In Knoxville, Tennessee, Wake Forest’s baseball coach, Tom Walter, and the university have issued an apology following an incident during an NCAA regional game against Tennessee. During the game, televised footage seemingly captured a homophobic slur, leading to immediate backlash.
Walter expressed regret in a public statement, saying, “I am very sorry for my outburst in frustration last night and I recognize the hurt and disappointment it has caused.” He extended his apologies to both the University of Tennessee and Wake Forest University, as well as the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Despite not recalling the specific moment, Walter acknowledged that the language used does not align with his personal values or the standards he holds for his team.
John Currie, Wake Forest’s athletic director, commented on the matter, stating that he was “surprised and deeply disappointed” by the occurrence. He added that he had discussions with Walter following the game and again the next morning. “I feel badly for those most hurt by such words,” Currie remarked, emphasizing that the incident was out of character for Walter and did not reflect the principles of Wake Forest Athletics, the university itself, or the ACC.
In the game in question, Tennessee triumphed over Wake Forest with an 11-5 victory on Monday night. This win secured Tennessee’s progression to a best-of-three super regional face-off with Arkansas, for an opportunity to compete in the College World Series.
No immediate response was received from an Atlantic Coast Conference representative regarding the incident. This situation underscores the importance of maintaining a respectful environment both on and off the field.