The story told in the locker room before taking the field against Loyola Marymount University on Saturday was one of perseverance. Head Coach Tom Walter spoke of student-athlete Will Ray, who arrived at Wake Forest from Pennsylvania without a guaranteed roster spot. Despite battling injuries and setbacks, Will persevered and even committed to a position change in his second year. One year ago, Will suffered an injury on the mound that he feared might end his career—yet he pitched again, one year to the day of that injury.
Ray is currently a graduate student in the School of Professional Studies and was a student in the Foundations of Leadership program offered in the business school.
Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Business Program Kenny Herbst said: “Will Ray’s journey on and off the diamond is a masterclass in resilience. As an alum of our Deacon Leadership course, he hasn’t just overcome setbacks to stand tall on the mound; he has consistently reached back to mentor the next generation of Deacon Leaders. Will embodies the very core of our program: the courage to bounce back, the authenticity to lead with empathy, and the determination to turn a setback into a setup for a greater comeback. It is an honor to call Will a DEAC.”
Listen to the coach’s entire speech here.