Wake Forest Basketball Coach Dies, Program Left Hanging
The Wake Forest campus honored and grieved the loss of basketball head coach Skip Prosser, who was remembered in the traditional fashion in which his team had been honored after winning basketball games…with toilet paper fluttering from trees. The tradition is common place on campus, especially on the quad where the majority of students hang out between classes. However, this was no celebration, as Prosser died of an apparent heart attack, on July 26.
Prosser was an exceptional basketball coach who was highly respected by students and staff alike. Under his tutelage, the Demon Deacons were ranked #1 for the first time three years ago. Right now, amidst the grieving, the fate of the team is hanging in the balance, as the next season is approaching at a rapid pace. Amidst the questions of who will replace Prusser remains the question of what will happen to his summer recruitment program and preparation for the following basketball season.
Funeral arrangements and memorial services have not been finalized as of yet. However, there will be a prayer service that is scheduled for this weekend on campus. At this time, the athletic director for Wake Forest, Ron Wellman, has no comment on when he will hire a new head coach, what will happen to the current program, and whether assistant coaches will be shuffled around. He, like the rest of the campus, needs time to grieve. Unfortunately, with the new school year set to start for most Universities within the next two months, he won’t have much time to make his decisions.
The goal, at this point, is to offer Skip’s family all of the support they need. The issue of what will happen to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will be pushed back until this has been accomplished. This just lends credo to the fact that Skip was seen so highly by his professional colleagues. His players, who are in shock at the present time, just want to honor him in any way they can. Decorating campus was one of the ways to do so, and one they think (and hope) Skip would love.
Whoever replaces him will have some huge shoes to fill. Head football coach for Wake Forest, Jim Grobe, describes Skip as a man that was “larger than life”. Finding someone to do half the job he has done is going to be a difficult task that Wake Forest isn’t quite ready to think about.
Wake Forest, Tragedy, Skip Prosser, Coach
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