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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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