Winston Salem Times

The Wake Forest Deacon Club raises millions of dollars each year for scholarships for student-athletes at Wake Forest University. The club's reach has helped many students realize their dreams.

Wake Forest fields numerous sports teams that compete at the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and are a part of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Deacon Club's donors have contributed more than $8.5 million a year for student athletes and more than $300,000 has been invested in each student-athlete by the Wake Forest Athletic Department.

"With a current athletic endowment of approximately $32 million, Wake Forest athletics has set a transformational goal to fully endow Wake Forest athletic scholarship by 2040, which will require a total investment of $640 million," its website states. "Whether it’s supporting student-athlete scholarships, coaches’ positions or special programs, there are many ways to help support this cause and, in turn, enhance the student-athlete experience."

One such athlete who received a scholarship was Dr. Louis Frazier, who played football for the university and graduated in 2007. Frazier's story, highlighted on the Deacon Club's website, shows he would not be a doctor and committed to the health and well-being of others if not for the Wake Forest scholarship. 

After receiving a football scholarship, Frazier also tapped other resources in student-athlete and academic services to prosper in class. He was a starting offensive lineman on the Demon Deacons' 2007 Orange Bowl team and went on to earn a full scholarship to medical school at Wake Forest. 

Frazier told the Deacon Club, "Maybe I could have found a way to work my way up through a junior college to attend [a university]...but my family just couldn't afford it. I want you to know: It has all paid off. I am so grateful."

Frazier gives back to his alma mater and established an endowment in 2018 to fund a scholarship at Wake Forest in perpetuity.

The Deacon Club has numerous options for giving, including matching gifts, stocks and property and gift planning.