Gene Hooks obit

Longtime Wake Forest University athletic director Gene Hooks dead at 98

 

He was not on the list.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — Wake Forest University is mourning the loss of one of its own in Dr. Gene Hooks, who died on Monday at the age of 98.

Hooks was an All-American third baseman for the Demon Deacons in 1949 and 1950, back when the school was still located in the Town of Wake Forest. After that, Hooks served as the Deamon Deacons’ athletic director for 28 years from 1964 to 1992.

Hooks helped Wake Forest finish as runner-up in the 1949 College World Series and was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025. After leaving college, he went pro and played for the Chicago Cubs in the MLB for five years before coming back to school at Wake Forest.

In 1956, Hooks became a PE instructor and head baseball coach for the Demon Deacons before transitioning to the classroom as a professor in 1962 and moving to the AD role in 1964.

After retiring from the AD role in 1992, Hooks received the Medallion of Merit, WFU’s highest honor, in 1992 for his service to the university. He was also inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame.

The Gene Hooks Lifetime Achievement Award is also named in his honor. The award is given to former Demon Deacons who “exhibited traits of integrity, charity and leadership and embodies the Pro Humanitate spirit that Dr. Gene Hooks demonstrated over his 45 years associated with Wake Forest.”

 

Native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina

All-American third baseman at Wake Forest University in 1949 and 1950

Led school to second-place finish in 1949 NCAA Tournament

Played four years in minor leagues before returning to school for doctorate in education from George Peabody College

Baseball coach and physical education instructor at Wake Forest from 1956–1959

Full-time faculty from 1959–1964

Wake Forest athletic director from 1964–1992

Oversaw expansion of Wake Forest facilities with Gene Hooks Stadium named in his honor

Member of numerous NCAA and ACC committees

Executive director NCAA Division 1-A Athletic Directors from 1992–1997