Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter apologizes for using homophobic slur
Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter used a homophobic slur during the Demon Deacons' elimination game on Monday against the Tennessee Volunteers, a moment which was caught on camera by ESPN's broadcast and prompted an apology from Walter and the school on Tuesday.
Walter was standing on the dugout step when he appeared to say an expletive, followed by the slur. At the time, Tennessee first baseman Andrew Fischer was batting, although it is unclear at whom the slur was directed. Fischer homered and Tennessee won the game 11-5 to advance to the Super Regionals. Wake Forest's season ended with the loss.
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'I am very sorry for my outburst in frustration last night and I recognize the hurt and disappointment it has caused,' Walter said in a statement issued by Wake Forest on Tuesday. '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 SEC & ACC.'
In the same statement, Wake Forest vice president & director of athletics John Currie said: 'I am both surprised and deeply disappointed in our head baseball coach Tom Walter for his outburst during last night's baseball game. 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 this 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.'
The NCAA's Office of Inclusion and Wake Forest's LGBTQ Center did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Walter's apology came a day after Florida baseball coach Kevin O'Sullivan and athletic director Scott Stricklin apologized for an expletive-filled tirade O'Sullivan directed at NCAA Tournament site officials because he was unhappy that the start of the Gators' game against East Carolina on Sunday was moved back.
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