WAKE FOREST DEACON CLUB 75TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF THE DEACON CLUB
HONORING A LEGACY, POWERING THE FUTURE
Founded in 1950, the Deacon Club has grown from a small community of loyal supporters into a transformative engine that now fuels the scholarships, facilities, coaching, and student-athlete experience across all 16 varsity sports. For 75 years, generations of alumni, families, and fans have rallied behind Wake Forest Athletics to create one of the most personal and powerful donor communities in college sports.
HONORING A LEGACY
Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, Wake Forest will commemorate the 75th anniversary with storytelling initiatives, donor recognitions, and strategic opportunities designed to elevate Wake Forest’s competitive standing in the rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics. From record-breaking capital gifts to grassroots annual fund support, the Deacon Club’s 75-year journey represents an unparalleled tradition of generosity and excellence.
A Yearlong Celebration of Impact – Showcasing stories of legacy donors, former student-athletes, and transformational gifts that shaped Wake Forest Athletics.
The 75th Anniversary Fundraising Goal – A push to expand support for current-use scholarships, Excellence Funds, endowed scholarships, and coaching positions, especially in light of new NCAA and House settlement dynamics.
Special Recognition Events – Including the annual Scholarship Brunch, International Leadership Circle Weekend, and home game tributes to donors whose support defines the Wake Forest experience.
Hall of Famer Riley Skinner Continues to Make Impact on Wake Forest with New Scholarship
Thank You, Balogh Family! Longtime Support & Transformational Gift Leads to Deacon Club Member of the Year Honor
In Her Wake: Tony and Vi Golding Name Wake Forest Women's Golf Head Coach Position Held by 2023 National Championship Coach Kim Lewellen
In Her Wake: Jeff Triplette Advances Coaching & Directorship Initiative Following Naming of Assistant Volleyball Coach Position
Hooks-Hanson Baseball Scholarship: Honoring a Deacon Legend
A Family Legacy: The Pappaylious' Deep Ties to Wake Forest and Commitment to Education
POWERING THE FUTURE
Since its inception, the Deacon Club has helped provide more than $300 million in scholarship and programmatic support for Wake Forest student-athletes. Most recently, Wake Forest has achieved five consecutive years of $30M+ fundraising totals, highlighted by bold new commitments to football, women’s tennis, and sport-specific scholarship expansion across Olympic sports.
“For 75 years, the Deacon Club has been the heartbeat of Wake Forest Athletics—quietly and powerfully fueling the experiences, relationships, and results that define our success,” said Wake Forest Director of Athletics John Currie. “This milestone is both a tribute to the loyal supporters who have brought us to this moment and a rallying cry for the future. The generosity and belief of our Deacon Club members have allowed Wake Forest to Win Championships while we provide a World Class Student-Athlete Experience in an ever-evolving environment.”
THE NEXT 75 YEARS
“The Deacon Club’s impact can be felt in every corner of our athletics programs—and across our entire University,” said Wake Forest University President Susan R. Wente. “For 75 years, our generous donors have advanced Wake Forest’s competitive success and the holistic development of our student-athletes as scholars and leaders of character – in our Wake Forest community and beyond.”
IN HER WAKE LEADERSHIP MOMENTUM
Uplifting women’s sports and honoring women donors as part of a landmark initiative supporting equity and investment in women’s athletics.
FOREVER DEACS EXPANSION
Forever Deacs recognizes any individual who has left a forever impact on Wake Forest Athletics in any of the following ways:
(1) Establishing a Wake Forest Athletics Endowment
(2) Cumulative giving of $100,000 or more to a Sport-Specific Endowments, whether for scholarships or programs
(3) Including $100,000 or more to Wake Forest Athletics in an estate plan
STAY CONNECTED
The Deacon Club is the official fundraising arm of Wake Forest Athletics, supporting more than 400 Demon Deacon student-athletes across all varsity sports. Through annual giving, capital campaigns, estate commitments, and named scholarships, the Deacon Club empowers Wake Forest to deliver a World Class Student-Athlete Experience and remain competitive in the Power 4 era.
© 2025 Wake Forest University Athletics