Wake Forest Demon Deacons Overview

Fast facts

League: Division I (NCAA)

Head Coach: Danny Manning

Team Mascot: Demon Deacon

Year Opened: 1989

Capacity: 14665

City / State: Winston-Salem / North Carolina

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Wake Forest vs Duke

Rival Team: Duke Blue Devils

The rivalry between Wake Forest and Duke may get overshadowed by the Blue Devil’s rivalry with the Tar Heels, but the Duke-Wake Forest rivalry is actually the older of the two. It dates back to the 1905-06 season and has been going strong ever since. If you’re looking to attending a great matchup, then there are few better than a Wake Forest-Duke game.

Wake Forest vs North Carolina

Rival Team: UNC Tar Heels

Like the Demon Deacons rivalries with the other two Tobacco Road schools, there is no love lost when Wake Forest and North Carolina play. There are a lot of bragging rights on the line when the two nearby schools meet, so if you want to see the The Joel buzz then get tickets to a Wake Forest-North Carolina game.

Wake Forest vs NC State

Rival Team: NC State Wolfpack

Similar to the other Tobacco Road schools, Wake Forest has a rivalry with nearby NC State as well. The proximity and familiarity between the two teams ignite the rivalry making it a matchup between the two quite the sight to behold and things can get quite intense when both schools are on top of their game, so make sure to be in attendance when State comes to town.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Stadium Guide

In Game

Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum is one of the more recognizable venues in the country and an excellent place to take in a basketball game. The arena features a unique court design and plenty of banners hanging from the rafters giving it its own charm. There are also several tributes to veterans inside and outside the facility making it one of the few college basketball venues that honors our vets.

In addition to the tributes to veterans and Wake Forest greats, you’ll also see and hear one of the best student sections out there when attending a Demon Deacons game. The Screamin’ Deacons are instantly recognizable with their tie-dyed shirts and do a superb job of supporting their team. Even more impressive than just the support the Screamin’ Deacons provide is their sheer number. Wake Forest has an undergraduate population of under 5,000, yet the Screamin’ Deacons contain over 2,000 members.

Before or after the game take some time to explore the Winston-Salem area. Winston-Salem is a relatively large city, and you’ll find plenty to do here outside of attending a basketball game. If you’re just looking to attend the game and get out of town, though there are a few bars and restaurants near Joel Coliseum including the Foothills Brewpub.

Wake Forest is home to a fun atmosphere, and Joel Coliseum boasts some of the best tributes to veterans at any college basketball venue, so enjoy your trip to Winston-Salem.

Things to check out

Veterans Memorial

The veterans memorial outside of Lawrence Joel Veterans Coliseum is a touching tribute to those who lost their lives at war. Before entering the arena, stop by the memorial and remember all of those who lost their lives serving this country.

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“The Fallen” Engravement

You can find a poem titled “The Fallen” engraved into a wall inside Joel Coliseum. The poem is another excellent tribute to those who have served this country and is a great tribute to the arena’s namesake as well, Lawrence Joel, so stop by and read the poem.

Retired Number Banners

Wake Forest does an excellent job of honoring the best players in Demon Deacons basketball history by hanging retired numbers from the rafters. The retired numbers honor all-time greats such as Tim Duncan and Chris Paul, so make sure to check them all out.

Demon Deacon

The nickname Demon Deacons originated in 1923 when the school paper referred to the team as the Demon Deacons due to their devilish play. However, it wasn’t until 1941 that the Demon Deacons mascot made his first appearance when Jack Baldwin led the team onto the field riding the North Carolina ram while dressed as the now famous character. The mascot has been a mainstay ever since and is sure to provide plenty of entertainment at any Wake Forest sporting event.

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Screamin’ Demons

The Screamin’ Demons are known for their enthusiastic support of the Demon Deacons and their tie-dyed clothing. The students inside Joel Coliseum are incredibly loud and provide a lot of the atmosphere, so join in on their chants and show your support for Wake Forest.

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Pep Band

The Wake Forest pep band helps set the tone for the game with their tunes. The band plays a variety of schools songs and popular songs and is a big part of any Wake Forest sporting event. Listen for the band to create an intense atmosphere even when things aren’t going the Demon Deacons way.

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Dance and Cheer Teams

The dance and cheer teams at Wake Forest do an incredible job of entertaining the crowd and keeping the energy inside the arena high. Keep an eye out for the cheer squad, so you know what cheers are coming up next.

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Fight Songs

  1. O Here’s to Wake Forest

    O’ Here’s to Wake Forest
    A glass of the finest
    Red ruby rhenish filled up to the brim
    Their sons they are many
    Unrivaled by any
    Who’s hearts overflowing we will sing a hymn
    Rah, Rah, Wake Forest, Rah
    Old Alma Mater sons are we
    We’ll herald the story and die for her glory
    Old Gold and Black is ever waving high.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Bars & Restaurants

  1. Foothills Brewing

    Foothills Brewing beer

    Microbrews galore, plus pub grub & live music in an airy setting with high ceilings & exposed brick.

    638 W 4th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA

    336-777-3348

    Bar website

    american - $$

  2. Taco Riendo 3

    Uncle Festers

    Excellent, authentic, traditional Mexican food!

    3619 Reynolda Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, USA

    336-922-4749

    Bar website

    mexican - $

  3. Small Batch Beer Co.

    beer

    Easygoing hangout offering elevated pub food in a hip setting with reclaimed wood & tile.

    241 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA

    336-893-6395

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. Finnigan’s Wake Irish Pub

    Beers

    Brick-lined tavern offering up standard Irish food & a wide range of microbrews & scotch at the bar.

    620 Trade St NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA

    336-723-0322

    Bar website

    european - $$

  5. Putter’s Patio & Grill

    Putters Patio

    Serves classic favorites such as aged-to-perfection steaks, steaming fajitas, and the gorgonzola bleu cheese fries.

    3005 Bonhurst Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, USA

    336-724-9990

    Bar website

    american - $$

  6. Village Tavern

    Village Tavern

    Sleek & spacious eatery featuring a large menu of American favorites plus an extensive wine list.

    2201 Reynolda Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, USA

    336-748-0221

    Bar website

    american - $$

  7. Tequila Mexican Restaurant

    Tequila Restaurant

    Make Tequila Mexican Restaurant your favorite choice for Mexican Food. Its cold, refreshing drinks, and the great service Winston-Salem has loved for years.

    2802 Reynolda Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, USA

    336-727-9547

    Bar website

    mexican - $

  8. Mr. Barbecue

    Mr Barbecue

    Casual Southern BBQ joint since 1962, serving smoked-meat platters, classic sides & sandwiches.

    1381 Peters Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, USA

    336-725-7827

    Bar website

    bbq - $$

  9. Prissy Polly’s BBQ Restaurant

    Ribs

    Warm counter-serve joint dishing up Eastern- and Lexington-style BBQ & more, plus weekly live music.

    729 NC-66, Kernersville, NC 27284, USA

    336-993-5045

    Bar website

    bbq - $$

  10. BLL Rotisserie Factory

    pasta

    Uses only natural and fresh herbs to prepare our chicken, following the perfection of the Italian Tradition

    380 Knollwood St, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, USA

    336-725-7071

    Bar website

    american - $$

  11. Lexington Barbecue

    Imos Pizza Pizza

    North Carolina-style barbecue standards offered with signature sauce in down-to-earth digs.

    100 Smokehouse Ln, Lexington, NC 27295, USA

    336-249-9814

    Bar website

    american - bbq - $$

  12. Elizabeth’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

    Elizabeths Italian Restaurant Pizzeria

    Basic strip-mall source for Italian comfort eats ranging from pizza & pasta to stromboli & subs.

    2824 University Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, USA

    336-724-4650

    Bar website

    european - italian - $$

  13. Ryan’s Restaurant -Steaks-Chops & Seafood

    Ryans Restaurant Steaks Chops Seafood

    Renowned for their specialty pastas, exceptional seafood dishes, and homemade desserts.

    719 Coliseum Dr NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, USA

    336-724-6132

    Bar website

    american - italian - $$$

  14. North Point Grill

    Norht Point Grill

    You'll find a wide variety of great meals. From oversized salads, soups in our famous bread bowl, seafood, pasta, and the largest variety of sandwiches in the area you won't leave hungry.

    7843 North Point Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, USA

    336-896-0500

    Bar website

    american - $