IN HER WAKE
$100M FOR WOMEN'S ATHLETICS AT WAKE FOREST
Inspired by momentum from the celebration of 50 Years of Women’s Athletics during the 2021-2022 year, Wake Forest Athletics announced a $100M initiative to transform opportunities for female student-athletes at Wake Forest. This fundraising effort will include direct opportunities to provide scholarship support; to create new opportunities in personal, leadership and career development; and to make strategic investments in areas that create a competitive advantage for individual sport programs.
CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE
HONOR THE PAST. INVEST IN THE PRESENT. SHAPE THE FUTURE.
In recognition of 50 Years of Women’s Athletics and with the help of a select task force, Tracy Alston ‘04 (women’s basketball alum), Dianne Dailey (former Women’s Athletic Director and Women’s Golf Head Coach), Jill Headley ‘93, P ‘24 (women’s golf alum), Kate Parker ‘98 (women’s soccer alum), Alex Sink ‘70 P’11 (Trustee), Lizzie Snyder ‘19 (former Screamin' Deacs member), and Christian Williams ‘09 (women’s tennis alum); Wake Forest began the year in September 2021 with a challenge to identify 50 donors for each women’s Athletics program. After successfully reaching that goal on Deacs Day of Giving in 2021, Wake Forest extended the effort to identify $50,000 in commitments for each program. Again, the Wake Forest community rose to the challenge. By the end of the 50th Anniversary, nearly 800 donors committed over $4.1M toward women’s athletics initiatives and created 20 new scholarships in support of women student-athletes.
PERSISTENT EXCELLENCE
HONOR THE PAST. INVEST IN THE PRESENT. SHAPE THE FUTURE.
After the celebration of 50 years of Women's Athletics at Wake Forest, generous donors, alumni, and friends of Wake Forest raised their hands to participate in laying the groundwork for the next generation. As the Presenting Partner of Wake Forest Women’s Athletics, Truist, and Wake Forest lead investors have already committed over $21 million to the “In Her Wake” initiative this past year, as Wake Forest Athletics aims to surpass $100 million by 2029.
To launch this initiative, Wake Forest has set the goal to identify 100 gifts at the six giving levels below to allow Demon Deacons family and friends to contribute at their preferred level of impact.
You can make your gift at any of the levels below to any women’s program of your choice to create a transformational impact on the future of Wake Forest student-athletes. Gifts can be pledged over five years.
LEVEL 1 - $100,000
21 Out of 100 Gifts
LEVEL 2 - $50,000
16 Out of 100 Gifts
LEVEL 3 - $25,000
31 Out of 100 Gifts
LEVEL 4 - $10,000
33 Out of 100 Gifts
LEVEL 5 - $5,000
27 Out of 100 Gifts
LEVEL 6 - $1,000
180 Out of 1000 Gifts
PERMANENT EXCELLENCE
HONOR THE PAST. INVEST IN THE PRESENT. SHAPE THE FUTURE.
Create a permanent, lasting impact within the In Her Wake initiative for Wake Forest female student-athletes by joining Forever Deacs, a community within Wake Forest Athletics composed of supporters who have made leadership commitments to scholarships, sport-specific or program endowments.
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
AREAS OF GREATEST IMPACT
WOMEN'S ATHLETIC
SCHOLARSHIPS
Every year, dedicated and visionary Wake Foresters create endowed athletics scholarship funds or add to the funds they or others have already established.
Endowments dedicated to scholarships totaled approximately $47 million in 2023. Our goal by December 2024 is to establish 39 more scholarships, aiming to achieve a 1:1 ratio of female student-athletes to scholarships.
Number of scholarships Needed for a 1:1 Ratio
Field Hockey: 5
Women’s Soccer: 12
Women’s Track & Cross Country: 16
Women’s Basketball: 1
Volleyball: 5
WOMEN'S PROGRAM ENDOWMENT SUPPORT
Endowing a named position will create a permanent revenue stream in support of student-athletes, ensuring that Wake Forest can recruit, retain, and develop the best talent, while also honoring those who make it all possible.
“Gifts like these are program-changers. Their impact is both immediate and long-lasting, giving us peace of mind that we can continue to build on our success. Specifically, they are extremely important for staff retention, an essential element to continuity and consistency that our student-athletes notice and appreciate.”
- Kim Lewellen, Head Women’s Golf Coach
INVESTMENTS MADE IN THE LAST YEAR
Women's Basketball
Women's basketball will embark on their first international trip to Croatia and Greece later this summer. The journey will be filled with international games, immersive visits to landmarks, and enriching experiences that will help them excel off the court.
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
To prepare for the third annual Wake Forest Invitational and the 2025 ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championship, the track at Kentner Stadium was resurfaced. This upgrade enhances the training environment with a state-of-the-art surface that boosts performance and reduces injury risk.
Field Hockey
The Wake Forest field hockey team had an extraordinary journey to the Netherlands, competing in international matches, exploring historic landmarks, and unforgettable experiences.
Women's Golf
The Wake Forest women’s golf team received a transformative gift from the Lyons Family, providing immediate and lasting impact to build on its ongoing success.
Women's Soccer
Wake Forest women's soccer embarked on an unforgettable trip to Spain. Between international friendly matches, the team spent their time visiting landmarks, creating everlasting memories, and having once in a lifetime experiences.
Women's Tennis
Wake Forest women's tennis has received substantial scholarship support, enhancing resources for comprehensive academic and athletic support for student-athletes.
Volleyball
Jeff and Laurie Triplette have jointly endowed the Triplette Family Volleyball Assistant Coach position — providing a historical commitment to the program that will live in perpetuity and make an annual ongoing impact.
Spirit Squads
The Wake Forest spirit squad participated in two collegiate competitions this past year, showcasing their talent and fostering team growth and school pride on a national stage.
STAY CONNECTED
For those who blazed the trail, for every current female student-athlete, and for every little girl with a dream of wearing the old Black & Gold, we are excited to announce the In Her Wake Initiative. Our goal is to recognize the excellence of our female student-athletes, educate our community about the many ways Wake Forest Athletics and our women’s programs have redefined excellence in women’s sports, and generate financial support for the future of Wake Forest women’s athletic programs. Follow us as we share the stories and impact surrounding this incredible initiative.
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