff Bzdelik

April 30

Washington, DC

Jeff Bzdelik

May 8

Statesville, NC

Rusty LaRue

May 10

Richmond, VA

Walt Corbean

May 10

Wilmington, NC

TBD

May 17

New York, NY

Randolph Childress

May 24

Chicago, IL

Jim Grobe

May 30

Greensboro, NC

Jim Grobe

May 31

Atlanta, GA

Jim Grobe

SEAT LOCATION & DONATION AMOUNTS All donation amounts (shown in map legend) represent a one-time, per-seat donation. As indicated below, some sections have a minimum giving requirement for the duration of the term (only applicable to new Seat Rights participants).

LOCK in your SEATS to SUPPORT THE DEACS

$3,000/SEAT - SECTIONS 5 & 6 Minimum giving level requirement: Executive Club $2,700/SEAT - SECTIONS 4 & 7, PORTIONS OF SECTIONS 15 & 16 Minimum giving level requirement: Golden W $2,150/SEAT - SECTIONS 3, 8, 15 & 16 $1,350/SEAT - SECTIONS 2, 9, 14 & 17

LOCK IN YOUR SEAT LOCATION AT BB&T FIELD FOOTBALL SEAT RIGHTS PROGRAM Lock in your seat at BB&T Field for 15, 20 or 25 years and make a donation to Wake Lock in a seat location at BB&T Field for 15, 20 or 25 years by making a one-time, per-seat donation to Wake Forest University. Forest University that lasts. 2010 SEAT LOCATION & DONATION AMOUNTS

All donation amounts represent a one-time, per-seat donation. SEAT SELECTION Seats range from $800-$2,700. Football season tickets will be allocated as follows: PAYMENT OPTIONS & TERMS 1.With Football Seatoptions Rights three payment and a Holders variety of price points, the Seat Rights Program offers a great opportunity to support 2.Football Deacon Club members by rank (reassigned every year) the Athletic Department. 3. Non-Deacon Club members based on the date ticket orders are received Option 1 (reassigned every year) • Pay in full by June 30, 2010 • Secure your seats for 25 years

WANT TO PICK OUT A SEAT OF YOUR OWN? Option 2 • Pay over a 5-year period For more information about the Football Seat Rights Program visit DeaconClub.com. • Secure your seats for 20 years Call (336) 758-5626 or email DeacClub@wfu.edu to set up an appointment to Option 3your seat location. New seat rights will be assigned on a first-come, firstselect • Pay over a 10-year period

• Secure your seats for 15 years The Football Seat Rights Program allows you to personally select your seat location from available seat inventory. To participate in the

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$800/SEAT - SECTIONS 1 & 10 STUDENTS VISITING TEAM

march 2012

A LITTLE EXTRA GOES A LONG WAY The idea behind giving 110% is simple. Every day we ask our student-athletes to perform at their very highest level on the field, court or track. Every day we ask them to give it their all in the classroom and ask them to represent Wake Forest University in a manner that will make us all proud. Many of these student-athletes truly give all they have to Wake Forest, and when asked to give a little more, they dig deep and find a way. They truly exemplify what it means to give 110%. The 110% campaign is a way for each of our Deacon Club members to honor the commitment of our dedicated student-athletes & help fund the scholarships that make it possible for them to compete for the Deacs. As the cost of tuition continues to soar, the funding shortfall gap continues to widen. Even with the continued growth of the Annual Fund, we cannot keep pace with the increases the WFU Athletic Department incurs for student-athlete academic support expenses. The department is responsible for all or some of the tuition, fees, books and room and board for every student-athlete who receives athletics aid from Wake Forest University. There are no free passes or waivers for student-athletes. Giving 110% is easy. Simply increase your previous year’s donation by 10%. For example, if you gave $500 in 2010-11, then you would donate $550 for the current year. New members who donate at least 10% more than the minimum ($125) will also be considered part of the 110% campaign. Please consider giving 110% today. Your support truly makes a difference.

110% BENEFITS:

110% PRIZES:

Deacon Club members who give 110% for the 2011-12 membership year* will receive the following rewards:

Deacon Club members who give 110% for the 2011-12 membership year will be eligible to win one of the following prizes:

• Commemorative 110% gift • Exclusive 110% Club event • Recognition in football game program, basketball yearbook, and on DeaconClub.com • Chance to win great prizes

• 2012 Football season tickets & exclusive reserved VIP/Gold Lot parking space (2 winners) • VIP football experience (3 winners) • VIP basketball experience (5 winners)

march 2012

WA K E F OREST

// S U MMER CAM P S

Wake Forest Offers A Wide Variety Of Summer Camps S Summer will be here before we know it, and many parents may be already trying to make summer plans for their children. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget that Wake Forest offers a wide array of Sports Camps for children of all ages. For information on Wake Forest Summer 2012 Sports Camps, visit http://wakeforestsports.cstv. com/camps/wake-camps.html. Enrollment in all camps is limited, so register today.

Speed And Development Camp

The Ethan Reeve Speed and Athletic Development camp is designed for local athletes within driving distance of campus. There will be four two-hour classes each week for four weeks. You can choose morning or evening sessions. Athletes who want to be able to run faster, jump higher, be more flexible, attain body awareness, balance, strength, speed, power and sport performance in his/ her particular sport should attend. For more information, email reeveec@wfu. edu or call (336) 758-6406.

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All Sports Camp

Now in its 53rd year, this camp continues to offer a vast array of sporting activities for boys and girls ages 6-12. From box hockey to volleyball, from archery to the climbing wall, the All Sports Camp truly does provide something for every child. As guided by an experienced and enthusiastic staff of instructors and counselors, this camp is a must for every Piedmont youngster. The camp continues in its popularity not only due to the quality staff and top-notch facilities but the sporting and social fun that the camp format provides. Spots are limited. For more information, contact Max Floyd at floyd@wfu.edu or call (336) 758-7178.

Baseball Camp The Tom Walter Baseball Camps are dedicated to providing a baseball camp that is both instructional and informational along with creating a great

Basketball Camp – Female

The Mike Petersen Basketball Camps are designed to make you a better basketball player and feature teaching in all aspects of the game for all skill levels through fundamental and advanced skill instruction, individual competition (one-on-one and three-on-three), and team competition. For more information, call (336) 758-5763.

Field Hockey Camp

The mission of the Field Hockey Camp is to ensure that all participants receive a premier camp experience based on a creative curriculum and an energetic and knowledgeable staff, while playing on a world-class artificial playing surface. Campers will be exposed to the most recent coaching styles and strategies. We have an outstanding staff that includes the Wake Forest University field hockey coaches, as well as other college coaches and elite players. Elite Camp is for individuals 12 years and older. Team and individual camp is for participants 10 years and older. For more information, visit http:// www.wakeforestfieldhockeycamp.com/index.html.

The Jim Grobe Football Camp

atmosphere to learn. The coaching staff prides itself on teaching the game of baseball to players of all ages and ability levels. All camps are taught by our coaching staff and players. The mechanics and drills that are taught at the camps are used with the Wake Forest college players. The coaching staff is determined to provide the best possible learning experience for their campers. For more information, contact Bill Cilento at (336) 758-5645 or email cilentwt@wfu.edu.

Basketball Camp – Male

The objective at The Wake Forest Hoops Academy is simple: We want to teach you as much as possible while everyone has fun playing the game we all love. With four great camp sessions to choose from, the Hoops Academy has something to offer for campers of all ages. Day camps are available to boys in grades 1-8 while residential camps are available to boys in grades 4-12. We are also offering an Elite Position Camp on June 2 and a Father/Son Camp on June 15-16. For more information on these camps, visit www.wfhoopsacademy.com.

Boys and young men receive professional instruction from our Wake Forest football coaching staff. Instruction includes drills and technique work in all areas of football to help develop techniques for individual and team play. For more information, call (336) 758-5633.

Golf – Male

The Jerry Haas Summer Golf Camp gives young golfers, ages 11-18, a unique opportunity to live on a college campus and learn the game of golf from some of the best in the business. Coach Haas and a staff of college coaches serve as camp counselors and golf instructors during each session. Campers receive personal instruction covering everything from short game to the rules of golf. Play and practice are at the new Wake Forest state-of-theart practice facility on campus and at Tanglewood Park. Campers stay in the Arnold Palmer residence hall. Enrollment is limited. For more information, call (336) 758-6000 or email Laura Statham at stathals@wfu.edu.

march 2012

Golf – Female

The Dianne Dailey Girls Golf Day Camp is for day campers ages 8-18. Participants receive professional instruction from a qualified staff of collegiate coaches and LPGA teaching professionals on Wake Forest’s new state-ofthe-art on-campus learning center. Campers are grouped by age and skill and receive intensive instruction each day in full swing, short game and putting. Other topics include course management, rules and etiquette. Daily progress reports and videotaping are tools for encouragement during and after camp. For more information, contact Coach Dailey at (336) 758-5858 or Robin Walton at (336) 758-5619.

The Wake Forest Girls Soccer Camp is committed to each individual player’s development from the ground up. We believe that soccer should be played with style, creativity and teamwork. Our priority in teaching is to master the ball first, then move on to competitive play and team tactics. Our staff will create an intense, passionate soccer environment, inspiring your daughters to reach new levels in their game. Residential and day camps are available. For more information, visit www.WakeForestGirlsSoccerCamp.com.

The Nike Tennis Camp

The Dianne Dailey Ladies Golf Camp is for ladies ages 18 and older. Sessions are limited to 18 participants, which allow top-line instructors to spend more time with each player on a one-on-one basis. The camp employs up-to-date techniques, which include videotaping of all swings, teaching aids and hitting bays for inclement weather. The session is highlighted by a 9-hole playing lesson at Bermuda Run West. For more information, call (336) 758-5751.

The Nike Tennis Camp is open to players age 8-17. Tennis campers are divided into small groups according to age and ability. Instruction, on and off the court, includes lectures and match play. Each camper receives a Nike camp T-shirt. Residential and day camps are available. For more information, call (336) 758-5752 or email Coach Jeff Wyshner at wyshnejt@wfu.edu.

Soccer – Male

The Black and Gold Volleyball Camp

The goal of the Jay Vidovich Soccer Camp is to share the love of the game with younger players. We will focus on individual ball skills and technique; players will have the opportunity to use what they learn in fun, competitive games. With quality coaching, the campers will leave with a solid soccer foundation. Residential and day camps are available. For more information, email wakeforestsoccercamp@yahoo.com.

Soccer – Female

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These camps are designed and offered for beginner, intermediate and advanced players. Campers work on various aspects of their games led by some of the top coaches in the country. For more information, call Chad Willis at (336) 758-6997 or email info@blackandgoldvolleyballcamps.com. ■

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Investing time today to plan for the future.

www.BermudaVillage.net 142 Bermuda Village Drive, Bermuda Run, NC 27006

HOTEL, SPA AND WELLNESS CENTER Over 10,000 sq. feet of banquet facilities equipped to do wedding receptions, birthdays, meetings and conventions! THE DAY SPA & SALON AT SUNDANCE

Pleasing our clients with the ﬁnest personal care in a preional environment is guaranteed. Facials, body wraps, maages, pedicures, manicures, hair styling and makeovers. Bare Minerals makeup and many her brands available. After the dust from tax time settles, why not take another look at your retirement plans? Visit any 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. ©2012 Allegacy Federal Credit Union

For reservations, please contact: (336) 714-4588 for spa (336) 723-2911 Option 4 for banquets (336) 723-29211 Option 2 for room reservations or (877) 499-7829 Toll free pmiwalter@aol.com

3050 University Parkway Winston-Salem, NC Phone: (336) 723-2911 Fax: (336) 714-4578 www.staysundance.com

march 2012

wa k e f o r e s t at h l e t i c s

Deacons in the Pros BASEBALL Mike MacDougal

MLB

Los Angeles Dodgers

Neil Avent Adam Bourassa Matt Briggs 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 MLB

Adam Wogan

MLB

Tommy Gregg

AAA

George Greer

Oakland A’s Area Scout San Diego Padres Area Scout Toronto Blue Jays East Coast Supervisor 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

Chris Paul

NBA

Ishmael Smith

NBA

Jeff Teague

NBA

Coaches/Scouts

Minor League Ranks Matt Antonelli Dave Bush Josh Ellis Eric Niesen Allan Dykstra Phil Negus Mike Murray Garrett Bullock Steven Brooks

Washington Nationals Philadelphia Phillies Arizona Diamondbacks New York Mets New York Mets Chicago White Sox San Francisco Giants Houston Astros Kansas City Royals

TRACK & FIELD Michael Bingham Had an outdoor PR in the 400 meter last November; Training for 2012 Summer Olympics

WOMEN’S GOLF Laura (Philo) Diaz Maria Beautell Nannette Hill Stephanie Kim Jean Chua Dolores White Natalie Sheary

LPGA Began her season at the Australian Open but missed the cut European Finished T9 at the LET Q-School; will play full time on that tour this season LPGA/Fut. Has status on both tours; recovering from surgery on both elbows in the offseason Futures Finished 21st last year in first full season Futures Was 38th on the money list last season Futures Made four cuts last season but is coming off a good showing at PGA Q-School Futures Had 3 top-10s and finished 35th on the money in her first season in 2011

SOCCER

Justin Gray Jamaal Levy Chas McFarland Darius Songaila Trent Strickland Kyle Visser David Weaver Eric Williams L.D. Williams

Germany Argentina Japan Turkey NBDL Germany Poland Kazakhstan NBDL

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steals and rebounds in second season with the Raptors L.A. Clippers Has led the Clippers to the third-best record in the West while averaging 19.7 points and 8.3 assists per game; was named to his fifth straight All-Star Game Orlando Has come off the bench in five games, averaging 3.4 points and 1.6 assists per game, since being acquired by the Magic in early February Atlanta Averaging career-bests with 12.3 points, 4.3 assists and 32 minutes per game as the Hawks starting point guard

NBA

New Orleans Averaging 4.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game after being traded from the Clippers for Chris Paul in December San Antonio Averaging 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds in leading the Spurs to the second-best record in the West Utah Recently inserted into the starting lineup, averaging 14 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals over past five games in first season with the Jazz. Toronto A solid contributor off the bench, averaging career-bests in blocks,

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Webb Simpson Leonard Thompson Lanny Wadkins Travis Wadkins Ron Whittaker

PGA Was an analyst for the Golf Channel last season; Missed the cut in 3 events Nationwide Advanced to final stage of PGA Q-School and will have limited status on NW Tour PGA Won the Northern Trust Open; has 4 top-20s in six events Champions Has finished in the top-7 in all three events he’s played in this season Champions Recorded a pair of top-10s in three events so Champions Played well at the end of 2011; has three Champions Tour titles Nationwide Has missed the cut in his only two events this season PGA Has made the cut in 2 of 5 events so far this season Champions Had to withdraw from both events this season Champions Finished T34 at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, his best finish in three events PGA Finished T3 at the season-opening Tournament of Champions; has a pair of 10s Champions Started five tournaments last year Champions Finished T39 at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, his best finish in two events Nationwide Will make his NW Tour debut at the Chile Classic on March 8 Nationwide Finished T38 in the Panama Claro Champ, his only event of the season

TORI BOYSEN Member, Women’s Golf ACC & East Regional Championship Teams 1994 & 1995

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march 2012

c o m pli a n c e c o r n e r

// t o dd h a i r s t o n

Interaction with Prospective Student-Athletes

t o dd hairston A s s o c i at e At h l e t i c Director, C o m pli a n c e

NCAA rules are clear that only coaches and institutional staff members may be involved in recruiting activities, however, there are undoubtedly many instances in which athletic representatives (boosters) may inadvertently have the opportunity to interact with recruits. For example, pre and postgame activities or recruiting visits that take place at campus facilities are all settings in which recruits and donors might have chance to mingle. So what does the NCAA have to say about these types of situations? As in most cases, a common sense approach is the best solution. Incidental contact between a recruit and a booster is not considered a violation of NCAA rules. Therefore, if a booster were to find him or herself in a situation where a recruit might happen to be walking in their direction, he or she shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily feel the need to turn and walk away. In such cases,

a simple greeting may be exchanged, but no further conversation should occur. It would not be permissible, however, for a booster to initiate contact with a recruit. It is also not permissible for a coach to purposely introduce a recruit to a booster whether on or off campus. These types of pre-arranged, intentional interactions would violate NCAA recruiting rules. While recruiting rules may seem a bit confusing at times, when it comes to this issue, the NCAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expectation is simply that we strike a healthy balance between being cordial, but not crossing the line by attempting to recruit of behalf of our institution. For other questions related to this or other compliance related matters, please contact Todd Hairston in the Athletics Compliance Office at hairstct@wfu.edu, or 336-758-4243.

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