About

About Tom Walter of Wake Forest

Thomas Walter is a Division I baseball coach and social impact leader with over 900 career wins across George Washington, New Orleans, and Wake Forest. He has guided every player through graduation and community service while consistently producing professional talent. His teams reached historic success at Wake Forest, including a No. 1 national ranking and multiple NCAA tournament appearances.

Early Years

Thomas Walter was born in New York but grew up in Johnstown, PA. Yet, the core of his values was set firmly in Washington, DC, during his years at Georgetown University. At Georgetown University, he served as baseball team captain in both his junior and senior years and earned a place on the Big East All-Academic Team in 1990 and 1991. He was then named team MVP in his final year and recognized as the freshman of the year when he began his collegiate playing career.

His academic achievements matched his athletic contributions. He graduated with a degree in finance and transitioned directly into a master’s program at George Washington University. As an MBA student, he tutored athletes in calculus, managed equipment for all sports, and served as an assistant coach. During this time, the team captured the Atlantic 10 championship and secured an NCAA tournament appearance in 1992.

Establishing a Force at George Washington University

Thomas Walter stepped into his first head coaching role at George Washington University in 1996. Throughout eight seasons, he built the program into a consistent winner. His leadership produced a 273–181 overall record, making him the all-time winningest coach in school history. In his final five seasons, his teams averaged 39 wins per year, a benchmark that placed the program among the most successful in the region.

In 2002, the Colonials reached the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in school history. He was honored as Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year that same year. The program produced 26 professional players, including one who reached Major League Baseball.

Thomas Walter’s legacy at George Washington remains intact. In 2019, the university honored him with induction into the GW Athletics Hall of Fame. Walter is also a member of the AAABA Hall of Fame and the Cambria County Hall of Fame. 

Resilience Through Adversity at the University of New Orleans

In 2004, Thomas Walter of Wake Forest accepted the head coaching position at the University of New Orleans. The move presented a new opportunity, but the following challenges were monumental. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, displacing the team and destroying Walter’s home.

The team relocated to Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Mobile, Alabama. Despite losing their campus, facilities, and routines, they won 30 games the following spring. It marked the first time the program had reached that milestone since 1996. Two years later, the team captured the Sun Belt Championship in 2007. They followed that with a second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance in 2008, becoming the only Louisiana team to accomplish that in the post-Katrina era.

Transforming Wake Forest Baseball

Thomas Walter arrived at Wake Forest University in 2009. Over the next 15 years, he would lead the program to historic heights. His tenure produced multiple NCAA tournament appearances, including a regional championship in 2017.

In January 2011, that connection became a national story. Walter donated a kidney to Kevin Jordan, a freshman outfielder in the program. The decision drew national media attention, as ESPN produced a feature on the story as part of its E60 series, while NBC invited Walter and his daughter to appear on the game show “The Wall.”

Over the past four years, Wake Forest Baseball reached an elite status. The team became one of only seven nationwide to earn a 1- or 2-seed in the NCAA tournament each year. No other team in the ACC matched that feat. In 2023, they were ranked No. 1 in the country before reaching the Final Four in Omaha. That season, Thomas Walter of Wake Forest was named ACC Coach of the Year.

The Launch of Get In the Game

In 2020, Thomas Walter of Wake Forest launched Get In the Game, a nonprofit that inspires intentional conversations around race, service, and leadership among high school students. The program engages students aged 13 to 18 through guided conversations, reflections, and community service activities.

Get In the Game has already reached approximately 1,500 high school students. In 2021, the initiative received the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award during the ESPN/Disney Sports Humanitarian Awards. That recognition included a $100,000 grant from Disney to support continued expansion.

Giving Without Expectation

Service has always been a cornerstone of Thomas Walter’s identity. He donates over $25,000 annually to charitable causes. He is preparing a $25,000 donation to the LGBTQ office on campus.

Under his guidance, Wake Forest Baseball has developed deep ties to the local and national nonprofit landscape. The team volunteers with organizations that include Brenner’s Children’s Hospital, Goodwill of North Carolina, Habitat for Humanity, JDRF, Parenting Path, and the Special Olympics. They also participate in events like Walk a Mile in Her Shoes and contribute to youth development through RBI Baseball Academies.

Approaching a Milestone

Thomas Walter’s career sits on the edge of a historic achievement. With more than 900 victories already secured, he is closing in on 1,000 wins. He is also one of only two active head coaches leading three programs to the NCAA tournament.