Wake Forest University head baseball coach Tom Walter has issued an apology after a video surfaced online of him using an apparent homophobic slur during the team's loss to Tennessee on Monday night.
"I am very sorry for my outburst in frustration last night and I recognize the hurt and disappointment it has caused. 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," Walter said in a statement on the school's website.
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Wake Forest was trailing 6-2 when the camera panned to the dugout and showed Walter appearing to yell a curse word and a slur while Vols first baseman Andrew Fischer was at bat. Fischer then hit a two-run homer to extend the Tennessee lead to 8-2.
Wake Forest Vice President and Director of Athletics John Currie also released a statement.
"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," Currie said.
Wake Forest was eliminated from the NCAA baseball tournament with its 11-5 loss Monday night.
Walter completed his 16th season at Wake Forest in 2025. He is second all-time in school history in victories with 493. He previously coached at George Washington and New Orleans and is nearing 1,000 career wins. Wake Forest produced five first-round picks in the MLB Draft in 2023 and 2024.