© Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Audio By Carbonatix
Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter was caught on camera using a homophobic slur during an NCAA Regional game against Tennessee. He and his athletic director have now provided apologies.
The coach did take responsibility for his mistake. College baseball viewers are wondering if further punishment will follow.
The unfortunate scene came during the fourth inning of play ahead of a Tennessee hitter’s at-bat. The Vols had already erupted for five runs in the inning. Andrew Fischer hoped to add to it.
The slugger provoked a reaction from the home crowd as he stepped into the batter’s box. Walter wasn’t necessarily happy about it.
Cameras panned to the Wake Forest baseball team’s dugout amid the chaos. The Demon Deacons‘ coach was then caught saying something he shouldn’t have.
Wake Forest’s coach said some not-so-nice words towards Andrew Fischer and then Fischer proceeded to hit a nuke. Aura. pic.twitter.com/G0qWQg3Roi
— Kerry Williams (@kerrywilliams_) June 3, 2025
It’s pretty easy to read his lips, though it’s not quite clear who the slur was directed at. Most believed the target to be Fischer, who homered four pitches later.
Tom Walter apologizes for slur.
Both he and athletic director John Currie released statements on the situation. Each took accountability for Walter’s actions, though the coach said he “did not remember the specific moment clearly,” and that the language was “completely out of character.”
Statements from Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie & Head Baseball Coach Tom Walter pic.twitter.com/PM9fv9eEIl
— Wake Forest Demon Deacons (@DemonDeacons) June 3, 2025
Now the question is, will there be further punishment for Tom Walter?
There are some that are calling for his job, which would end a 16-year tenure in Winston-Salem. Others believe a suspension is the better option to go along with some sort of community work.
The overwhelming response, however, is that the apology alone will not suffice for a man that’s the face of a successful baseball program.
Wake Forest has issued a statement. Whether simply releasing a “sorry, bro” statement is sufficient for the NCAA and ACC, I guess we’ll see. People will be paying attention.
Baseball America commented on the school’s reaction in a story Tuesday. It remains “unclear” if “further action” will stem from the incident, according to a source close to the situation.
The site also says that Currie quickly and assertively responded to Tom Walter’s usage of the slur. There may or may not be more fallout.