Wake Forest baseball coach apologizes after cameras catch apparent slur
Wake Forest athletics apologized Tuesday morning for its baseball coach appearing to direct a homophobic slur toward a Tennessee player during an NCAA tournament game Monday night.
While Wake was playing in the Knoxville Regional title game at Tennessee, television cameras showed Wake coach Tom Walter in the dugout while Vols infielder Andrew Fischer was at the plate. While microphones didn’t catch what Walter said, he appeared to yell an expletive and a slur.
On Tuesday morning, Wake Forest athletics director John Currie said he’d spoken with Walter about the incident before issuing an apology.
“I am both surprised and deeply disappointed in our head baseball coach Tom Walter for his outburst during last night’s baseball game,” Currie said. “I feel badly for those most hurt by such words. I spoke with Coach Walter immediately after the game and again this morning to address this incident, which is completely out of character for him and does not meet the standards of Wake Forest athletics, Wake Forest University or the Atlantic Coast Conference.”
Walter, in a statement, said he didn’t remember the incident but he apologized nonetheless.
“I am very sorry for my outburst in frustration last night and I recognize the hurt and disappointment it has caused,” Walter said. “I have seen the videos and while I do not remember the specific moment clearly, that language doesn’t reflect my values or the standards of this program. Regardless, I own the consequences and I apologize to the University of Tennessee, to Wake Forest University, and the SEC & ACC.”
Fischer, who began his career at Duke as an ACC all-freshman team selection in 2023 before playing at Ole Miss last season and Tennessee this season, slammed a two-run home run four pitches later to extend Tennessee’s lead before the Vols won, 11-5, to win the regional and end Wake’s season.
This story was originally published June 3, 2025 at 11:48 AM.