A legendary career at Wake Forest will be recognized on the national stage as former Athletic Director Ron Wellman is set to be inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Hall of Fame.
“Having the opportunity to work in college athletics my entire career was my ultimate dream,” Wellman said via a statement. “Working with the athletes, coaches and administrators at Wake Forest for 27 years was certainly the highlight of my career… Honestly, this is the result of having so many outstanding administrators and coaches surrounding me. I am indebted to them for all that they have achieved…and will continue to achieve.”
Wellman shaped many lives and careers at Wake Forest, including that of current Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie, who joined Wellman’s staff in 1993. Currie would later return to Wake Forest, succeeding the retiring Wellman in 2019.
“Ron Wellman’s unwavering integrity, vision, and commitment to student-athletes have left an indelible mark not only on Wake Forest, but on college athletics as a whole,” Currie said via a statement. “I come to work honored and humbled by the responsibility to build upon the incredible legacy he continued at Wake Forest. No one more is deserving of this honor than Ron.”
Wellman became Wake Forest’s fifth Athletic Director in school history in 1992. He joined Wake Forest under the reign of Thomas Hearn, and continued under both Hearn and Nathan O. Hatch for the entirety of his 27-year tenure as Athletic Director.
“For many years, I had the privilege of working closely with Ron Wellman and witnessing firsthand his extraordinary leadership and commitment to Wake Forest,” Hatch said via statement. “His steady hand, principled approach, and deep care for student-athletes set a standard of excellence that defined an era of tremendous success… his induction into the NACDA Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to a career dedicated to advancing collegiate athletics the right way.”
During his tenure, Wellman led the hirings of Head Coaches who would later be key figures on campus, including former Men’s Basketball Head Coach Skip Prosser and former Head Football Coach Dave Clawson.
“I am incredibly proud to have been hired by Ron Wellman, a leader I have long considered one of the finest individuals in all of college athletics,” Clawson said via statement. “His unwavering commitment to integrity, student-athlete success, and excellence has left an indelible mark not only at Wake Forest but across the entire collegiate sports landscape.”
Wellman has also hired multiple current coaches, including Head Men’s Soccer Coach Bobby Muuss, Head Field Hockey Coach Jennifer Averill, and Head Baseball Coach Tom Walter.
“Ron’s impact at Wake Forest really speaks for itself,” Averill said via statement. “He was a transformational leader who guided our coaches and student-athletes with integrity and a strong sense of purpose. It’s been an incredible honor to be part of his journey in college athletics.”
“I can’t begin to tell you what this man means to me,” Muuss added via Twitter/X post. “He has shown me support, mentorship, patience (a lot of it), grace and love… He gave me a chance of a lifetime. He lives and leads with humility and honor.”
During his tenure at Wake Forest, Wellman oversaw an athletic department that won 22 conference championships and five NCAA team championships, including three consecutive national championships in field hockey (2002-04). Wellman was also inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.
