deacons vs. irish pg. 28
compliance: Former Student-Athletes
the difference maker
11-12 basketball preview
Katie Stengel’s scoring skill has Deacs among the elite
small to go
big
big-play threat
Junior wide receiver Chris Givens enjoying record-setting season
december 2011
McKie’s perimeter play, leadership are crucial for Deacon basketball
www.wakeforestsports.com
If decreased range of motion and knee pain are keeping you from enjoying the activities you love, you should see an orthopaedic
This should not be
specialist. At Wake Forest Baptist Health, our experienced physi-
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less pain and shorter recovery times. Call 888-716-WAKE today for a free information kit and to make an appointment to see a Wake Forest Baptist orthopaedic specialist.
ORTHOPAEDICS | Call 336-716-WAKE for an appointment. WakeHealth.edu/orthopedics
contents
// d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 1
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VOL. 21 // ISSUE 4 EDITOR
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4 22
from the a.d. inside the deacon club
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ON THE COVER Travis McKie paced Wake Forest in scoring and rebounding as a freshman last year and will be counted on the lead the Deacons in the 2011-12 season.
small to go big McKie’s perimeter play, leadership are crucial for Deacon basketball.
// 8
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basketball previews Season outlooks, schedules and rosters
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big-play threat Junior wide receiver Chris Givens enjoying record-setting season.
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// 18 the difference maker Katie Stengel’s scoring skill has Deacs among the elite. 7/28/2011
10:39:19 AM
every
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// r o n w e ll m a n
It’s an exciting time of year for Wake Forest Athletics
ron WELLMAN D I RECTOR O F AT H L ET I CS
As we conclude our fall sports seasons, we enter an exciting time of the year with not only the NCAA postseason tournaments and football bowls but also the beginning of our basketball seasons. This has been a “rebound” fall for our teams as the majority of them have improved rather dramatically this year. Our young football team has improved significantly and is challenging for a bowl berth. The women’s soccer team secured a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and has the potential of going deep into that tournament and will have home field advantage all the way to the Final Four. Men’s soccer finished their regular season on an up note and received an NCAA Tournament bid. Field hockey finished strong but, unfortunately, was not rewarded with an NCAA Tournament berth. While our cross country teams did not improve significantly, our future is very bright with good young runners who are in our program. Overall, this has been a very encouraging fall, and I am confident that the trend line of improvement will continue for each of our teams next fall.
The women’s basketball team has the potential to jump to the upper half of the conference as we have good veteran players sprinkled with a talented group of freshmen. This could be the breakthrough year as we contend for an NCAA Tournament berth.
The basketball seasons have started and we can expect the same trend of improvement in those programs this year. The men’s team is very young, with only one scholarship senior on the roster, but I am confident that everyone will enjoy the intensity, hustle and attitude of this team. It will be a year that we will see continuing improvement throughout the season. Our future is extremely bright as Jeff Bzdelik and his staff signed one of the top recruiting classes in the country for next year.
■ Will all sports have an end of the regular season ACC tournament?
The ACC athletic directors will meet in a couple months to continue our discussions about the important details of bringing two additional members — Syracuse and Pittsburgh — into the ACC. Questions that must be answered immediately are: ■ What sports will use the divisional setup? ■ If we have divisions, will the divisions be the current model of Atlantic and Coastal, or a more geographical model of North and South? ■ How many conference games will be played in football and basketball? ■ What will the ACC Basketball Tournament bracket be?
Obviously, there is much work to be done and I look forward to discussing these matters with you in future Gold Rush articles.
Go Deacs! Ron Wellman
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP is proud to support the WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY athletic program. Whether on the court or in the courtroom, in the classroom or the boardroom, we understand the vision, dedication and teamwork that it takes to win. Go Deacons! www.kilpatricktownsend.com ATLANTA AUGUSTA CHARLOTTE DENVER SEATTLE SILICON VALLEY STOCKHOLM
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b a s k e t b all
// t r avi s m c k i e
Small to Go
Big
McKie’s perimeter play, leadership are crucial for Deacon basketball By Jay Reddick
T
To move forward this season, Travis McKie must more effectively move side-to-side and backward. Improving his lateral movement and other aspects of becoming a perimeter player have been the sophomore star’s biggest focus this offseason. McKie largely made his living in the post last season at power forward and finished with one of the most successful freshman campaigns in school history including ACC top-20 finishes in scoring and rebounding. But this year’s smaller roster — the Deacons start the year with eight scholarship players, only five with college experience — made it necessary for McKie to concentrate on a new position, small forward, and increase his versatility. It’s a challenge he has fully embraced. “Last year I got most of my points from hustle plays or being in the right place at the right time,” McKie said. “I’ve been working on my lateral quickness for guarding (opposing) guards, my shooting and ballhandling. I want to perfect my all-around game.” Based on the opening returns, the move is working. McKie had 23 points and 16 rebounds in an exhibition victory over Ferrum, then posted 19 points Nov. 11 against Loyola (Md.) in his 2011-12 regularseason debut. “Playing the post is pretty simple for me, a natural instinct — read the defender and make your move,” McKie said. “My perimeter skills are not as natural, but I’m trying to learn.” McKie spent the first half of his summer break at home in Richmond, Va., working with trainers, then returned to Wake Forest and its workout program. He said he used everything from ropes to rubber bands to parachutes in an effort to improve his agility, along with some good old-fashioned pickup games. “It was more explosive stuff than bodybuilding,” McKie said. “I didn’t feel I needed to get bigger, just stronger, which I did.” His Wake Forest training program has been a little different. Greg Brittenham, the school’s Director of Athletic Performance, Basketball, has been working on McKie’s brain as much as his body. McKie’s basketball instincts are impeccable, Brittenham said, but he has to find a way to move more quickly when his mind tells him to do something — like training a sprinter to move at the crack of the starter’s gun. “Travis can recognize quickly where a player will drive and know where he needs to be to stop him,” Brittenham said. “The issue is response. The body has to process that and get moving in response to that stimulus.” Brittenham gave McKie a series of drills to work on his eye-hand and eyefoot coordination, to take some of the thinking time out of his reactions and ultimately improve his brain function. “We taught him how to juggle,” Brittenham said. “He can juggle three balls, just reacting to what’s there, and that kind of work can eventually apply to all movement.” It’s things like that that show McKie is a fearless player who is willing to do anything to get better. “He’s a confident kid,” said assistant coach Rusty LaRue. “He believes in himself and he believes in what we’re doing, taking him out of his comfort zone. He’s adding on to his game, becoming more of a full-time perimeter guy, not being complacent with where he is.” McKie seemed to show up last season as a fully formed player, scoring 20
points in two of his first four games, but he said he went through the same internal struggles as most freshmen. Even in the midst of the team’s dismal season, the Richmond, Va., native latched onto a few positives and used those to reinforce his resolve. “Mentally, now, I’m fine,” McKie said matter-of-factly. “It’s all about confidence and instilling confidence in your teammates. When the lights come on and the motorcycle comes out, being a part of the Wake Forest tradition, that should get you motivated and show you that you belong. I had that turning point early last season. The more good games a freshman has, the more they believe in themselves. Nobody can believe in you more than you do.” McKie will need that maturity this season. Even though he’s only a sophomore, he’s one of the most experienced returnees on the roster. He said as a result of last year’s struggles, “I feel wiser” than most college athletes. “I’ve seen the dark side, the losing side,” McKie said. “Most people, when they look at college basketball, they see the light. I’ve been on the other side.” Those experiences make him a leader of this team, almost by default. “Being a veteran is kind of weird,” McKie said. “Last year, looking back on it, we (the freshmen) were young and dumb, and didn’t always have respect for the older guys. Now I am one of the older guys, but hopefully the freshmen can see that I’ve had some success and respect that.” He’ll lead a team expected to finish near the bottom of the ACC standings. During an 8-24 campaign last season, McKie said there were plenty of rough days, but again, he tried to find the bright spot of hope. “I read something after Dirk Nowitzki (of the Dallas Mavericks) won his championship,” McKie said. “He said if he hadn’t lost (in the NBA Finals) in 2006, he wouldn’t have put in the time and dedication to appreciate the championship he won in 2011. You have to, not embrace downfalls, but learn from them and get better from them.” McKie can already see the changes in this year’s “veterans” — returning starters C.J. Harris and Carson Desrosiers, plus Nikita Mescheriakov, Tony Chennault, and in the second semester, Ty Walker — just from watching them in preseason practice. “I’ve been trying to get a feel for everyone, and it’s been easier to do that,” McKie said. “Last year, we had five freshmen, Coach was new, and it was all an adjustment period. This year, our feet are wet, we know what to expect, and we’re going to have a good year.” The Deacons’ future will need to include an even bigger year from McKie, according to his coaches. “We need him to be an All-ACC performer for us to have a great year,” LaRue said. “That’s a lot to put on a sophomore, but he can do it.” Head coach Jeff Bzdelik said: “Travis can’t be satisfied because he led a team that didn’t win games in scoring and rebounding. That’s not what this is about. I need more, individually and collectively.” McKie’s challenge, then, is to push himself to the limit, while doing the same for his teammates. He sounds ready. “Everybody has to play perfect,” McKie said. “Everybody has to play a lot of minutes, but everybody has to play mistake-free for us to succeed. That’s the position we’ve been put in. We have to accept this challenge and win as many games as possible.” ■
“I didn’t feel I needed to get bigger, just stronger, which I did.”
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Name: Travis McKie Class: Sophomore Major: Communication Position: Forward Hometown: Richmond, Va. Favorite class: Hip-Hop and Religion. “We talk about topics not usually discussed in classrooms, especially with music. I’ve learned there’s always a message behind everything. You just have to realize what that message is and decode it. I’ve learned some ideas and ideology behind some of the songs.” Favorite book: “Decoded,” by Jay-Z Favorite sports movie: “Above the Rim” Favorite food: Spaghetti Athlete you admire most: Michael Jordan Any pregame superstitions? Listen to music What item tops your bucket list? “Seeing my family have it all.” If you could have dinner with anyone (living or dead), who would it be? Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali
december 2011
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2011-12 MEN’S OUTLOOK
2011-12 WOMEN’S OUTLOOK
Last year’s record: 8-24, 1-15 ACC (12th)
Last year’s record: 15-17, 5-9 (9th)
Coach: Jeff Bzdelik (second year at Wake Forest, 119-129 in eight years as college head coach)
Coach: Mike Petersen (eighth season at Wake Forest, 292-236 in 18 years overall)
Returning starters: 3
Returning starters: 4
Key returnees: F Travis McKie (So.), G C.J. Harris (Jr.), C Carson Desrosiers (So.)
Key returnees: C Sandra Garcia (Jr.), F Secily Ray (Sr.), G Brooke Thomas (Sr.)
Key losses: G Gary Clark, G J.T. Terrell
Key losses: F Brittany Waters
Outlook: Everything Jeff Bzdelik and his staff have done this offseason has been focused on uniting this team toward the goals of growth and excellence. With a lack of depth, the Deacons will face certain obstacles, but with expectations so low, the team figures to surprise some people.
Outlook: With four returning starters and only two letterwinners gone, the Deacons expect to rebound from last season’s sub-.500 record and hope to return to the postseason. Brittany Waters’ considerable contributions must be replaced, but the veteran team can find a way.
gold rush magazine
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// r o s t e r s
2011-12 MEN’S roster No.
Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Cl.
Hometown Last School
1 2 4 10 11 25 30 33 35 40 41 42 43 45 52
Tony Chennault Anthony Fields Daniel Green Chase Fischer C.J. Harris Nikita Mescheriakov Travis McKie Carson Desrosiers Ryan Glass Ty Walker Brooks Godwin Spencer Jennings Aaron Ingle Ryan Keenan Doug Niedrich
Guard Guard Forward Guard Guard Forward Forward Center Forward Center Forward Guard Guard Forward Forward
6-2 6-0 6-10 6-3 6-3 6-8 6-7 7-0 6-4 7-0 6-5 6-0 6-0 6-5 6-6
195 170 210 180 190 220 210 240 170 230 215 170 175 195 190
SO FR FR FR JR RS SR SO SO FR SR SR JR SR SR FR
Philadelphia, Pa. Detroit, Mich. Colleyville, Texas Ripley, W.Va. Winston-Salem, N.C. Minsk, Belarus Richmond, Va. Windham, N.H. Cincinnati, Ohio Wilmington, N.C. Winston-Salem, N.C. Midland, Mich. Weaverville, N.C. Bellaire, Texas Kildeer, Ill.
Neumann-Goretti HS Quality Education Academy (NC) Grapevine HS Ripley HS Mount Tabor HS Georgetown University John Marshall HS Central Catholic HS (MA) Summit Country Day School New Hanover HS Mount Tabor HS Albion College Christ School Westbury Christian School Adlai E. Stevenson HS
Coaches & Support Staff Head Coach - Jeff Bzdelik Associate Head Coach - Jeff Battle Assistant Coach - Rusty LaRue Assistant Coach - Walt Corbean Director of Basketball Operations - Jeff Nix Director of Athletic Performance, Basketball - Greg Brittenham Assistant Coordinator of Operations - Dan Ficke
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Team Videographer - Mike Lepore Student-Athlete Services - Jane Caldwell Assistant AD, Sports Medicine - Greg Collins Administrative Assistant - Lynne Heflin Equipment Manager - Craig Zakrzewski
2011-12 WOMEN’S roster No.
Name
Position
Ht.
Year
Hometown
High School
1 2 3 5 11 13 14 15 21 22 23 25 31 33
Brooke Thomas Erin Hall Camille Collier Chelsea Douglas Patrice Johnson Mykala Walker Lauryn Webster Millesa Calicott Sandra Garcia Lakevia Boykin Secily Ray Dearica Hamby Lindsy Wright Asia Williams
Guard Guard Guard Guard Guard Forward Forward Guard Center Guard Forward Forward Center Guard
5-4 5-8 5-7 5-5 5-10 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-3 5-9 6-0 6-3 6-3 5-11
SR SO GS SO RS JR JR FR FR JR JR SR FR SO JR
Orlando, Fla. Norcross, Ga. Washington, D.C. Rock Hill, S.C. Washington, D.C. Duluth, Ga. Marietta, Ga. Winston-Salem, N.C. Hollywood, Fla. Raleigh, N.C. Thomasville, N.C. Marietta, Ga. Denver, N.C. Durham, N.C.
Edgewater Wesleyan Sidwell Friends Hickory Grove Baptist H.D. Woodson Duluth Marietta Mount Tabor Plantation American Heritage Southeast Raleigh Thomasville Norcross East Lincoln Hillside
Coaches & support staff Head Coach - Mike Petersen Associate Head Coach - Natasha Adair Assistant Coach - Rachel Stockdale Assistant Coach - Bob Clark Dir. of Player Development/Scouting - Jason Eshbaugh Director of Athletic Performance, Basketball - Greg Brittenham Coordinator of Women’s Basketball Operations - Kendra Eaton
Reasons I love Salem Academy – No. 63
“Salem Academy gave me
confidence”
Ask any coach at Wake Forest or elsewhere what players need to succeed, and you’ll probably hear “confidence.” That’s true in the classroom and in life as well. Students at Salem Academy graduate with confidence gained from one-on-one classroom instruction and a 7:1 student-to-faculty radio. Salem Academy has a tradition of 100 percent of its students going to college, including many of America’s leading colleges and universities. A private college-preparatory boarding and day school, Salem Academy offers girls in grades 9-12 a rigorous education in a homelike atmosphere.
Celebrating 240 Years of Excellence. GO DEACS!
Winston-Salem, NC • salemacademy.com • 1-877-407-2536
december 2011
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// s c h e d ul e s
2011-12 MEN’S schedule Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result
Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result
11/04/11
vs. Ferrum College (Ex.) Winston-Salem, N.C.
W, 82-43
01/07/12 vs. Virginia Tech
Winston-Salem, N.C.
12:00 p.m. ET
11/11/11
vs. Loyola (Md)
Winston-Salem, N.C.
W, 75-63
01/11/12
at Maryland
College Park, Md.
7:00 p.m. ET
11/16/11
vs. Georgia Southern
Winston-Salem, N.C.
W, 81-72
01/14/12
vs. NC State
Winston-Salem, N.C.
1:00 p.m. ET
11/20/11
vs. NC Central
Winston-Salem, N.C.
W, 93-79
01/19/12
at Duke
Durham, N.C.
7:00 p.m. ET
11/24/11
vs. Dayton
Orlando, Fla.
L, 80-76
01/21/12
at Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Mass.
12:00 p.m. ET
01/25/12 vs. Florida State
Winston-Salem, N.C.
7:00 p.m. ET
2011 Old Spice Classic 11/25/11
vs. Arizona State
Orlando, Fla.
L, 84-56
01/28/12
at Clemson
Clemson, S.C.
12:00 p.m. ET
11/27/11
vs. Texas Tech
Orlando, Fla.
W, 70-61
01/31/12
vs. North Carolina
Winston-Salem, N.C.
9:00 p.m. ET
02/04/12 at NC State
Raleigh, N.C.
1:00 p.m. ET
11/30/11
at Nebraska
Lincoln, Neb.
9:15 p.m. ET
02/08/12 at Virginia
Charlottesville, Va.
7:30 p.m. ET
12/03/11
vs. Richmond
Winston-Salem, N.C.
1:00 p.m. ET
02/11/12
Winston-Salem, N.C.
4:00 p.m. ET
12/07/11
at High Point
High Point, N.C.
7:00 p.m. ET
02/15/12 vs. Georgia Tech
Winston-Salem, N.C.
7:30 p.m. ET
12/10/11
at Seton Hall
Newark, N.J.
8:00 p.m. ET
02/18/12
Coral Gables, Fla.
1:00 p.m. ET
12/18/11
vs. Gardner-Webb
Winston-Salem, N.C.
1:00 p.m. ET
02/25/12 vs. Boston College
Winston-Salem, N.C.
1:00 p.m. ET
12/21/11
vs. UNC Wilmington
Winston-Salem, N.C.
7:00 p.m. ET
02/28/12 vs. Duke
Winston-Salem, N.C.
9:00 p.m. ET
12/29/11
vs. Yale
Winston-Salem, N.C.
7:00 p.m. ET
03/03/12 at Georgia Tech
Atlanta, Ga.
12:00 p.m. ET
Winston-Salem, N.C.
7:00 p.m. ET
01/02/12 vs. Wofford
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vs. Clemson
at Miami
2011-12 WOMEN’S schedule Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result
Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result
11/02/11 vs. Lenoir-Rhyne (Ex.) Winston-Salem, N.C. W, 102-39
01/08/12 vs. Boston College Winston-Salem, N.C. 2:00 p.m. ET
11/07/11 vs. Tusculum (Ex.) Winston-Salem, N.C. W, 65-40
01/12/12
11/15/11 vs. Monmouth Winston-Salem, N.C. W, 88-54
01/16/12 vs. NC State Winston-Salem, N.C. 6:30 p.m. ET
11/18/11 vs. Coppin State Winston-Salem, N.C. W, 80-58
01/19/12
11/20/11 vs. Kansas Winston-Salem, N.C. L, 74-73
01/22/12 vs. Clemson Winston-Salem, N.C. 2:00 p.m. ET
11/23/11 vs. Mercer Winston-Salem, N.C. W, 90-44
01/26/12
11/25/11 vs. Jacksonville Winston-Salem, N.C. W, 83-54
01/29/12 vs. North Carolina Winston-Salem, N.C. 2:00 p.m. ET
12/01/11 vs. Minnesota Winston-Salem, N.C. 6:30 p.m. ET
02/02/12 at Duke
Durham, N.C.
7:00 p.m. ET
12/04/11
02/05/12 at Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Mass.
1:00 p.m. ET
at Seton Hall
South Orange, N.J.
1:00 p.m. ET
at Georgia Tech
Atlanta, Ga.
at Maryland
7:00 p.m. ET
College Park, Md.
at Miami
7:00 p.m. ET
Coral Gables, Fla.
7:00 p.m. ET
12/07/11 vs. Radford Winston-Salem, N.C. 12:00 p.m. ET
02/09/12 vs. Florida State Winston-Salem, N.C. 6:30 p.m. ET
12/11/11 vs. Delaware Winston-Salem, N.C. 2:00 p.m. ET
02/12/12
12/18/11 vs. Howard Winston-Salem, N.C. 6:30 p.m. ET
02/16/12 vs. Georgia Tech Winston-Salem, N.C. 6:30 p.m. ET
12/21/11
02/19/12
at SMU
Dallas, Texas
8:00 p.m. ET
at North Carolina State Raleigh, N.C.
at Clemson
5:00 p.m. ET
Clemson, S.C.
2:00 p.m. ET
12/29/11 vs. Maryland E. Shore Winston-Salem, N.C. 2:00 p.m. ET
02/24/12 at Virginia
Charlottesville, Va.
6:30 p.m. ET
12/31/11 vs. Davidson Winston-Salem, N.C. 2:00 p.m. ET
02/26/12 vs. Virginia Tech
Winston-Salem, N.C.
2:00 p.m. ET
01/06/12 vs. Duke Winston-Salem, N.C. 6:30 p.m. ET
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december 2011
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Big-Play Threat Junior wide receiver Chris Givens enjoying record-setting season By Sam Walker
A
Anybody who knows anything about Wake Forest football this season knows the name Chris Givens. He’s a playmaker. He is also becoming a leader and considers himself one on a team that is vastly improved from a season ago. Adversity is not new to Givens. At age 10, Givens moved with his mother and three younger brothers to Wiley, Texas, where, ready or not, he became the man of the house. There were extra responsibilities his mother expected of him, and that’s just the way it was. “We were originally from Mississippi, and once we moved, that’s when the dad role really changed for me,” Givens said. “It was just my mom (Nicole Givens), me and my brothers. I had to be a role model for my brothers and make sure they had their homework done and were ready for school. That’s just what mom expected of me, so I think it helped prepare me for today. “Really she told me to do what I had to do and put the responsibility on me to do what I needed to do to be ready every day. That is a lot of pressure on a 10-year-old, but they were my little brothers, and I knew the position we were in. I loved my little brothers (Nick, Dylan and Brandon) and accepted the responsibility in taking care of them.” Football and track were sports at which Givens
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excelled, and that naturally caught the eye of college football recruiters. He won the District 9-5A 100-meter Texas High School title in 2007, so there was no doubt about his speed. But unfortunately, serious injuries became part of Givens’ life along with more doses of adversity. Givens twice tore the ACL (in each knee) in high school, an all too common but debilitating injury that takes nothing but time from which to recover. Perhaps that makes what he has been able to do at Wake Forest as a collegiate player all the more impressive. But it wasn’t just that Givens had to prove his knees were durable enough and that he had regained the speed and elusiveness that made him one of the fastest players in the state of Texas. He had to prove to his head coach that he was committed not just to being good, but being great. In the words of Jim Grobe, the Deacons’ head coach, it’s called being an every day guy. “I think intensity is always a problem with young kids,” said Grobe. “It’s not just a Chris Givens problem, but it’s the reason we rely more heavily on our juniors and seniors for the every day kind of stuff. Young guys, especially very talented young guys, take their ability for granted sometimes, so you aren’t seeing consistent play. But when they get a little older, their priorities change and they take the focus off themselves and put the focus on the team and start adopting some of the values that
Name: Chris Givens Class: Redshirt junior Major: Psychology Hometown: Wiley, Texas Why he chose Wake Forest: “Through the knee injuries and everything that went on throughout high school, Wake stayed with me. Coach (Tim) Billings and Coach Grobe stayed with me when so many other schools didn’t. Wake stayed the whole time, called me, came to visit me, and they built a good relationship with me. When I came on my visit, this was just a place I wanted to be.” Top athletic achievements: Ranks sixth all-time in WFU receptions with 142 with two games remaining in the 2011 regular season; led the nation’s freshmen in touchdown receptions with eight; led Wake Forest last season as a sophomore with 514 receiving yards and 1,022 allpurpose yards; is tied for fourth all-time in school history (through eight games this season), along with Desmond Clark (1995-98), with 20 career TD receptions.
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coaches think are important, and that’s becoming a guy who can be depended on day in and day out.” The knee injuries affected his college recruitment experience. There were somewhere between 20 and 30 colleges looking at him at one time or another, according to Givens, but it was an off and on, hot and cold kind of experience because of the injuries. Wake stayed the course, stood by Givens as he healed and rehabilitated his knees, but there was an element of chance involved, Grobe conceded. “Yeah, you do (take a chance), but speed is something we’re always looking for at Wake Forest, and we knew Chris could really run,” he said. “We were taking a little bit of a gamble, but there was a gamble that paid off for us a few years back in Kevin Marion. Kevin was a kid in Florida who was predicted to be a possible 100-meter champion and then blew out his knee and didn’t get a chance to compete in track his senior year. We brought him in, and he ended up playing great for us, so we’ve gotten to the point now where the ACL repairs are so successful, and for us, if you’ve been hurt in high school, we don’t mind bringing you in for that redshirt year. “Kids with an ACL typically don’t recover the next year. It’s typically that extra year before they’re going full speed again, so in Chris’ case to be able to go through that redshirt freshman year and then start playing as a redshirt freshman, he was a whole year removed from that surgery and good to go.” Givens did work his way back to health, and Wake Forest was ready for a player like him to step in and be a playmaker. “Chris had always been very, very talented but
had been streaky for two years,” Grobe said. “His freshman and sophomore years, he made some fantastic plays, but they didn’t come in bunches, and so he was inconsistent. We felt in Chris if he could become an every day kind of guy, we had somebody who could be pretty special, and that’s what he has become.” Despite a lack of consistency, Givens led the nation’s freshmen in touchdown receptions with eight, and led the team last season as a sophomore with 514 receiving yards and 1,022 all-purpose yards. But Grobe always felt there was more to him than he had shown. This season, Givens has been a difference maker game after game. He has posted the best eightgame start in school history with 926 receiving yards, which already ranked him sixth all-time for most receiving yards in a season. Through eight games, Givens had six 100-plus yard receiving games. The school record is eight, recorded by Wayne Baumgardner in 1979. Givens has at least one catch in 25 consecutive games (with two games remaining in the 2011 regular season). Certainly, Givens is fast becoming the player Grobe envisioned and proving himself among the league’s and nation’s elite, ranking seventh in the NCAA with 116.0 yards per game. He caught the game-tying touchdown against Duke with the extra point lifting the Deacons to their fifth victory of the season. And he was also closing in on Ricky Proehl’s single-season receiving mark of 1,016 yards heading into the final games. “It was all part of God’s plan, and he was preparing me for something big,” Givens said. “So
I stayed patient, stayed humble and kept working. Coach Grobe and Coach (Lonnie) Galloway sat me down this past spring and just told me what they expected out of me and that was really just to grow up and mature. They talked with me about realizing the opportunity that I had and to take advantage of the gifts God gave to me. They wanted me to work on my catching, getting stronger, getting tougher and being a better teammate and leader. In the past. we haven’t had that leadership, and I was in position to be a leader.” Givens will allow football to take him as far as it can, but he is planning a future in counseling. As a psychology major, he wants to be part of a mentoring program for young people who need a male role in their life, a role for him that isn’t all that unfamiliar. “I really just wanted to learn about psychology from watching TV shows and by talking to other people who were taking it (at Wake Forest),” he said. “I was attracted to it. I want to be a mentor to young kids growing up in poverty-stricken areas. I want to be someone they can talk to and be a role model for kids growing up without one. That’s just because I didn’t have one growing up without a father in my life. There was just my mom, and it would have been nice to have someone else to talk to, just to stay on me with school and football. Mom did a great job of that, but I know how hard it was for her with my younger brothers and stuff. So, I know when I get an opportunity to use football as a tool to reach out and help kids and people in general, I want to do that.” ■
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december 2011
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The Difference Maker Katie Stengel’s scoring skill has Deacs among the elite By Jay Reddick
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It often takes only one recruiting class to bring a program from good to great. At Wake Forest alone, you can point to the class of 2003 which, as juniors, led the football team into the Orange Bowl. In basketball, the recruitment of Rodney Rogers or, a generation later, Chris Paul sparked resurgences. In women’s soccer, we may look back on the incoming class of 2010 as the turning point — specifically, the arrival of forward Katie Stengel in WinstonSalem. Coach Tony da Luz has brought in national-level recruits before, but he knew Stengel could be a difference maker. “The most difficult players to recruit are always the goal-scorers,” da Luz said. “Your top-5 programs are always going to go after that kid. I feel like she’s probably the missing piece — we’ve had a lot of consistently good players, but not the 14-15-16-goal scorer, the All-American up front.” That’s the role Stengel has filled perfectly. She has cracked the 15-goal barrier in each of her two seasons, but more importantly, she has helped the Deacons grab their first ACC championship and NCAA No. 1 seed. Stengel already had the right moves during high school in Melbourne, Fla. She scored 170 goals in 72 games for Viera High School and was good enough to qualify for an under-18 national team. Back then, her footwork and finishing ability were what attracted attention, but other positive attributes have risen up to join them in her repertoire. “In high school you could get away with just having one good trait or being faster than everybody else,” Stengel said. “When I got here, the speed was so much faster, everybody’s good, and the play is that much smarter.” So even as she was having an All-American freshman year, with 16 goals and five assists, she was working to make sure the coming years would be even better. That started in the weight room, where Stengel said she does a lot of plyometrics to develop explosive movements, as well as weightlifting for stronger shotmaking and holding off defenders. The work began to show on the practice field, where she has been challenged and inspired to do even better by her Wake Forest teammates. “Seeing how hard individuals work at this level — it’s a lot more than people
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really see,” Stengel said. “Having people around you who want to push you is a lot different than back home, where I often had to train by myself.” She’ll still play alone, though. Once practice and workouts are over and her official team duties are done for the day, though, Stengel sometimes unwinds by — playing soccer. “If I can go out without coaches there or any stress, just have normal practice games or drills, I can have fun and do whatever I want,” Stengel said. “So I’ll go out at night, turn the lights on. Those are the times, alone or with just a couple of other people, that remind me to have fun playing the game.” Put it all together, and Stengel said she has gotten a lot stronger and a lot quicker, while keeping her skills top-notch. She has virtually matched last year’s scoring numbers despite the added attention from opponents. “She’s just a different kind of person,” da Luz said. “She trains super hard — she does more extra work outside of practice than anybody else.” Others are noticing, too. Stengel and WFU goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe were two of 24 players invited to a training camp for the U.S. under-23 national team in October, joining some of the nation’s best college and young professional players under the tutelage of national team coach Pia Sundhage. That’s when all her skills work came in handy. “It made me realize I have to do better in certain aspects to make my game more sophisticated,” Stengel said. “Things like not making the obvious pass if you see something else, better dribbling techniques — the little details. It was a great experience, and it really pushed me to do better when I got back here.” She did that, winning the ACC’s Offensive Player of the Year award for 2011. All part of being a complete player. ■
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december 2011
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Name: Katie Stengel Class: Sophomore Major: Health and Exercise Science Position: Forward Hometown: Melbourne, Fla. Why she chose Wake Forest: “They had the academics, which was a big deal for me. I wanted to stay in the ACC, and move a little north of Florida so I could get a season change.” Favorite book: Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, by Dr. Seuss Favorite sports movie: Hard Ball Favorite food: Spaghetti Athlete you admire most: Lionel Messi. “He’s incredible ... his composure and balance on the ball in any situation. He’s so comfortable, so quick when he moves, with or without the ball. When he has the ball, you have no idea where he’s going, but he already has an idea, gets in behind defenders and creates something out of nothing at such a quick pace.” Any pregame superstitions: Listening to my iPod What item tops your bucket list: Learn to dance If you could have dinner with any one person, living or dead, who would it be? “Patrick Dempsey, because he is one of the most attractive men on the planet.”
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i n s i d e t h e d e a c o n c lu b
Bowl Games are Memory Makers
ba r ry fai r c l o t h A s s o c iat e At hl e t i c Di r e c t o r f o r E x t e r n al Op e r at i o n s
Traveling to watch your favorite team compete in a bowl game is an experience any child, student or adult will remember. As I write this column it is Nov. 14, and the Deacs are one win away from bowl eligibility with games against Maryland and Vanderbilt on the horizon. Assuming we get that sixth win, then by the time you read this, it will be time to make your plans to travel with the Deacs this holiday season. Quite simply, bowl games are memory makers. It seems to me that some of life’s biggest moments are marked by career changes, marriage, the birth of your children, and yes … bowl games. As the son of a Wake Forest football coach and lifelong Deacon fan, I have had the privilege of attending six out of the seven Wake Forest bowl games that have been played during my lifetime, only missing the 1999 Aloha Bowl due to the birth of my eldest daughter two weeks prior. It is with eager anticipation of more memories to come (hopefully this December), that I share some of my own favorite memories of traveling with the Deacs. My experience at the 1979 Tangerine Bowl is definitely my fondest childhood memory. It was Wake Forest’s first bowl appearance in 30 years and was the culmination of one of the most surprising seasons in college football. The Deacs had defeated No. 12 Georgia on the road and No. 13 Auburn at home en route to earning the bid to the Tangerine Bowl where we faced LSU. Despite losing to the Tigers, the entire experience was priceless. Being 8 years old and having the chance to enjoy Disney World with my favorite football team, coaches, fans and family is something I will always cherish and remember. My second Deacon bowl game experience came in 1992 during my senior year at Wake Forest. We traveled to Shreveport, La., to watch the Deacs compete in the Independence Bowl against Oregon. It was an exciting adventure that culminated in me leading a group of students to tear down the goal posts following our 39-35 win over the Ducks. When is the last time you have seen goal posts get torn down at a bowl game?
In 2002, my family and I embarked on a cross country journey to the Seattle Bowl to see the Deacs once again take on the Oregon Ducks. One of my favorite memories from this bowl game experience was that we not only won the game 38-17, but we got to see the Deacs win the “fish throwing” contest at the famous Pike’s Place Fish Market in the heart of Seattle. It was truly a special experience for my wife and I and our two children who were 3 and 1 at the time.
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In 2006, we experienced one of the most memorable football seasons in Demon Deacon history. Our regular season 10-2 finish marked the first 10-win season in the history of the program, gave us the Atlantic Division title and led us to Jacksonville, Fla., to compete for the conference championship. The 2006 ACC Championship can simply be summed up as “the day grown men cried.” With a 9-6 victory over Georgia Tech, the No. 16 ranked Demon Deacons were headed to Miami to compete in their first ever BCS bowl appearance.
Needless to say, the Orange Bowl, held on Jan. 2, 2007, was the largest gathering of Wake Forest fans ever, and it provided more memories than I could ever recount. Seeing thousands upon thousands of fans dressed in gold and black holding five fingers in the air at the start of the fourth quarter … Arnold Palmer getting choked up as he addressed the football team before the game and the team responding with a standing ovation … witnessing legends Arnold Palmer and Muhammad Ali together on the field at Dolphin Stadium … watching our team exit the field with their “helmets held high,” knowing that, despite the loss, they had a lot to be proud of … arriving back at the hotel after the game to find a lobby packed with Wake Forest fans who just didn’t want the experience to end … I could go on for days. Admittedly, it is hard to eclipse the thrill and excitement of an ACC Championship and Orange Bowl appearance, but the great thing about traveling with the Deacs is that we are sure to make cherished memories no matter how large or small the stage. The 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl in nearby Charlotte and the 2008 Eagle Bank Bowl in Washington, D.C., brought Wake Forest two more bowl wins and countless more memories for the Deacon fans in attendance. I can attest to this because with my wife, children and extended family in tow, I stood amongst thousands of other Wake Forest faithfuls and cheered just as loud and just as proud as I did on those days in Jacksonville and Miami. Regardless of where our next bowl appearance may take us, or when that appearance will be, I can assure you that I will be there. Even if I were not working at Wake Forest, there is no doubt that I would find a way to take my family, join thousands of other fans and friends, and enjoy the magic of whatever city we end up in. I encourage you to join me because, undoubtedly, lasting memories will be made for you, your children, your family and your friends. Bowl games are the perfect excuse to congregate, reunite in the spirit of Wake Forest and remember why we are so proud to be Demon Deacons. I hope to see you this year or in coming years at our next bowl game stop.
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Men’s Basketball season tickets are on sale now Basketball season is here! Season tickets and half season ticket packages are on sale now, so order yours today. Season tickets start at $220. Half season ticket packages start at $150. The Black package includes Loyola Maryland, NC Central, Gardner-Webb, Yale, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and Boston College. The Gold package includes Georgia Southern, Richmond, UNC-Wilmington, Wofford, NC State, Florida State, Clemson and Duke. For more information, please call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758DEAC(3322) or visit WakeForestSports.com.
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/DeaconClub @WFUDeaconClub or @DeacOnTheRun
Giving 110% just got more rewarding Most Deacon Club members are aware of the successful 110% campaign that is now in its third year, but we are excited to announce some additional rewards that may be available to those who give 110% to the Annual Fund. Everyone who pledges 110% on or before the Deacon Club pledge deadline (March 15, 2012) and pays the pledge in full by June 30, 2012 will receive a commemorative 110% gift, be invited to an exclusive event for 110% participants and will be recognized in the football game program, basketball yearbook and on DeaconClub.com. In addition, those people will be eligible to win great prizes including VIP football and basketball experiences or 2012 football season tickets with an exclusive reserved VIP parking space.
Every Gift Counts!
Renew your membership and take advantage of year-end tax benefits Now is the perfect time to make your gift count by renewing your Deacon Club membership. You will not only be supporting Wake Forest student-athletes, but you can take advantage of the tax benefits associated with yearend charitable giving. Make a gift by Dec. 31, 2011, in order to be eligible for deductions on your 2011 taxes. Gifts can be made online at DeaconClub.com or by calling (336) 758-5626.
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To say that Homer Brookshire and his wife, Jane, have been avid supporters of Wake Forest Athletics for more than four decades, would be considered by many to be an understatement. Their longtime support continues to have a significant impact throughout the department. In addition to being loyal Deacon Club members for 44 years, they are Football Seat Rights holders; they, along with close friends Rick Decker and Jerry Baker, are suite holders at BB&T Field; and he and Jane regularly support a variety of capital projects. But their involvement extends far beyond financial commitments. Homer has served on the Wake Forest Alumni Council and Board of Visitors and currently serves on the Deacon Club Board of Directors as well as the Golf Project Steering Committee. In addition, he and Jane have become fixtures at football and basketball games and at men’s and women’s golf tournaments throughout the country.
It all began 47 years ago, in the fall of 1964 when Homer arrived at Wake Forest on a football scholarship. Growing up in North Wilkesboro, Homer had been considering a number of schools, but he knew from the first time he walked on campus that Wake Forest was the place for him. Although he readily admits that he was not a star on the football team, he worked hard on and off the field, enjoyed competing for the Deacs and developed a love for Wake Forest that endures today. Jane, Homer’s high school sweetheart, attended nearby UNCG and was a regular at Wake Forest football and basketball games throughout her college years. The year after he graduated, Homer and Jane joined the Deacon Club, and they have been loyal members ever since. “I always felt that I should give back to Wake Forest because I was a scholarship athlete, and initially, that’s why I gave to the program,” Homer said. “I wanted to give back at least the value of my scholarship.” And over the years, he and his wife have done that and more. Homer notes that his experiences at Wake Forest and the relationships he built have had a significant impact on his life, both personally and professionally. “During my time at Wake Forest, I knew I had friends that I would have for the rest of my life, and that I would always be happy,” he said. “Wake Forest opened doors for me and provided opportunities that I would have never had coming from my modest background. Athletically, I was not a star player, so I learned the value of getting
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up off the ground when you get knocked down, and my experiences taught me that when you fail, you have to keep at it.” Homer gives much credit to his Wake Forest coaches and professors who continued to make an impact on his life even after leaving Wake Forest. It was one of his favorite football coaches, Bill Tate, who, as a result of his own experiences in the military, suggested that Homer consider the Marine Corps and encouraged him to apply for officer candidate school. As a result, Homer joined the United States Marine Corps after graduation and served tours in Vietnam as an infantry officer. But even as he was stationed a world away, the relationships he made at Wake Forest continued to sustain him. “Dr. Earp, my Latin professor, wrote to me every month while I was in Vietnam,” he said. “That really meant a lot to me and will be something I will never forget.” Following his military service, Homer spent much of his adult life in the poultry business, working for Holly Farms, Perdue Farms, and most recently, Pilgrim’s Pride in Texas. After he retired a few years ago, Homer and Jane returned to North Carolina and now take advantage of every opportunity to support their beloved Deacons. The lasting friendships that Homer developed during his years at Wake Forest are never more evident than during football season at BB&T Field. Every week that the Deacs take the field, you are sure to find Homer cheering them on, surrounded by his longtime friends and Sigma Chi fraternity brothers, including Jerry Baker and former teammates Rick Decker and Tom Stuetzer. “Rick Decker, Jerry Baker and I have a suite. We are all Sigma Chis and have been friends forever, so when the Tower opened, we decided that we would lease a suite together, and we’ve had it ever since,” he said. When Homer and Jane moved back to North Carolina two years ago, they started a football weekend tradition. Rick Decker and his wife and another couple usually arrive on Friday and spend the weekend with Homer and Jane, and as Homer described it, “We revert back to 18-year olds.” On Saturday, they head to BB&T Field to cheer on the Deacs with friends and family. “We have a great time, and all three of us enjoy having our friends come to the games. We normally invite a few different people every week, and we love it. It is definitely the center of our social life during the fall. We also have one game each year which is designated as ‘Family Day’ where we not only invite our children, but we also bring our grandchildren, and that’s always a fun time. All of our grandchildren can now at least semi-hum the fight song, and pretty soon they’ll know all the words!” In addition to their support of Wake Forest football, the Brookshires have developed a special relationship with the Wake Forest golf program over the last several years. “We had always given money to capital campaigns, but about five years ago, we decided that we wanted to make a special gift and designate it to a specific project at Wake Forest,” he said. “I had just retired and was playing some golf, and although I had never met Coach Haas or Coach Dailey, I called and said ‘I want to give you some money.’ They told me about the Golf Project, which was in its early stages, and I decided it was something I wanted to help with.” It turned out that his investment was one that he would not regret. “I would say that of all the capital programs that we have contributed to, I feel that the Golf Project has turned out to be the best project we’ve ever given money to, at Wake Forest or anywhere else.” But again, Homer and Jane’s contributions to the golf program go
beyond financial support. He describes himself and Jane as the only “golf groupies,” regularly traveling throughout the Southeast to support both the men’s and women’s golf teams as they compete. “We go to support the team, and my wife, who is not a golfer, really enjoys it,” Homer said. “We have gotten to know the student-athletes, and they are all such fine young men and young ladies. We just enjoy spending time with them and having the opportunity to wish them good luck. We’ve even had them out for dinner at our house, and I’ve always found them to be of the highest caliber … very high character individuals.” Through his involvement with Wake Forest golf, Homer has developed strong friendships with Jerry Haas, head men’s golf coach, and Dianne Dailey, head women’s golf coach. It is that friendship and the respect that he has for them as coaches that encourages his continued involvement and support of both the men’s and women’s golf programs. “I believe that they (Haas and Dailey) are the essence of what athletic coaches should be at Wake Forest,” he said. “Not only are they outstanding coaches, but they have a strong drive for success and an unrelenting commitment to never compromise the academic success, integrity or character of their studentathletes.” Needless to say, Homer and Jane Brookshire have certainly had a significant impact on Wake Forest Athletics over the past four decades. They have made generous financial contributions through their longtime support of the Deacon Club Annual Fund and numerous capital projects, but it is their commitment to supporting Wake Forest Athletics in other ways that truly sets them apart. Whether they are cheering for the Deacs on football game day, advising the Deacon Club as a valued board member, helping raise money for the Golf Project or following the golf team from hole to hole throughout their latest tournament, two things are clear … Homer and Jane are proud to be Demon Deacons, and Wake Forest is better off as a result of their loyal support.
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 Reagan Haley, daughter of Deacon Club members Robert and Melanie Haley, shows off her Deacon pride.
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2 The athletic department intramural flag football team known as “Bridger’s Finest” celebrates its first ever flag football championship.
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Wake Forest Golf Academy Year-round instruction available at top-notch complex By Stephanie Hudson
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If you happened to pay a visit to the Arnold Palmer Golf Complex on the campus of Wake Forest University on a typical Friday morning, you might expect to see a few student-athletes taking advantage of the opportunity to work on their game between classes. After all, the complex, which is home to the state-of-the-art Dianne Dailey Golf Learning Center, is one of the finest golf training facilities in the country and features some of the latest technology available. But what may surprise some, is that you might also come across John Buczek, an alumnus and former PGA Tour professional, working with someone who doesn’t exactly look like they are a member of the Wake Forest golf team. However, thanks to the Wake Forest Golf Academy, golfers of all ages and skill levels have the opportunity to train in the very same facilities that are used by those young men and women who carry on the proud tradition of golf at Wake Forest. Just over a year ago, the Golf Academy began offering year-round, private golf instruction as a way to not only make the most of a first-class facility that is not necessarily in use every day, but to also provide a level of instruction and access to technology that is not readily available to the general public in this area. Since the completion of the Dianne Dailey Learning Center in the spring of 2010, the men’s and women’s golf programs have been taking full advantage of the technology and everything else the facility has to offer, but the golf teams spend a great deal of time traveling The Wake Forest Golf the country to compete in tournaments, and that, combined with winter, spring and summer Academy is led by John vacations, means the facility may often go unused. Buczek, an alumnus and former PGA Tour professional Therefore, the Wake Forest Golf Academy provides the general public with the opportunity to work on their game without hindering the training of the Wake Forest student-athletes. The Wake Forest Golf Academy is led by Buczek. He is a Class A PGA of America professional and one of Golf Digest’s picks for Top Ten Teachers in North Carolina. Buczek has served as the director of golf for Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., and Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville. In addition, he has served as co-owner and director of the Golf Clinic at Pebble Beach and was the head golf professional at Winston-Salem’s Forsyth Country Club for 15 years. “The Wake Forest Golf Academy is a golfer’s dream and is arguably the best university-based golf facility of its kind in America,” Buczek said. “No other facility that I know of in this region offers the level of technology that we do. With the TrackMan radar technology, the V1 filming system and the SAM PuttLab, we are able to analyze and adjust just about every aspect of someone’s game.” The Golf Academy offers specialized instruction that is customized to the needs of the individual golfer. Although most students opt for private or semiprivate hourly lessons, instruction is also offered in a more structured “golf academy” group format available in half day, one-, two-, and three-day group sessions.
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What sets the Wake Forest Golf Academy apart from other golf schools is not only the first-class teaching methods employed by Buczek, but also the facility itself and the state-of-the-art technology that is available to participants. In addition to the 18½ acres of driving ranges, putting greens and short game practice areas, the Dianne Dailey Golf Learning Center features five climatecontrolled hitting bays for year-round use, a V1 filming system, TrackMan, and an indoor putting room equipped with SAM PuttLab. Dr. Tom Milner, one of Buczek’s regular Golf Academy students, commented, “It’s an absolutely outstanding facility. The technology is great, and you can set up almost every kind of shot. There are contoured bunkers, a variety of putting greens with different kinds of grass, varying slopes — everything you would see out on the golf course, and even when the weather is bad, you can still come out and practice.” The V1 filming system provides information on things such as swing plane and spine angle and allows the golfer to view, analyze and diagnose the faults with their swing simply and precisely. TrackMan is a radar unit that measures both club delivery and the full trajectory of any golf shot, up to 400 yards, and it measures the landing position with an accuracy of 1 foot at 100 yards. SAM PuttLab is an analysis and training system based on accurate ultrasound measurements that analyzes the 28 most important parameters of the putting stroke and helps to identify putting stroke faults. “What is unique about this experience is the amount of information we can collect on various aspects of someone’s game, and the ability we have to keep a record of a participant’s swing and track their progress over the course of time, if they choose to return for lessons on a regular basis,” Buczek says. “As part of a private lesson package, we provide participants with a disk showing the V1 analysis of their swing and summarizing the feedback and tips for improvement provided during the lessons. This allows participants to return home and continue to work on their game at their own pace.” In addition to the latest analysis technology, the Wake Forest Golf Academy has also partnered with Titleist® to offer club fitting. Using the most advanced fitting tools, participants are able to optimize their driving performance, make their iron play more precise, enhance their wedge scoring shots and fine-tune their set composition. However, club fitting is offered simply as a way to improve one’s game, and participants are not required to purchase Titleist clubs. The Wake Forest Golf Academy offers lessons throughout the year and is available for reservations when the facility is not being used by the Wake Forest University men’s and women’s golf programs. Holiday specials and gift certificates are available, and they make the perfect gift for any golf enthusiast. As a special offer to Gold Rush readers, now through Jan. 15, 2012, you can purchase a four-lesson package for just $375 (a $500 value). If you redeem at least one lesson before Dec. 31, 2011, you will also get a Wake Forest Golf Academy shirt. To take advantage of this offer, please mention the “Gold Rush” special when scheduling your lesson or purchasing your gift certificate. ■ For more information about the Wake Forest Golf Academy or to view a complete list of available packages and specials, go to www.wakeforestgolfacademy.com or call (336) 758-6037. To purchase gift certificates or to schedule a lesson, please call (336) 758-6037 or (336) 758-6000.
CHEER, SCORE, DINE.
After we score at the game, come score a free cup c p of soup so p or featured Demon Dem Deacon appetizer at Noble’s. Bring in your 2011 Wake Forest football ticket for the featured game that weekend and enjoy a free treat when you order an entrée. Whether you’re in the mood for chilled gazpacho, warm and creamy tomato basil bisque or a Deacon-worthy appetizer, we have the cure for your pre or post game craving. Go Deacs! To learn more about specials and events, go to
www.facebook.com/noblesgrille.
3 8 0 K N O L LW O O D S T . , W I N S T O N - S A L E M , N C 2 7 1 0 3 | 3 3 6 . 7 7 7. 8 4 7 7 | W W W. N O B L E S G R I L L E . C O M
december 2011
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f o o t b all
// n o t r e d a m e v s . wa k e f o r e s t
Witness History at BB&T Field On November 5, 2011, Wake Forest welcomed the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame to BB&T Field for the first-ever game between the two teams. Despite the 24-17 loss, it was a historical night that proved to everyone in attendance that Wake Forest fans are proud to be Demon Deacons.
Total Attendance: 36,307
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Television Viewers (on ABC): 3.1 million
wfu.edu/alumni Demon Deacon
Friends
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Be a part of a social network where having hundreds of friends still means something. When you get behind Wake Forest, we stay ahead of the competition. To find out more about how you can stay involved with Wake Forest and connected to your fellow alumni, visit wfu.edu/alumni.
c o m plia n c e c o r n e r
// t o d d hai r s t o n
Former Student-Athletes
todd hai r s t o n A s s o c iat e At hl e t i c Di r e c t o r , C o m plia n c e
It is widely known that boosters are not permitted to provide currently enrolled student-athletes with benefits of any kind (e.g. cash, gifts, services). What is not as well known, however, is that this prohibition also extends to former student-athletes. Many former student-athletes like to maintain close relationships with the teams they played for. In doing so, they may develop friendships with newer members of the team, as well as continue existing ties with current student-athletes whom they may have played with in the past. These close ties cause many former student-athletes to believe that it is permissible for them to provide benefits such as taking current students out to eat, as well as providing transportation or even lodging for their former teammates and acquaintances. In most cases, providing these benefits is not permissible. It is important to note that simply being a former student-athlete does not necessarily equate to being a booster. A booster is defined as follows: (a) H ave participated in or to be a member of an agency or organization promoting the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program; (b) H ave made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization of that institution; (c) Be assisting or to have been requested (by the athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes; (d) Be assisting or to have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or (e) H ave been involved otherwise in promoting the institution’s athletics program. However, even if a former student-athlete does not meet the technical definition of a booster, providing any of the aforementioned items to a current student-athlete would still constitute an extra benefit, which is also impermissible under NCAA rules. For questions regarding occasional meals or any other compliance-related matter, please feel free to contact Todd Hairston at hairstct@wfu.edu or (336) 758-4243.
Gib McEachran & John Hardy Present
A 30 minute LIVE webinar every Wednesday at 10:00 am Tune in to learn about investing in the stock market, the bond market, municipal funds, CDs, 401k plans, IRAs and other investment instruments; planning for retirement, estate planning, setting up a college fund, or saving for the down payment on a home. Plus, you may learn a thing or two about college football, duck hunting, and dog training!
To listen go to www.hmc-partners.com and click LISTEN LIVE! A. Gib McEachran & John W. Hardy, Jr. HMC Partners 2010-D New Garden Road Greensboro, NC 27410 (336) 544-6800 www.hmc-partners.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC
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