Wake Forest issues statement addressing Tom Walter's 'outburst' against Tennessee
Wake Forest on Tuesday issued a statement addressing head baseball coach Tom Walter being caught on camera Monday night appearing to use a homophobic slur. Both Walter and Wake athletic director John Currie issued statements addressing the issue and apologizing for it.
“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 the 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.”
ESPN cameras caught Walter’s “outburst” during Tennessee’s seven-run fourth inning in Monday night’s decisive Game 7 between the Vols and the Demon Deacons in the Knoxville Regional Final at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
‘While I do not remember the specific moment clearly, that language doesn’t reflect my values’
Cameras cut to Walter during Andrew Fischer’s at-bat in the fourth inning, just before he hit a two-run home run to put Tennessee ahead 8-2. Manny Marin had hit a three-run home run earlier in the inning to put the Vols ahead 6-2.
“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 ACC & SEC.”
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Wake Forest beat Tennessee 7-6 Sunday to force Monday’s elimination game
Tennessee would go on to beat Wake Forest 10-5 to advance to this weekend’s Super Regional at Arkansas. The Vols lost 7-6 to Wake Sunday night to force Monday’s elimination game in the double-elimination format.
Wake Forest was the No. 2 seed in the Knoxville Regional. The Demon Deacons lost to No. 3 Cincinnati Friday night, but bounced back with a win over No. 4 Miami (Ohio) on Saturday and a win over Cincinnati is Sunday’s first game.
“I would like to congratulate Tennessee on a game well played and advancing to the next round … (the) Super Regional,” Walter said during his press conference after Monday night’s game. “What an incredible venue they have here and a great fan base. It’s been a pleasure playing here for the last four days.
“I’m proud of our guys and the way we battled. I hate that it’s over for our seniors and the guys we will lose to the draft, but I’m proud of the way we competed. Two great baseball teams gave it all today and we came up on the short end.”
