A NEW WAY FOR WFU VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM
2016
FOOTBALL
ISSUE
READY TO TAKE THE
NEXT STEP Head coach Dave Clawson’s third team features more talent, experience
DEACONS TO
NEW HEIGHTS Seniors Josh Harris and Brad Watson look to lead
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
WAKEFORESTSPORTS.COM
VOL. 26 // ISSUE 1 (USPS 014-373) EDITOR
Jim Buice PHOTOGRAPHERS
Donnie Roberts, Brian Westerholt WRITERS
Sam Walker, Stephanie Hudson, Rachael Bari Design & Layout
Summit Athletic Media www.summitathletics.com Advertising
IMG College Jeff Salisbury, Ike Fullard, Neil Bishop, Melissa Sexton
CONTENTS
// A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6
For information on advertising, please call (336) 758-7230 FIRST-ROUND PICK: Will Craig turned in one of the most storied baseball careers in Wake Forest history, culminating in a first-round selection in June by the Pittsburgh Pirates (22nd overall) in the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft. Craig, who was a consensus first team All-American, was the Deacons’ first first-round pick since 2008 and highest since 2006.
Gold Rush is published eight times a year in August/ September, October, November/ December, January, February/ March, April, May/June and July by IMG College in conjunction with Wake Forest Athletics. Periodicals postage paid at Winston-Salem, NC 27102 and at additional mailing offices. The price of an annual subscription is $20. Members of the Deacon Club receive a one-year subscription as part of their membership. Persons wishing to subscribe to Gold Rush should send a check or money order (credit cards not accepted) to: IMG College 540 N. Trade St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101
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// 6 CENTER OF ATTENTION Senior Josh Harris, who is Wake Forest’s most experienced offensive lineman, made the move from guard to center last season and has high hopes for the Deacons in 2016.
All material produced in this publication is the property of Wake Forest University and IMG and shall not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. POSTMASTER: Please send all address changes to the attention of Stephanie Hudson, Wake Forest Athletics, 519 Deacon Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27105. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser and/or the advertiser’s product or service by Wake Forest or IMG. The use of the name of the University or any of its identifying marks in advertisements must be approved by WFU and IMG.
// 10 IT’S HIS TIME Senior Brad Watson had paid his dues and is now ready to establish himself as the latest top cornerback for the Demon Deacons.
// 14 A NEW WAY Bill Ferguson, the former Southern Cal men’s volleyball coach, brings a proven model of success to rebuild Wake Forest volleyball program.
ON THE COVER Head coach Dave Clawson¹s Deacons finished 3-9 in 2015, but the record could have been much better as they lost four games by eight points or fewer. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
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FROM THE A.D.
// R O N W E L L M A N
Excitement builds as new season approaches Dear Demon Deacons, One of my favorite times of the year is upon us once again as we prepare to kick off what promises to be another exciting year for the Demon Deacons. It is such a pleasure to see our returning student-athletes back on campus. We’re also thrilled to welcome a promising new class of Wake Forest student-athletes.
RON WELLMAN DIRECTOR O F AT H L E T I C S
It was an eventful summer for our department. Construction continued on baseball’s new Player Development Center as well as on the Southern Family Seating at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex. Kentner Stadium received a facelift with new turf on the field hockey field and a complete resurfacing of the track. The stadium also now features a renovated, enclosed press box with updated equipment and a new sound system. Renovations to the football practice fields at the Doc Martin Football Practice Complex were completed and ready in time for the start of preseason practice. We also continued to make good progress on the fundraising efforts for the Sports Performance Center. As I write this message, we are just a few days away from the start of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio where several Demon Deacons will be competing. Former field hockey standouts Lauren Crandall and Michelle Kasold will compete for the USA field hockey team while former cross country runner, Greg Billington will compete for the USA in the triathlon. They all continue to be a credit to Wake Forest as they represent the USA in the Olympics. It will be fun to follow them in Rio! In late July, ESPN and the ACC announced the launch of the ACC Network – a comprehensive linear and digital network. Beginning this month, fans can access more than 600 exclusive live events from across the conference via a digital live-events channel ‘ACC Network Extra.’ It is immediately available to users who have access to ESPN3 via WatchESPN and the ESPN app, with that number growing each year. More than 1,300 ACC events will be distributed across the platforms in 2019 when the linear network launches. Our studentathletes and our fans deserve the opportunity to follow our teams and will be able to do so in real time with these viewing opportunities. ESPN is a great partner that knows how to build networks successfully. It will use the next 36 months to make sure that the ACC Network is available to as many of our fans as possible. The announcement of the ACC Network puts us in a great position as we look toward the future and strive to achieve all of the goals that we have for our program.
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As you undoubtedly know, we recently announced that we will sell beer and wine stadium-wide for football games at BB&T Field and for basketball games at the Coliseum this year. In the past, alcoholic beverages have only been available in select areas of Deacon Tower, Bridger Field House and Top Hat Tavern at BB&T Field and in the Moricle Room and Windsor Jewelers Club Room at the Coliseum. As we examined ways to improve the fan experience at BB&T Field and the Coliseum, making these beverages more widely available was met with a favorable response. We have consulted with other universities as well as key internal and external constituencies to gather feedback on best practices in serving alcohol at our athletic venues. The input we gathered over the last two years assisted us in strengthening our policies and developing a plan to make this a seamless process as well as providing alcoholfree seating sections for those fans who wish to sit in areas that do not have alcohol available. Beer will be available at all permanent concession stands as well as several new portable sales points and signature concept stands. Wine will also be available at select concession points. We will be adding additional security personnel, and a wristband will be required for purchase. While several other ACC schools already sell beer at football and/or basketball games and the ACC introduced alcohol sales at its football, basketball and baseball championships this past year, Wake Forest will be the first Division I institution in North Carolina to sell beer and wine stadium-wide at our football and basketball games. After the due diligence that we employed to make this decision, we are convinced that this will improve the fan experience and are pleased with the enthusiastic response and positive feedback we have heard thus far. We are also considering adding alcohol sales at David F. Couch Ballpark for baseball and at Spry Stadium for men’s and women’s soccer. We will keep you informed as more decisions are made on that front. The 2016-17 year will undoubtedly be an eventful one for our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans. On behalf of our entire department, I thank you for your continued support of the Demon Deacons, and I look forward to seeing you at our games this fall.
Go Deacs!
Ron Wellman
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
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FOOTBALL
// J O S H H A R R I S
CENTER OF
ATTENTION
IT’S A SNAP FOR JOSH HARRIS, WHO HAS A GOAL OF PLAYING IN A BOWL GAME IN HIS SENIOR SEASON By Jim Buice
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GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE
S
ure, it’s still summer, but Wake Forest’s Josh Harris already has something at the top of his Christmas wish list. After the conclusion of the 2016 regular season, he wants to play one more college football game in late December or early January – meaning the Demon Deacons would be going bowling. “That’s the No. 1 goal,” said Harris, a 6-4, 305-pound senior center from Milton. Ga. “That’s the minimum, but I think we can do better than win six games. I haven’t made a bowl game in my four years here and want to go out on top.” Harris can see a big difference going into his final season of wearing the Old Gold and Black. “I’m really excited because this is definitely the most talented team we’ve had since I’ve been here and probably the most together team we’ve had,” he said. “We’ve all really bought in and are committed to being the best we can be this year.” The Deacons are coming off consecutive 3-9 records in head coach Dave Clawson’s first two years on the job but made major strides in 2015 when the record could have been much better as they lost four games by eight points or fewer. “The last few years we’ve really been a young team,” Harris said. “The first year the new coaching staff got here everybody
was trying to learn the system and trying to get used to things. Last year, we were still young but improving. This year, we’re still young, but we’ve got a lot more experience.” Speaking of experience, Harris is the most experienced offensive lineman on the team. He played 10 games as a true freshman, including a start against Florida State, before settling into a starting role at guard as a sophomore. However, in 2015 Harris was asked to move to center, which was a big change. “I had never really played center before until last year,” he said. “It was hard to get used to at first because it’s a completely different ball game there. You have to know much more than you did at guard, like making the calls for everybody, and then you’ve got snapping the ball. There are some other things technique-
“I’M REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE THIS IS DEFINITELY THE MOST TALENTED TEAM WE’VE HAD SINCE I’VE BEEN HERE AND PROBABLY THE MOST TOGETHER TEAM WE’VE HAD.” AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
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FOOTBALL
// J O S H H A R R I S
JOSH
harris POSITION: Center HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4/305 CLASS: Senior MAJOR: Communication HOMETOWN: Milton, Ga. FAVORITE FOOD: Chicken wings FAVORITE BOOK: “American Sniper” by Chris Kyle FAVORITE ATHLETE: Dan Marino (“I grew up in south Florida and went to Miami Dolphins’ games as a young kid.”) FAVORITE WAKE FOREST MOMENT: Beating Virginia Tech 6-3 in double overtime in the final home game of the 2014 season DID YOU KNOW? When he came to Wake Forest, he was one of three Demon Deacons with the name Josh Harris.
“I’LL PLAY ANYWHERE THE COACHES WANT ME TO WHERE WE CAN HAVE THE MOST SUCCESS AS A TEAM. I CONSTANTLY WANT TO GET BETTER AT BOTH “I HAD NEVER REALLY PLAYED CENTER BEFORE RUN BLOCKING AND UNTIL LAST YEAR. IT WAS HARD TO GET USED PASS BLOCKING.” TO AT FIRST BECAUSE IT’S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BALL GAME THERE.” wise that are different in there. It’s a whole new experience.” Nick Tabacca, the offensive line coach for the Deacons, agrees that making the transition to center is challenging for any player. “First of all, you have to learn to snap and step in all directions,” he said. “You are also responsible for identifying defenses and making calls. Josh handled the mental aspect of center well right away. He is a very smart football player. The muscle memory of snapping consistently has definitely improved with more reps.”
Tabacca has been impressed with the work Harris put in during the offseason going into the 2016 season. “He has really attacked the weight room and improved technically,” Tabacca said. “The neat thing is as a senior leader he has brought other guys with him. Josh doesn’t say a whole lot, but his example is something the younger guys follow.” Harris, who had the highest grade among all linemen last year in the games against Syracuse, Florida State and North Carolina, said he has embraced his new assignment. “I’ll play anywhere the coaches want me to where we can have the most success
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as a team,” he said. “I constantly want to get better at both run blocking and pass blocking. Snapping was a little bit of an issue for me last year because I hadn’t done it, but I’ve been snapping every day and working on all the little aspects involving playing center. I’ve gotten used to it and definitely like it now. It’s an awesome position.” The Deacons return nine starters on offense, including the solid nucleus up front, from a unit that produced more than 4,000 yards of offense for the first time since 2011.
Record-setting tight end Cam Serigne and a corps of young wide receivers give Wake Forest a group of playmakers, and there is quality depth at running back. Junior John Wolford, who threw for nearly 1,800 yards and nine touchdowns, and sophomore Kendall Hinton, a dual threat who was second on the squad in rushing with 390 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns, are competing at quarterback “We will go out and play football with whoever’s out there,” Harris said of the battle at quarterback. “Both have their strengths, but it doesn’t really affect us that much. We’re just looking forward to the season.”
Harris can’t believe he is entering his final season and that his Deacon career is almost over. “The years have flown by,” he said. “I feel like I just stepped on campus.” Actually, Harris was recruited by former head coach Jim Grobe and played his first season for the man who guided the Deacons to the 2006 ACC championship and a bid to the Orange Bowl. “I remember when they won the ACC championship when I was a kid, and I saw them play a few times on TV,” Harris said. “I knew if I had a chance to play in the ACC and at a great academic institution like Wake, it seemed like a perfect fit.” Going to a bowl game in his final season will make it complete. “This is it,” Harris said. “We’re going to give it our best shot.”
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
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FOOTBALL
// B R A D WAT S O N
TURNING THE
CORNER BRAD WATSON BECOMES LEADER IN DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD AFTER LEARNING FROM FORMER STANDOUT CORNERBACKS KEVIN JOHNSON AND BUD NOEL
By Sam Walker
I
f you want to know how important a player is to a football team, just look at how much he is on the field. The number of snaps a player takes is pretty solid data. By that measure alone, Brad Watson is invaluable to Wake Forest.
Last season, Watson was on the field for 818 snaps, second on the team only to linebacker Brandon Chubb’s 860. He had three games with over 100 snaps and had 102 in a hard-fought loss to Indiana. When you don’t come off the field, you must be doing something right. Watson was the team leader in the defensive backfield with two interceptions,
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one against North Carolina and the other against Clemson. He led the team with 16 pass break-ups, and his 18 passes defended tied as the second-most ever in a season by a player at Wake Forest. He set a school record with six pass break-ups in last year’s final game against Duke. Watson was recruited out of Round Rock, Texas, by defensive backs coach Derrick Jackson, who first built a relationship with Watson during his junior year of high school. Jackson was then an assistant at Rice University, but by the time Watson’s senior year rolled around Jackson had taken an assistant coaching job at Wake Forest. However, he had not forgotten about Watson and recruited him at Wake Forest. “Growing up playing football in Texas was great, but when the recruitment process started I didn’t have a lot of Texas schools offering me so I went to visit Wake Forest, and it was just a great fit for me,” Watson said. “Coach Jackson was actually the one who called and offered me a scholarship.”
Watson’s emergence wasn’t easily gained, but his story is a fine example of how great athletes mentor others and pass down a legacy of excellence for the next generation. It wasn’t until last year that Watson grew into the limelight. As an underclassman Watson played behind some pretty good corners in Kevin Johnson, who now plays for the Houston Texans of the NFL, and Merrill “Bud” Noel, who played last season with the Buffalo Bills. Johnson was the 16th pick in the first round 2015 NFL draft. As a sophomore, Watson was considered a top reserve cornerback. He had 17 tackles in 12 games and was on the field for 374 plays. He had a then career-high 73 plays vs. Louisville and then season-high four tackles vs. Clemson. He also broke up a pair of passes versus the Tigers – a glimpse of things to come. His freshman season also gave us all a hint of what he could do. Watson played in all 12 games as a true freshman as a reserve defensive back and special teams performer. He finished the
season
PREVIEW COACH: Dave Clawson (6-18 in two years at WFU, 96-98 overall as a head coach – 16 Years) LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 3-9 overall, 1-7 ACC, 6th in Atlantic Division LETTERMEN/STARTERS RETURNING: Offense 21/9; Defense 20/6; Specialist 2/2 KEY RETURNEES: QB John Wolford (Jr.); QB Kendall Hinton (So.); TE Cam Serigne; WR Cortez Lewis; WR Tabari Hines (So.); RB Tyler Bell (So.); LG Tyler Hayworth (RSr.); C Josh Harris (Sr.); SS Ryan Janvion (R-Jr.); CB Brad Watson; LB Thomas Brown (Sr.); (Sr.); DE Wendell Dunn (R-Jr); LB Marquel Lee (Sr.); DT Josh Banks (R-Sr.); DE Duke Ejiofor (R-Jr.) KEY LOSSES: WR KJ Brent; OL Dylan Intemann OL; LB Brandon Chubb; DB Zach Dancel; LB Hunter Williams; P Alex Kinal.
season with nine tackles, including seven solo, and tied for second on the team with six special teams tackles. He made his collegiate debut in the season opener vs. Presbyterian, and that moment is one he says he won’t forget. The journey forward was then just a matter of listening, learning and working hard. “Kevin Johnson and Bud Noel were some great leaders on this team for me and others on this team,” Watson said. “For me it was a great experience, and I took parts of their games and incorporated them into mine. I learned from both, but Kevin was just a
wizard in the film room, and we would sit there for hours. Bud was more of an onfield, hands-on guy, and he would tell me different techniques I could use on the field, and he was really a great player, so I learned differently from both. It was so great playing with them.” There aren’t many players worth their salt who would ever complain about playing time, but there aren’t many who have played as much as Watson has either. In a game as physical as college football, the drive to give your best play after play takes both a mental and physical toughness.
OUTLOOK: Dave Clawson said that if his team was not preparing for a bowl game this season, he would be very disappointed. Given Clawson’s history and reputation as a program builder, Wake Forest is due to turn a corner this season. Yes, the Deacons in terms of upperclassmen, will be young, but in terms of practical experience will be much more mature. Wake Forest played 31 underclassmen in its two-deep last season, The Deacons have improved in the area of recruiting each year under Clawson, and this season offers a friendly schedule. One of the big questions that must be answered is who will win the starting quarterback spot as neither sophomore Kendall Hinton nor John Wolford secured it during the spring. But across the board, the Deacons should have better depth and talent. Wake Forest has seven home games. Non-conference opponents include an opener against Tulane and games against Delaware and Army at home. The Deacons visit Indiana. In the ACC, Wake Forest hosts Syracuse, Virginia, Clemson and Boston College and is on the road at Duke, N.C. State, Florida State and Louisville. Wake’s open date is Oct. 22, giving them an extra week mid-season to regroup and get healthy with four of the remaining five games at BB&T field.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
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FOOTBALL
// B R A D WAT S O N
BRAD
watson POSITION: DB CLASS: Senior MAJOR: Communication HOMETOWN: Round Rock, Texas FAVORITE FOOD: Pepperoni pizza FAVORITE BOOK: “Letters to a Young Brother: Manifest Your Destiny” by Hill Harper FAVORITE ATHLETE: Russell Westbrook FAVORITE WFU SPORTS MOMENT: “The first time stepping on a college football field my freshman year is my favorite moment. It was my first game against Presbyterian. It was while I was running through the gate. After seeing it and then actually doing it I was just like – ‘Wow, I’m finally here.’”
“Basically it’s an honor to have the coaches trust me to be on the field that many snaps,” Watson said. “ It just shows how hard I’ve worked to get to this position. To play over 100 snaps, you have to prepare your body for that, but it’s about the work I’ve put in. Now I’m in the training room early every Sunday after a game. I know I’m not 100 percent
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“THE ROLE THAT I HAVE NOW IS BASICALLY TO TAKE AND SHOW THE NEW GUYS WHAT THEY CAN DO. I TOOK A LOT FROM THE GUYS BEFORE ME, AND NOW IT’S PART OF WHO I AM TODAY.”
Monday night either, but I know I have to eat right and take care of my body because if I don’t I won’t be right the next week. “There’s ice after games because I tend to get a lot of bruises on my forearms during games. I use my arms a lot pressing receivers and battling for the ball, tackling guys and securing tackles. You get banged up. I have
“BASICALLY IT’S AN HONOR TO HAVE THE COACHES TRUST ME TO BE ON THE FIELD THAT MANY SNAPS. IT JUST SHOWS HOW HARD I’VE WORKED TO GET TO THIS POSITION. TO PLAY OVER 100 SNAPS, YOU HAVE TO PREPARE YOUR BODY FOR THAT, BUT IT’S ABOUT THE WORK I’VE PUT IN.” to get in the hot tub, get massages and get things right or I won’t be ready for practice on Tuesday. But I’ve prepared for that.” Watson is the partial product of the great players that came before him. He has the physical skills he learned from Noel and the mental acumen and tenacity to study the game he learned from Johnson. “The role that I have now is basically to take and show the new guys what they can do,” Watson said. “I took a lot from the guys before me, and now it’s part of who I am today. Now I have to be the leader, and it’s my team now. I will go out there and lead by example and show you what you are supposed to do. But there are times I have to get on the corners and talk to them and make sure the people around you know what to do.” This summer Watson has spent a lot of time in the film room, and he’s not only watching his opponents but also himself.
He said he watched all his games from a season ago, looking at his technique and identifying things he can key on to improve himself. As a student, he has attended four classes over two summer school sessions and will complete the fall semester with four classes and graduate in December. His final season is one where he sees a team ready to make improvements not just in
small aspects of the game but in final scores and win-loss results. Watson talks regularly to Johnson, his mentor, still learning, wanting to be better. But for him and this Wake Forest team, a bowl game is the goal. “I don’t have any rituals or superstitions,” Watson said. “I trust my training. What I’ve done Sunday through Friday should be enough to pay me back on Saturday.”
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
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VOLLEYBALL
// B I L L F E R G U S O N
A
Kylie Long led the Deacs and ranked among ACC leaders in kills in 2015.
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GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE
NEW WAY
WAKE FOREST NEEDED A NEW COACH TO REBUILD ITS VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM TO A CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL.
THAT TASK HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO BILL FERGUSON, WHO BRINGS A PROVEN MODEL FOR SUCCESS TO THE DEMON DEACONS. By John Justus
T
While at Southern Cal, Ferguson coached multiple All-Americans, including current U.S. Olympic team member Micah Christenson, shown here with Ferguson during their time as Trojans. (USC Athletics Photo)
here will be a lot new about Wake Forest Volleyball in 2016.
Six new players – five freshmen and one transfer – join the team to comprise half of the current roster. Two new assistant coaches are on board, including Lindsay Allman who joined the program in February and actually served as interim head coach for a brief period following the resignation of Ken Murczek in April. Of course, the most notable newcomer to WFU Volleyball is head coach Bill Ferguson. And there is a quite a bit “new” about Ferguson as he assumes this leadership role. The veteran coach is first of all from California, a far distance from Winston-Salem, but it was there that he won 150 games and guided his Southern Cal squads to three Final Fours and two national runner-up finishes. Oh, and the other obvious new (and different) aspect of Ferguson’s impressive coaching record – he achieved that success as coach of the Trojan men’s team. The game of volleyball, however, is very much the same for Ferguson, and he is extremely excited to have the opportunity to lead the Demon Deacon women’s program to prominence in the ACC and the national stage. “At the end of the day, volleyball is volleyball,” Ferguson says. “There may be
some slight tactical and technical differences (in coaching men and women), but coaching means being able to effectively communicate with your players and making sure that they understand the demands of the task. That’s no different for women or men. “I’m to be a leader and a role model. Those values supersede any gender gaps.” Ferguson has made a very positive initial impression with the members of his new squad, beginning as they served as counselors for his inaugural summer camp at WFU. “He is extremely passionate about volleyball, but he also wants to develop his players as student-athletes,” junior Kylie Long, who led last year’s Deacons in kills and points, says. “He is interested in the people we can become after graduating.” Hanna Lee, the lone senior on the 2016 Wake Forest roster, has likewise taken to the personality of her new head coach. “I get a sense that he trusts us (the returning players) … that we can make it happen for him or at least help him get things started,” Lee says. “It always feels good as a player to know your coach trusts you.” Ferguson is anxious to continue building those coach-player relationships and molding his Wake Forest program as practice begins in August and actual competition gets underway at the end of the month. The 2016 home debut is Sept. 2 against Davidson in the “Demon Deacon Classic.” AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
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VOLLEYBALL
// B I L L F E R G U S O N
“I can’t wait to get started,” he says. “The young women have displayed great attitudes and already demonstrated to me that they want to be great at what they do.” Ferguson, who coached two national players of the year and earned national coachof-the-year honors at Southern Cal, has a definite plan in mind as to how he, along with his players, will achieve the level of success that they all desire. He refers to that plan as “Our Way” and the message has worked for him at Southern Cal and as he built a career as a prominent club coach as well. From a volleyball standpoint, Ferguson’s keys are straightforward – serve tough, ball control, game plan defense, game plan offense – with the latter two foundations meaning that his team will have its distinctive style but be able to adapt as necessary from opponent to opponent. The other “half” of his program philosophy is similarly simple but meaningful. “When we say “Our Way,” that means we will be above reproach athletically, academically and socially,” Ferguson states. It likely won’t take a great deal of convincing for his new team to embrace the fact that this “Our Way” approach is the proper way. “He (Ferguson) has been successful and is well-known in the volleyball world,” junior
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Hanna Lee
Caroline Wolf says. “His coaching style has obviously worked before and we’re confident that he will be a very good coach for us as well.” Ferguson shares that confidence and speaks highly of what the Wake Forest program, whose last winning season came in 2010, has to offer. “Wake Forest is the type of school where
you can have it all from an academic, athletic and social standpoint,” he says. “You can compete for championships here and do so with great student-athletes. It worked for me at Southern Cal. There’s no reason that it can’t happen here.” Success the Demon Deacon Way – it begins anew this fall.
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
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100% COTTEN
// S TA N C O T T E N
Here We Go Again
S TA N COTTEN
As I sit down at my desk to write this new column, the first of the 2016-17 season, the calendar sits on Monday, Aug. 1. The football Deacs report on Thursday and begin fall camp on Friday. By the time you read this, Coach Dave Clawson’s third Deacon football team will be well on its way to the 2016 season opener with Tulane on Thursday night, Sept.1. And I’ll be starting my third decade in the radio chair – a fact that just knocks me over. Time has certainly flown over these past 20 years. When I got here, my hair was mostly black, my wife and I had only one child (and she was just 2), and there was this guy on the Wake basketball team named Tim Duncan. Now the hair is mostly gray and thinner, daughter No. 1 has graduated from college, gotten engaged and has a terrific first job on the South Carolina coast, and Tim Duncan is retired. And my second daughter is in her second year in college. And all of that isn’t remotely close to half of it. For me or for you.
Take yourself back to the late summer of 1996. Where were you? What were you doing? And what has happened in your life and with your family in the past 20 years? I had no idea when I arrived here 20 summers ago that I would be here this long. How can one know those things? I had come off of four terrific seasons at Marshall, where I had grown to love the job I had and the people with whom I worked. The people in Huntington, W.Va., were great to me. Marshall was and is a special place. And I have no doubt I could have stayed there and been happy for a long, long time. But I also remember the excitement about getting the opportunity to come to Wake Forest and the ACC. I’ll never forget the words I chose to say to my father when I called him to tell him I had gotten the job. He answered my call and asked, “Well?” I replied, “I’m a Demon Deacon.” Twenty summers ago. Hardly seems possible. And just think of all of the things Serving Isle of Palms, Wild Dunes Resort & Sullivan’s Island, SC we’ve seen and experienced together in those two decades. Amy Cartner, Broker Way too many to list here in Class of 1988 Women’s Basketball ‘84-’88 this space but fun to think about. I’m often asked about 704-281-8936 my favorite games or players, amy@iop-residential.com and many times my mind iop-residential.com almost sticks in neutral when iop_residential trying to consider that kind of a question about 20 years of games and players. A division of CLT Residential Real Estate
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Live Where You Vacation!
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GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE
A youthful Stan with former football color analyst Ed Bradley.
Going back to my very first season I remember the butterflies I felt as the season started. After back-toback wins over Appalachian and Northwestern in 1996, I thought the Deacs that year might just have a chance at a good season. It didn’t turn out that way, but three seasons later Wake was in a bowl game – in Hawaii of all places. I was really amped for that first basketball season in 1996-97. With Tim Duncan as the anchor, most of us thought the Deacs could make a run to the Final Four. Of course, that didn’t happen, but watching Tim Duncan was one of the thrills of my career. Was then, still is today. I don’t ask many of our players for autographs, but I got his. That was a good call, don’t you think? So here we go again, our 21st season together. What will it bring? Who can know these things? Will the Deacons make a bowl game? I think they have a good shot. Wake is a better and deeper team than a season ago with much better facilities and a schedule that is certainly more favorable than it was in 2015. Can the basketball Deacons make it back to the NCAA Tournament? Is there a superstar among all of the new faces we’ll see on the court once November hits? Who knows? A lot of the fun is in the not knowing and seeing what develops. So let’s do what we’ve always done – let’s do it together. And for sure, buckle up. Experience tells me the road is always bumpy. And I gotta get a new chair. This one’s getting old.
Toll Free: 1.800.852.1504 www.timwelborn.com
PROUD SUPPORTER OF 2016 WFU FOOTBALL a
Progressive, southern-insPired
destination for
dining, hosPitality &
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450 North Spring Street, Winston-Salem | (336) 293-4797 | info @ Spring House NC . com | www. Spring House NC . com
The Gold Rush Magazine Ad.indd 1
9/3/13 2:27 PM
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
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INSIDE THE DEACON CLUB
Fundraising Momentum Continues for Wake Forest Athletics
BA R RY FA I R C L O T H SENIOR A S S O C I AT E AT H L E T I C DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT & SALES
20
As I look back on the 2015-16 giving year – and really the past three years – I think of only one word: Momentum. Thanks to the generosity of Deacon Club members like you, we are seeing a building boom unlike anything Wake Forest Athletics has ever witnessed. You are truly helping us transform the future of Wake Forest Athletics. Your generosity contributed to over $25 million in new commitments this past year and has led to over $115 million over the past three years. Armed with an original $95 million goal at the launch of the Wake Will campaign, athletics donors have donated over $167 million since 2010, the results of which continue to show in the creation of new scholarships and the ongoing facility enhancements seen in every athletic program. As we continue to find areas to invest to compete at the highest levels, our donors have continued to show that Wake Forest Athletics is a priority by continuously helping fund these new initiatives. Over the past year alone, athletics saw over $9.1 million in gifts and $13.3 million in pledges toward capital projects. These commitments have directly allowed us to complete McCreary Field House, Haddock House, Kentner Stadium turf and track resurfacing, and the renovations to the Doc Martin Football Practice Fields. We have also recently broken ground for tennis’ Southern Family Court Seating and baseball’s enhancements to David F. Couch Ballpark, all while making significant progress toward completing the funding for the game-changing new Sports Performance Center. Momentum. This surge in momentum isn’t limited to just capital projects. After averaging 26% of donors participating in the 110% Campaign over the previous six years, 32.7% of
GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE
IN THE PAST GIVING YEAR OVER
$25
MILLION
IN NEW COMMITMENTS
WF ATHLETICS RECEIVED
$9.1
MILLION IN GIFTS
& $13.3
MILLION IN PLEDGES
32.7%
32.7% OF DONORS CHOSE TO INCREASE THEIR ANNUAL FUND GIFT BY AT LEAST 10% THIS PAST YEAR
100
VOLUNTEERS PRODUCED OVER
1,150
REFERRALS RESULTING IN OVER
400
NEW DEACON CLUB MEMBERS
you chose to increase your Annual Fund gift by at least 10% this past year. Not only did Deacon Club members upgrade their giving, but more than 100 volunteers worked to grow the Deacon Club base by referring over 1,150 referrals to join the Deacon Club, resulting in over 400 new members. In total, the $12.8 million contributed toward the Annual Fund over the past two years is the highest total in consecutive years since 2010-11. The Annual Fund total will be augmented by the awarding of two new endowed scholarships which reached the $100,000 threshold. These new endowed scholarships helped lead to an endowment payout of $1.4 million, generating a total of $7.7 million funded for student-athlete scholarships this year. As Wake Forest Athletics continues to strive to grow the academic, strength and conditioning and sports medicine resources available to our studentathletes and coaches, it remains critical that we fund our annual scholarship budget to allow our Athletic Department budget to focus on improving the lives of our student-athletes. In all, the future looks bright at Wake Forest, and it is bright directly as a result of your investment in our future. Coaches and student-athletes years from now will continue to benefit from the generosity of our donors today. We could not be riding this wave of momentum or setting up the next generation of success without our incredibly supportive donor base. Please take this to be the most appreciative and sincere thank you I can put on paper, for you are truly creating something special here. I look forward to the opportunity to show off many of these enhancements if you are on campus this fall, and look forward to an exciting 2016-17 athletic season.
INSIDE THE DEACON CLUB
HOMECOMING AND VARSITY CLUB WEEKEND This year we’re bringing two of your favorite events together—Varsity Club Weekend and Homecoming! We hope you’ll be able to join fellow Deacon fans, Varsity Club members, Wake Forest coaches and staff on Friday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Oct. 29. The Deacs will play Army West Point in the Homecoming football game on Saturday (game time TBA) and we will be honoring the 2006 ACC Championship football team. More information will be provided soon!
Keep up with the Deacon Club on Facebook, Twitter and NOW Instagram!
For the latest news and information from the Deacon Club and to connect with other members, be sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter and NOW on Instagram! @WFUDeaconClub NEW! Facebook.com/DeaconClub @WFUDeaconClub | @DeacOnTheRun | @BarryFaircloth
2016-17
DEACON CLUB MEMBERSHIP PACKETS Deacon Club membership packets including member cards, car decals and other perks for members are scheduled to be mailed in mid-August, so all active Deacon Club members should be on the lookout for their packets. Remember, your Deacon Club membership card is used for access to special promotions and events as well as access to the Windsor Jewelers Club Room at men’s basketball games for the donor and their immediate family. Deacon Bench level members and above may also use their membership card for free admission to all regular-season home Olympic sporting events for the donor and their immediate family.
If you have not received your membership packet by early-September, please contact the Deacon Club at (336) 758-5626.
PLANNED GIVING AT WAKE FOREST ATHLETICS IT’S A WIN-WIN Make a gift and we will give back to you guaranteed lifetime income. It can be made with highly appreciated stock paying a small dividend, certificates of deposit coming due or cash in order to establish a Charitable Gift Annuity. In addition to this guaranteed life income, some of which may be tax-free, you may also benefit from: • A higher payment amount • An immediate charitable income tax deduction • Reduced capital gains liability • The satisfaction of knowing you have contributed to the long-term enhancement of Wake Forest Athletics We agree by contract to pay a fixed amount each year to one or two beneficiaries (the annuitants) for life. The following table provides some of the age-related rates.* Age
Rate
Age
Rate
65
4.7%
65/65
4.2%
70
5.1%
70/70
4.6%
75
5.8%
75/75
5.0%
80
6.8%
80/80
5.7%
*Rates are current as of August 1, 2016. Rates are subject to change. They are based on the recommendations of the American Council on Gift Annuities. When a gift annuity is established, these rates are fixed for the life of the annuitant or annuitants.
For more information about this and other planned giving opportunities, please call (336) 758-5125 or (336) 758-4996 or visit wfugift.org.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
21
DONOR PROFILE
// L O R Y S TA B O L E P S Z Y
Lory Stabolepszy’s (’87) lifetime love of Wake Forest began when she first arrived at Mother, So Dear as a transfer student during her junior year of college.
“W
hen I first looked at colleges, I had looked in the Southeast and even at Wake Forest but ended up at St. Lawrence University in New York. By my sophomore year I was ready for a change and, as a biology major, was attracted to Wake Forest due to, in part, the strong biology program. Before transferring I had actually never even visited campus and in the days before
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GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE
having widespread Internet access, my only piece of information on Wake Forest and the biology program was a brochure! I still remember calling my parents saying, ‘I’m going to go to Wake Forest next year.’ It was one of the best decisions I ever made.” Over the next two years, Stabolepszy thrived at Wake Forest and finally felt like she had found her niche. “My professors expected a lot from me but at the same time, I was extremely
supported. I loved the environment because of the ease with which people interacted and the passion and commitment that everyone shared—we were all at Wake for a reason. When I look back at Wake Forest, it is such a well-rounded place. You can really find your niche.” Stabolepszy’s connection to Wake Forest Athletics began when she joined the women’s club soccer team in 1985, prior to Wake Forest fielding its first NCAA Division I women’s soccer team in 1994. “Being a biology major, I had a lot of labs. I loved being a part of the club soccer team because, at the end of the day, it was an outlet for me. Also, being a transfer student, it was a great opportunity to meet people.” Upon graduating from Wake Forest in 1987, Stabolepszy went on to earn a master’s in Healthcare Business Management from George Washington University. After working in health care for 13 years, Stabolepszy became an Associate Athletic Director at George Mason University. It was here that she came to understand the impact that athletic fundraising has on studentathletes saying, “Working at George Mason, I saw student-athletes get the opportunity to pursue their dreams because of an athletic scholarship. Without that scholarship, many of them would not have been able to afford a college education.” While at George Mason, Stabolepszy also had first-hand experience with the challenges a college athletic department faces. “It’s very difficult to be competitive with the bigger schools when you have limited resources and a small alumni base. It becomes important to invest in things like facilities and program enhancements in order to stay competitive.” Armed with this first-hand knowledge, Stabolepszy sought to make a difference for Wake Forest Athletics by making a generous
donation to the Athletic Department’s No. 1 facility priority, the Sports Performance Center. The Sports Performance Center is a 95,000 square foot multi-use building designed to feature a larger, stateof-the-art strength and conditioning area that will include weight rooms and cardio areas. It will also include a dedicated space for nutrition, football coaches’ offices, team meeting areas and other programmable space. This new facility will support Wake Forest’s student-athletes’ goals of competing, and winning, at the highest level. What is currently the smallest facility in the ACC will become one of the nation’s best, with state-of-the-art equipment, technology and resources that will honor Wake’s mission of building champions while educating the whole person. The Sports Performance Center is currently in the final stages of fundraising. Through the McCrearySutton match, Bob McCreary (’61) and Ben Sutton (’80, JD ’83) have made a generous combined matching gift of $10 million to challenge the Wake Forest community to complete the funding needed for the Sports Performance Center. Each capital gift made to the Sports Performance Center
project will be matched, dollar for dollar, by Bob and Ben. Growing up in a philanthropic family, Stabolepszy has always seen the need to give back and feels that great things can become possible through the generosity of many. “Looking at the bigger picture, the more people that can contribute, the better the overall result is for the next generation, which only further strengthens the University, making it a better place for everyone. I love knowing that I am contributing to such a wonderful place for the next generation to get their education and am helping move the bar up. No matter what level you give at, it’s hard to say you wouldn’t want to be a part of that.” Reflecting back on her time at Wake Forest and her hopes for the future, Stabolepszy said, “The greatest thing I picked up at Wake Forest was a continuation of the virtues that my parents had instilled in me; Wake helped me make them my own and use them in my life. In all, Wake Forest has done a great job of raising the bar—it’s not the little school I went to anymore. As for the future, I would love to establish a scholarship at Wake Forest as well.”
Nowadays, Stabolepszy calls Great Falls, Va., home and enjoys being at home with her two children, Chase, 14 and Hank, 13. This fall she is looking forward to making a trip back to campus and catching a Deacon football game with her husband, Mike, and children.
*For more information on the Sports Performance Center, please visit wakewill.wfu.edu/lets-roll
deacon club photos Deacon Club members are encouraged to submit photos for publication in the Gold Rush. Send your photos in digital format to deacclub@wfu.edu. Submission of a photo does not guarantee that it will be published. Thanks for showing off your Demon Deacon pride!
1
1 Jim (’83, JD ’89), Elizabeth (’86) and Jack (pictured) Hutcherson run into Wake Forest basketball center Doral Moore (’19) while out for dinner.
2
2 Athletic Advisory Council members Jeff Hollingsworth (’00) and Tori Boysen (’96) sponsor an event with local Deacon Club members, fans and members of the men’s basketball staff and team, including Coach Danny Manning.
3
3 Michael Darrow (MBA ’87) welcomes granddaughter and new Deacon fan, Addysen Rose Darrow, on July 15.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
23
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
//
CHIP BRINKMAN
I
n each issue, Where Are They Now showcases a former Wake Forest student-athlete. Wide receiver Chip Brinkman (’08) developed into one of Wake Forest’s top receivers as a junior and senior. As a junior in 2007, Brinkman was fourth on the team with 27 receptions for 255 yards as he started the final nine games of the regular season. As a senior in 2008, Brinkman started all 13 games and was again fourth on the team in receiving with 22 receptions for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdown catches came in the season opener vs. Baylor as he helped the Demon Deacons to a 41-13 win over the Bears in Waco.
Chip Brinkman When did you graduate from Wake Forest? 2008 What was your major and/or minor? Calloway School of Business General Business What does being a Demon Deacon mean to you? Being a Demon Deacon means embracing the commitment to success through an unrivaled work ethic deeply rooted in history at Wake. The name Demon Deacon originated from the “devilish fighting spirit” our football team displayed during a win against Trinity (now Duke) in 1923. That same spirit drives us to overcome tough challenges in life and be successful today. Tim Duncan nailed what a Demon Deacon is when he said, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.” Why are you still involved in Wake Forest Athletics? The football program awarded me the opportunity to procure a first-class education and compete at the highest level athletically. More importantly, I wouldn’t have met my beautiful wife at Wake if I weren’t offered a football scholarship. Why do you feel it is important to give back to the University? We are one of the smallest D-I schools in the U.S. so we don’t have the large alumni population and endowments like other schools in the ACC. In order to attract the best, brightest, and most talented, we have to separate ourselves from the competition in terms of athletic and academic facilities/ amenities. If we can’t offer the best facilities/amenities through our resources, we lose out on generational talent.
24
Orange Bowl against the University of Louisville (where my father played football in college). What makes you most proud of Wake Forest? Our small but passionate community that has a large academic and athletic presence worldwide.
What is your current occupation? Real Estate Capital Markets Banker at Wells Fargo
When you come back to Wake Forest, you always… Check out the new construction, walk around the Quad and eat at Putters.
What is your favorite memory of your time at Wake Forest? Winning the ACC and playing in the FedEx
I was there when… We shut out FSU (30-0) at Doak Campbell Stadium on Nov. 11, 2006.
GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE
Who is your favorite coach at Wake Forest, current or past? Jim Grobe. He took a chance on me by giving me a scholarship and I will forever be indebted to him. I wish him all the best at Baylor!
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
2015-16: Another successful year in the classroom A key emphasis of “Developing Champions” is the pursuit of excellence in the classroom. Wake Forest student-athletes continued to impress with their academic performance throughout the 2015-16 year.
Wake Forest Athletics
2
Academic Success by the Numbers Over
ACC Postgraduate Scholars
50%
of all Wake Forest student-athletes made the ACC Honor Roll (54% to be exact)
Valerie Dahmen (W. Field Hockey) and Kent Garrett (M. Cross Country)
Teams earning perfect Graduation Success Rate (GSR) scores of 100:
Valerie Dahmen
Kent Garrett
61
Wake Forest student-athletes earned their degrees in 2015-16
91% 11
Football Graduation Success Rate (GSR)
6
92%
Graduation Success Rate (GSR) earned by Wake Forest student-athletes for the 2015-16 year
Eleven of Sixteen Teams: Men’s Cross Country, Men’s Golf, Men’s Tennis, Men’s Track & Field, Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Field Hockey, Women’s Golf, Women’s Soccer, Women’s Tennis, Women’s Track & Field and Women’s Volleyball had a perfect Academic Progress Rate (APR) in 2014-15 (released April 2016).
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GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE
SUN AUG 28
MON 29
TUE 30
WED 31
Field Hockey vs. Michigan 11:30am
THUR
SEPTEMBER // OCTOBER 2016
WAKE FOREST ATHLETICS
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
SAT
SEPT 01
02
03
Football vs. Tulane 7pm
Volleyball vs. Davidson 7pm
Volleyball vs. College of Charleston 1pm
Women’s Soccer vs. Dartmouth 7:30pm
Men’s Soccer vs. Cal Poly 7:30pm
Deacon Club members at or above the Deacon Bench level may present their 2016-17 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.
FRI
Men’s Soccer vs. Cleveland State 7pm Volleyball vs. Loyola 7:30pm
04
05
Women’s Soccer vs. New Hampshire 2pm
11
06
07
13
14
Women’s Soccer vs. Davidson 1pm
Field Hockey vs. Davidson 7pm
Danny Manning Women’s Basketball 101 Clinic - 5pm
Men’s Soccer vs. George Washington 7pm
Volleyball vs. Middle Tennessee State 6pm
18
12
19
Field Hockey vs. Syracuse 12pm
25
08
Men’s Soccer vs. App State 7pm
20
15
09
10
Women’s Soccer vs. Old Dominion 7pm
Men’s Soccer vs. Virginia 7pm
16
17
Women’s Soccer vs. Clemson 7pm
Volleyball vs. High Point 1pm
Volleyball vs. Wofford 7pm
Football vs. Delaware 6:30pm Volleyball vs. Charlotte 7:30pm
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22
23
24
Field Hockey vs. Louisville 7pm
Men’s Soccer vs. NC State 7pm
29
30
OCT 1
06
07
08
Women’s Soccer vs. Duke 7pm
Volleyball vs. Virginia Tech 6:30pm
Field Hockey vs. Penn State 12pm
Men’s Soccer vs. Florida International 7pm
26
27
28
03
04
05
Field Hockey vs. California 12pm
02
FAMILY WEEKEND
Football vs. Syracuse FAMILY WEEKEND
09
10
Field Hockey vs. Ohio 1pm
11
12
Men’s Soccer vs. Marshall 7pm
Volleyball vs. Duke 6:30pm
13
Volleyball vs. Pittsburgh 1pm
14
15
Field Hockey vs. Duke 6pm
Women’s Soccer vs. Boston College 5pm
Volleyball vs. Virginia 6:30pm
Men’s Soccer vs. Louisville 7pm
SAVE THE DATE DANNY MANNING WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 101 CLINIC September 11 - 5:00pm - 8:00pm Die-hard fans and rookies alike are invited to join Coach Manning and his staff for an exciting and educational evening in which you will learn about the fundamentals of basketball while having fun at the same time. $40 per person ($32 for WFU and WFUBMC faculty/staff). For more information, or to reserve your spot, please contact the Sports Marketing office at (336) 758-5011.
FAMILY WEEKEND - OCTOBER 7-8, 2016 Wake Forest football vs. Syracuse - Saturday, October 8
HOMECOMING AND VARSITY CLUB WEEKEND - OCTOBER 28-29, 2016 Wake Forest football vs. Army - Saturday, October 29
GoldRushCalendar_Aug_Sept_2016.indd 1
7/29/16 2:14 PM
DEACONS IN THE PROS BASEBALL
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Coaches/Scouts Ross Atkins
MLB
Toronto Blue Jays
General Manager Area Scout
Neil Avent
MLB
Oakland A’s
TJ Barra
MLB
New York Mets
Manager of Baseball Research & Development
Danny Borrell
MLB
New York Yankees
Rehab Pitching Coordinator
Aubrey Bledsoe Kim Marshall Annick McBryar Katie Stengel Kelsey Zalimeni
Orlando Pride (NWSL) Boston Breakers (Reserves) Boston Breakers (Reserves) Washington Spirit (NWSL) Crystal Palace Ladies FC
George Greer
MLB
St. Louis Cardinals
Minor League Offensive Strategist
MEN’S BASKETBALL
John Hendricks
MLB
New York Mets
National Pitching Crosschecker
Michael Holmes
MLB
Oakland A’s
Asst. Scouting Director/National Crosschecker Special Assignment Scout
Al-Farouq Aminu James Johnson Chris Paul Ishmael Smith Jeff Teague Devin Thomas Coron Williams Justin Gray C.J. Harris Jamaal Levy Travis McKie Nikita Mescheriakov Aaron Rountree Ty Walker David Weaver Eric Williams
Kevin Jarvis
MLB
Los Angeles Angels
Bill Masse
MLB
Seattle Mariners
Area Scout
Matt Price
MLB
Kansas City Royals
Area Scouting Supervisor
Mike Rikard
MLB
Boston Red Sox
Director of Amateur Scouting
Eric Schmitt
MLB
New York Yankees
Director of Minor League Operations
Adam Wogan
MLB
Boston Red Sox
Area Scout
Tommy Gregg
AAA
Kansas City
Omaha Storm Chasers Hitting Coach
MAJOR LEAGUES Mac Williamson
San Francisco Giants (AAA)
MINOR LEAGUE RANKS
NBA NBA NBA NBA NBA NBA Summer D-League Belarus Turkey Argentina Luxembourg Sweden Slovakia Poland Turkey Poland
Pat Blair
Tampa Bay Rays (AA)
Tim Cooney
St. Louis Cardinals (AAA)
Will Craig
Pittsburgh Pirates (Short Season A)
Michael Dimock
San Diego Padres (AAA)
Aaron Fossas
Cincinnati Reds (Rookie)
Brian Holmes
Houston Astros (AA)
Connor Kaden
San Francisco Giants (A)
Garrett Kelly
Minnesota Twins (Rookie)
Nate Mondou
Oakland Athletics (Short Season A)
FOOTBALL
Joe Napolitano
New York Mets (Rookie)
Matt Pirro
Washington Nationals (Rookie)
Tommy Bohanon K.J. Brent Josh Bush Michael Campanaro Brandon Chubb Chris Givens Kevin Johnson Joe Looney Merrill Noel Calvin Pace Zach Thompson Nikita Whitlock Kyle Wilber
WOMEN’S GOLF Laura (Philo) Diaz
LPGA
Jean Chua
Symetra Played in 13 events in 2016, best finish t-11th at Island Resort
Played in 21 tournaments in the 2015 season
Championship Nannette Hill
LPGA
Natalie Sheary
Symetra Played in 14 tournaments in 2016, won W.B. Mason Championship
Played in 12 tournaments in 2016, qualified for U.S. Women’s Open
Michelle Shin
Symetra Played in 13 events in 2015
Cheyenne Woods
LPGA
Marissa Dodd
Symetra Played in 10 events in 2016 with two top-30 finishes
Olafia Kristinsdottir
LET
Allison Emrey
Symetra Played in 14 events in 2016, had first top-10 at Tullymore Classic in July
in May Played in 16 events in 2016 Plays on the Ladies European Access Tour
MEN’S SOCCER Corben Bone
FC Cincinnati
Brian Carroll
Philadelphia Union
Sam Cronin
Colorado Rapids
Austin da Luz
Carolina RailHawks
Chris Duvall
New York Red Bulls
Sam Fink
Saint Louis FC
Akira Fitzgerald
Carolina RailHawks
Jack Harrison
New York City FC
Tolani Ibikunle
Ekenas Sport Club (Finland)
Michael Lahoud
Miami FC
Andy Lubahn
Louisville City FC
Collin Martin
D.C. United
Justin Moose
Wilmington Hammerheads
Ben Newnam
Louisville City FC
Ike Opara
Sporting Kansas City
Sean Okoli
FC Cincinnati
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Dearica Hamby Lakevia Boykin Sandra Garcia Chelsea Douglas Alex Tchangoue
DC United
Ross Tomaselli
FC Cincinnati
Jared Watts
Colorado Rapids
WNBA San Antonio Stars Germany Wolfenbuettel Puerto Rico Manatee Germany Freiburg France Lyon
NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL
FB WR S WR LB WR CB OL DB LB DL FB/DL LB
NY Jets Oakland Free Agent Baltimore Los Angeles Philadelphia Houston Dallas Free Agent Free Agent Free Agent NY Giants Dallas
COACHES/STAFF Jim Caldwell Charlie Dayton Pat Flaherty Joe Kenn Ricky Proehl John Spanos Brad White Jeff Triplette James MacPherson
NFL Detroit NFL Carolina NFL NY Giants NFL Carolina NFL Carolina NFL San Diego NFL Indianapolis NFL NFL Chargers
Head Coach Vice President Offensive Line Coach Strength Coach Wide Receivers Coach Executive VP of Football Operations OLB Coach Referee Scout
MEN’S GOLF Billy Andrade Bill Haas Jay Haas Gary Hallberg Scott Hoch Len Mattiace Kyle Reifers
Michael Parkhurst Columbus Crew Jalen Robinson
Portland Trail Blazers Miami Heat L.A. Clippers Detroit Pistons Indiana Pacers Minnesota Timberwolves Maine Red Claws Tsmoki-Minsk Sakarya BSB Bahia Basket T71 LF Basket Lucenec AZS Koszalin Afyon MKS DG
Webb Simpson Curtis Strange
Champions Played in 15 events in 2016 with eight top-10s, 2nd in 2016 Charles Schwab Cup PGA Played in 19 events in 2016, first major top-10 at British Open, No. 32 in World Golf Rankings Champions Played in 12 events in 2016 with one top-10, 36th in 2016 Charles Schwab Cup Champions Played in nine events in 2016 with one top-10, 55th in 2016 Charles Schwab Cup Champions Played in 11 events in 2016 with two top-10s, 63rd in 2016 Charles Schwab Cup Web.com Played in 13 events in 2016 PGA Played in 28 events in 2016 with five top-10s, No. 106 in World Golf Rankings PGA Played in 15 events in 2016 with six top-25s, No. 68 in World Golf Rankings Champions Played in three events in 2016
FIELD HOCKEY COACHES/MLS FRONT OFFICE
28
Lauren Crandall (Captain) Michelle Kasold
James Riley
MLS Director of Player Relations
Kurt Schmid
Seattle Sounders (Head Scout)
MEN’S TENNIS
Zack Schilawski
Carolina RailHawks U23s (Assistant Coach)
Noah Rubin
GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE
USA National Team USA National Team
ATP
COMPLIANCE CORNER
// T O D D H A I R S T O N
New Legislative Proposals Now in Effect Aug. 1 is the start of the NCAA’s new year, and with that date comes a number of new legislative proposals that are now in effect.
TODD HAIRSTON A S S O C I AT E AT H L E T I C DIRECTOR, COMPLIANCE
Most notably, the deregulation surrounding social media in the recruiting process has continued with the lifting of the restrictions against “liking” and “retweeting” content posted by recruits. Such activity was previously impermissible for coaches. It still remains impermissible for coaches to comment on prospective student-athletes directly prior to signing a National Letter of Intent.
Additionally, it is now permissible to provide lodging, meals and entertainment for up to four family members during an official visit. Previously, such accommodations were only available to the parents or legal guardian of the prospect. While this general rule does not allow for transportation expenses for these additional family members, an additional provision does allow institutions to provide the round trip cost for up to two family members during an official visit in the sport of football only. The full list of legislative changes for the 2016-17 year can be found at ncaa.org.
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION WITH WAKE FOREST IMG SPORTS MARKETING, CALL (336) 758-7230
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GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE
From rookie to Rookie of the Year. Wake Forest Baptist Health offers athletes of all ages and skill levels a full range of orthopaedic treatment and physical therapy delivered by the region’s most experienced sports medicine team. Our Stratford location has extended and weekend hours. And we’re a proud partner of D1 Sports Training. To make an appointment with a physician or a physical therapist, call 888-716-WAKE or visit WakeHealth.edu/SportsMedicine.
SPORTS MEDICINE To make an appointment, call 888-716-WAKE or visit WakeHealth.edu/SportsMedicine
A proud
partner