Q&A WITH DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS RON WELLMAN
GETTING READY
FALL
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JUNE 2013
ALL IN THE FAMILY Karen Forman follows in the footsteps of older brother Steven in the Deacon tennis program
Deacons show off confident defense in the spring and look forward to the return of many injured players on offense wakeforestsports.com
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VOL. 22 // ISSUE 8 (USPS 014-373) EDITOR
Jim Buice PHOTOGRAPHER
Donnie Roberts WRITERS
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Gold Rush is published eight times a year in August/ September, October, November/ December, January, February/ March, April, May/June and July by IMG College in conjunction with Wake Forest Athletics. Periodicals postage paid at Winston-Salem, NC 27102 and at additional mailing offices. The price of an annual subscription is $20. Members of the Deacon Club receive a one-year subscription as part of their membership. Persons wishing to subscribe to Gold Rush should send a check or money order (credit cards not accepted) to: IMG College 540 N. Trade St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101 All material produced in this publication is the property of Wake Forest University and IMG and hall 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.
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A young Deacon fan can’t stop dancing in the stands during the Spring Game on April 20 at BB&T Field as the football team concludes spring workouts. (Photo by Donnie Roberts)
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from the ad
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where are they now?
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calendar
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inside the deacon club
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compliance corner
// 6 SPRING BALL Wake Forest football team concludes spring drills and now looks forward to 2013 season.
// 12 Q&A WITH RON WELLMAN Director of Athletics Ron Wellman discusses a wide range of topics related to the Deacon athletic program.
// 14 FAMILY TIES Younger sister Karen Forman carries on her brother Steven’s tennis legacy at Wake Forest.
// 22 Super Fan Julie Griffin plans to retire after long career as advocate and adviser at Wake Forest ON THE COVER Wake Forest, under the watchful eye of head coach Jim Grobe, held the Spring Game on April 20 at BB&T Field (Photos by Donnie Roberts) JUNE 2013
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Grant of media rights offers stability for ACC In late April, the ACC announced that all member institutions signed a “grant of media rights” agreement. That probably doesn’t sound too significant because the ACC had already signed a contract for ACC television rights that allows our TV partner, ESPN, to televise all ACC games through 2027.
ron WELLMAN D I R ECTO R O F AT H L ET I CS
However, prior to the grant of media rights agreement, if an institution were to leave the ACC, they would take their media rights with them. By each school granting its media rights to the ACC, the conference now owns the television rights regardless of the institution’s conference membership. In other words, if an institution were to leave the ACC, the ACC would still own their television rights. The ultimate effect of each ACC institution agreeing to grant our media rights to the ACC is stability in conference membership. Obviously no other conference will want any institution that
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does not have the ability to bring their media rights with them. Therefore, ACC membership has been secured through the life of our contract with ESPN. Not only has the ACC membership been stabilized for years to come, but in all probability, all conference memberships are stable now. Other conferences who have secured the “grant of media rights” from their conference members are the Big 10, Pac-12 and Big 12. With the ACC, Big 10, Big 12 and Pac-12 having such an agreement with its member institutions, it is difficult to imagine that any of the institutions in those four conferences will shift their membership to another conference during the terms of the grant of media rights. This is an important and significant commitment to the ACC by each of our member institutions, and it gives us the opportunity to confidently move forward with other initiatives that will be critical to our future success.
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Not yet a member of Allegacy? Not a problem. Anyone can join. To schedule a meeting with an advisor, visit your nearest Financial Center, AllegacyInvestmentGroup.org or call 336.774.3400. *Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (“CFS”), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC) and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. Allegacy Federal Credit Union has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products and services available to credit union members. For specific tax advice, please consult a professional tax advisor. ©2013 Allegacy Federal Credit Union
JUNE 2013
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Safety Ryan Janvion (right) breaking up pass to Brandon Terry. Chuck Schlegel is at left.
DEACONS AT A GLANCE 2012: 5-7 overall, 3-5 ACC (4th, Atlantic) COACH: Jim Grobe — At Wake Forest: 73-74, 12 years; overall: 106-107-1, 18 years OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Steed Lobotzke DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Brian Knorr RETURNING STARTERS: 8 offense, 8 defense, kicker, punter, long snapper
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Looking forward to the fall
DEACONS REVEAL LITTLE IN SPRING GAME; FOCUS SHIFTS TO GETTING KEY PLAYERS BACK TO HEALTH FOR AUG. 29 OPENER By Sam Walker
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ake Forest’s 2013 annual Spring Game really wasn’t a game. The modified lineups and scoring systems that head coach Jim Grobe has played around with over the years to make the event fun for players and fans weren’t part of the plan this year, but the close of spring practices was more just a final practice. Decimated by injuries and playing so many young players with a slim playbook, little was probably revealed about what the Deacons will be or look like this fall. Grobe conceded he didn’t want to show off exactly what the team had been working on all spring with the
game being broadcast on the ACC Digital Network, but the Deacons have recommitted themselves to the run, where they ranked 116th nationally last season, and to be more balanced. Wake Forest will open the season against Presbyterian on Aug. 29 and then start ACC play on Sept. 6 at Boston College. But what was evident in the spring was a confident defense that showed some players with revved-up motor that liked to hit, force turnovers and get in the backfield early and often. “Over the course of the spring the offense did some good things, and the defense did some good things, and
2013 Schedule 8/29 Presbyterian
10/5 NC State
11/9 Florida State
9/6 at Boston College
10/12 OPEN DATE
11/16 OPEN DATE
9/14 ULM
10/19 Maryland
11/23 Duke
9/21 at Army
10/26 at Miami
11/30 at Vanderbilt
9/28 at Clemson
11/2 at Syracuse JUNE 2013
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today the defense obviously took control,” Grobe said of the April 20 contest at BB&T Field. “Part of the problem today was that we really wanted to throw the football. We know we’ve got to run the ball better, so we’ve worked on that a little harder this spring, but today we felt we needed to get as much throw stuff on film as we possibly could. “The defense played great today, and we really dumbed the defense down because we didn’t blitz, and we didn’t play a bunch of different coverages. But it’s amazing how good they play when they know what to do and don’t have a lot of thinking going on, so the simpler the better. That ought to be a lesson for our coaches.” The defense held the Deacons’ rushing attack to minus-5 yards on 32 attempts. Sacks were plentiful for the Deacon defense with Josh Banks tallying two and Kevis Jones, Marquell Lee and Steve Donatell having one apiece. Banks, a redshirt freshman defensive end, led the defense with six tackles, four of which were for a loss. Hunter Williams, Ryan Janvion, Merrill Noel and A.J. Marshall had
Grobe joking with Josh Harris during the game.
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an interception apiece. Banks had a solid spring and impressed the coaching staff consistently through the spring schedule. “Josh Banks is ready to step on the field and make crucial plays,” senior noseguard Nikita Whitlock said. “We always saw potential, and now it is showing on the field. Since last spring, we’ve come 360. We had our direction and then during the season lost it, so now the puzzle pieces are there. We have a great secondary, good linebacking corps, great defensive line. I don’t think we’ve had a defense like this since the ‘Fresh Deacs’ played here. It’s been a while. We’re playing with confidence, showed we can shut somebody out, and we dominated as a defense.” Grobe had some concerns about the safety position entering the spring. “One of our issues going into spring was at safety, and Ryan Janvion has had a great spring,” Grobe said. “It’s exciting to see him back there, and he’s getting more comfortable, and Duran Lowe and A.J. Marshall have had great springs. We know Bud (Noel) and A.J. and some of our corners can play, but safety
was a real concern, and Janvion has done some good stuff.” Quarterbacks combined to complete 16 of the 36 passes for just 131 yards. The offense ran a total of 20 possessions, 16 of which failed to pick up a single first down. Quarterback Tanner Price moved the Deacons for four straight first downs before a sack by defensive end Tylor Harris forced the Deacons to settle for a 39-yard field goal from Chad Hedlund for the only points of the contest. “We were definitely limited with seven healthy offensive linemen, and the receivers were down, too, so there wasn’t a whole lot we could do,” Price said. “But overall it was a good day, and we had a couple of good drives. It’s always fun to compete. It’s a little frustrating when the defense has the upper hand like that, but we had fun.” “It’s been a great spring because the young guys have gotten so many reps and come the season if we have injuries they’ll be ready and do well. Orville (Reynolds) has done a good job of making the transition from running back to receiver (flanker), and he’ll be good for us just because of his speed and agility. He’s come a long way this spring.” “Jonathan Williams had a really good spring with speed and great potential. I’m excited to see what those two guys can do. We always love to have Camp (Campanaro) out there, but it’s been good for those guys because they’ve gotten so much experience and so many reps. Today, it was about working on the little things, the fundamentals, and making sure you’re opening up the right way or calling the right play. I’ll always work on my fundamentals and speed.” Grobe addressed the lack of depth at wide receiver and in the offensive line. “One of our issues is that we are so thin at wide receiver,” Grobe said. “Four of the guys who should be playing aren’t out there right now. We know the offensive line is thin right now, and I think we wanted to look at (quarterback) Pat (Patrick Thompson). Hopefully we learned some things about our quarterbacks, so when we come back in August we’ll have a pretty good idea of who we can be “working with.” Price completed 9 of 16 passes for 82 yards, Patrick Thompson completed 4 of 7 for 37 yards, Kevin Sousa completed 2 of 8 passes for 9 yards, and Tyler Cameron made just one attempt before sustaining a sprained knee ligament. Thompson threw two interceptions, Sousa threw one, and walk-on Pat Long threw one.
“The cool thing today was Orville Reynolds is catching the ball now, and Jonathan Williams did some good things today,” Grobe said. “We think Brandon Terry will be fine, and he’s got that cast on his hand today. Today proves what we think – that we’re not a pure throw football team. If we come out and just throw the football, we’re going to be in trouble. Now we don’t have Camp (Michael Campanaro) and don’t have Matt James, don’t have Sherman Ragland or Jared Crump. We’re not at full force there, but it just hit home that that’s not us. “We’ve worked on a lot of stuff this spring, but we didn’t feel like today was a day to come out and throw the kitchen sink but felt like today was a day to come out and see if we could come out and throw. We thought it might give the defense some problems because they haven’t seen a lot of the throw, but obviously that didn’t bother them at all.” With the offensive line depleted by injuries, the Deacons started Dylan Intemann at left tackle, freshman Tyler Hayworth at left guard, junior Whit Barnes at center, junior Frank Souza at right guard and freshman Will Smith at right tackle. Just eight linemen started spring practices, but players returning from
Tanner Price passing. At right Frank Souza (75) blocks Zach Thompson. At left is Kevis Jones (37 white) and an unidentifiable player.
injury and fresh new talent should bolster the line, and the experience from which the younger players benefitted may give the team some much needed depth and flexibility. Cody Preble, junior Steven Chase, sophomore Antonio Ford and incoming freshmen Cory Helms and Josh Harris of Alpharetta, Ga., Cameron Gardner of Bailey, and Taylor Chambers of Columbia, S.C., should all re-enter the mix and compete for playing time once the Deacons return in August. “I feel good about the O-line,” Grobe said. “With only seven or eight guys we’ve been flipping those guys from side to side this
spring, but regardless of the problem with the backup center, there are the problems you have just flipping guys from left guard to right guard. But the good thing about our offensive line right now is they’re good guys, they work hard, and I don’t have a problem with our ability. “But I do think we’re better run blockers than pass blockers, so that’s something we’ve got to get better at. If we get Steven back, Antonio back and, of course, we’ll have Cody back from a sprained ankle, so that gives us 10 varsity players coming in August and then we’ll add the freshmen class coming in.”
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JUNE 2013
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The Coming Football Season Is Just A Blink Away
S ta n Cotten Voice of the Demon Deacons
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With the end of the athletic year here, you and I are likely on the same page. The page that lists the Deacs’ 2013 football schedule – from Presbyterian on Aug. 29 to Vanderbilt on Nov. 30. Summers tend to be long for most of us who can’t wait for the season to arrive and I suppose short for men like Jim Grobe whose charge it is to make sure a team is ready when game time comes around. But the fact of the matter is it’s June. And August is a blink away. Although Wake can only play one game at a time, you and I have the luxury of being able to meander through the schedule as we wish and wonder what may or may not happen. I haven’t gotten to that point just yet, trying to figure out how many wins the Deacons will have and what the bowl possibilities might be. But I have casually glanced through each week and compiled some random thoughts. The opener with Presbyterian takes me way back to when I was at Carson-Newman College in Tennessee in the 1980’s when C-N and PC were foes in the South Atlantic Conference. The Blue Hose are one of the more unique nicknames in all of college sports, and we’ll all be busy watching (and listening I hope!), working and wondering how Wake Forest will debut against Presbyterian on that last Thursday night in August. A rare regular season Friday night game follows the next week with an early ACC contest at Boston College. Two words come to mind: clam chowder. Hot and plentiful in the BC press box as a prelude to the Deacs’ first regular season Friday game since one with Miami in 1969. Back home the next week to complete the ThursdayFriday-Saturday start to the season with a home game opposite Louisiana-Monroe, a very good team. But my mind has already drifted to 2014 when Wake travels to Monroe on the return trip for the ULM opener, no doubt a steamer in the heat of the Bayou in late summer. Oh well, first things first… Back to back road games at Army and Clemson are set to follow. I know that West Point is a terrific place to visit, and Sports Illustrated is very high on the venue for a football Saturday, but all I remember from the last trip there is we had to lug all of the radio gear from the floor of the stadium all the way up the stadium steps to the press box and then look through a double set of Plexiglas-like material to try to call the game. I hear changes have been made. Salute! Clemson is Death Valley to most. Always tough to win there, and I had pneumonia the last time we were there — on top of a late Tiger punt return for a touchdown to win the game. Nowhere to go but up! Next are consecutive home games with State and Maryland I think at a good time to be at home in the dead middle of the season. It’s always good to get the Pack to
gold rush magazine
Winston-Salem, and when Wake and Maryland play, I still can see Phonz going 100 with that interception. Burned into my brain. A tough stretch after that will have the Deacons in South Florida one week to face Miami and then seven days later all the way up the Atlantic Coast to meet Syracuse. Long trips, solid opponents. The ACC schedule winds up on the next two dates at home with Florida State and Duke. Time to start the winning going again against the Noles and Blue Devils. And then there is Vanderbilt in Nashville to wind up the regular season. Vandy is on a roll, no doubt about it. Wake owes the Commodores a win in Music City to regain the upper hand in that series. I’m out of space, went long actually. Have a great summer, and after a few rounds of golf and a trip or two to the beach, I’ll see you on the radio.
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Q&A WITH RON WELLMAN Director of Athletics Ron Wellman discusses a wide range of topics related to the Deacon athletic program.
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hange is in the air as Ron Wellman closes out his 21st season as Wake Forest Director of Athletics. The ACC is growing, WFU campus facilities are sprouting up and improving, and another round of student-athletes are leaving, with a new batch on the way. The program has a lot to build on, and Wellman discussed the past and future of the Deacons with Gold Rush’s Jay Reddick. Gold Rush: The women’s soccer team got the year off to a good start, making another NCAA Tournament run and earning a top-10 ranking during the season. Katie Stengel has obviously brought even more attention to WFU with her play at a
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national-team level. What does that mean for the program and where do you see it going? Wellman: Tony da Luz has done an exceptional job of developing an annual contender. The program is really solid, and we should be very good again this year. We have some really good players returning, including Katie, Rachel Nuzzolese and Aubrey Bledsoe. We should start the year highly ranked. Everyone associated with our program believes that this could be one of those very special years that we will remember for a long time. Gold Rush: Heather Kahl Holmes’ cancer fight seemed to inspire everyone on her volleyball team and, it seemed, in the
whole athletic department. What did her perseverance, and the program’s unity in events like the Pink-Out, mean to you as an athletics director? Wellman: Heather has been an inspiration to all of us. She has demonstrated every quality you would hope that we all would exhibit when we go through any difficulty. Her recovery continues to go well. Gold Rush: Men’s tennis seemed like the hit of the spring, rising into the top 25 nationally and reaching the ACC final. What did the contributions of Tony Bresky, and of the new facilities, mean to that success? Wellman: Tony has quickly established our program as a force in the ACC and nationally. We have a bright future with his
leadership. The new tennis facilities have made a huge difference. Excellent facilities are a major factor in successful recruiting and training ... and our facilities are as good as anyone’s. Gold Rush: The football squad missed out on a bowl bid, but the team’s two AllACC selections, Michael Campanaro and Nikita Whitlock, both return to anchor a growing team under Jim Grobe. What excites you about that program? Wellman: The most exciting factor about next year to me is Jim Grobe’s excitement about the team. He believes that this is going to be an excellent team. He is getting back to the style of play that he used when he first came to Wake Forest ... and he believes that will make a big difference with the players that we have in our program now. One characteristic that really has Jim enthused is that we will be a very physical team next year. It should be good year for the Deacs. Gold Rush: Both basketball squads had big moments during the season, and brought the curtains down on the careers of C.J. Harris and that historically successful women’s class. What do you foresee happening as the men’s team gains experience and the women get another year in Jen Hoover’s system? Wellman: The men’s team showed improvement throughout the year, both individually and collectively. Our freshmen
played 60 percent of our minutes, which is the most of any team in the ACC and maybe the country. Those freshmen gained valuable experience. Each of our players continued to improve throughout the season, which should give our fans confidence about next year. We beat four of the top teams in the ACC, including a Miami team that was No. 2 in the country, and we had opportunities to beat other really good teams...we just need to learn how to close those games. We have a good group of returning players plus another good recruiting class coming to our program. Next year we intend to return to our historical competitiveness, which will produce an exciting season for us. On the women’s side, Jen Hoover had a good first year. Transitioning to a new coach is always a challenge but, like our men, we played well at the end of the season and had an impressive ACC Tournament win. There is every reason to be equally excited about our women’s team as they return good players, and recruiting has gone well also. Our future is very bright with Jen leading our program. Gold Rush: What can you say about the plans for Joel Coliseum? What would a change in ownership there mean to the program? Wellman: If we are successful (the final sale contract could be completed by July), we look forward to making important improvements to the coliseum that will give our fans the amenities that are important
to their experience at our games. We also anticipate “Deaconizing” the coliseum over the next few years. Our first step in the process would be to engage a group to masterplan the facility. We will need to finalize our vision for the coliseum and determine the priorities and process to achieve that vision. Ultimately, our goal will be to make sure that the coliseum is an asset to our basketball programs, university and community. Gold Rush: What other new or planned facilities are you excited about? Wellman: There are a number of facility improvements that are critical to the future success of our program. First and foremost, we must improve our Strength and Conditioning Center. It is a facility that is not only critical as a training center but also as a recruiting tool. In addition, the renovation of Bridger Field House, especially the football locker room and entire first and second floors, is important to our football program and fan experience. Other projects that are important to the success of our program include the Golf House, Spry Stadium practice and game field renovations and Wake Forest Baseball Park seating. One project that is currently underway is the Walt Chyzowych Hill at Spry Stadium, which will be a welcomed fan amenity for our soccer fans. That project will be completed by the start of our season in the fall.
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Family Tradition Karen Forman carries her brother’s tennis legacy By Jay Reddick
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he Wake Forest tennis programs wouldn’t be where they are today without the ties of family loyalty. Just ask Karen Forman. In the summer of 2010, a coaching change left Wake Forest with an uncertain future, and new coach Jeff Wyshner needed to build a recruiting base from scratch. His incoming freshman class that first year was practically nonexistent, and the uncertainty of the Deacons’ coaching situation had limited his options for the fall of 2011 as well. “With how early students are narrowing their lists of schools these days, it was important that right away, we find someone willing to come here,” Wyshner said. That’s where Forman came in. The Del Mar, Calif., native didn’t need a sales pitch from a coach; the happiness of her older sister and brother, both Wake Forest alumni, was enough to show her what Wake Forest had to offer. Older sister Jennifer, WFU class of 2009, liked the academics. Brother Steven, class of 2010, was here for the academics and the tennis — he was a three-time doubles AllAmerican for the men’s team. Karen was looking for a school with both of those attributes, plus a small school where she could fit in socially, so WFU was on her radar early on. But, she said, it was never a case of
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following her siblings anywhere. “It’s kind of funny,” Karen said. “One of us comes here, says to the next, ‘You should come here,’ and we’ve always said no at first. But we all chose it for different reasons. My sister discovered it and fell in love with the place. Steven found it was a great fit for him as well, with tennis and academics. For me, I looked all over the country, big schools and small schools, and it looked right for me, too.” So Karen waited out the coaching change, talked to Wyshner, then committed to the Deacons as his first recruit. She said the people were really what attracted her across the country to WinstonSalem. “I had been here to watch a few times while visiting my family,” she said. “I met some girls on the team, liked them a lot and just liked the whole feel of the place.” Like Karen, Steven had learned about WFU from his sibling’s experience but needed to see the place for himself before he made a decision. “Wake’s been a good experience for all of us,” said Steven, now an insurance broker in San Diego. “When I visited Jennifer, I got familiar with the place. I didn’t realize until she went there how good a school it was.” It was easy for Karen and her siblings to do their own thing because of the difference in their ages — Jennifer is six years older than Karen, and Steven is four years older.
Steven was a big encouragement to Karen as a young tennis player, Karen said. “He helped me a lot, especially in high school,” Karen said. “I listened to him. Because he was a college athlete, I realized he knew what he was talking about, and I looked up to him in a tennis sense.” For his part, Steven downplays his role in Karen’s development. “She’s super-competitive, so she needed to look across and see her opponent to know what she was up against,” Forman said. “Seeing it firsthand helped her much more.” Through it all, the Formans’ parents have become big Wake Forest fans. “The family is great,” Wyshner said. “Michael and Stephanie travel to a lot of tournaments. They’re very supportive and look forward to seeing us play — the whole team, not just Karen. That interest in what we’re doing builds a sense of community in our program.” Karen’s competitive nature has carried her through her first two years on the tennis team. This spring, her doubles team with Xue Zhang led the team in dual-match victories, but personal success wasn’t translating into team success. During February and March, the team lost six matches by 4-3 margins in six weeks, and by the end of the month, they were still winless in ACC play. “We felt good about how we were playing,” Forman said. “We were hanging with ranked teams. We were all capable of winning — we
KAREN FORMAN Favorite book: I enjoyed “Robinson Crusoe,” the last book I read for English class. I also like “Open” by Andre Agassi – it was interesting knowing the person and where he came from. Favorite athlete: I don’t watch a whole lot of pro tennis. Agassi has some really nice strokes, and I like Roger Federer a lot, too. As for other sports, I’m a big Lakers fan. I’ve been watching them since I was probably 4. Favorite sports movie: “Bend It Like Beckham” Favorite food: Shrimp If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Kobe Bryant and my Grandma and Grandpa. Any prematch superstitions? I’m not superstitious. Just pick up my racket and go. Favorite class: Accounting was a really big challenge for me. It wasn’t my favorite at the time, but looking back, I was proud of what I achieved at the end. Major: Business and Marketing Favorite WFU moment: When we clinched the match against Virginia Tech. It was a really exciting moment, but it was also a turning point for us, to show us we could do it.
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just needed to do it at the same time.” Then on April 7, she pulled off perhaps the biggest single match win of the season, taking down Virginia Tech’s Kelly Williford 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to clinch the team’s first victory over an ACC school in nearly three years. Forman said she was improving her technical skills throughout the spring, but what really helped was a change in her mindset. “I felt like my game was coming together (early in the spring),” Forman said. “My forehand was improving, and I started to like the way I was playing even though I lost. I started getting into ‘match mode’ more easily, settling into my game. Having that confidence really helped me — ‘I’m good. I can do this.’” It can be difficult to build confidence in the face of adversity like WFU was facing, but Forman did it, and the rest of the team followed suit. “She was one of the real examples within the group of making the effort through practice to really improve her game,” Wyshner said. “The way she played from mid- to late March and through the rest of the season, she was a different player than her first year and a half here. She invested her time, went through the frustrations, and the end result, there she was in that last match on court at Virginia Tech, pulling that out. That was huge, for her and the team.” Wyshner said as Karen got more confident in her own game, she became less timid on
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the court. “The biggest thing that changed was the aggressiveness as she would approach every ball within a point,” Wyshner said. “Every ball that she hits has to have a purpose. In the past, she would sometimes just be happy to get a ball back onto the court, but against the teams we play, she couldn’t afford to do that. Everything had to be more solid, closer to the sidelines, with more of a purpose.” Now that Karen has skills and confidence to build on, she can help the team build as well. The squad followed up the win over the Hokies by beating Maryland, which shows it learned how to win. The Deacons’ incoming class has been ranked the No. 11 recruiting class in the country by TennisRecruiting. net, and a sense of optimism has infected the program. “Now that we know we can win, there are teams we already have our eye on for next year,” Karen said. “Everyone’s a target.”
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JUNE 2013
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The Coliseum: Harbinger of a Sports and Entertainment Destination
barr y fair c l o t h A s s o c iat e At hl e t i c D ir e c t o r , D e v e l o pm e n t & Sal e s
Go to Google Maps and type in 499 Deacon Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC. That is the address of Bridger Field House at the north end of BB&T Field. Now take a look at the satellite images — over the east side of the stadium you will notice 13 courts that make up the Wake Forest Tennis Complex and home of the Winston-Salem Open. To the right of the Wake Forest Tennis Complex you will find the Indoor Tennis Center, which features eight indoor tennis courts and offices for our tennis coaches. Just south of the Indoor Tennis Center lies Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park. To the west of Bridger Field House at BB&T Field sits Deacon Tower, a showcase facility for our athletic department and university. Surrounding all these wonderfully renovated facilities you will notice acres of parking to support these venues. Turn your attention across Deacon Boulevard and you’ll see the Joel, the home of Wake Forest basketball, which we are in the process of purchasing from the city. With the purchase of the Joel, much of the land surrounding Deacon Boulevard will be owned solely by Wake Forest. The ultimate vision is to transform the area into a hub of activity – a thriving sports and entertainment district serving the athletic department, university and the entire Winston-Salem community.
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Envision a premier multi-use space that would not only further enhance the gameday atmosphere, but could function as a destination 365 days a year, boasting entertainment options, office space and living accommodations for professionals, students and retirees. Maybe we could even see the development of some type of pedestrian corridor connecting the complex to the beautiful Reynolda Campus of Wake Forest University just a mile down the road. The area is primed for a developer to design a solution that will both complement our athletic facilities and allow residents and visitors to “live, work and play” all within the space. As we continue to develop plans for this area, it is exciting to imagine the many possibilities. The purchase of the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum and its adjoining 33 acres not only adds to the potential for developing the Deacon Boulevard area, but it also gives us the flexibility, through operational and aesthetic changes, to make the facility a true home for Wake Forest basketball. We want to “Deaconize” the coliseum and create a venue that simultaneously generates excitement around our team, “wows” visiting recruits and honors the glory of the past, all while providing one of the best game-day atmospheres in the country for our fans.
Acquiring the Joel is a significant piece of the puzzle in realizing our vision of creating a sports and entertainment destination for Wake Forest, the City of Winston-Salem and the Triad community. However, we recognize that with this opportunity, comes tremendous responsibility. Over the course of the next year, Wake Forest will engage with an architect in a master planning process for the future of the coliseum. This will involve input from the Wake Forest community, as well as other stakeholders from the Winston-Salem area, similar to the process that was completed for BB&T Field 12 years ago. It took approximately six years for the plans of BB&T Field to be properly vetted, but the end result is a completely transformed football stadium, recognized as one of the most fan-friendly facilities in the country. As we saw with the renovation of BB&T Field and construction of Deacon Tower, the process of transforming the coliseum into a first-class Wake Forest facility will not happen overnight. Our ultimate vision for this facility and the surrounding area may not be fully realized for another five, 10 or even 20-plus years, but the future is bright, and the possibilities are inspiring for not only Wake Forest, but the entire Winston-Salem community.
Go Deacs!
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Reminder: Deacon Club Payment Deadline – June 30 Please note that payments on all outstanding pledges and balances for the 201213 year are due by June 30. Payments can be made online at DeaconClub.com or over the phone by calling (336) 7585626. You may also mail checks (made out to Wake Forest Athletics) to 499 Deacon Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27105.
Join us for the Annual Women’s Football Clinic Whether you are an avid football fan or someone who just wants to learn more about the game, the 16th annual Wake Forest Women’s Football Clinic promises to be an event that you won’t want to miss. Make plans to join us in Bridger Field House at BB&T Field on Thursday, July 18, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a truly memorable evening of fun and football. The cost is $30 per person. Proceeds benefit the Coach’s Kids Program, which provides underprivileged and at-risk children in the Triad area with tickets to home sporting events. Faculty and staff from Wake Forest University and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center are eligible for a discounted rate of $20 per person. The deadline to register is Monday, July 15, 2013 at noon, so be sure to sign up today. Register at https://godeacs.inviteright.com/2013womensfbclinic
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
Travel with the Deacs to West Point this Fall Experience the pageantry and tradition of a West Point game day when the Deacs travel to New York this fall to battle Army on the banks of the Hudson River. Packages start at $749 per person and include two nights of deluxe accommodations at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square, bus transfers to and from Michie Stadium on game day in West Point and more. For details, please visit http:// www.wakeforestsportstravel.com.
Join Wake Forest Men’s Basketball at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas Join the Wake Forest men’s basketball team at Paradise Island in the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis. Celebrate your Thanksgiving holiday and watch some great early season basketball as the Deacs battle in the Bahamas. For details and package options, visit http://www. wakeforestsportstravel.com.
Save the Date for Varsity Club Weekend, Sept. 13-14 Attention former student-athletes, managers and trainers! We hope you’ll be able to join fellow Varsity Club members, Wake Forest coaches and staff in a weekend celebrating Wake Forest Athletics. Enjoy festivities wi th fellow Varsity Club members, as well as the home football game vs. ULM on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 12:30 p.m. Be on the lookout for a formal invitation coming to your mailbox soon! If you have any questions about this event, contact the Deacon Club at (336) 758-5626. We hope to see you there!
Football Pregame Field Pass Application Football pregame field passes will again be available to Deacon Club members. For details, please visit DeaconClub.com or call the Deacon Club at (336) 758-5626.
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Capital Update: Construction Under way on Soccer “Walt’s Wall” Project
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riving along Polo Road on the north side of campus, you’ll notice a green construction fence that has been erected along the north side of Spry Stadium. Made possible through the generous donations of Deacon Club members, Wake Forest alumni, family and friends, the hill along Polo Road is getting a facelift with renovations and the construction of a new brick retaining wall dedicated to late men’s soccer head coach Walt Chyzowych. Construction on the project is under way now and is expected to be completed in time for the first soccer game of the 2013-14 season. The new and improved viewing area, which will be known as the Walt Chyzowych Alumni Hill, will not only enhance the fan and studentathlete game experience and increase the stadium seating capacity, but will honor the enduring legacy of Coach Chyzowych.
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One of America’s most prominent soccer coaches and a collegiate soccer coaching legend, Chyzowych arrived at Wake Forest in 1986 and directed the soccer program to ACC and national prominence. He helped the Demon Deacons to their first ACC Tournament title in 1989 and their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 1988. Chyzowych would guide the Deacs to three more appearances in the NCAA Tournament before his unexpected passing just one day before the start of the 1994 season. He coached five AllAmericans and 18 All-ACC selections during his tenure. His impact continues to be felt at Wake Forest and throughout collegiate soccer, and the Walt Chyzowych Alumni Hill will serve as a fitting reminder to alumni, student-athletes and fans of his many accomplishments. Bill Spry, who donated the funds to
name the stadium in honor of his father in 1996, said he feels that, along with the recognition of Coach Chyzowych’s achievements, “it’s important to make sure the facility remains a good place for the team to play and a recruiting tool for the coaching staff. I think it has been that in the past and has really helped in putting Wake Forest soccer on the map. I hope moving forward that the players who have benefitted from playing there, along with other alumni and friends of the university, will participate in keeping it a facility that is first-rate and will give the coaches the tools they need to keep the program firstrate.” When asked about the impact the renovations will have on the fan and student-athlete experience, Marcus Tracy, a former Wake Forest men’s soccer player and current San Jose Earthquakes forward
i n s id e t h e d e a c o n c lub said, “I think the project is going to have a massive impact on the atmosphere at home games. For both the fans and the athletes, the crowd atmosphere and involvement plays a huge role in the overall experience. Allowing more fans in, sitting closer to the action is only going to enhance what is already an incredible place to play and watch soccer.” Behind the new brick wall and patio space, the hill will be graded to a gentle slope, making access to the area easier and increasing seating capacity. The renovated hill will also be the home of Spry’s Army, the soccer student spirit group on campus. When Bill Spry first heard about the proposed project, he was inspired to
implement a matching challenge for alumni to participate in the capital campaign. “My reason for contributing with a matching gift was to encourage all the players who had played under Walt, but also those under Jay who knew of the heritage that Walt created, to participate in recognizing Coach Chyzowych. I also wanted to give them the opportunity to have their names associated with that recognition as well. I thought that by doing a matching gift I could encourage a lot of our soccer alumni to participate.” Recent grads such as Marcus Tracy (’08) took Bill up on his offer. When he heard about the matching gift, he says, “I was excited about it. It shows that there is a lot of determination and excitement to get this done. It’s a great thing.” Other donors to the project, such as Joel Tomaselli, father of rising senior and men’s soccer midfielder Ross Tomaselli, look forward to the positive impact the renovations will have on recruiting and the future of the program. “Wake Forest Soccer has great history and coaching. College Soccer continues to get better and better, ACC Soccer is always exciting, and Wake Forest is always one of the best. The students and recruits that come to Wake Forest are a special breed of great guys. There is a bright future ahead for the program.”
Future phases of the soccer capital project call for renovations to the irrigation and leveling of the practice fields, improving them for use during inclement weather and creating a premier surface on which the men’s and women’s soccer programs can train as they prepare for the chance to compete for future conference and NCAA titles. To make a donation to the soccer project, or to find out more information, call the Deacon Club at (336) 758-5626.
deacon club photos
Deacon Club members are encouraged to submit photos for publication in the Gold Rush. Send your photos in digital format to deacclub@wfu.edu. Submission of a photo does not guarantee that it will be published. Thanks for showing off your Demon Deacon pride!
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1 Julian (Ian) Alexander Wiggins, new grandson of Randy and Susan Park, proudly sports some of his Wake Forest gear in anticipation of football season.
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2 Bob McCreary (’61) and his mother Christine are proud and loyal Deacon fans.
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3 Deacon fan Dr. Erik Van Rens and alums Dr. Stan Rogers (’69), Jim Smith (’68), Mike Piscetelli (’05), and John Sandlin (’74) reconnect during a round of golf in Wilmington, NC.
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Super Fan
Julie Griffin plans to retire after long career as advocate and adviser at Wake Forest
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celebrate their accomplishments by honoring f you ask any current or former but they couldn’t stay away for long. Julie’s husband, Cook, who also had strong championship teams. Wake Forest student-athlete or other “Being the Varsity Club Director was member of the athletic department ties to Wake Forest, described the day that to name a Demon Deacon “super they got the call that would bring them back a really special time in my life,” Julie said. fan,” chances are you’re going to hear Julie to their alma mater. Julie and Cook were living “Having gone to Wake Forest and been such Griffin’s name quite a bit. It’s true – she is a in Chattanooga, Tenn., with their young son, a big fan, it was a privilege to get to know all die-hard fan who bleeds black and gold, but to Ryan, when Cook received a call from Gene of these athletes that I had heard about as an the countless student-athletes, coaches, fans, Hooks, director of athletics at Wake Forest. undergrad. Seeing them reconnect with their teammates and Wake Forest was Deacon Club members and athletic really special.” department colleagues whose lives “Jules (Julie) is truly an amazing lady, who everyone After 16 years with the Varsity she has touched throughout her admired and looked up to. You could tell that she genuinely Club, Julie was asked to run the career, Julie is much more than just cared about each athlete and showed her unconditional a fan. love for us in her interactions and enthusiasm behind the CHAMPS/Life Skills program, an NCAA program developed to assist A native of Nashville, Tenn., Julie activities she put together. She will be missed more than student-athletes with the transition graduated from Wake Forest in 1969 from college to professional life and with a degree in psychology. As a she could ever imagine, and I can’t thank her enough for Demon Deacon cheerleader, Julie’s changing my life personally. Having Julie in my life showed to make meaningful contributions to their communities in the process. school spirit and love for her team me how I want to be when I am older. I will definitely Since taking the reigns in 2001, was evident from the beginning. miss her hugs and the smile she would put on my face.” Julie has continued to serve in Two years after graduation, Julie — Riley Ridgik (’14), Women’s Soccer this position, valuing her role as returned to her alma mater working Hooks asked him if he would be interested a mentor and advocate for Wake Forest in the alumni office. “They wanted me to work at Wake Forest in interviewing for a position at the Deacon student-athletes. “Working with our student-athletes is an for pay, but what they didn’t realize is that I Club. When Cook hung up the phone, he would have swept floors for free at Wake looked at Julie and said, “Put a ‘For Sale’ sign absolutely incredible experience,” she said. “Every day I get to watch them grow and in the front yard – we’re going home.” Forest just to be here,” she said. In 1985, shortly after returning to Winston- mature throughout their four or five years at Eventually, Julie found her way to the athletic department, working for the Deacon Salem, Julie began working part time as the Wake Forest, and hopefully, I help them along Club where she did fundraising and prepared Varsity Club Director, an experience that that path by serving as a resource for them, game programs and media guides. Shortly she still cherishes today because it allowed by being an advocate for them, mentoring thereafter, Julie married Cook Griffin (’65), her to get to know former student-athletes, them and by making opportunities available and they moved away from Winston-Salem, reconnect them with Wake Forest and to them — for growth, for leadership, for
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community service.” Another part of Julie’s job is to serve as the adviser to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a role that she really values. “I love working with SAAC,” she said. “I have the opportunity to work closely each
successful year with their eighth annual dance. Finally, Julie is proudest of the fact that under the CHAMPS/Life Skills program, so many student-athletes give back of their time and talents to the Winston-Salem community. This year, 90 percent of Wake Forest student-
“Julie Griffin truly is Mrs. Wake Forest; when I think of school spirit and school pride she is the first person that comes to mind. The first time I met Julie at the start of my freshman year in the student-athlete freshman transition class, I knew she was going to be someone I would grow very close to, and it turns out she was. She’s given so much of her time and energy to the student-athletes during her time at Wake, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that I owe her so much for making my experience here that much more fulfilling. She has a heart of gold and lives her life with Pro Humanitate in mind. I can’t thank you enough for everything, Julie, but know that you are an inspiration to everyone you come in contact with and will be missed immensely!” — Erin Brooks (’13), Women’s Track & Field year with a group of 33 student-athlete leaders from each of the sport teams and really get to know them. It’s been very special to work with them and see how they interact and come to solutions.” Julie was also instrumental in starting the annual SAAC retreat that is held prior to the start of school each summer, something that she’s very proud of. “It has made a huge difference in how SAAC members relate to each other,” she said. “We do team building, have fun, cook a meal together, build memories, and they really get to know each other, which makes them a stronger, more cohesive group willing to lead and speak out on behalf of their fellow student-athletes.” When asked about some of her other proudest moments, it’s clear that Wake Forest student-athletes have a true advocate in their corner. “The things I’m proudest of are the things I’ve helped the student-athletes do that they wanted to do – things they might not have been able to do if they didn’t have an advocate or adviser,” Julie said. She recalled that after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, the studentathletes wanted to host a “date auction” to raise money for victims. “It was their idea, and we had to kind of fight for it, but they pulled it off, and it was great,” she said. The student-athlete dance is another event that SAAC really fought for, and with Julie’s help, they made it happen. This spring, student-athletes celebrated the end of another
athletes participated in a community-service activity either on or off campus donating more than 4,100 hours of service. Julie’s countless accomplishments and contributions throughout her time with Wake Forest athletics have had a lasting impact on hundreds, if not thousands, of studentathletes, and she has built relationships that will last a lifetime, but after a long and successful career, Julie will be retiring from Wake Forest at the end of June. Although that last day will no doubt be difficult, Julie has plenty to look forward to in retirement. She and her husband will celebrate with an Alaskan cruise later this summer, and she’s excited to sleep late and enjoy a cup of coffee while leisurely reading the newspaper on her deck. She hopes to spend more time with her friends, come to more ballgames and organize her thousands of photographs. But most importantly, she’s
looking forward to being able to spend more time with her granddaughter, Lucy, who Julie calls the “light of her life.” As she reflects back on her time at Wake Forest, she is filled with countless wonderful memories but admits that many of her favorite memories are sports related. From witnessing Randolph Childress’s game-winning shot in the 1995 ACC Tournament title game to celebrating national championships including men’s golf in 1986, field hockey in 2002, 2003 and 2004, and men’s soccer in 2007 to being a part of the thrill of the 2006 football season with the ACC Championship and a trip to the Orange Bowl, Julie cherishes each and every moment, especially those involving a win over the Tar Heels. Julie makes it very clear that she’s not going anywhere after retirement and looks forward to being a part of countless more exciting athletic achievements, but what she will truly miss are the people who have come to mean so much to her over the years. “I’m going to miss my colleagues in the athletic department and across campus,” she said. “I’m going to miss working with our coaches and the people in student-athlete services, but this place has been too much a part of my life for so long that I’m not going to disappear. I will miss sitting at my desk and being surprised by an alumni athlete who drops by to say ‘hey.’ That always touches me because I assume they wouldn’t drop by if I hadn’t made a positive impact or if we didn’t have a good relationship, so it always makes me feel good when they come back.” Even though Julie won’t be in her office, she wants to remind everyone that her email address and cell phone number will remain the same, and she hopes that those visits won’t stop and that her relationships with current and former student-athletes and colleagues
“Julie Griffin is a very important part of my life and the life of my family. As a former student-athlete at Wake Forest University, I saw Julie pour herself into the life of the Wake Forest athletics department and into the lives of every studentathlete she came in touch with. I refer to Julie Griffin as ‘Momma Julie’ (even to this day) because of her encouragements, love and support she had for my brother, Levern, and me while we attended Wake. But that love and support didn’t stop after I graduated. She continued to follow and support me and my family as we pursued our careers in also impacting others in the coaching profession. Julie Griffin has made a lasting impression on our lives and in her love for the Wake Forest University student-athlete and community. I will forever be thankful for Julie Griffin as my ‘Demon Deacon Mom.’ “ — Warren Belin (‘90), Former Football Player Assistant Football Coach JUNE 2013
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“Julie’s enthusiasm for Wake Forest is contagious! She has a way of connecting with the student-athletes — they know she is always rooting for them. She is a mentor, advocate and friend for Wake Forest student-athletes.” — Chelsea Ruskoski (’12), Athletics Assistant – Student-Athlete Services will continue to grow. As she reflects on the impact the student-athletes have had on her life, she recognizes that it’s not going to be easy to say farewell, but she is both inspired by them and comforted by the bright futures that lie ahead of them. “One of the hardest things is going to be leaving the student-athletes,” she said. “I’m really going to miss them. The studentathletes have impacted me way more than I’ve impacted them. They constantly amaze me with their many talents and the way they put those talents to use while they’re here. With their many commitments, their time is limited, but for them to get so much done and for them to give back to the community like they do and respond to requests like they do … I’m just constantly amazed at how incredible they are and how lucky we are to have them. It’s a very special gift I’ve been given to be able to work with these kids.” It wasn’t just student-athletes who were
impacted by Julie’s mentoring through the years. In addition to her athletic duties, Julie served as a Wake Forest staff adviser to another group of Wake students dear to her heart – former Fidele Society and now Chi Omega Sorority – for more than 10 years, and her relationships with many of those young women remain close today. Julie feels that she has had the “best” jobs at Wake Forest and is grateful to everyone who made her time so special. “I want to say thank you to all the Deacon Club members, colleagues, student-athletes and former athletes for making my time as
part of the Wake Forest University athletics staff so wonderful and giving me so many wonderful memories,” she said. As for the person who will one day be charged with attempting to fill Julie’s very large, black and gold shoes, she has some valuable pieces of advice. “First, make sure you keep a candy drawer,” she said. “Be very flexible and patient. Accept that there aren’t enough hours in the day. Love the athletes, and be an advocate for them, and really appreciate your opportunity to have a positive impact on their lives.”
“She is the embodiment of a Demon Deacon. I swear her blood is Old Gold and Black. You will never find anyone who loves her Deacs more than Julie Griffin. As a studentathlete at Wake and when I worked for her after graduating, I would say I got to know her well. She is one the kindest, most loving and sincere people you will ever meet. She is the student-athlete’s greatest advocate on campus. She always made time for anyone to come into her office to talk about anything in the world. She knows everyone’s name and life story. I never heard her utter a negative word about anyone (except Duke and Carolina), just as everyone had nothing but positive things to say about her. My Wake Forest experience would have been missing something were it not for Julie Griffin. I can’t help but love her and could not have imagined my years at Wake without her.” — Thomas Sensing (’10), Men’s Track & Field Former Athletics Assistant – Student-Athlete Services
2013 Gene Hooks Achievement Award The Gene Hooks Achievement Award recognizes a former Wake Forest athlete, coach, trainer, manager, or administrator who has exhibited traits of integrity, charity, leadership and embodies the Pro Humanitate spirit that Dr. Gene Hooks, former Director of Athletics, exhibited over his 45 years associated with Wake Forest University. The Deacon Club is now accepting nominations for the 2013 Gene Hooks Achievement Award to be presented during Varsity Club Weekend. To submit a candidate, please complete the application and return along with a letter of recommendation to the Deacon Club. Nominations can also be submitted online by visiting http://deaconclub.com/news.cfm?entry=65 In order to be eligible for the Gene Hooks Achievement Award, a candidate must meet thefollowing conditions: 1. If the candidate is a former student-athlete, their athletic eligibility must have expired at least 20 years ago. If the candidate is a former student manager or trainer, they must have served in that role at least 20 years ago.
2. The candidate must be of good character and reputation and not have been a source of embarrassment in any way to the University. 3. The candidate should have an impressive record of service, charity, and honorable actions which mirror the character of Dr. Gene Hooks. 4. The candidate must have attended and participated in varsity athletics as a student-athlete, trainer or manager, or served as a coach or administrator within the Wake Forest athletic department. 5. The candidate need not be a graduate of the University, but must have left school in good standing and with the good graces of University officials. A maximum of four candidates will ultimately be voted on annually. The final candidates will be selected by Wake Forest athletic department staff after a careful review of all nominated
Nominee Information
Submitted By
Nominee’s Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Your Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nominee’s Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Your Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip:__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nominee’s Phone: (______________)_______________________________________________________________________________
Your Phone: (______________)_____________________________________________________________________________________
Nominee’s Email: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Your Email: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
To Submit Nomination: Complete this form and mail along with letters of recommendation & other relevant supporting information to: Stephanie Hudson, 519 Deacon Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27105 (must be received by Friday, June 21, 2013). Forms and nformation may also be emailed to deacclub@wfu.edu. Nominations can also be submitted online by visiting http://deaconclub.com/news.cfm?entry=65.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you have any questions, please contact the Deacon Club at (336) 758-5626.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DEADLINE: JUNE 21, 2013
Why should the nominee be considered for the 2013 Gene Hooks Achievement Award? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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n each issue, Where Are They Now showcases a former Wake Forest student-athlete. This issue highlights former cheerleader Julie Ann Mullen Hartman (’90). Julie now lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband Doug (’90) and four children.
Julie Ann Mullen Hartman Why are you still involved in Wake Forest Athletics? In a day
What makes you most proud of Wake Forest? We are hard
and age that so many D-1 schools have made poor choices regarding recruiting and student-athletes, I am proud to support a program that promotes integrity in their coaches and players.
workers. We are often the underdog, and we never give up.
Why do you feel it is important to give back to the University? Wake is such small school, and I want each and every athlete to feel how special a place WFU is and how much we respect the sacrifices the student-athletes make to represent Wake Forest.
What is your current occupation? I am a stay-at-home mom of four boys ages: 17, 16, 13 and 11.
What is your favorite memory of your time at Wake Forest? The friends that I made at Wake are still my nearest and dearest friends. One of my favorite memories was attending the Moravian Love Feast.
When did you graduate from Wake Forest? 1990 What was your major? Education What does being a Demon Deacon mean to you? Being a Demon Deacon is part of the fabric of who I am. Wake Forest is a special place that holds priceless memories. When I think of Demon Deacons, I think of a family that is loyal to one another.
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When you come back to Wake Forest, you always… go to the Village Tavern for dinner or lunch, we walk on the Quad, and we go to Dewey’s Bakery to get a Moravian Sugar Cake. We also have to get some Blue Ridge Ice Cream at the game.
I was there when… they cut down the trees on the Quad. It was a sad day, and it looked like a war zone for a while. Who is your favorite coach at Wake Forest, current or past? My favorite coach was Skip Prosser. He really understood what it took to get the students and fans involved in the game as well as the athletes.
d e a c o n s i n t h e pr o s BASEBALL
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Coaches/Scouts Neil Avent Adam Bourassa John Hendricks Michael Holmes Kevin Jarvis Bill Masse Matt Price Mike Rikard Eric Schmitt Ross Atkins Danny Borrell Coordinator Adam Wogan Tommy Gregg George Greer
MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB
Oakland A’s San Diego Padres Toronto Blue Jays Oakland A’s San Diego Padres Seattle Mariners Kansas City Royals Boston Red Sox New York Yankees Cleveland Indians New York Yankees
Area Scout Area Scout Area Scout Assistant Scouting Director Pro Scout Area Scout Pro Scout National Cross Checker International Scouting Director of Player Development Minor League Pitching Rehab
MLB AAA A
New York Mets Kansas City New York Mets
Director of Minor League Operations Omaha Storm Chasers Hitting Coach St. Lucie Mets Hitting Coach
Minor League Ranks Matt Antonelli Dave Bush Tim Cooney Michael Dimock Allan Dykstra Brian Holmes Carlos Lopez Mike Murray Mac Williamson
Cleveland Indians Toronto Blue Jays St. Louis Cardinals Houston Astros New York Mets Houston Astros Washington Nationals San Francisco Giants San Francisco Giants
WOMEN’S GOLF Laura (Philo) Diaz Jean Chua Nannette Hill Natalie Sheary Michelle Shin Cheyenne Woods
LPGA Has made the cut in her last 2 events; has qualified for the US Open Symetra Has finished in the top-25 in all five events with one top-10 Symetra Played in her first event in over a year at the Friends of Mission Charity Classic Symetra Finished 3rd at the Guardian Retirement Classic; has a pair of top-12 finishes Symetra Posted her 2nd-best finish as a pro, finishing 12th at the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic European Has made the cut in four of five events and finished 12th at the Lalla Meryem Cup
SOCCER Men’s Anthony Arena Corben Bone Brian Carroll Sam Cronin Austin da Luz Akira Fitzgerald Stephen Keel Michael Lahoud Justin Moose Ike Opara Michael Parkhurst Pat Phelan James Riley Zack Schilawski Wells Thompson
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Philadelphia Union (Head Coach) Philadelphia Union (Technical Director)
Kirsten Meier
Secily Ray Alex Tchangoue
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MEN’S GOLF Lee Bedford Bill Haas Jay Haas Gary Hallberg Scott Hoch Len Mattiace
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Curtis Strange
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Kyle Reifers
Coaches John Hackworth Rob Vartughian
Al-Farouq Aminu Tim Duncan Josh Howard James Johnson Chris Paul Ishmael Smith Jeff Teague Chas McFarland Taron Downey Justin Gray Jamal Levy Nikita Mescheriakov Antwan Scott Darius Songaila Kyle Visser Ty Walker David Weaver L.D. Williams
Web.com Has made the cut in five of his last six starts; is currently 63rd on the money list PGA Has five top-10s in 13 starts, including a T3 at the Northern Trust Open Champions Has three top-6 finishes, including a 3rd at the Toshiba Classic Champions Tied for 17th at the Greater Gwinnett Champ., has played in seven events Champions Has finished in the top-20 in four of the six events he’s played this season Web.com Finished T4 at the Panama Claro Championship; one of three cuts made Web.com Made four cuts in seven events with top finish of T28th Champions Has played in one event, the ACE Group Classic and finished 78th Champions Finished T36 at the Insperity Championship, his best finish in three starts PGA Is 11th in the FedEx Standings; Has 3 top-10s and 8 top-25s in 13 events Web.com Tied for 11th at the Columbia Championship; has made four cuts
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JUNE 2013
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// t o dd hair s t o n
Student-Athlete Employment With summer upon us, there is often confusion about the rules regarding the employment of student-athletes. Given the number of high-profile cases involving impermissible benefits to student-athletes in recent years, many Deacon supporters, as well as other local employers, are left wondering whether they can or should hire current student-athletes. NCAA rules do permit student-athletes to be employed, and unlike years past, there are no limits on the amount of money they may earn. There are standards that govern the process by which student-athletes are hired and how they can be compensated, however.
t o dd hair s t o n A s s o c iat e At hl e t i c D ir e c t o r , C o mplia n c e
The first stipulation is that a student-athlete cannot be hired strictly based on his or her reputation as a student-athlete. All normal hiring practices (e.g. completion of application, interview) must be followed, and all prerequisites and qualifications for the job in question must be met. Further, student-athletes can only be paid for work that has been performed at the time payment was received. Compensation must also be commensurate with the going rate for the particular type of work performed. Additionally, any perks associated with a job, such as a company car, free meals, entertainment, etc., must be available to all employees. In cases where student-athletes are hired to perform odd jobs on a temporary basis, (e.g. moving furniture) such opportunities must be publicized and open to the general public. While student-athletes are not precluded from these types of opportunities, they may not be handpicked for these jobs. For other questions related to this issue, please contact Todd Hairston at hairstct@wfu.edu.
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