On Thursday, Wake Forest University will be commemorating two outstanding women in the realm of basketball. Tracy Connor-Riddick, a South Rowan alumna, and Amy Privette Perko, an A.L. Brown alumna, will be recognized for their exceptional contributions to Wake Forest women’s basketball.
The special event is scheduled to take place at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, prior to the women’s basketball game against Miami. This unveiling of new recognition banners is part of Wake Forest’s basketball alumni weekend, which pays tribute to the achievements and impact of former players and coaches.
A total of twelve new banners will be unveiled to honour the accomplishments of Wake Forest women’s basketball. These banners will feature the jerseys of nine alumnae, one former head coach, and NCAA and WNIT tournament teams, solidifying their permanent place in the arena rafters.
It is crucial to note that this is not a jersey retirement, but rather an “honoured” jersey, symbolizing the impact and significance of the individuals being recognized, while still permitting current and future student-athletes to proudly wear the same number.
Although no new banners will be added for Wake Forest men’s basketball, the existing ones in the arena rafters will undergo renovation.
One of the honourees, Tracy Connor, expressed her gratitude for the gesture, having received a letter from the university’s director of athletics, John Currie, acknowledging her outstanding contributions as a student-athlete both on and off the court, and as a valued member of the Demon Deacons community.
The 12 women’s basketball banners will include Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famers such as Tracy Connor, Roper Halverson, Jennifer Mitchell Hoover, Amy Privette Perko, and Jane Jackson. Trailblazers Keeva Jackson-Breland, Sonya Henderson, and Charlene Curtis, as well as gamechangers Dearica Hamby and LaChina Robinson, will also be honoured for their remarkable accomplishments.
As the evening progresses, it is sure to be a poignant and impactful event, symbolizing the enduring influence that these remarkable women have had on the sport and the Wake Forest community.
The recognition of Tracy Connor-Riddick and Amy Privette Perko at Wake Forest University serves as a testament to the dedication, talent, and influence of these exceptional athletes in the realm of college women’s basketball. Their accomplishments, both on and off the court, serve as an inspiration to current and future generations of student-athletes, and their legacy will continue to shape the future of the sport for years to come.