COVID-19 information, including a dashboard, is available on Our Way Forward » About Wake Forest Athletics A Tradition of Black and Gold Athletics are integral to the college experience – and at Wake Forest, there are plenty of occasions to wave the Old Gold and Black. Competing in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference, Wake Forest teams are consistently among national leaders both athletically and academically. In the past 20 years, the Demon Deacons have: Won five NCAA championships: three in field hockey (2002-04) and one each in men’s soccer (2007) and men’s tennis (2018). Played in nine bowl games in football, including the Orange Bowl as part of their 2006 ACC championship season. Won 16 ACC championships in eight sports. Academically, Wake Forest student-athletes graduate at a 95% rate according to the most recent NCAA-measured data, released in 2019. Get the latest information and follow the Demon Deacons on their official website, GoDeacs.com. Visit GoDeacs.com PROSPECTIVE ATHLETES Interested in playing sports for Wake Forest? Our student-athletes play their hardest in and outside the classroom. More for Future Athletes CLUB SPORTS The Office of Campus Recreation coordinates a Club Sports Program that competes with other colleges and universities. More About Club Sports INTRAMURALS Intramural sports are a popular outlet for about 85% of Wake Forest students and are a great way to stay healthy and active. More on Intramural Sports TICKETS Show your support for the Demon Deacons by purchasing tickets to Wake Forest sporting events. Go Deacs! Purchase Tickets PURCHASE DEAC GEAR Find all the Demon Deacons gear you’re looking for, online or on-campus, whether it’s apparel or gifts and novelties. Shop Now THE DEACON CLUB Learn how you can support our student athletes and help them succeed in and outside of the classroom. How to Join The Demon Deacon Probably no aspect of Wake Forest athletics holds more fascination or lore than the nickname of the school’s teams: the Demon Deacons. In 1922, as the Deacons started recording wins on a regular basis, the existing nicknames of “Baptists” and “Old Gold and Black” did not seem to capture the spirit of Wake Forest athletics. When the Deacons pulled a particularly satisfying win off over rival Duke, sports editor Mayon Parker of Ahoskie searched for a new phrase to describe the “devilish” spirit that marked the athletic teams. He found that description in “Demon Deacon.” Wake Forest news director Henry Belk picked up Parker’s new name for the Deacons and began using it in the school’s news releases. Soon the name Demon Deacon had become a familiar term with all sports fans. Still, until Jack Baldwin took up a fraternity brother’s challenge in 1941, Wake Forest had a nickname but no figure to personify the spirit of the Demon Deacon. Baldwin led the Deacons on the field against North Carolina, dressed in top hat, tails and umbrella, riding the Carolina ram. While his fraternity brothers roared with laughter at the sight of him, no one realized that the Deacons would never play again without their Demon Deacon. The joke became an institution. More on the Demon Deacon Rolling The Quad Enthusiasm for athletic victories at Wake Forest University can be measured by the toilet paper in the trees. Wake Forest students, alumni and other fans celebrate game wins by “rolling the quad,” covering the center of campus with streamers of white tissue. The tradition, while popular with Wake Forest fans of all ages, began mostly because of the university’s 1956 move from the town of Wake Forest, N.C., to Winston-Salem. More information about rolling the quad can be found on our Traditions website. Our Traditions A Private Liberal Arts University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina / Founded 1834 / Pro Humanitate 35° Search our site: WHERE TO START Admissions Majors & Minors Schedule a Visit Affordability Apply to WFU College & Schools GET TO KNOW WFU About Wake Forest Campus Life Athletics Visitor Information Wake Downtown Experience Winston-Salem RESOURCES Human Resources Event Calendar News Libraries Wellbeing Campus Map WORK AT WAKE DIRECTORIES CONTACT Support Wake Forest A gift to the Wake Forest Fund supports student needs immediately. GIVE NOW Wake Forest Giving Societies Where the most loyal Wake Forest supporters belong. JOIN TODAY 1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27109 Affiliates Privacy Emergency Non‑Discrimination social.wfu.edu ® 2021 Wake Forest University