An Interview with the Enemy

In preparation for my first ever trip to North Carolina later this week, I decided to face the enemy head on. I sat down alone in a cinder block room with an individual who is much more demon that deacon, a ferociously devoted foe in a black and gold tie dyed t-shirt, someone who would know the ins and outs of a Wake Forest existence. Currently she's a member of the Screamin' Demons (technically, I think that's called a banshee), an undergrad at Wake Forest and my sister.

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Q: Describe the current mentality of the Wake Forest student body as they prepare to face the mighty Cornhuskers. Fear? Excitement? You realize Nebraska out-rushed the Demon Deacons by 411 yards in week one, right?

A: Fear and curiosity. There certainly isn’t a competitive spirit on campus. In general, the students seem to feel that we are out of our league, especially with quarterback Riley Skinner’s recent injury. Spirits are down because it is doubtful that he will be back for the game this Saturday. I’ve only encountered one demonstration of Husker hate on campus this week, and it was a defaced Nebraska pennant in the bookstore. I’ve been told by more than one classmate that they are attending the game out of curiosity. They are familiar with Nebraska fans’ reputation and are anxious to see if they compare to those crazy Tigers and Seminoles from down further South who take great pleasure in invading our stadium and being obnoxious.

Q: What's the ticket situation like? Wake Forest took some measures to stem the Red Tide, developing a priority based season ticket system, but we still got our season tickets. Are students selling theirs? Is the administration doing anything else to keep the red out?

A: Well, students can’t sell their tickets because the only guarantee for getting into every football game is to join the pep club, the Screamin’ Demons, and they require you to present your pass and student ID in order to get in. Thus, the passes can’t be sold.

At the stroke of midnight on Monday morning, 250 student tickets were issued by the student government. They sold out in less than 20 minutes. Similarly, you have to present your student ID with your ticket when you enter the stadium, so it’s awfully hard to sell your ticket.

An acquaintance of mine works at the box office and informed me that they were totally unprepared for the number of Nebraska fans who would be willing to purchase season tickets for between $100-200. The UNL ticket office called in March and requested 10,000-15,000 tickets. Considering our stadium only holds about 30,000 fans, their request was denied. After numerous orders for season tickets from cities and towns in Nebraska, the box office decided that it was necessary to make the tickets more difficult to purchase. So, they established a waiting list, accepting orders from in-state residents first. So, how many Nebraskans were lucky enough to get season tickets? I’m not certain. I’m guessing that most had to find creative solutions for getting season tickets.

Q: For the Cornhusker fan who's used to an entire state stopping for a football Saturday, what can they expect from the pre-game/tailgate scene at Wake? Will everyone be wearing Tim Duncan jerseys?

A: Absolutely no Tim Duncan jerseys. However, you will see a plethora of black and gold striped bow tie clad preps. Not to be outdone, the females will pull out their knee length formals. Apparently it’s tradition here to wear your Sunday best to football games.

Large tents adorned with Greek letters will be scattered throughout the parking lot. The fraternities provide a social atmosphere with burgers and booze.

In the middle of the parking lot will be a DJ blaring heinous music.

Q: More importantly, how strictly are alcohol rules and regulations enforced? Will I be able to walk around with a case of beer totally unhindered?

A: Yes, you can carry your booze around without being bothered. The fraternity boys certainly do.

Q: This is Nebraska's first trip to Winston-Salem which means a first trip for many fans as well. Give me five things, campus hot spots, restaurants, landmarks, etc. that aren't to be missed in Winston-Salem. At least two of your answers should involve a)barbecue and b) a favorite WF watering hole that Nebraska fans can invade and conquer on Friday night preferably featuring live music, even more preferably bluegrass and, if it's not too much to ask, specifically bluegrass with Scruggs-style three-finger banjo which, of course, came from North Carolina.

A: #1 Campus hot spot? No such thing. Everything involving booze takes place in off-campus fraternity houses or, for those of age or those with fake IDs, at the Opera House in the historic West End (853 Reynolda Road) or the Foothills Brewery (638 W 4th Street) downtown. The Opera House is more of a late night hole in wall while the Brewery is best for big groups with beer appetites.

I do suggest, however, that fans make their way over to campus if the Deacons do win to see the rolling of the quad. Enthusiasm for athletic victories can be measured by the toilet paper in the trees. (Ed. Should be bare come Saturday)

#2 The best barbeque in town can be found at Little Richards, serving the famous Lexington-style BBQ. The college dollar goes a long way at this joint. The atmosphere contributes a fair share to the experience with the old-school red and white checkered table clothes and vintage RJR cigarette advertisements. It is absolutely necessary to order the “barbeque slaw.” It’s divine.

Now that the barbeque and booze is taken care of, I have to relay some bad news. You have to travel 2 hours west to Asheville or 4 hours east to Wilmington for good bluegrass music. Banjo pickers don’t live in Winston-Salem. I’ve been told that the River Harvest Festival going on in Wilmington on Saturday and Sunday is worth the drive! The Avett Brothers, my personal favorite, are performing.

#3 RJ Reynolds tobacco factory. I’ve never taken the tour, but I hear it’s interesting. After all, we Nebraskans ought to appreciate a crop about which we no nothing or little of.

#4 Reynolda Museum/Reynolda Village. Both of these are located beside the Wake Forest campus. The Reynolda Museum is the previous home of RJ Reynolds and is now a fairly impressive art museum. Reynolda Village used to be the servants quarters on the Reynolds property and is now home to some unique shops and restaurants. I recommend the Village Tavern for dinner and Simply Yummy for coffee.

#5 Krispy Kreme on Stratford road. For those of you who aren’t aware, Winston-Salem is home to Krispy Kreme. Although they didn’t preserve the original building, this is the original location. Stop in for a doughnut, or stop in around midnight for a free box of doughnuts.

Q: Will you be embarrassed if I wear overalls and a red cowboy hat for the entire weekend?

A: Of course I will.

Q: And finally, which color will you be wearing? Red or black? (Full disclosure: Future inclusion in family events may be conditional upon your response.)

Both. Considering I have to go in through the student entrance and perhaps even sit there for the majority of the game, I will be wearing a Wake Forest t-shirt due to my fear of being mauled by angry, drunk students. However, I will stuff my Rattlesnake Boys t-shirt in my bag in hopes that I can stealthily squeeze in with the Husker fans on the other side.

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To recap: Wake fans are curious about Nebraska football, we have to outclass other former invaders FSU and Clemson, you might feel like you're at a high school homecoming dance given the student's attire but, as the photographic evidence shows, you can still drink beer from a whiffle ball bat if you want to, R.J. Reynolds apparently owned the town, and, much to my chagrin, the pickers--some might call them f'n hillbillies--are at least two hours away.

Thanks to Brooke for the primer.