Wake Forest University is paying special tribute to alumnus Arnold Palmer. The golf legend died last month at the age of 87. The Demon Deacons will honor him at several sporting events throughout the year.
Arnold Palmer was famous for his swing and boyish grin. As a student at Wake Forest University in the late 40's and early 50's he honed his athletic skills and helped put the school's golf program on the map.
Wake Forest is honoring Palmer's memory. Athletic venues including BB&T field will have his distinctive multi-color umbrella logo on or near the playing surface.
“Across all of our sports, all of our teams will wear a patch with 'AP' on it, honoring Mr. Palmer and his legacy and what he meant to Wake Forest because he meant so much,” says Mike Odom, an associate athletic director with the university. “Football players will have a helmet sticker that they will wear.”
Wake Forest University's football team will also carry a flag bearing the umbrella logo when it takes the field for all remaining football games. During this Saturday's game against Syracuse, Odom says fans will also be able to join in on their plans to remember Palmer.
“We have a banner behind the video board that fans can sign and leave a message that we will send to the Palmer family at a later date,” says Odom. “We will also have a video tribute that will happen before the kickoff of Saturday's football game.”
During his career, Palmer won 62 PGA Tour events and some of the sport's biggest titles. The university also has a nine-foot statue of Palmer on campus and a scholarship program that bears his name.
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