Wake Forest Athletics Director Ron Wellman Talks College Sports

Ron Wellman speaking at a press conference

Ron Wellman is athletics director at Wake Forest University. Under his leadership the Demon Deacons have won four national championships. He has held a couple of prime organizational positions, which we discuss.

While serving as National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1-A Athletic Directors’ Association president, what did you learn?

The fact that has been evident for many years is that the D1 AD’s [athletics directors] have a high level of commitment to their professional Association. They are engaged and supportive of their professional association as evidenced by their attendance at our annual meeting which typically draws over 100 of the 126 AD’s to the meeting. They not only attend but they are engaged. They truly care about their profession and are determined to continue their efforts to improve college athletics.

Amongst all top-tier programs, why Wake Forest University?

Wake Forest [WFU] has been a wonderful experience for us the last 24 years. When we came here in 1992, we had no idea how long we might stay but we quickly realized that the University has the values, standards and ideals that we appreciate. Two of our daughters have multiple degrees from Wake Forest and all three of our sons-in-law have WFU degrees so we are deeply rooted here.

In 2013-14, you chaired the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball tournament selection committee – an unenviable post. Because only sixty-eight teams can qualify for March Madness every season there are snubs. How were these decisions made?

There are 10 committee members and they do a superb job throughout the basketball season of evaluating all the teams. The committee meets for a week in March to select the tournament field but there is much work done prior to that week in preparation for selection week.

Dean of Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) athletics directors, your multi-decade career has led Wake Forest sports to “its greatest level in school history.” Four national championships and seventeen ACC titles is a statement. What have you done to succeed?

We have outstanding coaches who understand and support the standards of Wake Forest. We also enjoy tremendous support from the university administration, trustees, faculty and all of our constituencies.

Your Demon Deacons, similar to schools like Northwestern, Stanford, and Texas Christian, are among just a few private institutions competing in an NCAA power conference. With stricter admissions standards, are you at a recruiting disadvantage? Is there an alternative path for non-public programs?

We view our differences from other schools as an asset. We have something unique to offer. Our recruiting pool may not be as large as some schools but our conversion rate is extremely high.

Learn more about Ron Wellman:

Mr. Wellman is athletics director at Wake Forest University.

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