NCAA Baseball Coach Apologizes After Appearing to Use Homophobic Slur

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons saw their baseball season end on Monday night, losing to the Tennessee Volunteers in the Regional round of the NCAA Tournament.

The 11-5 loss was a sour way for the team to go out this year, but their head coach is issuing an apology after appearing to use a slur while in view of a camera.

Wake trailed 6-2 in the game and the camera caught head coach Tom Walter appearing to yell a curse word and a homophobic slur in the direction of a Tennessee batter.

That batter, Andrew Fischer, hit a two-run home run to break the game open and extend Tennessee's lead.

After the game - and after Wake Forest's elimination - Walter issued an apology.

"I am very sorry for my outburst in frustration last night and I recognize the hurt and disappointment it has caused," Walter said on Tuesday in a statement issued by the school and on behalf of the baseball program.

"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."

Wake Forest athletic director John Currie said that he spoke to Walter after the game, and again on Tuesday morning, noting that he was "surprised and deeply disappointed" by the coach's conduct.

"I feel badly for those most hurt by such words," Currie said, adding that the actions taken and words used do not "meet the standards of Wake Forest Athletics, Wake Forest University or the Atlantic Coast Conference."

This season was Walter's 16th as the head coach at Wake Forest. During his tenure, he's won 493 games - second in school history to George Greer. The Demon Deacons have produced several MLB draft picks during his time with the program, including Rhett Lowder and Nick Kurtz.

With their win on Monday night, Tennessee advances to the Super Regional of the NCAA baseball tournament. They'll face fellow SEC team Arkansas in a best-of-three series with a spot in the College World Series on the line.