Wake Fans Flying a ‘Fire Ron Wellman’ Banner

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So as the disillusioned fan base its easy for us to recognize another right? Well, Wake Forest is attempting to join us on the lunatic fringe with their flying of a “Fire Ron Wellman” banner at the Wake vs State football game on Saturday.

This Google Doc going around is attempting to be an anti-Wellman propaganda machine and highlights some of the lowlights of Wake Forest Athletics.

Wake Forest fans and alumni are expressing their disillusionment with the state of Wake Forest Athletics by flying a banner before Saturday’s ACC football game against NC State reading “Demand Accountability. Fire Ron Wellman.”

Regrettably, fans and alumni are resigned to this extraordinary measure after repeated attempts to bring concerns directly to Athletic Director Ron Wellman. Fans and alumni have attempted to engage Mr. Wellman through avenues including purchasing newspaper ads and billboards to draw attention to the decline of Wake Forest Athletics. However, Mr. Wellman has chosen to dismiss fan concerns through the press with platitudes such as “historical competitiveness,” “culture,” noting that he “couldn’t be happier.”

The doc goes on to list “accomplishments” of Wellman’s career:

  • Men’s Basketball:  34-60 overall, 11-39 in the ACC in the last 3 years
  • Football:  21-33 overall, 12-22 in the ACC from the 2009 season to today
  • All Sports: Finished last in the ACC in the Director’s Cup the last 3 years

And they even include a nifty chart

Wake Forest Directors Cup Chart

Now all of us State fans know what it feels like to be looked down upon as the crazy ones wether it has merit or not but the whole banner thing is a bit below Wake Forest standards if you ask me. The people who are making the decisions, the big money donors, aren’t going to be influenced by some banner and a pamphlet.

Ron Wellman, is one of the more respected ADs in a the business and the same guy who hired a football coach that brought Wake-freaking-Forest an ACC Championship.  Has he lost a few fans with the hire and constant support of Jeff Bezdelick, maybe so, but he’s earned a little more respect than a banner demanding he be fired.

Welcome to the lunatic fringe Wake fans.

About JackWolf

I'm an unapologetic NC State fan but also consider myself a rational one. Hit me up on twitter if you want to talk @NCStateFootball

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10 Responses to Wake Fans Flying a ‘Fire Ron Wellman’ Banner

  1. tractor57 10/04/2013 at 6:45 PM #

    Living in the area I’ve heard the rumblings. Changes will happen – maybe not today but the will. Wellman and all the “money” sports.

  2. tractor57 10/04/2013 at 6:47 PM #

    Now more than ever “win baby win”

  3. tobaccordshow 10/04/2013 at 7:24 PM #

    “Ron Wellman, is one of the more respected ADs in a the business”

    Eh, people TRIED to make that case about Fowler. I don’t know about Wellman at all, but I’m betting that the Wake Forest tried and true know more than I do.

    I know what it’s like to have a terrible AD and would only wish that on one other school.

  4. PackFamily 10/04/2013 at 8:03 PM #

    “Most respected” ranks up there with the university rankings in the US News and World Report. When you can’t win in the competitive market place, you rely on such things.

  5. Old MacDonald 10/04/2013 at 8:56 PM #

    Latest word from the Twitter is that the banner is off…for now. Problems finding a pilot or something.

  6. Pack Mentality 10/04/2013 at 9:09 PM #

    I’ve always thought that fans should have the right to their opinion on whether those in prominent athletics positions should be fired without the rest of the world giving a damn about their opinions. If they do the wrong thing, it’s not hurting anyone but themselves. We as State fans should definitely not criticize others who wish to fire a coach or AD and maybe those not involved in the situation do not have all the information to make an informed decision.

  7. Wulfpack 10/04/2013 at 9:52 PM #

    I think it is time for Grobe to take over. Wellman has been a failure. Keeping Bzzzzz another year seals his fate. A terrible hire.

  8. 13OT 10/04/2013 at 9:52 PM #

    If Wolfpack athletics had Wake athletics’ numbers for the past 3 years, not even David Thompson would be safe if he were our AD.

  9. packalum44 10/05/2013 at 7:41 PM #

    Wellman did great hiring and keeping Grobe. That doesn’t give him a lifetime pass. It gives him the benefit of the doubt. A few extra years. He screwed up bad with Bzedick hire and should be held accountable. Bad hires cost several millions in lost revenue and contract buyouts.

    The question is, does ONE bad hire cost you a job? Do we expect ADs to be omnipotent? I don’t think so. But Wellman hired his friend. And he has kept him longer than he should. Unlike Fowler Ron will be able to land on his feet, if he ever was axed.

  10. Wulfpack 10/05/2013 at 11:51 PM #

    Keeping Bzz will seal his fate. Wake fans cant stand the guy.

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