Dr. G Eugene Hooks, former Wake Forest University athletic director and All-American baseball player, died on April 6, 2026, at the age of 98.
He was one of the most influential figures in the history of Wake Forest athletics, serving as director of athletics from 1964 to 1992.
He began his connection with Wake Forest as a standout baseball player from 1947 to 1950.
He earned All-American honors in 1947 and 1949 and second-team All-American recognition in 1950. He helped lead the team to the 1949 College World Series championship game, where they finished as runner-up to Texas.
After graduating in 1950, he signed a professional baseball contract and played in the Chicago Cubs organization for several years before an injury ended his playing career.
He later returned to school, earning advanced degrees in education, including a doctorate from George Peabody College.
He came back to Wake Forest as a coach and professor before becoming athletic director in 1964.
During his tenure, the university won multiple national championships and numerous conference titles. He oversaw major facility growth and helped strengthen the financial foundation of the athletic department.
He was also known for his leadership during a transformative era in college athletics, including the integration of sports at Wake Forest. Colleagues remembered him as a steady administrator who guided the program through social change and major institutional challenges.
He remained closely connected to Wake Forest throughout his life and was recognized with multiple honors, including induction into sports halls of fame. His name remains on the university baseball stadium, reflecting his lasting impact on the institution.
He is survived by his family including children and stepfamily members, along with a wide network of former players, colleagues, and student athletes who credit him with shaping their lives and careers.
Born in 1927, Hooks grew up in North Carolina and served in the United States Navy before attending Wake Forest after the Second World War. He played during an era when many college athletes were returning veterans supported by the GI Bill.
His early years on campus reflected a more modest time in college athletics, when facilities were limited, but student life was closely connected, and personal relationships with professors and coaches were strong.
He later became one of the most significant athletic directors in the Atlantic Coast Conference, guiding Wake Forest through decades of growth.
Under his leadership, the athletic department expanded facilities, increased revenue, and strengthened its competitive standing.
He supported the development of women’s athletics following federal Title IX requirements and emphasized financial independence for the department.
He is remembered as a leader who shaped the identity of Wake Forest athletics across multiple generations.
His influence extended beyond the university into national college sports administration, where he contributed to organizational leadership and mentoring younger administrators.
His legacy is reflected in the continued prominence of Wake Forest athletics and the respect he earned across the collegiate sports community.
Wake Forest officials and former colleagues noted that Hooks remained a steady presence at athletic events long after retirement, often attending games and supporting student athletes and staff across all sports programs.
He is widely regarded as one of the foundational figures in modern Wake Forest athletics whose contributions continue to influence the university’s mission and culture today.
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