Gold Rush - August/September 2014

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WAKE WILL: THE CAMPAIGN FOR WAKE FOREST

EXCITING

& NEW Dave Clawson brings a new coaching staff, new look and new focus as Deacons gear up for 2014 football season

SOME THINGS DON’T CHANGE

LEADING TACKLER RYAN JANVION RETURNS WITH THE REST OF A TALENTED DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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VOL. 24 // ISSUE 1 (USPS 014-373) EDITOR

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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 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.

CONTENTS

// A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4

GOLFING GREATS: Former Wake Forest golf standouts and U.S. Open Champions Curtis Strange, Arnold Palmer and Webb Simpson pose for a photo at a dinner held in conjunction with the U.S. Open, which was in Pinehurst in June.

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FROM THE AD

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

16

100% COTTEN

29

CALENDAR

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INSIDE THE DEACON CLUB

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COMPLIANCE CORNER

// 6 TOP ASSISTANTS Taking a closer look at head coach Dave Clawson’s assistant head coach and two coordinators.

// 8 ROCK OF STABILITY On a team with so many young players, the defensive backfield, including safety and leading tackler Ryan Janvion, returns intact.

// 12 EXPERIENCED RECEIVER Graduate student transfer E.J. Scott shifts from Virginia to Wake Forest to complete his college football career in the slot for the Deacons.

ON THE COVER Dave Clawson begins his first football season as the new head coach at Wake Forest.

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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FROM THE A.D.

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

EXCITEMENT ABOUNDS WITH NEW ATHLETIC YEAR

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

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With the last days of summer comes the excitement of a new athletic year, and there is much about which to be enthused. New facilities, new coaches and outstanding recruiting classes heighten our anticipation about the coming year. As you probably know, our Board of Trustees approved the construction of the McCreary Field House and the Golf House at their spring meeting. These important facilities will enhance our program immensely. The McCreary Field House, which is a 120yard indoor practice field located on the site of the current football practice fields, will give our football team the opportunity to practice regardless of the weather. It literally will also serve all of our teams in their conditioning programs. Site preparation has already begun with the anticipated completion of the project next fall. The Golf House will complete the Arnold Palmer Golf Complex. The facility will house the coaches’ offices and players’ locker rooms. It will also include a heritage area to highlight the outstanding success our golf programs have had for many decades and honor some of the truly great golfers who played their collegiate golf for the Demon Deacons. This summer also produced potential changes nationally. By the time you receive this “Gold Rush,” it is anticipated that the NCAA Board of Directors will approve a new governance structure that will give

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

the five equity conferences (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, SEC and PAC 12) more autonomy to govern ourselves. The autonomous items will be a critical negotiation point. There will be much discussion and negotiation among the schools in those conferences to determine how we improve the student-athlete experience on our campuses. There is potential for significant changes regarding student-athlete welfare matters, but the five conferences are equally determined to continue the strong relationships that we have with the other 32 Division I conferences in terms of access to NCAA Tournaments. For instance, the NCAA Basketball Tournament is attractive to millions of fans across the country and even worldwide. One of the major reasons for that is that all Division I schools have access to the tournament. The annual “Cinderella team” is always one of the major story lines of the tournament. It is critical that whatever the future holds regarding college athletics that we are in position to thrive in any environment. We are prepared to excel in the future with new facilities, outstanding coaches, athletes and our determination to “Develop Champions.” I look forward to sharing many celebrations with you this year!

Go Deacs! Ron Wellman


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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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FOOTBALL

// A S S I S TA N T C O A C H E S

Getting to Know You Loyalty binds head coach Dave Clawson’s top three assistants By Jay Reddick

It has been eight months since Dave Clawson took the reins of the Wake Forest football program. The change brought plenty of new faces to campus and to the football offices, both from Clawson’s former stop at Bowling Green and elsewhere across the country. Before the staff faces an opposing team for the first time on Aug. 28, we thought we’d get to know three of Clawson’s top lieutenants on staff: assistant head coach Kevin Higgins, defensive coordinator Mike Elko and offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero.

KEVIN HIGGINS

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH Kevin Higgins is no stranger to competition, even away from the athletic fields. Higgins’ first job in collegiate athletics happened when he and his wife, Kay, had a race of sorts to employment. “When we first got married (in New Jersey), my wife was a basketball coach and wanted to get into college coaching,” Higgins said. “We decided whoever got a job first, that’s where we would go. She got a job at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, so that’s where I started.” There were no losers in this competition. That was 1981, and Higgins is still doing the work today at age 58. After nine years as The Citadel’s head coach, Higgins came to Winston-Salem as the Deacons’ assistant head coach. Higgins’ relationship with Dave Clawson goes back to the early 1990s, when they were fellow assistants at Lehigh. When Higgins

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was hired as the Mountain Hawks’ head coach in 1994, Clawson was his first offensive coordinator. So when Clawson called Higgins last spring about joining the Deacons, despite his professed love for Charleston and The Citadel, he made the jump. “I’ve known Dave a long time,” Higgins said. “I have a lot of respect for him as a person and as a coach, so when he asked, I figured at this point, with our children out of the house, it might be time to start fresh.” Higgins doesn’t just bring college head-coaching experience to the Deacons, he brings some NFL credentials as well. From 2001-04, he was an assistant under Marty Mornhinweg on the Detroit Lions staff, dealing with quarterbacks and wide receivers. He said those years taught him a lot about dealing with different kinds of people. “Working with the quarterbacks was like working with CEOs,” Higgins said. “They get there early, they’re focused, and they do everything they can to be successful. The wide receivers there were a completely different group personality-wise. You had to make sure they were there on time and find ways to keep them motivated. It was a challenge.” Higgins is the only one of the top three assistants who didn’t come directly from Clawson’s staff at Bowling Green, but he is very aware of Clawson’s philosophy for the program. “Coach Clawson has a system that has won championships,” Higgins said. “The challenge is to incorporate players into that system. His strength is that he can always adapt his system to the players he’s inherited or recruited. From game 1 to the end of the season, you’ll hopefully see us change as we utilize the players we have and maximize their potential.”


MIKE ELKO

WARREN RUGGIERO

Mike Elko has plenty to be excited about for the 2014 season, but the Deacs’ new defensive coordinator will have plenty of challenges in front of him as well. An experienced secondary and linebacking corps greeted the 15-year veteran assistant when he arrived in Winston-Salem last winter. Elko and the WFU staff have proceeded to change the defense’s entire core from a 3-4-4 formation into a 4-2-5 formation, with four down linemen and five defensive backs. Elko has led this alteration despite a lack of returning starters along the D-line. “Really, we started everything from scratch,” Elko said. “There’s always the challenge of change and transition – with veterans or with young guys, everybody’s doing it for the first time together.” Elko said the 4-2-5 formation has evolved over the years. It began as a way to combat the proliferation of spread offenses across all levels of football. “Having four down linemen gives you the ability to have more of an edge rush,” Elko said. “It brings a little more speed to the field and lets us cover more ground in the secondary.” The Deacons didn’t take to the system right away, Elko said. It’s been a work in progress. But as long as the progress continues through Aug. 28 and beyond, he’ll be satisfied. “They’re trying to get comfortable, and for those things that are uncomfortable, the only way to cure that is more reps,” Elko said. “The first time we’ll do it for real is against (Louisiana) Monroe.” It’s hard to argue with Elko’s approach when you see the results. Four defensive starters at Bowling Green last season were All-MAC, and the team led the conference in scoring defense, total defense, pass defense and rush defense in each of the past two seasons. Dave Clawson saw Elko’s potential as a defensive mind way back in 2002, when he gave Elko his first full-time coaching job as an assistant coach at Fordham. Clawson and Elko didn’t know each other, but a mutual friend suggested Clawson interview Elko for the position. That mutual friend was Dave Cohen, now the Deacons’ defensive-line coach. “It was right before spring ball, and they needed a guy right away,” Elko said. “I guess I did well enough on the interview to get the job, and the rest is history.” Elko has been with Clawson at many stops since then and also worked as a defensive coordinator at Hofstra for three seasons. But he’s never lived quite this far south before. He said his wife, Michelle, and three kids (ages 10, 7 and 5) are loving it. “The kids jumped right into the campus community,” Elko said. “The kids rolled the Quad after the Duke (basketball) game and went to a bunch of baseball games in the spring. My wife and I as well – we’re all really enjoying it.”

The Deacs’ new offensive coordinator liked calling North Carolina home once before, and now he likes it even more. Ruggiero spent two seasons, 2006 and 2007, as the offensive coordinator at Elon under coach Pete Lembo. The staff took what had been a 3-8 team the year before they arrived, won five games the first year and seven in Ruggiero’s second season. Ruggiero played a big role in mentoring quarterback Scott Riddle, who would go on to set numerous Southern Conference and NCAA passing records. “Those were two of my favorite years,” Ruggiero said. “We turned that thing around pretty quick, and I really liked living here. I’m excited to be back.” Ruggiero played quarterback at the University of Delaware, graduating in 1988, and his work with quarterbacks has been stellar throughout his coaching career. He has worked with all-conference or All-American quarterbacks at every school he served as a coordinator. Addressing depth at quarterback and elsewhere on the offensive side of the ball was Ruggiero’s first priority when he got here. After the graduation of Tanner Price, only one scholarship quarterback, Tyler Cameron, was on the roster. “We lost a lot of starters,” Ruggiero said. “We’ve been trying to move some people from one position to another to have depth in spring, and we’re taking it one day at a time. I think we’re going in the right direction.” With the uncertainty of personnel, just about all that is sure about the Deacons’ offensive philosophy this fall is that it will be nohuddle, Ruggiero said. “We’re no-huddle, but we’re multiple personnel group,” Ruggiero said. “It’s flexible – there have been years where we’ve passed for 4,000 yards and years we’ve run for 2,000. Where we’re going to be this fall has yet to be determined because we don’t know our quarterback, and there are so many guys fighting for jobs. Who our best three or four guys are, who we’ll get the ball to, is still a work in progress.” Among the coordinators and top coaches on the staff, Ruggiero has known Clawson the least amount of time – he came aboard when Clawson was named coach at Bowling Green in 2009. That familiarity up and down the staff has been a huge help; as everyone adjusts to a new school, not as many people have to adjust to each other. “I’ve been on staffs where everybody is from different places,” Ruggiero said. “Everybody has to take time getting themselves on the same page, when that time could be spent recruiting, gameplanning opponents or other stuff you need. That has certainly helped us.” That has helped the players, too – the staff has been able to present a united front and communicate a consistent philosophy from day 1. “I think we’re asking a lot more of these kids than at every point in their life,” Ruggiero said. “We’re very demanding of what they do academically, off the field and certainly on the field. It’s a 24-hour-aday way, and we hold them to a high standard. They’ve been great in trying to get better and do what we want.”

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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// R YA N J A N V I O N

Something to Win For LEADING DEACON TACKLER RYAN JANVION HAS SPECIAL MOTIVATION TO SUCCEED By Jay Reddick

I

t only took a moment. Football was just a game for Ryan Janvion, then in one fourthgrade heartbeat, it became a mission.

Even at that young age, Janvion knew football was his sport. He was already one of the best on his little-league team, and he loved going to watch his big brother Brandon play. Brandon was a freshman at Dade Christian School then, a safety wearing No. 22 and tons of potential on his back.

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In the third week of that season, with Ryan watching, Brandon was pursuing a ballcarrier as he had so many times before. He got to his man just as another defender did, and the force of the combined collision knocked him down. Then came a flurry of stretchers, doctors and bad news: A broken C-4 vertebra in Brandon’s neck was broken. The spinal cord wasn’t damaged, so he could walk without fear, but he could never play football again. “I just remember going to doctors with him and walking out in tears,”


said Ryan. “He couldn’t play the sport he loved. That was a big eye-opener to me. It put pressure on me to pick up where he left off. I always play for my brother a little bit.” It will be easy to find Ryan Janvion on the field for the Deacons this fall. He’ll be at safety, wearing No. 22 and tons of potential on his back. In a year where so much is exciting and new – a new coaching staff, new formations, new facilities, new offensive weapons – it’s nice to know some things won’t change. On the field this year, such steadfastness can be found in the defensive backfield. All four starters return from last year’s finale, and Janvion, the team’s leading tackler, will be at the center of that rock of stability. Growing up in Miami, Janvion was a pretty typical sports kid. He started out playing little-league football and basketball, adding track later in high school, but he soon realized that while the other sports were fun, they were really just sidelights to the gridiron. “I liked doing it, but it was more like crosstraining a little bit, so I wasn’t always doing the same thing,” Janvion said. “A lot of people said I should focus on one thing, but I didn’t find that necessary. Track meant I could go at top speed. I played basketball because I liked to move around and make plays, out-hustle people and play really good defense.” That hustle and movement is one of the defining traits for the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder. He started all 12 games as a freshman last season, and you could watch his confidence grow along with his numbers in his first three games: Three tackles in his debut, then seven, then 10. Three more double-digit games would materialize before the end of the year, along with a fumble recovery and an interception. The date Janvion always had circled last season, though, was Oct. 26. Sun Life Stadium. The hometown Miami Hurricanes, ranked No. 7 in the country. “I knew after we played them my redshirt year that I would be there the next year,” Janvion said. “It was such a surreal moment, playing in the same stadium where I grew up watching. My whole high school was there, and my family. I’m getting booed (by UM fans), getting flicked off, but it was cool. It was the most adrenaline I ever had.” Janvion put that adrenaline to good use, notching a career-high 14 tackles (12 solo) and almost spearheading a major upset in a 24-21 loss. “Losing was heartbreaking, but that was a crazy day.”

2014 SCHEDULE Aug. 28. . . . . . . at Louisiana-Monroe . . . . . . . 7 p.m. Sept. 6. . . . . . . . GARDNER-WEBB . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13. . . . . . .at Utah State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 p.m. Sept. 20. . . . . . ARMY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA Sept. 27. . . . . . . at Louisville* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA Oct. 4. . . . . . . . . at Florida State* . . . . . . . . . . . TBA Oct. 18. . . . . . . . SYRACUSE* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA Oct. 25. . . . . . . . BOSTON COLLEGE* . . . . . . . . . . TBA Nov. 6. . . . . . . . . CLEMSON* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15. . . . . . . . at NC State* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA Nov. 22 . . . . . . . VIRGINIA TECH* . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA Nov. 29. . . . . . . at Duke* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA

He had another highlight against a Florida AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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// R YA N J A N V I O N

2014 outlook 2013 RECORD: 4-8 (2-6 in ACC, 6th in Atlantic Division) COACH: Dave Clawson (1st year at WFU, 90-80 in 14 years overall) RETURNING STARTERS: 13 (5 offensive, 5 defensive, 3 specialists) KEY RETURNEES: RB Orville Reynolds, CB Merrill Noel, CB Kevin Johnson KEY LOSSES: QB Tanner Price, WR Michael Campanaro, NG Nikita Whitlock OUTLOOK: If the Deacons are to improve on last year’s 4-8 record, they will need to rely on their defensive experience (especially among the linebackers and defensive backs) and the fresh burst of energy that comes from a coaching change. Dave Clawson has presided over rebuilding projects before, and this season may be the first step in his latest success story.

Still, before Janvion takes time for himself, he’s always eager to take time for others. He is often called upon to speak to school groups as part of WFU’s student-athlete development program. “Every time they ask, I try to do it whenever I can,” Janvion said. “I’m in a very blessed position now. I know that feeling when somebody goes out of their way to help me, and I want to return the favor.” It has been nearly nine months since Wake Forest last took the field against an opponent – a long time since the Deacons lost five straight games to close the 2013 campaign. But despite all that has passed since then, the bitter taste hasn’t dissipated for Janvion. “There’s a lot of frustration,” Janvion said, “when you’re sitting at home in December, watching ACC teams in bowl games and knowing you’re just as good individually and collectively … things just didn’t fall our way. But it definitely motivated us, put a chip on our shoulder, and we worked our butts off. The hard work in the offseason will translate on the field, and we’ll show America we’re an up-and-coming force to be reckoned with.”

squad later in the year when he got his first career interception against FSU’s Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. But the biggest milestone in his development, Janvion believes, has been this offseason. New coach Dave Clawson and his staff have renewed the team’s focus on workouts and drills, and Janvion has worked on improving his body, his skill set and his mind for the game. “Everything has changed,” Janvion said. “The way we work out is more focused and direct. The new staff is great at adapting to how players respond to different workouts. As a team, it’s the best shape we’ve ever been in, and that’s been a huge encouragement and confidence-builder. “For me, I wanted to focus on my footwork and just my knowledge of the game. I did a lot of drills on the field and a lot of speed work, but really watched a lot of film, meeting with coaches to discuss why we do what we do on defense and how certain formations work in certain situations. As I told my coach, I want to be the smartest player on the field so I can play faster and help my teammates more.” That certainly includes his fellow defensive-back starters, all seniors: free safety Anthony Wooding Jr. and cornerbacks Kevin Johnson and Merrill Noel. The Deacons plan to switch to a 4-2-5 setup on defense this season, but those four are certain to be part of any master plan, and that’s exciting for Janvion, the relative newcomer of the group. “We’re all excited,” Janvion said. “We’ve got two of the best corners in the conference and the nation. It’s always a pleasure playing with veterans at the corners, because it makes the safeties’ jobs easier, and now that we have a whole year under our belt, we have high expectations.” Janvion has high expectations for himself off the field as well. An Academic All-ACC selection, Janvion was just accepted into business school, where he plans to major in Business Enterprise Management with a focus on economics. College athletes are almost forced to be masterful time managers, but Janvion seems to take special pride in it. “My mom always taught me not to waste time,” Janvion said. “ ‘Get done what you have to get done and then you can relax.’ So I’ve always been good at that, and I hope to stay successful.”

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RYAN JANVION CLASS: Redshirt sophomore POSITION: Strong safety HOMETOWN: Miami MAJOR: Business Enterprise Management FAVORITE COLLEGE CLASS: “A Microeconomics class really struck my interest in Econ. I’m taking Economics of Sport next semester, and I’m really looking forward to that.” FAVORITE WFU MOMENT (BESIDES STARRING IN MIAMI AND THE INTERCEPTION AGAINST FSU): “N.C. State was probably the first game where I started to make a lot of plays on defense, where people started to say, ‘He’s not a rookie anymore. Now we can depend on him.’” FAVORITE SPORTS MOVIE: “Remember the Titans” FAVORITE ATHLETE GROWING UP: Running back Emmitt Smith or safety Ed Reed IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANY ONE PERSON, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD IT BE? “It would have to be Jesus. He’s the most important person in your life.”


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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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// E . J . S C O T T

Maryland Connection GRADUATE STUDENT TRANSFER E.J. SCOTT IS THE LATEST DEACON TO COME FROM HOWARD COUNTY, FOLLOWING MICHAEL CAMPANARO AND KEVIN JOHNSON By Sam Walker

H

oward County, Maryland, located to the southwest of Baltimore, has provided Wake Forest some pretty good football players in recent years. Certainly Michael Campanaro, Wake Forest’s all-time leading reception leader, comes to mind, and senior cornerback Kevin Johnson still has his final season yet. But the team now has another Howard County native in E.J. Scott. He is slated to play the slot this fall, and with him comes three seasons of ACC experience; however those three years weren’t as a Demon Deacon.

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Scott is a graduate transfer from the University of Virginia, where he redshirted his freshman season. But he grew up in Howard County playing on a little-league team with Campanaro and Johnson that was coached by Campanaro’s dad, Attilio. Those childhood connections were never lost, and now Scott gets to play with Johnson one more season, this time at Wake Forest and on first-year head coach Dave Clawson’s team. “Those guys (Johnson and Campanaro) were great friends growing up — they were my best friends growing up, and I kept track of those guys and Wake Forest even when I wasn’t here,” Scott said. “So that made this process, this transition, a whole lot easier.” Scott’s Wake


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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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// E . J . S C O T T

Forest roommate is Johnson, and while they play on opposite sides of the ball, both will be counted upon in different ways this fall when the Deacons open the Clawson era at Wake Forest. Scott comes in with a good amount of experience. During the 2012 season, Scott had 29 receptions for 390 yards and three touchdowns, and he hauled in three of 14 passes in 2013. For his career, Scott caught 32 passes for 420 yards and also returned kicks. He completed his degree in sociology at Virginia but wanted to go to graduate school and play out his final season of eligibility. Wake Forest offered him that opportunity. “It was originally between Wake Forest and Virginia coming out of high school, and I was recruited by Coach Grobe, but I ended up at Virginia,” Scott said. “But once I decided I was going to leave Virginia for my fifth year, it was great to end up at a place that was high on my list already. It really worked out. I looked at some other places, but I really wanted to be in the ACC.”

In most cases, a player doesn’t transfer from one league school to another. Universities take their athletic commitments seriously, and if they do allow a player to transfer, there is usually a type of “nocompete clause” that states that the player may not transfer to a rival conference institution. But since Scott has already graduated and is enrolled as a graduate student transfer, he is immediately able to play under NCAA rules. Scott becomes available at a good time too, as the receiving corps is a somewhat unknown position group entering this season. Scott is experiencing the same growing pains as the rest of the team as they adjust to a new coaching staff, new system and different approaches to the game. But it’s the same learning curve he would have had to navigate anyway in his mind. The edge he has is in experience by having already played ACC football. “These guys knew the campus, but they were just meeting these coaches, learning the playbook the same time I was so it was really a good time because I wasn’t behind from a learning standpoint,” Scott said. “I was getting plays down. It was equal for everybody getting to know the new coach here, and I wasn’t the only one getting used to the changes. “It’s a little harder academically for me than what the other guys (undergraduates) are doing because I wanted to get a master’s degree

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E.J. Scott HOMETOWN: Ellicott City, Md. YEAR: Graduate Student PREVIOUS SCHOOL: University of Virginia MAJOR: Enrolled in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program OUTSTANDING ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS: “I want to say it will happen this year. I think the best is yet to come this season, and the opportunity to play here my last year is what I’m most excited about. To finish my education here and my playing career here, I’ll have special memories of this place. I’ll always see myself as a Deacon because this is where I finished up my education.” – E.J. Scott


and not just take graduate level courses. So I’m taking two classes both sessions of summer school and some are at night, so there are some things I miss. But I’ve been doing all the workouts, and it will be worth it. The work is a lot harder than undergrad classes, but Wake Forest is a great school, and I’m real happy to be here.” Scott worked hard during the 15 spring practices and had a couple of receptions during the spring game. “I think I had a pretty good spring, and there was an opportunity where I got a lot of reps and really got to prove myself,” Scott said. “When I came here, I really wanted to come in and contribute to the team. I was happy with my spring. Our offense is like a three-wide, no-huddle offense. So the fact we are passing a lot, airing it out, is great for any receiver. I like that. It fits my style of play. I’m playing the slot, and that’s what I was playing at Virginia, so that’s something I’m used to. “We’re real excited, have a great coaching staff and Coach (Kevin) Higgins is a great, great coach. We (the receivers) are a tight-knit group, but the whole team is on a small campus, and we hang out with each other a lot. In the spring game, it was a new system for everyone and new staff, but now we’re hitting the ground running. We’re looking forward to that first game, and we’re going to be ready to go.”

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7/31/14 10:41 PM

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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100% COTTEN

// S TA N C O T T E N

Time to Go: Football is Back

S TA N COTTEN VOICE OF THE DEMON DEACONS

16

It’s about time. Just a few days ago, suddenly the evening air was cooler than usual. And then the next night it was not. Warm and humid. Normal for this time of year. But that one heavenly night gave a tease of fall. Time for football. Time for a new page in Wake Forest history. Coach Dave Clawson is about to get his wish — to lead the Demon Deacons on to the gridiron to take his turn at writing the pages of Wake’s fortunes on the ever-changing landscape of college football. He’s three for three at taking teams and dramatically redirecting fortunes. To the tune of conference championships. Clawson’s first season in Winston-Salem will require him to do something that no other Demon Deacon head coach has ever done. Ever been asked to do. And that’s play in Monroe, La., Logan, Utah, and Louisville, Ky. And all before the end of September. Four of the Deacs’ first six games in 2014 come on the road, a cruel reality for Clawson and his first-year staff, before things turn for home with four of the final six games coming at BB&T Field in Winston-Salem. Being away from home so much early will further test a team that is already searching for an offensive leader and identity in fall camp. There is no doubt that Clawson will know what kind of team he has well before the leaves turn in October. But it’s those first three road games that will see the Deacons play where they’ve never played before. It’s an educated guess that Thursday night, Aug. 28, in Monroe, La., will be hotter and muggier than almost any other locale in the U.S. I’m sure ULM will do its best to remind Wake of that. I’m also quite positive Dave Clawson will have his team focusing on

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

things it can control. Like blocking and tackling. Not the weather. That will be a fun one. New coach…first game…first-time venue…hostile environment. Regardless of how it goes, it will make its mark on history. Then, after returning from the Bayou to Winston-Salem for the home opener with Gardner-Webb, it’ll be off to Logan for Wake’s first-ever football game in the state of Utah. Utah State has a solid program and comes off of nine wins last season. This is a huge game for the Aggies, hosting a team from the conference that just produced a national champion and the Heisman Trophy winner. Olsen Field (yes, as in Merlin Olsen) at Romney Stadium (no, not THAT Romney) will likely be filled to its capacity (25,513 and 4,710 feet above sea level) when the Deacs come calling for the inaugural game between the two programs. And then following homecoming and a skirmish with the United States Army, it’s off to the Bluegrass State for yet more history as Wake Forest and Louisville meet for the first time as ACC opponents. Even though it’ll still be September, Louisville will be an old hat as it relates to the ACC having already played Miami and Virginia in the first month of the season. It will be just the second time the Deacons and Cardinals will have ever played a college football game. The first, of course, was another history maker – the 2007 Orange Bowl as Wake represented the ACC as its champion after a title game win over Georgia Tech. Without even trying, this fall is going to feel very different. So many things new. New names, new faces. A new way of getting it done. And new places to go. It’s about time.


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Teamwork Wins Whether on the field or in the field of law, in the classroom or the boardroom, on the court or in the courtroom, we understand the vision, dedication and teamwork that it takes to win. Kilpatrick Townsend is proud to support the Wake Forest University athletic program. Go Deacons!

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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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INSIDE THE DEACON CLUB

Historic Levels of Fundraising Success Thanks to the loyal support of our Deacon Club members, I am happy to announce that history was made on several fundraising fronts during the 2013-14 giving year. Their generous contributions led to unprecedented success in our final fundraising results. BA R RY FA I R C L O T H A S S O C I AT E AT H L E T I C DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT & SALES

As we approach one year since the launch of the public phase of Wake Will: The Campaign for Wake Forest, we are proud to announce that we already exceeded our original $95 million campaign goal and have recently surpassed the $100 million threshold in campaign gifts supporting athletic priorities. Although this is a tremendous accomplishment, there is still much work to be done, so new goals and priorities have been established for the remainder of the campaign, which concludes July 1, 2018. Altogether, new gifts to the Deacon Club totaled just over $48.18 million, which represents an increase of 216 percent in total commitments over last year.

Annual Fund A big part of our focus in 2013-14 was increasing our Deacon Club membership and achieving a lofty goal of 5,000 members. For the first time in history, we eclipsed the 5,000 member mark, finishing with 5,043 members and realizing just over $5.96 million in gifts to support scholarships.

Capital Fundraising In total, we received over $7.38 million in gifts and more than $25.97 million in new pledges in support of capital projects during the 2013-14 fiscal year. This was led by the efforts of several gamechanging gifts including seven gifts over $1 million. These generous capital contributions have allowed the department to proceed with breaking ground on the $21 million McCreary Field House, a 120-yard indoor practice facility.

Endowment The endowment focus of the Wake Will campaign is an investment in the future of Wake Forest Athletics. A minimum pledge of $100,000 is required to establish an endowed fund, and once the value of the fund reaches $100,000, the scholarship may be awarded to a Wake Forest student-athlete. In total, 16 endowed funds were established during the 2013-14 fiscal year. With five of those funds already reaching a value of $100,000 and six previously committed endowments reaching the required threshold, a total of 11 new scholarships will be awarded in the fall of 2014. This is an incredible accomplishment and represents new records for both scholarships established and scholarships awarded. This past year brought changes to our department, but it also brought with it a new energy and sense of excitement, not only

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GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

among our coaches, staff and student-athletes, but also among our donors and fans who have demonstrated their pride and belief in the Demon Deacons through their loyal support. We are extremely grateful to all of our members whose contributions to the Deacon Club Annual Fund and endowed funds help ensure that our studentathletes have the opportunity to earn a degree while competing at the highest level as well as all of those who have made capital gifts and commitments, thereby ensuring that we are able to provide our student-athletes with first class facilities in which to train, develop and compete.

New Giving Levels for 2014-15 Although we certainly have a lot to be excited about, we cannot ignore the challenge presented by rising scholarship costs. As we turn our focus to the 2014-15 year, we must face that challenge by increasing the amount raised through the Deacon Club Annual Fund. Therefore, after much deliberation and with the approval of the Deacon Club Board of Directors, we will be implementing a giving level increase for the 2014-15 year, our first increase in nearly a decade. We believe this is a necessary step that will provide a competitive advantage to our teams by reducing the portion of our operating budget that must be allocated to cover scholarship costs, thereby increasing the amount of money available for things such as recruiting and student-athlete development. With more money going to support those critical areas, we will be better positioned to achieve our strategic plan goal of Developing Champions. We recognize that this increase will impact all of our donors in different ways, so we took that into consideration, and in an effort to provide ample notice of this decision and ease the transition for our members, giving level increases for the coming 2014-15 year will be voluntary. We hope that all of you will consider contributing at the new giving levels this year, but it will not be required until the 2015-16 year. More information about the changes to giving levels, including an expanded benefits chart and the introduction of new names for each level can be found on the following pages. I encourage you to review the information carefully and consider the significant positive impact that your donations have on Wake Forest student-athletes. If you have any questions about how these changes will affect your membership, please call the Deacon Club at (336) 758-5626. On behalf of the entire Athletic Department, we thank you for your support and look forward to carrying our momentum into another successful year in 2014-15.

Take care and Go Deacs!


INSIDE THE DEACON CLUB

Customizable Football Ticket Packages Available The Wake Forest Ticket Office is offering fans the opportunity to purchase custom ticket packages for the upcoming football season tailored to fit your schedule and budget. Packages can include two, three or four games and are available in any section in the stadium where tickets remain available. For questions or to purchase tickets for the upcoming season, please call the Wake Forest Sales Team at (336) 758-3322.

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

2014-2015 Deacon Club Membership Packets Deacon Club membership packets, including member cards, car decals and other perks for members, were mailed in mid-August, so all active Deacon Club members should be on the lookout for their packets if they haven’t already been received. Remember, your Deacon Club membership card is used for access to special promotions and events, as well as access to the Hoops Room at men’s basketball games for the donor and their immediate family. Golden C 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 earlySeptember, please contact the Deacon Club at (336) 758-5626.

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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INSIDE THE DEACON CLUB

Deacon Club Implements New Giving Levels

T

he last time the Deacon Club adjusted the minimum donation for each of its annual giving levels was nearly a decade ago. Since that time, the athletic department’s annual scholarship costs are estimated to have risen more than 58 percent and now total over $13.3 million.

portion of those costs remain and must be covered by the athletic department’s operating budget. Wake Forest Athletics has one of the smallest budgets in the Atlantic Coast Conference, so protecting that operating budget is crucial to our ability to remain competitive in the conference and on the national level.

Although every dollar contributed to the Deacon Club Annual Fund through annual membership fees goes directly toward scholarship costs, a significant

By increasing the amount of money raised through the Deacon Club Annual Fund, we will be able to reallocate additional revenue to enhance our recruiting efforts,

Updated Benefits Chart Provides More Robust View of Benefits of Membership In addition to providing life-changing opportunities for Wake Forest student-athletes, there are a variety of tangible benefits associated with Deacon Club membership.

WFA_DC_001245_01_MECH-memberchart_pr.pdf

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8/7/14

NEW minimum donation

NEW giving level name

4:27 PM

(Voluntary in 2014-15; Required in 2015-16)

DEACON CLUB MEMBERSHIP LEVELS & BENEFITS

Expanded list of benefits

Please note: Ticket eligibility limits are subject to change Deacon Booster

Deacon Bench

$125

$400

General

Golden C

Deacon Athletic Club

Deacon All-Conference

Deacon All-American

Coaches Round Table

$1,000

$2,000

$4,000

$8,000

Golden W

Scholarship

Executive

Gold

Deacon Legend Black & Gold

$14,000

Locker Room $27,500

Moricle $60,000

TICKETS & PARKING Football Parking

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2

2

2

2

2

2

3

3

Football Season Tickets

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4

4

6

8

8

10

10

10

Basketball Parking

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2

2

2

2

2

2

3

3

Basketball Season Tickets

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4

4

6

8

8

10

10

10

Away Travel For Football & Men's Basketball

2

2

Olympic Sport Admission

Perks for out-of-town members C

M

Y

CM

Away Basketball Ticket Access

2

2

2

ACC Tournament Basketball Tickets PREMIUM AMENITIES Access to Hoops Room Flow Lexus Club Access

2

Football Moricle Suite Access

4

Blue Ridge Room Basketball Access

4

EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES Invitation for Pre-Game Field Pass Access

K

1

Priority Seating for Single-Game Ticket Purchases

CY

Access to special events

1

Basketball VIP Parking (Moricle/Operation Lot)

MY

CMY

1

Football VIP Parking (Deacon Tower Lot)

Invitation to Closed Basketball Practice Deacon Club Appreciation Day Football & Basketball Head Coaches Dinner Football Pre-Signing Day Event with Head Coach Invitation to Hall of Fame Dinner

2

2

4

4

Stewardship Brunch Invitation to Pro-Am Dinner Invitation to Black & Golden Globe Awards SERVICE QUALIFICATION Advisory Council Nomination Deacon Club Board of Directors Nomination OTHER BENEFITS Football & Basketball Program Recognition Complimentary Football Media Guides & Basketball Yearbooks Gold Rush Magazine Included or eligible to purchase If Available

# #

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GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

Number of tickets/passes available for purchase on priority Number of complimentary tickets

2


provide resources that are critical to the development of our student-athletes and improve the game-day experience for our fans. In an effort to remain competitive while facing the challenge of rising scholarship costs, the Deacon Club has announced that it will be increasing the minimum donation for seven of its nine annual giving levels. For the 2014-15 membership year, which runs from July 1, 2014 until June 30, 2015, the increase will be voluntary, meaning that Deacon Club members are being asked to consider increasing their donation in accordance with the new giving levels, but they will not be required to do so this year. The new giving level requirements will go into full effect for all members for the 2015-16 membership year.

New Names Accompany Giving Level Changes The Deacon Club is also introducing new names for several of the annual giving levels. The new names are more relevant for college athletics and reflect the new energy within the athletic department.

Current Giving Level Name & Minimum Donation

NEW Giving Level Name & Minimum Donation (Voluntary for 2014-15; New levels in effect for all members in 2015-16)

General $125 Golden C $320 Golden W $800 Scholarship Club $1,600 Executive Club $3,200 Gold Club $7,000 Black & Gold Society $12,500 Locker Room Club $25,000 Moricle Society $60,000

Deacon Booster $125 Deacon Bench $400 Deacon Athletic Club $1,000 Deacon All-Conference $2,000 Deacon All-American $4,000 Coaches Round Table $8,000 Deacon Legend $14,000 Locker Room Club $27,500 Moricle Society $60,000

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 Cole Hudson Spernoga, born on May 13, 2014, is the son of Scott and Penny Spernoga. Scott is an athletic trainer for Wake Forest women’s basketball.

2

3

2 Kensie Donnelly, daughter of E.

3 Adrian Osterling, son of Jose

Barrett Donnelly (’08), flashes a big smile for the camera.

and Leslie Osterling, was born in May. Their older son, Nicholas, is a member of the Wake Forest tennis team.

4

4 Bestselling author Emily Giffin (’94) poses at her book signing in Atlanta with former Wake Forest guard Tony Rutland (‘98) and former men’s basketball manager Kyle Snipes (‘95).

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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DEACONS IN THE COMMUNITY

Deacons Giving Back Summer vacation did not stop these Wake Forest student-athletes from demonstrating their Pro Humanitate spirit and giving back to the local community.

Members of the women’s track, field hockey, women’s soccer, volleyball and women’s basketball teams participated in the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem’s “Jump and Move” camp. The student-athletes taught a group of 4-to-6 year olds how to stretch, ran drills and talked to them about healthy living.

As part of their summer camp activities, St. Paul’s Preschool brought 52 children to campus where they enjoyed a tour of the Wake Forest athletic facilities and had an opportunity to meet some student-athletes.

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GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE


The volleyball team helped fight hunger in the community by delivering food with H.O.P.E. Wake Forest football gave back to the community by participating in a Habitat for Humanity build.

We’re big fans of helping people get ahead. Financial Pathways of the Piedmont is a local, nonprofit agency that believes all people deserve a chance for financial well-being. Our game plan is simple:

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Foreclosure Credit Improvement and Budgeting Homeownership Senior Money Management Bankruptcy Debt Management Financial Education Last year, over 27,000 clients and family members directly benefited from our services. Give us a call at 336.896.1191 or visit us online at FinancialPaths.org. May we count on your support in the coming year? • Donate • Refer friends • Volunteer your time

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

//

K E L LY D O S TA L

I

n each issue, Where Are They Now showcases a former Wake Forest student-athlete. Kelly Dostal (’05), originally from Hatfield, Mass., enjoyed a stellar career as a Demon Deacon, graduating as one of the most decorated players in program history. She was a member of the USA Field Hockey team following graduation in 2005. She helped lead Wake Forest to three national championships (200204) and was a three-time All-America selection. She earned several individual honors and received the most prestigious individual award in women’s collegiate sports, the Honda Award, in 2004. The three-time Atlantic Coast Conference team member was also the ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2004.

Kelly Dostal When did you graduate from Wake Forest? 2005 What was your major? Health and Exercise Science What does being a Demon Deacon mean to you? Being a Demon Deacon is who I am, and it comes with a massive sense of pride and responsibility in acting with integrity in all facets of life. It means the greatest memories anyone could ask for. Having the opportunity to be a student-athlete in the best athletic conference in the country is something I will forever cherish. Why are you still involved in Wake Forest Athletics? I have always been an avid sports fan and dreamed of being a collegiate studentathlete. Even my wildest dreams could not have predicted a better story for my time as a studentathlete at Wake Forest. It is beyond humbling and truly telling about what a great athletic department we have when I repeatedly see mention in the Gold Rush and various other university publications of field hockey’s national championships as such a special memory for so many current and former student-athletes. The desire from our peers to see all programs succeed is outstanding, following current teams’ successes in their respective seasons year after year and seeing former Deacons playing at the next level are all reasons why I will always be involved in Wake Forest athletics. Why do you feel it is important to give back to the University? Being an alumna of Wake Forest comes with the responsibility of what our university stands for, Pro Humanitate. I am incredibly passionate about doing my part to ensure that students who attend Wake Forest and their families are able to have a similar, if not better, experience than both my family and I enjoyed. As each of us graduates, we simply leave campus. Wake Forest never leaves us. It is important to me that all students see what a special place Wake Forest is, and I absolutely love seeing the students, faculty and staff flourish year after year. What is your current occupation? I am currently a sales manager at EMC Corporation, a global technology company headquartered outside of Boston, Mass.

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What is your favorite memory of your time at Wake Forest? It is impossible to pick just one... sharing graduation day with my classmates, coaching staff, friends and family while Dr. Thomas K. Hearn, Jr. presided over the final commencement of his Presidency; the confidence, grace and passion of Jen Averill and her staff to lead our team to win the first ever national championship by any women’s program in Wake Forest history... followed by Jen’s unwavering brilliance and poise in guiding our team to three consecutive national championships (there is no better feeling than hoisting a national championship trophy!); basketball sellout crowds and the pure joy in seeing any of our teams beat UNC and/or Duke. I always enjoyed attending the Moravian Love Feast, and last, but certainly not least, the memories of all of the unbelievable times with teammates and friends. What makes you most proud of Wake Forest? The talented people in every corner of campus in both academics and athletics. Also, Wake Forest’s ability to excel both academically and athletically on a national stage and the overarching theme of serving our community. When you come back to Wake Forest, you always… Wish I was a freshman again and wish I came back more often! Take a walk around Kentner Stadium, visit the athletic department, marvel at how beautiful the quad is — that simply never gets old. Catch up with friends and take a drive around Winston-Salem to stop at my old favorite spots and see what is new around town. I was there when… I was a freshman when our great nation endured through the tragedy of 9/11, and Wake Forest immediately became my home away from home. One of the greatest coaches ever in all of collegiate athletics, Skip Prosser, could be found spending time getting to know the student-body while leading his No. 1-ranked team. Those were also the days of Chris Paul, one of my all-time favorites! Baseball games were still played on campus and the new DKE house across from Spry Stadium did not yet exist.


AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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DEACONS IN THE PROS BASEBALL

WOMEN’S GOLF

COACHES/SCOUTS Neil Avent Adam Bourassa John Hendricks Michael Holmes Kevin Jarvis Bill Masse Matt Price Mike Rikard Eric Schmitt Ross Atkins Danny Borrell Adam Wogan Tommy Gregg George Greer

MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB AAA AAA

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 New York Mets Kansas City New York Mets

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 Coordinator Director of Minor League Operations Omaha Storm Chasers Hitting Coach Las Vegas Hitting Coach

FOOTBALL Tommy Bohanon Josh Bush Michael Campanaro Tyson Clabo Brandon Ghee Chris Givens Josh Harris Justin Jackson Joe Looney Calvin Pace Kris Redding Zach Thompson Steve Vallos Nikita Whitlock Kyle Wilber

NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL

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NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL

NY Jets NY Jets Baltimore Houston San Diego St. Louis Pittsburgh Detroit San Francisco NY Jets Detroit NY Jets Free Agent Cincinnati Dallas

Carolina NY Giants Carolina Carolina Minnesota San Diego Indianapolis

GOLD RUSH MAGAZINE

MEN’S GOLF Bill Haas Jay Haas

FB S WR OL CB WR RB LB OL LB DE DL OG FB LB

COACHES/STAFF Charlie Dayton Pat Flaherty Joe Kenn Ricky Proehl Diron Reynolds John Spanos Brad White

Laura (Philo) Diaz LPGA Made 2 hole-in-ones at the Kia Classic; shot a 62 at the Marathon Classic Jean Chua Symetra Has played in 11 events with a top-finish of T14; has made over $8,700 this season Nannette Hill Symetra Coming off of injury last season, has played in all 14 events this year; top finish of T19 Natalie Sheary LPGA Has made her first four career starts on the LPGA Tour; played 10 times on the Symetra Tour Michelle Shin Symetra Has played in all 14 events with a T22 at the Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial as her top finish Cheyenne Woods Symetra Won the Australian Ladies Masters on the LET; Has made the cut in 9 of 10 starts

Vice President Offensive Line Coach Strength Coach Wide Receivers Coach Defensive Line Coach Executive VP of Football Operations Quality Control Defense

Gary Hallberg Scott Hoch Len Mattiace Kyle Reifers Curtis Strange Webb Simpson

PGA Has not missed a cut this season; Notched 2 top10s in last five events Champions Having another great year; 3rd on the money list; worst finish in 12 events is T12 Champions Has played in 11 events and finished T35 at the Greater Gwinnett Championship Champions Finished 6th at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic; Made the cut at the US Senior Open Web.com Has played in 16 events and has made four cuts this season Web.com Has three 3rd-place finishes and 6 top-25s; is 22nd on the money list Champions Finished T34th in the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Champ.; Has made 5 starts PGA Has 7 top-10s in 18 events; Is currently 15th in the US Ryder Cup Standings


What Our Community Needs... is more high school graduates. United Way of Forsyth County understands a good future begins with a good education. On average, high school graduates

earn 32 times more money, live 9 years longer, and are 5 times more likely to live above the poverty line than non-graduates. Since 2007, the high school graduation rate has risen from 70.7% to 82.1%. Please help us reach 90% by 2018.

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What Our Community Needs Is YOU

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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

27


Noble’s Grille, opened in 1992, is the benchmark for fine cuisine in WinstonSalem. Our seasonally-inspired menu is a tribute to all the craftsmen, artisans and small local farmers that we have built strong relationships with over the years. We are able to source the finest our region has to offer, but also push the boundaries by working in concert with our growers to cultivate specialty crops and heirloom varieties exclusively for our restaurant. The use of a hickory wood fired grill and oven gives our handcrafted food that unique sweet-smoky flavor. With a diverse menu ranging from small plates and bar bites to steaks and chops, local draft beers and over 25 wines by the glass, Noble’s Grille

offers something for any occasion. Our lively bar is perfect for a casual bite and cold local draft, where our dining room and private dining room suits anything from a quiet dinner for two to a lively family get-together. What truly sets Noble’s Grille apart is our passionate attention to detail. Each day begins early at our bakery, The King’s Bakery in Charlotte, where all our pastries and breads, crafted from locally milled organic flour, are made daily. Our executive Chef travels there each and everyday to gather our daily breads and pastries before service. Most of our fish and game comes in whole from local ranchers and

fish mongers and is butchered in house to ensure the finest and freshest products for our guests. Under the direction of our talented Executive Chef John Bobby our guests are able to enjoy everything from handmade charcuterie to fresh pastas and pizzas. Noble’s Grille is open for lunch Monday thru Friday from 11:30 to 2:30 and for dinner Monday thru Thursday from 5:30 to 10:00, Friday and Saturday 5:30 to 11:00. Walk ins are always welcome however if you would prefer to make reservations please call 336.777.8477



COMPLIANCE CORNER

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

Promotional Activities

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

High profile court cases such as O’Bannon vs. NCAA have generated a lot of discussion around the issue of student-athletes’ name, image and likeness. While the outcome of this case may drastically impact the way these issues are viewed going forward, current NCAA rules do not permit a commercial entity or any individual (including the student-athlete) to use a student-athlete’s name image or likeness to advertise or endorse a commercial product. Student-athletes are also precluded from using their athletic reputation to benefit financially in any manner. This would include activities such as signing autographs and personal appearances. The NCAA has made exceptions, however, for charitable and non-profit organizations. Personal appearances and printed promotions that include the names of student-athletes are permitted under these

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circumstances. Also, signed memorabilia may be sold or auctioned for charitable purposes, as long as no portion of the proceeds are used to support commercial co-sponsor of the charity or event. For example, if a local charity auctioned a signed basketball in which 10 percent of the proceeds went to a commercial sponsor, such an arrangement would be impermissible under NCAA rules. Though the concept of amateurism continues to evolve, it remains a bedrock principle of the NCAA. Exactly what form it will take, however, remains to be seen.

For any questions related to this issue, please contact Todd Hairston at hairstct@wfu.edu.

8/6/14 4:49 PM


Toll Free: 1.800.852.1504 www.timwelborn.com

PROUD SUPPORTER OF 2014 WFU FOOTBALL AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014

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Plans Evolve for On-Campus Facilities Since the launch of the Wake Will campaign last fall, plans for the department’s on campus athletic facilities have continued to evolve. A state of the art Sports Performance Center remains one of the top priorities of the department, but with the hiring of Dave Clawson and Danny Manning, we took advantage of the opportunity to take a fresh look at our facilities and evaluate how our priorities would not only benefit all of our athletic programs, but also support the new coaches’ respective visions for the futures of our flagship programs. As a result, we identified additional needs that led us to broaden the overall vision for our on campus facilities to include an indoor practice facility and a new basketball practice gym in addition to the Sports Performance Center.

McCreary Field House On July 1, Wake Forest Athletics announced plans to begin construction on a new indoor practice facility named in honor of Bob McCreary (’61), who committed $7.5 million to the project this spring. Designed to benefit all of the Wake Forest athletic programs, the McCreary Field House will provide an area for teams to train yearround regardless of the weather conditions. The $21 million facility will be located behind the Miller Athletic Center on the Reynolda Campus and will feature a 120yard artificial turf field with rollup doors that will open onto the existing football practice fields The recruiting implications of this facility are significant. Since 2011, six ACC schools, including Duke, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Clemson, Florida State, and Louisville, have debuted new indoor practice facilities, while Virginia Tech, NC State, and Syracuse have announced plans for new facilities. Construction of the McCreary Field House will further demonstrate Wake Forest’s commitment to student-athletes and to recruiting top prospects. Site work is slated to begin in August and construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2015. “We are excited to begin construction on the McCreary Field House,” said Wake Forest Director of Athletics For more information, visit http://wakewill.wfu.edu/athletics or call (336) 758-5626.


Ron Wellman. “In the spirit of our mission of ‘Developing Champions,’ we want to provide a place for our student-athletes to train year-round during inclement weather, so this facility will benefit all of our athletic programs and help ensure that our teams remain competitive. It will also have a tremendous impact from a recruiting standpoint and will play a crucial “The groundbreaking announcement is great news for Wake Forest football,” role in our ability to said head coach Dave Clawson. “It is a significant investment and shows the high commitment level that the University has to our program. The attract top prospects. McCreary Field House will be a game changer for our current studentWe are also are athletes and future Deacons. It will give our players the ability to improve deeply grateful to and work on their skills the entire year. The facility will also give us a great Bob McCreary and boost in our recruiting efforts to attract the best possible student-athletes to other donors whose Wake Forest University. We appreciate the efforts of everyone involved who philanthropy makes made this project possible.” possible this new Dave Clawson, Head Football Coach facility.” In addition to McCreary, Ben Sutton (’80, JD ’83), Alan Fox (’79, MBA ’81), W. Prentiss Baker III (’65, P ’89, P ’90), Gaither M. Keener Jr. (JD ’77), Carl M. Tucker III (’68, P ’95, P ’97, P ’04) and other generous donors have contributed to this Wake Forest Athletics project as part of the Wake Will capital campaign. “I hope the construction of the new indoor practice facility motivates recruits to become part of a new era in Wake Forest Football under Coach Dave Clawson,” said McCreary, a former football player whose longtime support of Wake Forest includes more than $15 million in lifetime commitments. “The support for this facility makes it clear that Wake Forest is committed to ensuring the success and wellbeing of student-athletes and athletic programs.”

For more information, visit http://wakewill.wfu.edu/athletics or call (336) 758-5626.


Basketball Practice Gym Current plans call for the construction of a new basketball practice gym adjacent to the existing Budd Gym. The new gym would connect the Miller Center with the new Sports Performance Center. Since taking over the men’s basketball program, Coach Danny Manning has been emphasizing the need to enhance the on-campus basketball facilities by building an additional practice gym which will have a significant impact on both his team and the women’s basketball team. With two teams vying for practice time in one gym, conflicting class schedules, workouts, game schedules, and other factors lead to an abundance of scheduling challenges. An additional gym would alleviate those challenges and have a positive impact on the competitiveness of both teams. Additionally, this new facility would provide a significant recruiting advantage for both programs.

Sports Performance Center The Sports Performance Center will feature a larger, state-of-the-art strength and conditioning area that will include both weight rooms and cardio areas. The increased size will allow multiple athletes in different sports to work out simultaneously. A nutrition area that will directly support the vital role that proper nutrition plays in the pursuit of athletic excellence will also be a key part of this building. The Sports Performance Center will feature equipment and resources that will enhance the strength, power, speed, quickness, endurance, agility, balance, nutrition, and the general well-being of our student-athletes. In addition, the facility will house the football and men’s and women’s basketball coaches’ offices and team meeting areas as well as other programmable space. For more information, visit http://wakewill.wfu.edu/athletics or call (336) 758-5626.


Donors Give Generously to Support New Facilities Providing resources and facilities dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness of Wake Forest student-athletes is clearly a priority for the athletic department, but that cannot be accomplished without the support of our generous donors. Following the announcements earlier this spring of multi-million dollar commitments from Alan Fox and Bob McCreary, momentum for athletic facility projects has continued to build. In this issue, we would like to recognize the generosity of three donors who were inspired to step up and demonstrate, not only their commitment to providing world-class facilities for student-athletes, but also their belief in the bright future of Wake Forest Athletics.

W. Prentiss Baker III (‘65, P ‘89, P ‘90) To say that Prentiss Baker III (‘65, P ‘89, P ‘90) has a long history with Wake Forest University would be a vast understatement. “Although my grandfather never attended the University, he had friends on the Old Campus at Wake Forest, most likely through the Baptist church, which he was very involved in. My father attended Wake for a year before he joined the military. I was the first in the family, as the oldest of four children, to graduate from the University. My brother, Frank, came to campus the year after I left.” In speaking about his experience as a student, Prentiss said, “I never missed a football or basketball game, and I attended a lot of baseball games as well. I was not a college athlete, but I played sports in high school, and have always considered sports to be an important part of my life.” The connections of the Baker family to Wake Forest do not stop there. Prentiss’ brother Frank’s son, Dylan Baker (‘99), and his wife, Beth Thompson Baker (‘98), are Wake Forest alumni. His nephew, John Clayton Matthews (‘95), and his wife, Elizabeth Warner Matthews (‘94), are also a graduates. Two of Prentiss’ three daughters graduated from the University – Kim in 1989 and Kelly in 1990. Although Prentiss’ wife, Joan, is not a Demon Deacon alumna, he says that she “loves Wake Forest and feels like it’s her school as well.” Prentiss’ granddaughter, Alex Proehl (‘17), is a rising junior on campus. Needless to say, the affinity for Wake Forest runs deep in the Baker family. “We have other grandchildren growing up that we hope will one day be Wake Forest students too,” said Prentiss. During Kim and Kelly’s time at Wake Forest, Prentiss was very involved in the University community, especially with his involvement on the Alumni Council, where he served as president while the girls were in school. Most recently, Prentiss served on the Board of Visitors for the University.


Although Prentiss already had a connection to the Wake Forest athletic department as a Deacon Club member, it was his middle daughter Kelly’s boyfriend and future husband, Ricky Proehl (‘90), who really got him involved with the football program. “I remember watching Ricky play football at Wake Forest even before he and Kelly were dating, when they were still just friends. It was a lot of fun to come out to the games and watch him and the rest of the team.” Prentiss noted that the success of the athletic programs at Wake Forest can not only provide students and alumni with a fun activity, it can further the mission of the University. “The athletic department is so important to the University as a whole. It gives alumni and supporters a sense of pride and brings our community closer together.” In speaking about Wake Forest, it is clear that Prentiss treasures the close connection he and his family have had with the University over the years. “I just love the place,” he said. “I love the head coaches we’ve had over the years, and the way we’ve run our program really sets us apart – that’s always made me incredibly proud.” Another aspect of the athletic program that Prentiss takes pride in is the changes he has seen in the facilities over the years. “My father and I were at the first football game in Groves Stadium. Today, BB&T Field is the prettiest place I’ve ever watched a football game. It may not be as large as others, but the atmosphere can’t be beat.” On the same note, Prentiss was quick to point out the importance of the Sports Performance Center to keep Wake Forest on an even playing field with other schools in terms of training and recruiting. As a member of the Football Committee, he visited several facilities during the planning phase of the building. “It was obvious on our trip that we are behind the times. We need this facility to give our coaches the tools needed to attract recruits to remain competitive and win championships. I hope that supporters of athletics and the University see how critical this initiative is to our success and will join us in making this facility a reality.” Prentiss is passionate about Wake Forest University and Demon Deacon athletics, and his support for both have been invaluable over the years. The Baker family has generously invested in the football program and has designated their substantial gift for the Sports Performance Center and McCreary Field House. Prentiss currently serves as Chairman of Baker Roofing Company in Raleigh, the business his grandfather, Prentiss Baker Sr., started almost a hundred years ago. Prentiss’ father, Prentiss Baker Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the family business after his service in the military. Prentiss has maintained a strong Wake Forest connection with the family business as well. Dylan Baker (‘99) and John Clayton Matthews (‘95) both serve in leadership roles at Baker Roofing. The company’s current CEO, Woody Baldwin (‘66), is also a Wake Forest alum, as is his wife, Joy (‘66).


Gaither M. Keener Jr. (JD ‘77) As a young man growing up in Newton, NC, Gaither Keener (JD ‘77) was first exposed to Wake Forest on a trip to a football game at Bowman Gray Stadium with his church youth group. It wasn’t until his younger brother, John (‘73), attended Wake Forest that he truly became a Demon Deacon fan, however. “During the years John was at Wake Forest, I would visit campus and spend time with him, and pretty much became a Demon Deacon fan because of the great experiences I had visiting him. I attended a lot of the football and basketball games, as well as Olympic sports events, and those experiences were really the beginnings of my affinity for the University. ” Gaither ran track as an undergraduate at Western Carolina University and graduated in 1972. After taking the LSAT in 1974, he applied to only one school – Wake Forest. “I knew I wanted to attend Wake Forest because it was, at that time, a great regional university. It was widely considered the best law school in North Carolina, and since I wanted to practice law in the state, I wanted to go to the best school. It had a very high graduation rate, and the highest passing rate for the bar.” As part of the accelerated law program at Wake Forest, Gaither found that attending sporting events was a welcome diversion from the demanding schedule of a law student. “I attended every football, men’s basketball and baseball game I could,” he said. “My experience at Wake Forest was a great one. I really enjoyed the academics, especially the professors in the law school, who challenged us to think outside the box and made learning about the law fun. Attending sporting events was also a great part of being a student – it was fun and provided a break from my studies.” It was this appreciation of Wake Forest sports that cemented Gaither’s dedication to athletics, and continues to drive him to be involved in the Deacon Club today. “I joined the Deacon Club when I graduated in 1977, and bought men’s basketball and football season tickets that same year. I’ve had them ever since.” Gaither has continued to generously support Wake Forest athletics as well as the law school. He serves on the Deacon Club Board of Directors, and he recently committed $1 million towards the Sports Performance Center & McCreary Field House. In explaining his enthusiasm for giving back to Wake Forest, Gaither said he views a donation as more than a gift, but an investment in the future of the University. “A diploma is like a certificate of stock from your university which is valued, in part, upon the national perception of the school. In my mind, alumni therefore have a responsibility to give back to the University, if


they are able. I have always felt, when I’ve made a contribution to Wake Forest, that I was helping to take it from the well-regarded, regional university I attended, to the nationally recognized university it is now.” As a “miler” on the track team at Western Carolina, Gaither was familiar with the various demands placed on student-athletes, but he said he is continually impressed with the student-athletes he speaks with at Wake Forest. In fact, one of the main motivations Gaither said drove him to support the Sports Performance Center project came from talking to student-athletes about their schedules. “Talking to some of these young athletes, I am incredibly impressed with how engaged, articulate and bright they are. I’ve also come to realize how demanding their academic schedules are – they are always studying. Beyond that, they are preparing for competition in their sport in one of the toughest conferences in the country. The Sports Performance Center will allow us to provide our student-athletes with what they need to accomplish their goals athletically and academically. The flexibility of the space will allow teams to schedule practices simultaneously and allow our student-athletes to make the most of their time.” Looking to the future of Wake Forest athletics, Gaither said he is excited about new and returning coaches, as well as the plans for future facilities. “I am really excited about the coaching staffs of all of our programs. I am also particularly excited about our plans to meet the needs of our student-athletes from a facilities perspective. I look forward to seeing us break ground on the McCreary Field House and eventually the Sports Performance Center. These facilities are truly critical for the success of our student-athletes, so I would encourage everyone who wants to make an impact to consider contributing to this important initiative.” Gaither and his wife, Beverly, reside in Mooresville, NC. He serves as the Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer & Secretary for Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Carl M. Tucker III (‘68, P ‘95, P ‘97, P ‘04) Carl Tucker (‘68, P ‘95, P ‘97, P ‘04) is the consummate Demon Deacon. It was a short visit with his father to campus before a football game that prompted Carl to apply to Wake Forest, and just a few years after that first experience, he set foot on campus as an undergraduate. He has been a devoted Demon Deacon ever since. As a student, Carl greatly enjoyed his time on campus and in the classroom, but recalled especially enjoying the athletic events. “Wake Forest is truly a special place,” he said. “My experience as a student was exceptional, and the fond memories I have of that time are a large part of what motivates me to give back. Wake Forest athletics played a significant role in my life then, and has continued to provide a lot of fun for our family over the years.” Carl’s steadfast support of the Deacon Club is evident in his 38 years as a member. His support for Demon


Deacon Football has continued to grow over the years as well. Carl and his wife, Linda, started bringing their sons to games “at a very early age,” and over the years BB&T Field has provided a backdrop for fond memories and countless family gatherings. Carl’s sons also attended summer camps at Wake Forest growing up, and ultimately three of the four graduated from the University – David (’95), Mark (’97) and Andrew (’04). Carl said the strong Wake Forest tradition lives on with his six grandchildren as well. “Going to games is one of the things we do together as a family,” he said. Carl currently serves as the CEO of C.M. Tucker Lumber, a company started by his grandfather in 1920. Carl’s father joined the company in 1935, and Carl joined the business after earning his MBA from Ohio State in 1970. Carl’s four sons, David, Mark, Paul and Andrew, joined Carl in the business starting in 1995. Carl has served as a member of the Deacon Club Board of Directors for ten years, and this spring completed his two-year term as President. He has been a member of the Deacon Club since graduating in 1968. Along with Carl’s service as a board member, he recently committed $1 million for the Sports Performance Center and the McCreary Field House. This donation, along with his Locker Room Club membership and endowed scholarship, provides funding to each focus area of the athletic department – annual fund, endowment and capital support. “The Sports Performance Center is a project I am really excited about and committed to right away. This is not only a facility that will impact our student-athletes’ performance on the courts and fields, but the flexibility of the building will allow multiple teams to work out simultaneously, leaving more time for student-athletes to focus on their studies. It will also help even the playing field for our coaches in recruiting the next generation of Demon Deacons.” Looking forward, Carl said he is excited about the possibilities the Sports Performance Center will provide for the athletic department. “The Sports Performance Center will not only be a great resource for our current student-athletes, it will serve as an invaluable tool for recruiting the very best student-athletes to our university. This facility is critical in our long-term success and growth.”


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