2023 Western Carolina Football - Digital 'Extra Points' Game Day Program - vs. ETSU (11/11/23) by Western Carolina University Athletics

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2 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

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TODAY'S GAME PRESENTED BY: 2023 WCU Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees

SEE PAGES 66-67

Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame

SEE PAGE 69

INSIDE

Stadium Game Day Info / Clear Bag Policy.....................6-7 Scouting Western Carolina.................................................8 A Look at Today’s Opponent: ETSU.................................. 10 Western Carolina Numerical Roster................................. 13 ETSU Numerical Roster.................................................... 15 WCU vs. ETSU – Two-Deep............................................. 16 WCU vs. ETSU– Stat Comparison.....................................20 Looking Back: Last Time We Met....................................22 WCU 2023 Season Game-by-Game.................................26 WCU Football Senior Day ........................................ 28-29 WCU Head Football Coach, Kerwin Bell.................... 31-32 WCU Football Coaching Staff...........................................36 WCU Football Support Staff..............................................38 WCU Athletics Director, Alex Gary............................. 42-43 WCU Athletics Department Staff............................ 45-4648

4 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

WCU Coaching Staff.........................................................48 Meet the 2023 Catamounts..................................... 52-62 2023 Football Team Photo...............................................62 WCU Athletics Hall of Fame – 2023 Inductees....... 66-67 WCU Athletics Hall of Fame...........................................69 "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band.................72-73 Dr. Kelli R. Brown, WCU Chancellor................................75 Catamount Football – Postseason Teams...................... 77 2023 Catamount Cheerleaders.....................................79 2023 WCU Dance Team................................................. 81 Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium......................84 The Southern Conference................................................86 WCU Football Honored Numbers.....................................88 History of the Victory Bell.................................................88 NCAA Officials Signals......................................................90

EXTRA POINTS, the official game program and online digital program for Western Carolina Catamount Football, is a publication of the WCU Athletics Media Relations Office. Editorial content, layout and design has been provided by Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, Daniel Hooker (Western Carolina, 2001). Special thanks to the staffs of both WCU Athletics Media Relations and designer Todd Charles. Photography provided by Ashley Evans, Charlie Bulla, Samuel Wallace and various student assistants in the Western Carolina Public Relations Department; WCU PR retiree, Mark Haskett; Andy Padyk; Jason Hall of Valleytown Photo; Phil Polito, Paul Setliff, and WCU students, Spencer Douglas and Jared Draney. Printing is by the WCU Print Shop in Cullowhee. Advertising sales for EXTRA POINTS are administered by Chad Gerrety and Ric Sisler. To advertise, contact WCU Athletics at (828) 227-2767 or (828) 227-2038.

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E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM POLICIES AND INFORMATION ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Outside alcohol and alcoholic beverages are prohibited in E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Also, containers and/or coolers are also prohibited in the stadium. Alcoholic beverages will be sold within Whitmire Stadium with two points of sale on either side of the stadium and one point of sale on Paws Porch. Must be 21 years of age and present valid ID at the time of purchase and may only purchase one (1) alcoholic beverage per valid ID with the ID holder present at the time of transaction. Sales will begin when gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff and close at the end of the third quarter.

FIRST AID / EMERGENCY SERVICES: First aid tents are located on the concourse level of both sides of Whitmire Stadium. Local physicians and emergency medical personnel are also in attendance at all WCU football games and can be paged through the public address system in the press box. An oxygen-equipped ambulance is in the stadium during the games. For games where forecasted temperatures are high, misting cooling stations for spectators will be made available on the concourse level. GAME TIMES: All game times are subject to change. WCU will publicize any game time changes through its social media channels (@catamounts) and website, CatamountSports.com. Ticket refunds will NOT be made available because of a change in kickoff times.

UMBRELLAS: Umbrellas ARE NOT PERMITTED in the seating area of Whitmire Stadium. No umbrellas will be allowed through the stadium gates. GATE INSPECTION / CLEAR BAG POLICY: Western Carolina University has implemented a "Clear Bag Policy" – ALL parcels, bags and alike are subject to inspection upon entry into E.J. Whitmire Stadium. All alcoholic beverages, outside food and beverages, and other items not permitted in the stadium must be discarded prior to entering the stadium. See Page 7 for more info.

LOST AND FOUND: If you find an item, please return it to an usher. To recover a lost item, please visit the check bag location near the main entrances of either side of the stadium to make a proper ID of the lost item. MERCHANDISE: Catamount apparel and game day merchandise from the WCU Bookstore can be found at stands on both sides of the stadium. Merchandise is also available anytime at CatamountSports.com, or also at the WCU Bookstore located near the center of the WCU campus.

ARTIFICIAL NOISEMAKERS: Unapproved and unsanctioned artificial noisemakers (air horns, cowbells, etc.) are not permitted in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as per Southern Conference rules. However, in accordance with SoCon regulations, sanctioned noisemakers such as "Thunder Sticks" or "Bam-Bams" are permissible. Fans are asked to be considerate and allow your neighbor to enjoy the game. Please keep portable radios at a low volume.

CHANCELLOR'S BOX, PRESS BOX & CAMERA DECKS: No one is allowed in the Chancellor's box, press box, camera decks, Paws Porch, Catamount Corner, or field level without proper credentials (Zone 1 & 2). Those not adhering to this policy will be escorted out of the stadium.

CONCESSION STANDS: Concession stands by Catamount Dining are located on the main concourse on both the East and West sides of the stadium serving a variety of soft drinks from Pepsi including bottled water and Gatorade. Concession stands do accept credit cards, and there are also cash-only drink and snack lines available. Other concession options include the Bojangles Chicken trailer, Tubby's Popcorn and More, and Betty's Funnel Cakes. The Kona Ice shaved ice truck will be on hand serving a selection of flavorful frozen treats. Other new additions to the lineup this year include The Rice Wagon food truck, the Cactus Mexican Kitchen food truck, and Sweet Caroline's Mobile Ice Cream Shoppe serving sweet treats.

REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE: Requests for assistance should be directed to stadium ushers, located at every ramp throughout the stadium.

TICKETS FOR CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL: Tickets for WCU football games can be purchased at the WCU Athletics Ticket Office Monday thru Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased on game day beginning at 9:00 am at the Northwest ticket booth near the main entrance – or anytime online at CatamountSports.com.

GATE 4

GATE 3 TICKET SALES

PRESS BOX

TICKET SALES

GATE 2

MEDIA WILL CALL

CATAMOUNT CORNER

WEST STANDS

1 TE GA

GENERAL WILL CALL

E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM

H GATE 6

Football • Cheer • Dance • Visiting Team

THE PURPLE ZONE

GATE 7

Chairback Reserved

Visiting Team Player Pass

Bench Back Reserved

WCU Student Section

General Admission Bleacher

Bleacher Reserved

Family Zone

Pride of the Mountains Marching Band

6 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

WCU students and fans must be held accountable for their use of profane and vulgar language, banners, posters, signs, flags, treatment of opponents, and treatment of officials. In respect to NCAA policies, WCU is held accountable for the actions of its fans.

THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CODE OF SPECTATOR CONDUCT

Therefore, we urge Southern Conference students, alumni and friends to cheer their teams to victory while upholding those ideals our colleges and universities have nurtured during the long history of the Southern Conference. RAMSEY REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTER

PLAYER PASS ENTRANCE

VISITING TEAM SIDELINE

PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS MARCHING BAND

Good sportsmanship must be an integral part of every sport sponsored by WCU. The ethical environment of the university must assert and reflect primacy of human dignity, must encourage growth and achievement, and must insist on respect in all interpersonal relations.

We expect good sportsmanship from players and coaches. They have a right to expect the same from spectators.

GATE 5

CATAMOUNT CORNER ENDZONE

PAWS PORCH

JORDAN-PHILLIPS FIELDHOUSE

TICKET SALES

WESTERN CAROLINA SIDELINE

VISITING TEAM LOCKER ROOM

Behavior by fans that does not meet this standard and which has the potential of harming the reputation of the institution or any of its units is prohibited.

Southern Conference teams shall be supported with enthusiasm and dedication, for strong spectator support is a vital part of the experience of college competition.

EMERGENCY VEHICLE ENTRANCE ONLY

It is the policy of Western Carolina University that all fans at athletic sporting events must maintain the highest degree of credibility and decorum possible. All fans must make every attempt to conduct themselves in a manner as not to embarrass the institutions by their actions.

STADIUM RE-ADMITTANCE: There is no re-admittance policy at E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Once you enter the stadium, you must purchase another ticket to re-enter.

FIELD REGULATIONS: No one is allowed on the playing field before, during, or after the game without proper credentials (Zone 1 & 2; Pregame Recruit). Fans will also be ejected for throwing any objects in the stadium.

EAST STANDS

WESTERN CAROLINA CODE OF FAN CONDUCT

WCU Player Pass

Our spectators should be courteous and judicious in choice of expression, and should exhibit good manners and kindness to all others. The scoreboard will reflect the quality of the teams in competitions while the kind of support given by the spectators will reveal the character of Southern Conference fans.

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SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA

WESTERN CAROLINA / ETSU

u Western Carolina plays its final home game of the 2023 regular-season, hosting mountain-rival

ETSU on Hall of Fame Day and Senior Day ... WCU also wishes all veterans a Happy Veterans Day; u WCU snapped a two-game seasonal slide against NCAA FCS playoff contenders Furman and Mercer with a 28-25 Southern Conference road victory over Wofford last Saturday ... the road win extended WCU's current winning streak over Wofford to three-straight, the longest since winning eight-consecutive from 1977 through 1996 … It was also a second-straight road win for WCU over Wofford in Spartanburg, the best since a two-game streak from 1978 through 1981; u The Wofford win stretched WCU's current seasonal road winning streak to four-straight away from Cullowhee – and marked a fifth-consecutive FCS road win dating back to last season (at ETSU, at EKU, at The Citadel, at Chattanooga, at Wofford); u Catamount football remains in both NCAA FCS national polls that were released on Monday (Nov. 6) ... WCU is ranked 17th in this week's Stats Perform FCS Top 25 media poll – down one spot from No. 16 last week – and tips the scale at No. 21 in the latest AFCA Coaches poll, also down one spot from its No. 20 national ranking in last week's coaches tabulation ... This marks the eighth consecutive week that the Catamount football team has been among the national rankings – and the seventh straight for WCU to be listed in both national polls; u Western Carolina and ETSU meet for the 53rd time on the football gridiron with the competitive series standing at 26-25-1 in favor of WCU after snapping a two-game series drought with a walk-off win last fall ... SIX of the last EIGHT series meetings have been decided in ONE-POSSESSION games – and the last 10 games have been split 5-5 ... the series was dormant from 2003–2016 after ETSU dropped football; u Last year, PK RICHARD McCOLLUM punched through a game-winning 33 yard field goal as time expired on Western Carolina reclaimed "the Rock" traveling trophy in the 'Blue Ridge Border Battle' with a 20-17 road win; u With the traveling trophy on the line the past five seasons, TWO of the games have gone to OVERTIME – a thrilling triple-OT 45-43 game won by 25th-ranked ETSU in Johnson City and a 23-20 overtime win for the Catamounts in Cullowhee; u The WCU–ETSU series was rekindled in the biggest of ways in 2016 with a meeting held at the “Last Great Colosseum,” the World’s Fastest Half Mile, Bristol Motor Speedway ... the game marked ETSU’s official return to the SoCon, its first league game since 2003; u Western Carolina's offense continues to LEAD the nation in both total offense (490.9 yds/gm) AND in first down production with 231 gained first downs through nine games ... WCU also ranks ninth in scoring (36.8 ppg) and fifth in passing offense (305.0 yds/gm); u QB COLE GONZALES ranks fifth in NCAA FCS in passer efficiency (164.18), tied for fourth in passing TDs with a WCU SINGLE-SEASON RECORD (23, set at Wofford), and is ninth in both passing yards (2,418) and passing yards per game (268.7 yds/gm); u A combined 16 of WCU's 26 passing touchdowns in 2023 have been caught by THREE players – CENSERE LEE (tied for SoCon lead, 7), AJ COLOMBO (5), and DAVID WHITE JR. (4) ... A total of eight different players have caught scoring TDs this season; u Western Carolina's offensive line has allowed just SEVEN sacks on the season second in the SoCon – and tied for sixth in the NCAA FCS on the year ... WCU fifth-year senior offensive lineman TYLER SMITH continue an impressive streak of consecutive starts, extending his stretch to 52-straight starts among his 56 career games played entering Saturday's game vs. ETSU; u PK RICHARD McCOLLUM has moved into a tie for THIRD on WCU's all-time career scoring charts with 278 career points, matching former RB Detrez Newsome (278 points, 2014-17) ... McCollum is now just TWO points shy of second-place Dean Biasucci (280, 1980-83) and just 24 points shy of the program's all-time leader Kirk Roach (302 points, 1984-87);; u With 41 successful field goals, McCollum (41-of-48, 85.4%) maintains possession of third alltime in program history ... He trails second-place Dean Biasucci (57-of-70, 1980-83) and the program's all-time leader, Kirk Roach (71-of-101, 1984-87).

SOPHOMORE QB #9 COLE GONZALES

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INSIDE THE ALL-TIME SERIES ALL-TIME SERIES. . . . . . . . . WCU LEADS 26-25-1 In Cullowhee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU leads 13-11 In Johnson City, Tenn. . . . . . . WCU trails, 12-14-1 Current Streak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU, W–1 Longest WCU Win Streak:. . . . . 7 games (1982-88) Largest Margin of Victory. . WCU, 39 (49-10, 2017) Longest WCU Losing Skid: . . . . . . . 7 gms, current Total Series Points. . . . . WCU 1,006 / ETSU 1,022 WCU Average Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.35 ppg ETSU Average Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.65 ppg

LAST 10 SERIES MEETINGS (5-5): Nov. 12, 2022

Johnson City

W, 20-17

Nov. 13, 2021

Cullowhee

L, 56-35

March 27, 2021

Johnson City

L, 24-17

Nov. 9, 2019

Cullowhee

W, 23-20 (OT)

Oct. 27, 2018

Johnson City

L, 45-43 (3OT)

Oct. 14, 2017

Cullowhee

W, 49-10

Sept. 17, 2016

Bristol, Tenn.

L, 34-31 W, 28-21

Sept. 27, 2003

Johnson City

Sept. 28, 2002

Cullowhee

L, 27-7

Sept. 22, 2001

Johnson City

W, 20-6

WCU HEAD COACH KERWIN BELL

JUNIOR DB #21 ANDREAS KEATON & SENIOR LB #8 VA LEALAIMATAFAO

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A LOOK AT TODAY’S OPPONENT: ETSU BUCCANEERS u EAST TENNESSEE STATE comes to Cullowhee with a 2-7 overall record and a 1-5 mark in Southern

Conference play ... the Buccaneers have dropped three-straight games – and six of their last seven dating back to mid September ... ETSU has just one victory against a NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent this year – a 41-10 home victory over winless Wofford; u ETSU has played among the toughest schedules in the NCAA FCS this season, entering the weekend ranked 14th overall in the nation on the toughest schedules report ... ETSU's opponents are a combined 43-33 (.566) ... the Bucs rank second in the SoCon in past opposition win percentage behind The Citadel (42-32, .568) ... WCU ranks THIRD in the SoCon in the same chart at 35-39 (.473);

u ETSU is searching for its first win over a NCAA nationally-ranked team since defeating No. 4 Ken-

nesaw State 32-31 in the second round of the FCS Quarterfinal back on Dec. 4, 2021 ... the Bucs have dropped their last five games against ranked teams;

u ETSU is only averaging 17.6 points per game while surrendering right at 30 points per contest ... the

Bucs rank seventh in total offense (276.6 yards per game) that includes the SoCon's THIRD-best rushing attack with 167.4 yards per game on the ground, 32nd in the NCAA FCS; u ETSU redshirt sophomore TREY FOSTER (pictured below) is coming off a career-best 172 rushing yard performance against VMI coming on 28 rushes – averaging 6.1 yards per carry against the Keydets ... Foster added 45 receiving yards for 217 all-purpose yards;

u ETSU enters the weekend with the SoCon's worst overall passing offense, averaging just 109.1 yards

per game – a mark that ranks the Bucs 121st out of 122 NCAA FCS teams (not including those squads that are reclassifying this year) ... ETSU is 122nd in the country in overall team passing efficiency; u ETSU has been held below the 100-yard passing mark in THREE games this season – 77 yards through the air in the loss to Austin Peay ... 45 yards in the loss to Mercer ... and 46 yards in the loss to Chattanooga;

u ETSU landed SIX preseason All-Southern Conference selections, ALL coming on the SoCon sec-

ond team – second team offense TE NOAH WEST and WR WILL HUZZIE ... second team defense DL MAX EVANS and DB SHELDON ARNOLD II ... and on second team special teams P TRACE KELLEY and LS RYAN PHILLIPS; u ETSU was picked SIXTH in both of the preseason SoCon polls back at the 2023 Southern Conference Football Media Day event in Greenville, S.C., in late July; u S SHELDON ARNOLD II (pictured below) has TWICE been named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week, earning the weekly award in back-to-back weeks on Oct. 2 and Oct. 9 ... Arnold had seven solo tackles, a TFL, two interceptions and a fumble recovery at Samford on Sept. 30 ... He repeated as the league's top defender after matching a career-high 12 tackles including 2.5 TFLs with a sack against Mercer, adding a forced and recovered fumble;

ABOUT ETSU

SCOUTING THE BUCCANEERS

QUICK FACTS:

Location:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Johnson City, Tenn. Founded:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1911 Enrollment:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,378 Colors:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Navy Blue & Gold Conference: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Southern (SoCon) Facility (Capacity):. . . . . . . . Greene Stadium (7,694) President:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Brian Noland Athletics Director:. . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Richard Sander SWA: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren Aksionoff Head Coach:. . . . . . George Quarles (Furman, 1988) Record at ETSU:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15 (2nd yr) Overall Record: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . same

2023 SCHEDULE / RESULTS (2-7, 1-5): Sept. 2

at Jacksonville State

L, 49-3

Sept. 9

CARSON-NEWMAN

W, 42-0

Sept. 16

at Austin Peay

L, 63-3

Sept. 30

at Samford *

L, 42-28

Oct. 7

MERCER *

L, 24-6

Oct. 14

WOFFORD *

W, 41-10 L, 34-3

Oct. 21

at Chattanooga *

Oct. 28

at Furman *

L, 16-8

Nov. 4

VMI *

L, 31-24

Nov. 11

at #21/17 Western Carolina

1 pm

Nov. 18

THE CITADEL *

1 PM

u ABOUT ETSU HEAD COACH GEORGE QUARLES: A 1988 Furman graduate, Quarles is in his sec-

ond season leading the ETSU football program; u Quarles is with his second SoCon team as he spent five years at his alma mater Furman before being named head coach of the Bucs on Dec. 23, 2021; u Quarles has strong history and ties to the state of Tennessee, having been inducted into both the Tennessee Football Coaches and Tennessee Secondary School Athletics Association Halls of Fames in 2018 ... In addition, Quarles has been inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.

u Western Carolina University and Catamount Athletics extend heartfelt condolences to the ETSU

community on the loss of former Buccaneer head football coach CARL TORBUSH who passed away earlier this week ... Torbush was instrumental in restarting the ETSU football program and was a catalyst in creating the WCU–ETSU football rivalry trophy, "the Rock."

R-SO. RUNNING BACK #17 TREY FOSTER

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HEAD COACH GEORGE QUARLES

JUNIOR SAFETY #5 SHELDON ARNOLD II

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12 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

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WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS – 2023 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

AJ Colombo

Bryce Wilson

Desmond Reid

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

NO.

NAME

5-8

175

6-3

275

5-8

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

So.

Waxhaw, N.C. (Cuthbertson HS)

Jayion McMillan

Sr.

Lilburn, Ga. (Akron / Parkview HS)

Walter Gibson

5-9

185

R-Fr.

Chapel Hill, N.C. (Ahop Christian Leadership Academy)

5-11

190

R-Jr.

170

So.

Hollywood, Fla. (Miramar HS)

Caleb Scott

6-2

Apex, N.C. (Apex HS)

235

Jr.

Black Mountain, N.C. (Owen HS)

Mateo Sudipo

6-1

210

R-Jr.

Wake Forest, N.C. (Coastal Carolina / Wake Forest HS)

Justin Wallace

6-3

230

R-Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Killian HS)

Corey Washington

5-8

155

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Miami Central HS)

Paxton Robertson

6-0

205

Jr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic HS)

Rod Gattison

6-0

195

Sr.

Hartsell, S.C. (Georgia Military / Hartsell HS)

Blue Monroe

6-1

235

R-Fr.

Concord, N.C. (Jay M. Robinson HS)

Calvin Jones

5-10

180

R-So.

Forest City, N.C. (East Rutherford HS)

Colby Cross

6-0

225

Sr.

Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

Samaurie Dukes

5-10

185

So.

Miami, Fla. (Miami HS)

Jeno Junius Jr.

5-11

190

Fr.

Hollywood, Fla. (Chaminade-Madonna HS)

De’Andre Tamarez

5-11

180

R-Fr.

Overtown, Fla. (Carol City HS)

Aaron Sanez

6-2

290

R-Fr.

Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater HS)

C.J. Williams

5-10

170

R-Jr.

Gallion, Ala. (Alabama / Demopolis HS)

Antwann Fann

6-3

320

Sr.

Perry, Ga. (Kennesaw State / Perry HS)

Jalynn Williams

5-10

205

Sr.

St. Petersburg, Fla. (Toledo / St. Petersburg HS)

Zach Watson

6-1

265

Fr.

Waycross, Ga. (Ware County HS)

Hayward McQueen Jr. LB

6-1

200

So.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (TRU Prep Academy)

Richard Garrett

6-4

250

R-Fr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson HS)

Terrence Horne Jr.

5-8

185

Sr.

Miami, Fla. (USF / Miramar HS)

Giovanni Ricciardi

6-0

220

Jr.

Clemmons, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)

Curtis Fann Jr.

6-3

255

R-Jr.

Stillmore, Ga. (Akron / Emanuel County Institute)

Anthony Joseph

5-9

195

R-Fr.

Winter Garden, Fla. (West Orange HS)

David White Jr.

6-4

200

Sr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Valdosta State / Westside HS)

Therion Cannon

6-3

270

R-So.

Ridgeland, S.C. (UAB / Thomas Heyward HS)

Ed Jones IV

6-1

205

Jr.

Arlington, Texas (Cisco College / Martin HS)

Hudson Jones

6-2

290

R-Fr.

Matthews, N.C. (Charlotte Christian)

Taron Dickens

5-11

175

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Northwestern HS)

Peyton Davis

6-2

305

R-So.

Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

Va Lealaimatafao

6-1

235

Sr.

San Antonio, Texas (Cisco College / Warren HS)

Marselle Felton

6-5

290

Fr.

Acworth, Ga. (North Cobb HS)

Cole Gonzales

6-0

195

So.

Ocala, Fla. (Trinity Catholic HS)

Tyler Bailey

6-1

260

Fr.

Sylva, N.C. (Smoky Mountain HS)

Micah Nelson

6-3

265

R-Jr.

Murphy, N.C. (Murphy HS)

Blake Ellsworth

5-10

260

Fr.

Kennesaw, Ga. (North Cobb HS)

Censere Lee

5-11

170

So.

Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater HS)

Derek Simmons

6-6

315

Jr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Abilene Christian / Fletcher HS)

Tahjae Mullix

6-3

270

So.

Covington, Ga. (Western Illinois / Newton HS)

Steven Hamby

6-5

285

Fr.

Statesville, N.C. (Statesville HS)

Ajay Belanger

6-3

245

Sr.

Green Cove Springs, Fla. (Tusculum / Clay HS)

Ashton Travis

6-5

295

Jr.

Omaha, Neb. (Iowa Central CC / Omaha Westside HS) Thomson, Ga. (Tusculum / Thomson HS)

Caleb Fisher

6-3

240

R-So.

Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)

Christian Coulter

6-5

320

Sr.

Brody Palhegyi

5-10

175

R-So.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons HS)

Cade McClellan

6-3

305

R-Fr.

Plant City, Fla. (Durant HS)

Ken Moore Jr.

5-10

160

R-Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Christopher Columbus HS)

Blake Whitmore

6-2

295

R-Jr.

Raleigh, N.C. (Millbrook HS)

Darian Anderson Jr.

5-10

160

R-Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Dade Christian School)

Xavier Graham

6-2

330

Jr.

Niceville, Fla. (UMass / Niceville HS)

Charlie Dean

6-1

205

Jr.

Odessa, Fla. (Harvard / Hillsborough HS)

Tyler Smith

6-8

310

R-Sr.

Laurinburg, N.C. (Scotland County HS)

Santana Fleming

5-10

160

Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Western HS)

Caleb Carter

6-3

300

Jr.

Jacksonville, N.C. (Southwest Onslow HS)

Nick Louis

6-2

195

Sr.

Miami, Fla. (Independence CC / North Miami HS)

Nate Linkous

6-5

300

R-So.

Cramerton, N.C. (Stuart W. Cramer HS)

Jai Boyd

6-2

170

Fr.

Winnsboro, S.C. (Fairfield Central HS)

Evan Carney

6-3

305

R-Fr.

Nashville, Tenn. (Christ Presbyterian Academy)

Antoine Williams

5-10

200

R-Jr.

Birmingham, Ala. (Austin Peay / Pinson Valley HS)

Aidan Alston

6-2

300

R-Jr.

Southern Pines, N.C. (Pinecrest HS)

James Tyre

5-10

160

Fr.

Suwanee, Ga. (Lambert HS)

Rashad Davis

5-11

185

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Northwestern HS)

Jordy Lowery

5-11

190

R-Fr.

Bartow, Fla. (Bartow HS)

Ca’Lique Cunningham WR

5-9

185

R-Fr.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

Bennett Judy

6-3

200

Fr.

Simpsonville, S.C. (Hillcrest HS)

Nate Abraham

5-9

180

R-Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Providence Day School)

Malik Richardson

6-4

245

R-Jr.

Sumter, S.C. (Lakewood HS)

Eric Rasheed

5-9

160

Fr.

Hendersonville, N.C. (Hendersonville HS)

Malik Knight

6-2

170

Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale HS)

David Hulbert

6-4

220

Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Christian School)

Antarron Turner

6-2

225

R-Fr.

Kannapolis, N.C. (A.L. Brown HS)

Clayton Bardall

6-3

235

R-Sr.

Cumming, Ga. (North Forsyth HS)

Zion Booker

5-10

185

Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Julius Chambers HS)

Jake Young

6-3

240

R-Fr.

Waxhaw, N.C. (North Carolina / Marvin Ridge HS) Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale HS)

Jayelin Davis

6-0

255

Sr.

North Augusta, S.C. (Morgan State / GMC / Fox Creek HS)

Patrick Boyd Jr.

5-10

160

Fr.

Corey Reddick Jr.

5-10

175

R-Fr.

Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)

Richard McCollum

5-9

175

R-Sr.

Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee HS)

Andreas Keaton

6-2

200

Jr.

Powder Springs, Ga. (Hillgrove HS)

Marlon Alexander

6-0

305

Gr.

Smyrna, Tenn. (Gardner-Webb / Smyrna HS)

Branson Adams

5-9

185

So.

Greensboro, N.C. (Dudley HS)

Jaquarius Guinn

6-2

290

Jr.

Clover, S.C. (Clover HS)

Zayveon Wells

5-10

185

Fr.

Sumter, S.C. (Palmetto Prep Academy / Lakewood HS)

Brandon Smiley

6-2

295

R-Fr.

Durham, N.C. (Palmetto Prep)

Marlin Cochran

5-11

195

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern HS)

Chris Morgan

6-0

285

Jr.

Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

Bo Simpson

5-10

185

Fr.

Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Seminole HS)

Stephen Brantley

6-2

230

Fr.

Pilot Mountain, N.C. (East Surry HS) Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

Skylin Thomas

5-10

205

Sr.

Lenoir, N.C. (Hibriten HS)

Isaac McLellan

6-2

245

R-Fr.

Markel Townsend

5-8

175

Fr.

Columbia, S.C. (A.C. Flora HS)

Caleb Bradford

6-1

270

R-So.

Canton, N.C. (Pisgah HS)

Devuntray Hampton

5-10

190

Gr.

Pahokee, Fla. (Bethune-Cookman / Palmetto Prep / Pahokee HS)

Ronald Wilson

6-3

325

Sr.

Mocksville, N.C. (Gardner-Webb / Davie County HS)

Kenyon Partridge

6-3

225

Fr.

Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)

Brandon Benjamin

5-9

205

So.

Fort Myers, Fla. (Missouri State / Dunbar HS)

Tyler Matheny

6-1

230

Gr.

Fairfax Station, Va. (Virginia Tech / Lake Braddock Secondary)

Levi Berryhill

5-10

180

R-So.

Lexington, Ala. (Rhodes College / Lexington HS)

Trevaughn Martinez

5-10

175

Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard HS)

Jaiden Bond

5-9

190

So.

Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)

Lee Campbell

6-0

205

R-Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Queen City Prep / Vance HS)

Mabry Bumgarner

5-9

200

Fr.

Sylva, N.C. (Smoky Mountain HS) Franklin, N.C. (Franklin HS)

Quenten Zanders

5-8

175

5th

Shelby, N.C. (Cleveland CC / Crest HS)

Ty Handley

6-2

210

Fr.

Christian Murphy

6-1

220

R-Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard HS)

Jackson Hensley

6-4

220

Fr.

Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

Ja’morri Downing

6-0

200

R-Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Stranahan HS)

Joshua McMullen

5-10

185

R-Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington HS)

Marquis Lymon

5-10

205

R-Fr.

Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)

Caden Robinson

6-3

195

Fr.

Lake Junaluska, N.C. (Pisgah HS)

Jhamari Pierre-Louis

5-11

195

R-Fr.

Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)

Don Robinson III

5-10

180

R-Fr.

Winston-Salem, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)

Corbin Shirley

5-10

160

R-Fr.

Seneca, S.C. (Seneca HS)

Cam Smith

6-0

180

Fr.

New London, N.C. (North Stanly HS)

Cade Snotherly

6-0

195

Jr.

Ramseur, N.C. (Emory & Henry / Eastern Randolph HS)

Brayden Blackmon

6-3

230

Jr.

Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

Cory Hennings

6-1

210

R-So.

Matthews, N.C. (Weddington HS)

Camury Reid

5-11

190

R-Fr.

Gastonia, N.C. (Forestview HS)

Blue Ridge Border Battle – vs. ETSU | 13

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ETSU BUCCANEERS – 2023 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

NO.

NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

Stephen Scott

5-11

228

Sr.

Greensboro, N.C. (Page HS)

Ryan Phillips

6-1

195

So.

Gallatin, Tenn. (Gallatin HS)

Cameron Lewis

6-3

221

R-Sr.

Atlanta, Ga. (Winston-Salem State)

Cade Fleeman

5-10

205

R-Fr.

Johnson City, Tenn. (Science Hill HS)

Baron May

6-0

195

Jr.

New Philadelphia, Ohio (Eastern Michigan)

Noah West

6-3

248

R-Jr.

Louisa, Ky. (Lawrence County HS)

Di’Andre Davis

OLB

6-2

223

RJr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Hough HS)

Malachi Jim-Lawson DL

6-3

241

Fr.

London, England (Lakeway Christian Academy)

Tyler Riddell

6-0

189

R-Jr.

Tampa, Fla. (Chamberlain HS)

Demetrius Williams

6-6

155

R-Fr. Forest City, N.C. (Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy)

Tyree Rainey

6-0

172

R-Fr.

Donalsonville, Ga. (Seminole County HS)

Paxton Corkery

6-0

218

Jr.

Jefferson, Ga. (Jefferson HS)

Drew Gregg

6-0

188

R-So.

Newport, Tenn. (Carson-Newman)

Jawan Martin

5-9

241

R-Sr.

Decatur, Tenn. (Meigs County)

Tyrin Brooks

5-11

214

R-Jr.

Suitland, Md. (Missouri State)

Nick Booton

6-1

210

Fr.

Hampstead, N.C. (Topsail HS)

Timothy (TD) Dorsey QB

6-0

188

R-So.

Overland Park, Kan. (Illinois State)

Esteban Mendoza

P/K

6-0

233

Fr.

Erwin, Tenn. (Unicoi County HS)

Zach West

OLB

6-1

223

R-Jr

Boone, N.C. (Watauga HS)

Andrew Rollans

P/K

5-9

178

R-So.

Rocky Mount, N.C. (Rocky Mount HS)

Zach Borisch

6-2

198

R-Jr.

Kennewick, Wash. (Idaho)

Trace Kelley

6-1

181

R-So.

Gallatin, Tenn. (Gallatin HS)

Sheldon Arnold, II

6-1

186

Jr.

Loganville, Ga. (Loganville HS)

Josh Meltzer

6-1

250

Fr.

Fort Pierce, Fla. (John Carroll HS)

Hot Rod Fitten

6-1

247

Gr.

Atlanta, Ga. (South Carolina)

Stephen Flores

6-5

266

R-So.

Manassas, Va. (Colgan HS)

Bryson Irby

6-0

203

Jr.

Douglasville, Ga. (Alexander HS)

Abdulmalik Sholanke DL

6-1

239

R-Fr.

Seymour, Tenn. (The Kings Academy)

Jordan Hoskins

5-10

208

R-So.

Detroit, Mich. (Missouri State)

Bryson Horney

5-10

237

Fr.

Hampstead, N.C. (Topsail HS)

Torey Lambert

5-10

200

Fr.

New Orleans, La. (Brother Martin HS)

Deven Brantley

6-2

274

R-Jr.

Riverdale, Ga. (Charles Drew HS)

Josh Trice

6-0

162

R-So.

Waverly Hall, Ga (Georgia Southern University)

Jacob Halfacre

6-2

256

R-Fr.

Arden, N.C. (Butler)

Will Huzzie

6-3

205

R-Sr.

Duluth, Ga. (Duluth HS)

Maddox Radcliffe

6-0

256

Fr.

Rockville, Va. (Patrick Henry HS)

Khalil Anderson

5-10

185

R-So.

Atlanta, Ga. (Pittsburgh)

Trevor Thompson

5-11

215

R-So.

Vinton, Va. (Bluefield College)

Tommy Winton, III

5-10

196

R-Fr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic)

Cole Morganstern

6-3

277

R-So.

Elizabethton, Tenn. (Elizabethton HS)

Mike Jenkins, Jr.

6-2

167

Fr.

Summerville, S.C. (Summerville HS)

Braxton Shipp

6-3

290

R-So.

Concord, N.C. (Northwest Cabarrus HS)

Christian Mathis

5-9

184

Fr.

Marietta, Ga. (Marietta HS)

Miada Jones

6-0

296

Fr.

Duluth, Ga. (Norcross HS)

Blake Howard

DE/LS

6-2

217

Fr.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Princeton HS)

Luke Smith

6-1

280

Gr.

Appalachian State

Nate Brackett

6-4

221

R-So.

Rockwood, Tenn. (Rockwood HS)

Eli Mitchell

6-0

299

R-So.

Alcoa, Tenn. (Alcoa HS)

Robert McNeal

5-11

156

Fr.

Bowdon, Ga. (Bowdon HS)

Jackson Riley

6-0

277

R-So.

Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Oakland HS)

Haynes Eller

6-5

225

Jr.

Ooltewah, Tenn. (East Hamilton HS)

Peyton Ford

6-2

301

R-Fr.

Gray, Tenn. (Daniel Boone HS)

Reed Frederick

6-0

200

R-So.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Bearden HS)

Luke Slusher

6-4

285

R-Fr.

Edgewood, Ky. (Western Kentucky)

Chris Hope

6-0

209

Jr.

Madison, Ala. (James Clemens HS)

Joshua Kimmons

6-3

293

R-So.

Kennesaw, Ga. (North Cobb HS)

William Riddle

6-0

192

R-Fr.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (McCallie School)

Will Flowers

6-2

283

R-So.

LaGrange, Ga. (LaGrange HS)

Ewan Johnson

5-10

180

R-Fr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (South Doyle High School)

Jay Wade

6-1

278

Fr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Webb School)

Trey Foster

5-11

193

Jr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Austin-East HS)

Zach Teter

6-5

313

Gr.

Lakeland, Fla. (Virginia)

Ike McConnal

6-4

228

Fr.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Withrow University HS)

Jaiden Abbott-Miles

6-0

315

R-So.

Johnson City, Tenn. (Science Hill HS)

Xavier Gaillardetz

6-0

204

R-Fr.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (McCallie School)

Chris Everhart

6-3

301

R-Jr.

Greeneville, Tenn. (Marshall University)

Amir Dendy

6-0

191

R-Fr.

Anderson, S.C. (Westside HS)

Nolan Wishon

6-6

275

R-So.

Bristol, Tenn. (Tennessee HS)

Gabe Wescott

6-1

192

R-Jr.

Greenwood, Del. (Gannon University)

Sam O’Leary

----------

Ray Coney

6-3

218

Fr.

Fairfield, Ohio (Fairfield HS)

Tim Stayskal

6-4

221

R-Jr.

Nolensville, Tenn. (Nolensville HS)

Peyton Cooper

5-11

220

Fr.

Maryville, Tenn. (Maryville HS)

Ethan Ford

6-0

175

Fr.

Knoxville, Tenn.

Jayvon Henderson

5-10

189

R-Fr.

Auburn, Ga. (Mill Creek HS)

Jaylen Frierson

6-0

265

R-Jr.

Franklin, Tenn. (Battle Ground Academy)

Ton’Quez Ball

5-10

210

R-Jr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Tulane)

Quinn Caballero

6-0

181

Sr.

Navarre, Fla. (Charleston Southern)

Cole Horine

5-11

193

Fr.

Boone, N.C. (Watauga HS)

Josh Purcell

6-2

170

Fr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Knox Central HS)

Teddy Wilson

6-1

190

R-So.

Edenton, N.C. (Louisburg College)

Louis Vincent

6-1

185

Fr.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Baylor HS)

Carlton Horine

5-11

192

Fr.

Boone, N.C. (Watauga HS)

Holden Cassell

5-10

178

R-Fr.

Independence, Va. (Grayson County HS)

Elijah Taylor

6-2

212

Fr.

Gadsden, Ala. (Gadsden City HS)

Isaiah McGaha

6-3

231

R-Fr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Central HS)

Malik Hall

6-2

228

R-So.

Alcoa, Tenn. (Cumberland University)

Brendan LeBlanc

6-0

262

Fr.

Marrero, La. (Brother Martin HS) Middletown, Ohio (Madison HS)

Adrian Johnson

6-0

244

R-So.

Hendersonville, Tenn. (Beech HS)

Max Evans

6-3

269

R-Jr.

Cameron Garnett

6-1

230

R-So.

Harlem, Ga. (Harlem HS)

Broadus Brown Jr.

5-11

276

Jr.

Island Park, N.Y. (Howard)

Dre Delinois

6-1

220

Fr.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (McCallie HS)

Jaylen George

6-2

265

R-Fr.

Suwanee, Ga. (Collins Hill HS)

Clayton Ivester

6-1

239

R-So.

Bluff City, Tenn. (Sullivan East HS)

Tyreek Nard

6-3

243

So.

Tullahoma, Tenn. (Mount Mary Univ.)

Cannon Lusby

5-9

177

R-Fr.

Powell, Tenn. (Powell HS)

Mustafi Al-Garawi

6-3

304

R-So.

Pigeon Forge, Tenn. (Pigeon Forge HS)

Blue Ridge Border Battle – vs. ETSU | 15

w 2023 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

WESTERN CAROLINA – DEPTH CHART

ETSU – DEPTH CHART

CATAMOUNTS OFFENSE (PRO SPREAD)

BUCCANEERS OFFENSE (MULTIPLE)

9 12

COLE GONZALES Brody Palhegyi

6-0 5-10

195 175

SO. R-So.

QB - OR -

14 13

WILLIAM RIDDLE HAYNES ELLER

6-0 6-5

192 225

R-FR. JR.

22 1

BRANSON ADAMS Desmond Reid

5-9 5-8

185 170

SO. So.

17 8

TREY FOSTER Torey Lambert

5-11 5-10

193 200

R-SO. Fr.

WR–X

10 19

CENSERE LEE Zion Booker

5-11 5-10

170 185

SO. Fr.

JAWAN MARTIN

5-9

241

R-SR.

WR–Y - or -

7 2 0

DAVID WHITE JR. Corey Washinton A.J. Colombo

6-4 5-8 5-8

200 155 175

SR. Fr. So.

CHRISITAN MATHIS

5-9

184

FR.

19 21

XAVIER GAILLARDETZ Brayden Smith

6-0 5-10

204 185

R-FR. Fr.

WR–Z 3 4

CALVIN JONES De’Andre Tamarez

5-10 5-11

180 180

R-SO. R-Fr.

10 85

TOMMY WINTON, III Quinn Caballero

5-10 6-0

196 181

R-FR. Sr.

TE 11 86

AJAY BELANGER Clayton Bardall

6-3 6-3

245 235

SR. R-Sr.

81 84

TIM STAYSKAL Jaylen Frierson

6-4 6-0

221 265

R-JR. R-Jr.

LT 74 70

TYLER SMITH Christian Coulter

6-8 6-5

310 320

R-SR. Sr.

51 63

STEPHEN FLORES Cole Morganstern

6-5 6-3

266 277

R-SO. R-So.

LG 70 52

CHRISTIAN COULTER Antwann Fann

6-5 6-3

320 320

SR. R-Jr.

78 73

CHRIS EVERHART Will Flowers

6-3 6-2

301 293

R-JR. R-So.

72 51

BLAKE WHITMORE Aaron Sanez

6-2 6-2

295 290

R-JR. R-Fr.

66 68

LUKE SMITH Jackson Riley

6-1 6-0

280 277

GR. R-So.

RG - OR -

73 51

XAVIER GRAHAM AARON SANEZ

6-2 6-2

330 290

JR. R-FR.

65 71

MIADA JONES Luke Slusher

6-0 6-4

296 285

FR. R-Fr.

53 70

ZACH WATSON Christian Coulter

6-1 6-5

265 320

FR. Sr.

64 79

BRAXTON SHIPP Nolan Wishon

6-3 6-6

290 275

R-SO. R-So.

BUCCANEERS DEFENSE (3–4)

CATAMOUNTS DEFENSE (4–2–5) DE

11 10

CALEB FISHER Tahjae Mullix

6-3 6-3

240 270

R-SO. So.

55 96

DEVEN BRANTLEY Tyreek Nard

6-2 6-3

274 243

R-JR So.

NOSE

90 93

MARLON ALEXANDER Chris Morgan

6-0 6-0

305 285

GR. Jr.

93 99

MAX EVANS Mustafi Al-Garawi

6-3 6-3

269 304

R-JR. R-So.

DT - 0R-

93 91 0

CHRIS MORGAN JAQUARIUS GUINN Bryce Wilson

6-0 6-2 6-3

285 280 275

JR. JR. Sr.

DE 95 91

JAYLEN GEORGE Brenden LeBlanc

6-2 6-0

264 262

R-FR. Fr.

BNDT

19 6

JAYELIN DAVIS Curtis Fann Jr.

6-0 6-3

255 255

SR. R-Jr.

OLB

4 6

ZACH WEST Hot Rod Fitten

6-1 6-1

223 247

R-JR. Gr.

LB - OR -

15 5

ANTOINE WILLIAMS HAYWARD McQUEEN JR.

5-10 6-1

200 205

R-JR. SO.

ILB

0 32

STEPHEN SCOTT Cameron Garnett

5-11 6-1

228 230

SR. R-So.

8 31

VA LEALAIMATAFAO Tyler Matheny

6-1 6-1

230 230

SR. Gr.

ILB

7 21

JORDAN HOSKINS Ray Coney

5-10 6-3

208 218

R-S0. Fr.

7 14

ED JONES IV Nick Louis

6-1 6-2

205 195

JR. Sr.

OLB

27 33

TEDDY WILSON Dre Delinois

6-1 6-1

190 220

R-SO. Fr.

2 13

ROD GATTISON Darian Anderson Jr.

6-0 5-10

195 160

SR. R-Fr.

9 23

KHALIL ANDERSON Jayvon Henderson

5-10 5-10

185 189

R-SO. R-Fr.

21 29

ANDREAS KEATON Devuntray Hampton

6-2 5-10

200 190

JR. Gr.

S 5 24

SHELDON ARNOLD, II Ton'Quez Ball

6-1 5-10

186 210

JR. R-Jr.

S - OR -

3 33

SAMAURIE DUKES LEE CAMPBELL

5-10 6-0

185 205

SO. R-FR.

S 14 24

CHRIS HOPE Ton'Quez Ball

6-0 5-10

209 210

JR. R-Jr.

4 12

C.J. WILLIAMS Ken Moore Jr.

5-10 5-10

170 160

SR. R-Fr.

JAYVON HENDERSON Mike Jenkins Jr

5-10 6-2

189 167

R-FR. Fr.

CATAMOUNTS SPECIAL TEAMS KO

89 46

RICHARD MCCOLLUM Paxton Robertson

5-9 6-0

175 205

R-SR. Jr.

89 46

RICHARD MCCOLLUM Paxton Robertson

5-9 6-0

175 205

R-SR. Jr.

95 46

STEPHEN BRANTLEY Paxton Robertson

6-2 6-0

230 205

FR. Jr.

95 9

STEPHEN BRANTLEY Cole Gonzales

6-2 6-0

230 195

FR. So.

48 43

COLBY CROSS Walter Gibson

6-0 5-11

225 190

R-JR. R-Jr.

KOR - AND -

3 2

CALVIN JONES COREY WASHINGTON

5-10 5-8

180 155

R-SO. FR.

3 2

CALVIN JONES Corey Washington

5-10 5-8

180 155

R-SO. Fr.

16 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

23 10

BUCCANEERS SPECIAL TEAMS PK 15 49

EWAN JOHNSON Trace Kelley

5-10 6-1

180 181

R-FR. R-So.

P 12 49

NATE BRACKETT Trace Kelley

6-4 6-1

221 181

R-SO. R-So.

H 13 12

HAYNES ELLER Nate Brackett

6-5 6-4

225 221

JR. R-So.

LS 37 36

RYAN PHILLIPS Cannon Lusby

6-1 5-9

195 177

SO. R-Fr.

KOR - AND -

24 10

TON'QUEZ BALL TOMMY WINTON, III

5-10 5-10

210 196

R-JR R-FR.

XAVIER GAILLARDETZ

6-0

204

R-FR.

A T O IT’S N

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WESTERN CAROLINA vs. etsu buccaneers

2023 ETSU INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS

2023 WESTERN CAROLINA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS RUSHING

GP 7 9 9 7

Att 115 68 48 19

PASSING

GP 9 3

Effic 164.18 159.95

Desmond Reid Branson Adams Cole Gonzales Camury Reid Cole Gonzales Brody Palhegyi

RECEIVING

GP 9 8 9 9 9 7

Censere Lee David White Jr. AJ Colombo Calvin Jones Branson Adams Corey Washington

PUNT RETURNS

AJ Colombo

Gain 872 412 233 106

Loss 15 7 44 5

Cmp-Att-Int 177-268-8 11-17-1

TD 12 2 0 0

Long Avg/G 70 122.4 37 45.0 20 21.0 17 14.4

RUSHING

GP 8 6 8 3

Att 102 49 46 22

Gain 524 301 220 169

Pct 66.0 64.7

Yds 2,418 138

TD 23 2

Lng 57 34

Avg/G 268.7 46.0

PASSING

GP 5 3

Effic 79.11 88.14

Cmp-Att-Int 43-96-5 21-46-2

Avg/G 73.3 51.4 44.8 32.0 21.1 26.1

RECEIVING

Yds 660 411 403 288 190 183

Avg 17.4 15.2 14.4 13.1 6.8 14.1

TD 7 4 5 2 3 0

Long 55 57 50 22 19 65

No. 14

Yds 171

Avg 12.2

TD 0

Long 40

TD 0 0

Long 39 21

No. 9 5

Yds 209 66

Avg 23.2 13.2

PUNTING

No. 25

Yds 996

Avg Long 39.8 59

Stephen Brantley

Avg 7.5 6.0 3.9 5.3

No. 38 27 28 22 28 13

KICK RETURNS Calvin Jones AJ Colombo

Net 857 405 189 101

TB 2

FC 7

TD 12 0 7

Desmond Reid Richard McCollum Censere Lee

FGs 0-0 10-11 0-0

Kick 0-0 41-42 0-0

Rush 0-0 0-0 0-0

Rcv 0 0 0

Pass 0-0 0-0 0-0

TOTAL OFFENSE

G 9 7 9

Plays 316 115 68

Rush 189 857 405

Pass 2,418 0 0

Total 2,607 857 405

Avg/G 289.7 122.4 45.0

ALL PURPOSE

G 7 9 9

Rush 857 0 0

Rec 182 660 403

PR 0 0 171

KOR 0 0 66

IR 0 0 0

Cole Gonzales Desmond Reid Branson Adams Desmond Reid Censere Lee AJ Colombo

2023 WESTERN CAROLINA DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Tackles Leaders: GP UA–AA = Total Avg. Andreas Keaton..................... 9...............36–19 = 55.................. 6.1 Va Lealaimatafao................... 9.............. 27–26 = 53.................5.9 CJ Williams............................. 9............... 29–11 = 40................. 4.4 Lee Campbell......................... 9................17–21 = 38................. 4.2 Rod Gattison.......................... 9................24–11 = 35................. 3.9 Ed Jones IV............................ 9............... 16–19 = 35................. 3.9 Antoine Williams.................... 8................15–19 = 34................. 4.3 Samaurie Dukes..................... 7................20–6 = 26..................3.7 Jaquarius Guinn..................... 9.................8–15 = 23................. 2.6 Chris Morgan......................... 9............... 10–13 = 23................. 2.6 Curtis Fann Jr......................... 9..................13–6 = 19.................. 2.1 Caleb Fisher........................... 8..................5–13 = 18................. 2.3 TFL Leaders: Total Yds Hayward McQueen Jr........................... 3.0.................................. 17 Chris Morgan........................................ 3.0................................... 4 Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Jayelin Davis......................................... 4.0................................. 32 Chris Morgan........................................ 4.0................................... 7 Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Five players tied............................................................................1 Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Curtis Fann Jr............................................................................... 3 Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total – Return Yds Four players tied...........................................................................1

20 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

William Riddle Tyler Riddell

GP 8 7 7 5 3 8

Tommin Winton III Will Huzzie Xavier Gaillardetz Tim Stayskal Einai Carter Bryson Irby

PUNT RETURNS Xavier Gaillardetz

I20 9

50+ 5

Blkd 0

DXP Saf 0 0 0 0 0 0

Points 72 71 42

Avg/G 148.4 73.3 71.1

Avg 5.0 6.1 4.5 7.2

TD 5 1 2 1

Long Avg/G 70 64.4 32 49.8 29 25.9 64 53.0

Pct 44.8 45.7

Yds 472 241

TD 1 1

Lng 37 38

Yds 249 232 196 61 47 46

Avg 13.1 11.1 15.1 30.5 9.4 11.5

TD 0 2 2 0 0 0

Long 37 31 38 31 17 33

No. 5

Yds 86

Avg 17.2

TD 0

Long 40

Avg 15.9

TD 0

Long 32

Yds 143

PUNTING

No. 54

Yds 2,376

Avg Long 44.0 70

TD Ewan Johnson 0 Bryson Irby 5 Borisch / Gaillardetz / Huzzie 2

FGs 8-13 0-0 0-0

Kick 18-18 0-0 0-0

Nate Brackett

Net 515 299 207 159

No. 19 21 13 2 5 4

No. 9

TB 4

FC 11

Rush 0-0 0-0 0-0

Rcv 0 0 0

Pass 0-0 0-0 0-0

TOTAL OFFENSE

G 8 5 3

Plays 102 115 55

Rush 515 -50 124

Pass 0 472 201

Total 515 422 325

Avg/G 64.4 84.4 108.3

ALL PURPOSE

G 8 8 6 7

Rush 515 25 299 0

Rec 46 249 43 196

PR 0 0 1 86

KOR 0 99 24 0

IR 0 0 0 0

Bryson Irby Tommy Winton III Trey Foster Xavier Gaillardetz

I20 16

Avg/G 94.4 90.3 Avg/G 31.1 33.1 28.0 12.2 15.7 5.8

50+ 10

Blkd 0

DXP Saf 0 0 0 0 0 0

Points 42 30 12

Tot 561 373 367 282

Avg/G 70.1 46.6 61.2 40.3

|--------------- PATs ---------------|

SCORING

Bryson Irby William Riddle Baron May Tot 1,039 660 640

Loss 9 2 13 10

KICK RETURNS Ton'Quez Ball

|--------------- PATs ---------------|

SCORING

Bryson Irby Trey Foster Zach Borisch Torey Lambert

HEAD–TO–HEAD TEAM COMPARISONS: WCU Offense ETSU 331.............................. Scoring............................ 158 36.8..................... Points Per Game..................... 17.6 231...........................First Downs..........................134 4,418.................. Total Yards Gained................2,499 490.9................... Yards Per Game...................276.4 1,673....................Rushing Yardage.................. 1,506 185.9........... Rushing Average per Game...........167.3 2,745...................Passing Yardage.....................982 305.0...........Passing Average per Game........... 109.1 WCU Team Stats ETSU 64–543 (60.3)............ Penalties–Yards............55–535 (59.4) 47 / 103, 45.6%.........3rd Down Conversion.........29 / 119, 24.4% 8 / 17, 47.1%.............4th Down Conversion...........8 / 14, 57.1% WCU Defense ETSU 271.........................Points Allowed.......................269 30.1............... Points Allowed Per Game.............29.9 3,516..................Total Yards Allowed................3,340 390.7............ Yards Allowed Per Game..............371.1 1,443...............Rushing Yards Allowed.............. 1,140 160.3.............Rushing Average Allowed............126.7 2,073.............. Passing Yards Allowed............ 2,200 230.3............ Passing Average Allowed...........244.4

2023 ETSU DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Tackles Leaders: GP UA–AA = Total Avg. Sheldon Arnold II................... 9................47–26 =73.................. 8.1 Chris Hope............................. 9.............. 46–26 = 72.................8.0 Stephen Scott........................ 9.............. 33–35 = 68..................7.6 Jordan Hoskins...................... 9..............24–26 = 50................. 5.6 Jayvon Henderson................. 9...............25–14 = 39................. 4.3 Ray Coney.............................. 9................21–16 = 37.................. 4.1 Teddy Wilson.......................... 9...............24–12 = 36................. 4.0 Zach West.............................. 9................19–13 = 32................. 3.6 Mike Jenkins.......................... 8................. 19–11 =30................. 3.8 Deven Brantley...................... 9................12–17 = 29................. 3.2 Khalil Anderson...................... 9.................21–4 = 25.................2.8 TFL Leaders: Total Yds Sheldon Arnold II.................................. 9.0..................................16 Zach West............................................. 6.0.................................16 Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Isaiah McGaha...................................... 3.0..................................16 Stephen Scott........................................1.5.................................. 17 Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Sheldon Arnold II................................................................ 4 – 105 Three players tied .........................................................................1 Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Sheldon Arnold II.......................................................................... 2 Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total Sheldon Arnold II.......................................................................... 3

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LOOKING BACK: LAST TIME WE MET WESTERN CAROLINA 20, ETSU 17 1ST

2ND

3RD

4TH

FINAL

WESTERN CAROLINA

ETSU

ATTENDANCE: 7,244

SCORING SUMMARY: QTR TIME

PLAY

DRIVE SUMMARY WCU ETSU

1st 11:05

WCU - Censere Lee 5 yd pass from Cole Gonzales (Richard McCollum kick)

8 – 81 yds – TOP 3:55

4:07

ETSU - Jacob Saylors 20 yd run (Tyler Keltner kick)

9 – 72 yds – TOP 4:34

2ND 10:01

ETSU - Jawan Martin 3 yd run (Tyler Keltner kick)

7 – 53 yds – TOP 3:00

WCU - Richard McCollum 40 yd field goal

1:33

AT ETSU

TEAM STATS:

GREENE STADIUM – JOHNSON CITY, TENN. SAT., OCT. 8, 2022

WESTERN CAROLINA

9 – 32 yds – TOP 2:46

4TH 14:28

WCU - Raphael Williams 29 yd pass from Cole Gonzales (R. McCollum kick) 11 – 83 yds – TOP 3:46

2:25

ETSU - Tyler Keltner 31 yd field goal

13 – 44 yds – TOP 7:51

0:00

WCU - Richard McCollum 33 yd field goal

9 – 59 yds – TOP 2:25

QB COLE GONZALES guided the Catamount offense to 475 yards of total offense with 268 passing yards and two TDs ... WR CENSERE LEE caught a careerhigh nine passes for 107 yards and a first-quarter touchdown to lead six Catamount receivers with receptions on the blustery afternoon. RB DESMOND REID accounted for 134 all-purpose yards, rushing for a team-best 72 yards while catching three passes for 62 yards in the winning effort.

PK RICHARD McCOLLUM (89) scored eight points in the road win at ETSU including two PATs and a pair of field goals including a 40 yarder in the second quarter and a game-winning, walk-off 33 yard boot as time expired that propelled the Catamounts to the 20-17 victory.

FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty RUSHING Rushing Att Yds per rush Rushing TDs Yards Gained Yards Lost PASSING Comp-Att-Int

WCU 24 12 12 0 207 37 5.6 0 237 30 268 20-38-2

ETSU 20 12 5 3 203 43 4.7 2 226 23 116 11-23-0

Yds per pass Passing TDs TOTAL YARDS Plays Fumbles–Lost Interceptions PENALTIES TURNOVERS TIME OF POSS. 3RD DOWN CONV. 4TH DOWN CONV. FGS MADE

13.4 2 475 75 1–1 0 7–65 3 27:10 8 of 17 1 of 3 2 for 2

10.5 0 319 66 2–1 2 3–21 1 32:50 3 of 10 0 of 2 1 for 1

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS: PASSING Cole Gonzales, WCU Tyler Riddell, ETSU

20-38-2 268 yds, 2 TDs 11-22-0 116 yds

RUSHING Desmond Reid, WCU Cole Gonzales, WCU Jacob Saylors, ETSU Jawan Martin, ETSU

16 carries, 74 yds 10 carries, 67 yds 32 carries, 172 yds, TD 2 carries, 11 yds, TD

RECEIVING Censere Lee, WCU Raphael Williams, WCU Einaj Carter, ETSU Jaylen Frierson, ETSU

9 rec. 3 rec. 4 rec. 2 rec.

107 yds, TD 57 yds, 1 TD 73 yds 25 yds

DEFENSIVE LEADERS: WCU halted a two-game slide in the head-to-head series with mountain rival ETSU in last year's 2017, walk-off victory in Johnson City, Tenn. … the win was also WCU's first road win in the series since 2003 – though the series sat dormant from 2004-2015 ... the win was just the second for the Catamounts in the "Blue Ridge Border Battle," as WCU took possession of "the Rock" traveling trophy that was first introduced in the 2018 season for just the second time.

22 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

TACKLES Jacob Harris, WCU Micah Nelson, WCU Andreas Keaton, WCU Erek Campbell, ETSU J. Harrison, ETSU Sheldon Arnold, ETSU

6 tckls (5ua, 1a), PBU 6 tckls (1ua, 5a), 2 QBH 6 tckls (5ua, 1a) 8 tckls (4ua, 4a) PBU 7 tckls (6ua, 1a) 5 tckls (3ua, 2a), INT, PBU

SACKS M. Alexander / KJ Milner / T. Jamison none

1 sack

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DEFENDING CATAMOUNTS

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GAME 1

at Arkansas Saturday, Sept. 2 Little Rock, Ark. L, 56-13

Little Rock, Ark. — K.J. Jefferson completed his first 12 passes while leading Arkansas to three first-quarter touchdowns, and the Razorbacks scored the season-opening 56-13 victory over FCS-level Western Carolina. The Catamounts posted a pair of Richard McCollum field goals and RB Desmond Reid plunged in from two yards out, but the Catamounts were unable to overcome five turnovers and a strong early start in front of 44,600 fans at War Memorial Stadium. WCU tossed four interceptions and lost one fumble in the loss.

GAME 2

#7/8 SAMFORD * Saturday, Sept. 9 CULLOWHEE W, 30-7

Cullowhee, N.C. — Cole Gonzales passed for 262 yards and two touchdowns, Desmond Reid rushed for 170 yards and a score, and Western Carolina beat defending Southern Conference champion Samford 30-7 in a weather-delayed game. WCU led 14-7 with 11:38 remaining in the second quarter when the game was delayed due to lightning. Richard McCollum made two field goals in the closing 98 seconds of the first half to extend Western Carolina’s lead to 20-7. McCollum added an 18-yarder in the third quarter and Reid scored on a short run in the fourth.

GAME 3

at Eastern Kentucky Saturday, Sept. 16 Richmond, Ky. W, 27-24

Richmond, Ky. – Cole Gonzales threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns, including a go-ahead score to Branson Adams with 25 seconds left for his first career score, and Western Carolina beat Eastern Kentucky 27-24. Desmond Reid rushed for 177 yards and a score for WCU. Censere Lee caught three passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns and David White Jr. added 94 yards on just two catches. EKU started the game's final drive at its 38 and marched down the field in four plays to get to the WCU 23. But Patrick Nations’ 40-yard field goal missed as time expired.

GAME 4

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN Saturday, Sept. 23 CULLOWHEE W, 77-21

Cullowhee, N.C. – Cole Gonzales passed for five of Western Carolina’s 11 touchdowns in a 77-21 rout of Charleston Southern. WCU scored TDs on eight straight drives before its only punt with 3:09 remaining in the third quarter. The Catamounts finished with 683 yards without a turnover and held Charleston Southern to 223. Gonzales completed 14 of 16 passes for 299 yards and two of his scoring throws hitting AJ Colombo, who finished with 95 yards receiving. Corey Washington made three catches for 108 yards. Five others had touchdown receptions for the Catamounts.

GAME 5

at The Citadel * Saturday, Sept. 30 Charleston, S.C. W, 49-14

Charleston, S.C. – Desmond Reid ran for a program-record five first-half touchdowns and Cole Gonzales completed 22 of 28 passes for 237 yards and a TD to help Western Carolina beat The Citadel 49-14. Reid finished with 167 yards rushing on 18 carries and scored on runs of 11, 1, 9, 1 and 12 yards, the last of which came with 29 seconds left in the second quarter and gave Western Carolina a 35-7 lead at halftime. Reid’s first 1-yard TD made it 14-7 with 2:53 left in the first quarter and Western Carolina led the rest of the way.

GAME 6

at #20/24 Chattanooga * Saturday, Oct. 7 Chattanooga, Tenn. W, 52-50

Chattanooga, Tenn. – Richard McCollum kicked a 32-yard field goal as time expired and Western Carolina rallied last in a 52-50 victory over Chattanooga. McCollum’s kick for the Catamounts after Chattanooga grabbed a 50-49 lead with 53 seconds left to play on Chase Artopoeus’ 5-yard touchdown pass to Evan Brown and a two-point conversion pass from running back Ailym Ford to Camden Overton. Cole Gonzalez needed just five plays to get McCollum in position for the winning kick including three straight passes to AJ Colombo covering 11, 10 and 39 yards.

GAME 7

#3/4 FURMAN * Saturday, Oct. 21 CULLOWHEE, N.C. L, 29-17

Cullowhee, N.C. – Tyler Huff threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as #3/4 Furman defeated #14/8 Western Carolina 29-17 in a meeting of ranked FCS teams. Dominic Roberto rushed for 154 yards including a 9-yard TD as Furman outgained WCU, 509-353 with 335 of the yards coming on the ground. Cole Gonzales was 21-of-35 passing for 269 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Catamounts. David White Jr. and AJ Colombo had WCU's TD receptions. The Paladins led 20-14 at halftime and Huff added a 53-yard TD run in the final minute of the game.

GAME 8

MERCER * Saturday, Oct. 28 CULLOWHEE L, 45-38

Cullowhee, N.C. – Carter Peevy threw a touchdown pass and ran for two scores, and the defense forced six turnovers to lead Mercer to a 45-38 upset of Western Carolina. Peevy’s 2-yard TD run gave the Bears a 7-0 lead and his 18-yard connection with Ty James made it 14-7 midway through the first quarter. Then Mic Wasson forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return and took the loose ball to the end zone. Cole Gonzales was 32-of-51 passing for 388 yards and five touchdowns, but he was picked off three times, including a pick-6 by Lance Wise in the third quarter.

GAME 9

at Wofford * Saturday, Nov. 4 Spartanburg, S.C. W, 28-25

Spartanburg, S.C. – Cole Gonzales passed for 229 yards and two touchdowns, Richard McCollum made a goahead 33-yard field goal with 8:10 remaining and Western Carolina beat winless Wofford 28-25. The WCU defense forced a turnover on downs on Wofford’s final possession of the fourth quarter to seal the win. Gonzales finished 19 for 31, including second-quarter touchdown passes of 15 yards to Calvin Jones and 23 yards to Censere Lee for an 18-15 lead at halftime. Branson Adams added 51 yards on the ground with a touchdown for WCU.

GAME 10

ETSU * Saturday, Nov. 11 CULLOWHEE 1:00 pm

Mountain-rival ETSU provides the opposition in WCU’s final home game on Sat., Nov. 11, in the trophy game, the “Blue Ridge Border Battle.” The Catamounts claimed a dramatic 20-17 road win last season in Johnson City as Richard McCollum nailed a walk-off 33-yard field goal to reclaim “the Rock” for the Purple & Gold. The two squads have split the first four meetings with the traveling trophy on the line. WCU leads the all-time series 26-25-1 with four of the last five series meetings decided in one-possession games including a pair of overtime games.

GAME 11

at VMI * Saturday, Nov. 18 Lexington, Va. Noon

Western Carolina concludes the regular-season portion of its 2023 schedule by visiting VMI on post at Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium in Lexington, Va. The Catamounts look for a third-straight series win and a 10th consecutive road victory over the Keydets dating back to 1994. WCU’s defense created three takeaways and seven sacks in the 38-17 victory in Cullowhee, which was the 100th career victory for head coach Kerwin Bell.

POSTSEASON

2023 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL – SEASON GAME-BY-GAME PREVIEW / RECAP

2023 NCAA FCS PLAYOFFS Saturday, Nov. 25 TBA

Western Carolina looks to halt a 40-year drought of advancing to the NCAA postseason. WCU tries to make a return to the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs for the first time since making a run to the national title game in 1983 – the FIRST SoCon team to play for the national title. The Southern Conference regular season champion garners the league’s automatic bid into the postseason field.

26 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

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2023 SENIOR DAY

CATAMOUNT CHEERLEADERS

Marissa Clontz

Catamount Cheerleading

Becca Kilpatrick

Catamount Cheerleading

2023 SENIOR DAY

THE WCU DANCE TEAM

Alex Henry

WCU Dance Team

Madison Tadlock WCU Dance Team

2023 WESTERN CAROLINA SENIOR DAY

“PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS” MARCHING BAND

"PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS" MARCHING BAND – 2023 SENIORS (Alphabetical): Jessica Archis, Rey Bridges, Shaun Brown, Mason Clarke, Rafe Conner, Cody Dalton, Justin Davenport, Isaiah Davis, Chad Dickerson, Peyton Dunn, Emma Eubanks, Jordan Felix, William Finigan, Darrell Fisher, Tommy Freeman, Elizabeth Golden, Jude Hahn, Reagan Hall, Rebecca Hall, Madeline Heaton, Andrew Hill, Kaylin Holliday, Michael Houtzer, Druw Jenkins, Bradley Johnson, Zach Johnson, Kelly Jorgensen, Gillian Kaminski, Alora Keenan, Kevin Kerns, Line Kinsey, Shane Kirby, Austin Lackey, Mackenzie Lesher-Thomas, Maxwell Bryson Lewis, Andrew Marx, Jesse McMillan, Eric Meyer, Jillian O’Beirne, Malique Pope, Abigail Quinn, Hailey Rosdhal, Austin Ross, JT Sandlin, Lyndsay Scherman, Nicolas Sigmon, Ethan Simmons, Sam Soto, Joshua Starnes, Tristan Stevens, Tess Sumner, Maggie Sweeney, Ashley Tuhro, Owen Varnadoe, David Weins, Amy Woods, Asa Zhao

28 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2023 FOOTBALL SENIOR CLASS

0 – Bryce Wilson, DE

2 – Rod Gattison, DB

5 – Jalynn Williams, RB

6 – Terrence Horne, WR

7 – David White Jr., WR

8 – Va Lealaimatafao, LB

11 – Ajay Belanger, TE

14 – Nick Louis, LB

19 – Jayelin Davis, DE

27 – Skylin Thomas, DB

29 – De'Vuntray Hampton, DB

31 – Tyler Matheny, LB

34 – Quenten Zanders, RB

52 – Antwann Fann, OL

70 – Christian Coulter, OL

74 – Tyler Smith, OL

86 – Clayton Bardall, TE

89 – Richard McCollum, PK 90 – Marlon Alexander, DT

99 – Ronald Wilson Jr., DT

Dylan Abernethy Football Student Assistant

Bryson Jusko & Madelyn Lee Operations / Film Assistants

CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT STUDENT ASSISTANTS: Andrew Flowers Josh Martinez Andrue Smith Cole Watkins ATHLETIC TRAINING STUDENT ASSISTANTS: Jordan Bailey Taylor Lee Erin Trobridge Blue Ridge Border Battle – vs. ETSU | 29

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30 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

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head coach >>>>>>>>>>>>

KERWIN BELL >>> third season <<<

PERSONAL INFORMATION: BORN: HOMETOWN: ALMA MATER: FAMILY:

June 15, 1965 Mayo, Fla. Florida, 1987 Wife, Cosette Odom; Three children; Kade, Kolton, and Kenzley

PLAYING EXPERIENCE: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, former walk-on, three-year starter at QB (1984-88); SEC Player of the Year (1984); First-Team All-SEC (1985) and Honorable mention AllAmerica (1985, 1986)

An accomplished player who worked his way from walkon to All-American to the National Football League, and a 12-year veteran head coach who won a combined four conference championships and the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship, KERWIN BELL was named the 14th head football coach at Western Carolina University by Director of Athletics Alex Gary on April 27, 2021. Bell entered this season with 103 career victories between his three coaching stops, eclipsing the 100-win benchmark in the 2022 season with a home win over VMI. Western Carolina rebounded from a six-game slide to start Bell's first season in Cullowhee in 2021 by winning four of its final five games to finish the Southern Conference slate at 4-4. After being picked ninth in the preseason, the Catamounts finished tied for fourth in the league SoCon standings, defeating both teams amongst the tie including a 43-42 win over Furman in Cullowhee and a 52-24 win over defending conference champion VMI to end the regular-season.

coach Charlie Strong in 2019. He most recently walked off the field as a head coach following the 2018 NCAA Division II national championship, leading the Valdosta State Blazers where he coached for three seasons, twice making playoff appearances. Over a 12-year head coaching career, Bell led the football programs at Valdosta State (2016-18) and Jacksonville University (2007-15). He did this coming on the heels of a 13-year playing career in professional football that included several stops in the NFL and the Canadian Football League. Bell served three seasons as the head coach at Valdosta State where he also guided the offense. He led the Blazers to a 27-7 record during his tenure including a school-record 15 straight victories, two Division II playoff appearances, and won both a conference and a national championship in 2018. He was named the 2018 Don Hansen NCAA Division II Co-Coach of the Year and the Gulf South Conference CoCoach of the Year after leading VSU to a 14-0 record – the first unbeaten season in program history that included a thrilling 49-47 victory over Ferris State in the D-II National Championship game. Picked fifth in their conference in the

Florida–Georgia Hall of Fame, 1996 inductee

Univ. of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, 1997 inductee

MIAMI DOLPHINS (NFL), 7th-round draft pick (180), 1988 ATLANTA FALCONS (NFL), 1988 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (NFL), 1989 ORLANDO THUNDER (WLAF), 1991-92 SACRAMENTO GOLD MINERS (CFL), 1993-94 EDMONTON ESKIMOS (CFL), 1995 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (NFL), 1996-97 TORONTO ARGONAUTS (CFL), 1998 u

CFL East All-Star (1998)

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (CFL), 1999-2000 TORONTO ARGONAUTS (CFL), 2000-01

COACHING EXPERIENCE: UNIV. OF FLORIDA, graduate assistant (1990) TORONTO ARGONAUTS, offensive coordinator (2000-01) TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH, head coach (2002-06) JACKSONVILLE UNIV., head coach (2007-15) u

Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year (2008)

VALDOSTA STATE UNIV., head coach (2016-18) u u u

Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year (2018) Don Hansen NCAA Division II Co-Coach of the Year (2018) NCAA Division II National Champion (2018)

UNIV. OF SOUTH FLORIDA, offensive coordinator (2019) WESTERN CAROLINA UNIV., head coach (2021–)

In his encore season in 2022, Bell guided WCU to its best regular-season finish since 2017, finishing 6-5 overall after closing the year with three consecutive victories – scoring home wins over Wofford and nationally-ranked Chattanooga and a road victory at ETSU to reclaim the traveling rivalry trophy. The win over UTC also halted an eight-game slide against nationally-ranked NCAA FCS teams. The Catamounts closed 2022 with a 4-4 mark in the SoCon for the second-straight season marking the first consecutive .500-or-better league finishes since the 2014 and 2015 campaigns. That squad also eclipsed the program record for most total off ense, finishing the year with 5,339 total yards to edge the 1983 team (5,333) by six yards … WCU’s offensive average was 485.4 yards per game and surpassed the 3,000 passing yard mark for just the third time in program history, throwing for 3,312 yards, second-most in a season ... WCU passed for a school-record 30 TDs in 2022. Bell came to Cullowhee having served as the offensive coordinator at the University of South Florida under head Blue Ridge Border Battle – vs. ETSU | 31

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preseason and the No. 3 seed entering the playoffs, the Blazers finished No. 1 nationally in the final AFCA D–II poll. Bell’s 2018 offense led the nation in scoring (52.0 ppg), ranked second in first downs (341), and was fourth in total offense (523.9 ypg), red-zone offense (.901), and pass efficiency (167.37). The Blazers scored 728 points on the year, the most in NCAA Division II history, as they posted 7,334 yards (3,676 rushing/3,658 passing) and 7.9 yards per play on the year. Within Bell’s system, VSU sophomore quarterback Rogan Wells finished as the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented to the Division II Player of the Year, and was named both the Region Two and Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Wells accounted for 50 touchdowns on the year (including one receiving), led the nation in points responsible for (300), was second in passing touchdowns (38) and points responsible for per game (21.4 ppg), 10th in passing yards (3,075), 12th in passing efficiency (160.6) and 25th in total offense (271.9 ypg). He finished second on the team with 732

yards rushing and led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns.

title in 2014.

Additionally, senior offensive linemen Jeremy King was the runner-up for the Gene Upshaw Award presented to the most outstanding Division II lineman.

Before taking over the Jacksonville program, Bell led Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla., for six seasons (2001-06), earning a Florida 2B state title in 2005 and runner-up finish in 2006. His coaching career began in earnest at the end of his professional playing career as he served as the offensive coordinator for two seasons while still a player for the Toronto Argonauts (2000-01).

Bell led VSU to runner-up conference finishes in his first two years guiding the program and went 8-3 with a playoff appearance in his first season at the helm in 2016 as the Blazers led the nation with 27 interceptions on defense. Prior to Valdosta, Bell led Jacksonville University for nine seasons, guiding the NCAA FCS program to a 66-35 record and three Pioneer Football League (PFL) championships. Serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach as well as head coach, Bell was named the 2008 PFL Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award after leading the Dolphins to a 9-4 seasonal record and conference title. He also led Jacksonville to a school-best 10-1 record and conference championship in 2010 as the Dolphins led the nation in total (486 ypg) and scoring (42.2 ppg) offense. JU also posted a 9-2 overall mark and won a conference

Originally from Mayo, Fla., Bell was a quarterback at the University of Florida from 1983-87 where he completed over 57 percent of his 953 pass attempts for 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns. A former walk-on, Bell concluded his collegiate career as the SEC Player of the Year in 1984 after leading Florida to a 9-1-1 record and a conference championship, and both a first-team All-SEC selection and All-America honorable mention in 1985, a season that saw the Gators earn the programs first-ever No. 1 national ranking in the Associated Press poll. Garnering a second honorable mention All-America honor in 1986, Bell was a 1987 team captain and earned the program’s Fergie Ferguson Award. Bell was ranked the No. 26 Greatest Gator of all-time from the first 100 years of football at Florida in 2006 by The Gainesville Sun. Bell later served as a graduate assistant for the 1990 season under Steve Spurrier at Florida after earning a degree in psychology in 1987. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, beginning his 13-year professional career that saw stops with the NFL teams in Miami, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Indianapolis as well as stops in the Canadian Football League, where he passed for 19,538 yards and 101 touchdowns in nine seasons, and the World League of American Football (WLAF). Married in 1986 while both students at Florida, Bell and his wife, Cosette, have three children: sons Kade and Kolton, and a daughter, Kenzley.

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GARY AYERS

2023 WCU HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2023 FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF

KADE BELL

CHAZMON SCALES

CHRIS NORRIS

BRIAN COCHRAN

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QUALITY CONTROL COACH – OFFENSE

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36 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

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TRENT TURKNETT

SYDNEY SPEARS

VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT – OL

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38 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

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Blue Ridge Border Battle – vs. ETSU | 41

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ALEX GARY

WESTERN CAROLINA DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Alex Gary, a former student-athlete on the Western Carolina University baseball team was dubbed the next director of the Catamount athletics program in late February 2020. Gary had most recently served as senior associate athletics director for development at Oregon State University. WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown announced the selection of Gary on Friday, Feb. 28 to serve as director of athletics following approval of his contract by the university’s Board of Trustees during a special conference call meeting earlier in the day. The appointment, which is effective May 1, follows a national search conducted by a 15-member committee working with the assistance of the North Carolina-based executive search consulting firm Collegiate Sports Associates. During his first couple of years as the Athletics Director at WCU, Gary successfully navigated the department through the COVID-19 pandemic while also overseeing the hiring of 50 employees including three high-profile sport head coaches – men's basketball head coach Justin Gray; Gray; Kerwin Bell, Bell, head football coach; and Alan Beck, Beck, head baseball coach. Gary was appointed to the 2022-23 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee, officially beginning his appointment on Sept. 1, 2022 with a term running through Aug. 31, 2027. He was also appointed to the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee. His four-year term on that committee also began Sept. 1, 2022, and continues through Aug. 31, 2026. Prior to coming to Cullowhee, Gary served as senior associate director of athletics and the department’s chief development officer at Oregon State beginning in September 2017. He previously served as associate athletics director for development and external relations at the University of Maryland from 2014 until 2017. He also has held development positions at the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Gary’s professional experience in major collegiate athletics conferences, such as the Pac-12 and Big Ten,

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combined with his personal familiarity with WCU as a former student-athlete make him a perfect fit to take over the helm of the Catamount athletics program, Brown said. “I asked the search committee to identify an extraordinary leader to guide the Catamount athletics program into the next era and who will provide our coaches and professional staff with the resources necessary to help our student-athletes enjoy the same level of success on the fields and courts of competition that they have had in the classroom in recent years,” she said. “The committee has found exactly that in Alex Gary,” Brown said. “To borrow some terminology from the sport that Alex once played while representing the Catamounts, this hire is a grand slam homerun and one that touches all of the bases.” A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, who grew up in Charlotte, Gary was an outfielder on the WCU baseball team from 2001 until 2004, earning Southern Conference Player of the Week honors in March 2004. During his junior year of 2003, he was a member of WCU’s regular season and Southern Conference Tournament

championship baseball team and participated in the NCAA regionals held in Wilson. “I have a strong affinity and love for WCU. Three groomsmen in my wedding came from my time in Cullowhee as a three-year student athlete. WCU had an immeasurable impact on my life, and I welcome the opportunity to come back in a leadership capacity,” Gary said. “My personal experience as a former student-athlete at WCU deepens my understanding of this institution and what is needed to advance Catamount Athletics. I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to help develop student-athletes during a critically important time in their lives, especially at a place where I spent those same significant years,” he said. At Oregon State, he has been a member of the executive leadership team responsible for the athletics department’s $85 million budget, 150 employees and more than 500 student-athletes. He oversees the 16-member athletics development team, which raised nearly $26 million in 2019, a record for the Beavers’ athletics program. That fundraising effort included a $3.5 million sports performance center renovation, $2.3 million women’s locker room renovation, and $2.6 million baseball stadium expansion. During his stint at the University of Maryland, Gary chaired a committee focused on the financial sustainability of the athletics department, and he led annual giving growth in the Terrapin Club by 22 percent in 2015 and 13 percent in 2016. As a member of the development team at the University of Michigan from 2010 until 2014, he worked closely with the university’s athletics department, raising $12.8 million to support the Wolverines’ athletics program’s capital and endowment needs. He began his career in 2009 as assistant director of annual giving at UNC Charlotte. “Western Carolina University’s growth and development over the past decade have been impressive. WCU athletics has the ability to assist in that growth by raising the competitive bar across the 16 sports,” Gary said. “Research has proven that high-level athletics performance is symbiotic with university success, allowing the university to increase its visibility and further its mission. I am confident in my ability to lead what may not be the most important room in the house, but potentially the most visible.” He earned a degree in business administration in 2005 from Virginia Commonwealth University and his

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master’s degree in business administration at UNC Charlotte in 2009. Gary was selected from a slate of more than 40 qualified candidates for the position after an initial narrowing of a larger list of possibilities, said Ivy Gibson, WCU associate general counsel and chair of the athletics director search committee. Six candidates were interviewed by the search committee off-site in Charlotte. “We had a very strong pool of candidates with a vast array of professional and personal experiences in the profession of athletics administration,” Gibson said. “I think that Alex Gary’s track record in athletics fundraising in particular will be a tremendous asset as the university begins to work toward implementation of some of the construction and renovation projects proposed in the recent athletics facilities master planning process.” Brown appointed the search committee on Dec. 18 and set an ambitious and accelerated timetable to find a permanent successor for Randy Eaton, who served as WCU’s athletics director from Dec. 14, 2011, until Dec. 10, 2019. Mike Byers, WCU vice chancellor of administration and finance, managed the athletics department until Gary officially took over the helm in May 2020. Gary and the former Katie Mavis of Saint Joseph, Mich., were married in a mountain-top ceremony in Oregon on Aug. 28, 2020. The couple has one daughter, Gianna.

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – ATHLETICS SENIOR STAFF

ALEX GARY

KYLE PIFER

ASHLEIGH SIMMONS

CHAD GERRETY

JULIE MILLER

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

DEPUTY ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

ASSOC. AD FOR STUDENT SUCCESS / SWA

ASSOC. AD FOR EXTERNAL OPERATIONS

ASSOC. AD FOR DEVELOPMENT / MAJOR GIFTS

TRAVIS CHANDLER

DANIEL HOOKER

AMANDA MURCHIE

DR. ALEXANDER MACAULAY

ASSISTANT AD FOR COMPLIANCE

ASSISTANT AD FOR MEDIA RELATIONS

ASSISTANT AD FOR BUSINESS OPERATIONS

WCU FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT STAFF

Greg Hartlage Director of Media Relations

Mark Conlin Director of Athletic Facilities

Steven Honbarger Director of Sports Medicine

Patrick Mullaney Assistant Director of Video Operations

Trey Fisher

Director of Game Operations & Facilities

Coulter Clement Associate Athletic Trainer

Juan Soto

Tyler Pope

Director of Creative Media

Mike Taylor

Head Athletics Equipment Manager

Kaylyn Norville Associate Athletic Trainer

Ric Sisler

Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement

Director of Corporate Sponsorship

Kim Jamison

Athletic Department Administrative Assistant

Julia Daniel Assistant Athletic Trainer

Haley Mitchell

Senior Athletics Academic Advisor

Lesly 'Jay' Joya Assistant Athletic Trainer

Kelly Reece Assistant Athletic Trainer

Michael Gilbert Director of Athletics Ticketing

Arman Jones

Athletics Academic Advisor

Anthony Rocha Assistant Athletic Trainer

Ben Frederick

Athletics Ticketing and Marketing Assistant

Kaleb Ambrose Academic Support Graduate Assistant

Tyler Spain Assistant Athletic Trainer

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – CATAMOUNT CLUB / DEVELOPMENT STAFF

Kim Cherry-Beck

Director of Development Catamount Club

MartinUnger

Asst. Director of Development / Catamount Club

Taylor Holman

Asst. Director of Development / Catamount Club

DONATE ONLINE AT:

CATAMOUNTSPORTS.COM/ CATAMOUNTCLUB

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – COACHING STAFF

Head Coach Baseball

Assistant Coach Baseball

Jeff Korte

Derek Beasley

Jayson Gee

Zack Freesman

Ryne Lightfoot

Kendra Samuels-Eaton

Eileen Van Horn

Shayna Gore

Courtney Gunter

Chad Miller

Alan Beck

Associate Head Coach Men’s Basketball

Associate Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Head Coach Women’s Golf

Assistant Coach Baseball

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Jesse Norman

Head Coach Cross Country / Track & Field

48 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

JD Mundy

Director of Player Development – Baseball

Jaylen Gore

Molly Bachand

Cody Cohen

Head Coach Men’s Basketball

Kiley Hill

Asst. Coach / Director of Scouting Men’s Basketball

Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Matt Cotton

Lauren Brooks

Sarena Burrell

Tim Eckberg

Jim Clift

Madison Armstrong

Bret Beaver

Nick Whiting

Michael Mazarky

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Justin Gray

Director of Men's Basketball Operations

Director of Personnel and Women's Basketball Ops

Daniel Haakenson

Nick Torres

Student Assistant Coach Baseball

Graduate Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Associate Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Seth Graves

Volunteer Assistant Coach Baseball

Head Coach Softball

Volunteer Assistant Women’s Soccer

Gillian Urycki Assistant Coach Track & Field

Head Coach Cheerleading

Karen Glover Head Coach Volleyball

Assistant Coach Cheerleading

Head Coach Men’s Golf

Assistant Coach Softball

Taylor Svehla Assistant Coach Volleyball

Head Coach Women's Tennis

Sammy Adkisson Assistant Coach Volleyball

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65TH NFF ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER PRESENTED BY LAS VEGAS Held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the ARIA Resort & Casino is “THE place to connect for the college community.” Hosts the induction of the College Football Hall of Fame Class, the recognition of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments, and the announcement of the William V. Campbell Trophy® recipient. NFF COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME - Inducting the greatest players and coaches in the history of college football. NFF WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY® AND NATIONAL SCHOLARATHLETE AWARDS - Awarding the William V. Campbell Trophy® to college football’s top scholar-athlete. Honoring the NFF National ScholarAthlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments. Bestowing postgraduate scholarships. Recognizing Faculty Athletics Representatives. NFF FUTURE FOR FOOTBALL - Celebrating the positive impact the game has made on millions of players, coaches, administrators, volunteers and fans nationwide. NFF CHAPTER NETWORK - Distributing $1 million in scholarships annually and holding local events to promote amateur football through 120 chapters in 47 states. NFF NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS AND HATCHELL CUP - Recognizing the nation’s top high school football programs for their efforts in the classroom, on the field and in the community via the National High School Academic Excellence Awards, presented by Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, and the Hatchell Cup, presented by “The Original” Bob’s Steak & Chop House, which is awarded to the best team in the nation.

@ N F F N et wo r k @ N F F N et wo r k / N F F N et wo r k

50 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

W W W . F O O T B A L L F O U N D A T I O N . O R G

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114 MARKET ST. CULLOWHEE, NC LOCATED NEXT TO PROSPECT WESTERN Blue Ridge Border Battle – vs. ETSU | 51

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MEET THE 2023 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

0 AJ Colombo

WR – 5-8 – 175 – So. Waxhaw, N.C.

3 Calvin Jones

WR – 5-10 – 180 – R-So. Forest City, N.C.

6 Terrence Horne Jr. WR – 5-8 – 185 – Sr. Miami, Fla.

9 Cole Gonzales

QB – 6-0 – 195 – So. Ocala, Fla.

Bryce Wilson

DL – 6-3 – 275 – Sr. Lilburn, Ga.

1 Desmond Reid

RB – 5-8 – 170 – So. Miami Gardens, Fla.

Mateo Sudipo

S – 6-1 – 210 – R-Jr. Wake Forest, N.C.

Samaurie Dukes

De'Andre Tamarez WR – 5-11 – 180 – R-Fr. Overtown, Fla.

CB – 5-10 – 170 – R-Jr. Gallion, Ala.

CB – 5-10 – 185 – So. Miami, Fla.

Curtis Fann Jr.

DL – 6-3 – 255 – R-Jr. Stillmore, Ga.

9 Micah Nelson

DE – 6-3 – 265 – R-Jr. Murphy, N.C.

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David White Jr.

WR – 6-4 – 200 – Sr. Jacksonville, Fla.

10 Censere Lee

WR – 5-11 – 170 – So. Clearwater, Fla.

Corey Washington WR – 5-8 – 155 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

5 CJ Williams

Jalynn Williams

RB – 5-10 – 205 – Sr. St. Petersburg, Fla.

8 Ed Jones IV

LB – 6-1 – 205 – Jr. Arlington, Texas

10 Tahjae Mullix

DL – 6-3 – 270 – So. Covington, Ga.

Taron Dickens

QB – 5-11 – 175 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

11 Ajay Belanger

TE – 6-3 – 245 – Sr. Green Cove Springs, Fla.

2 Rod Gattison

CB – 6-0 – 190 – Sr. Hartsville, S.C.

5 Hayward McQueen Jr. LB – 6-1 – 200 – So. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

8 Va Lealaimatafao LB – 6-1 – 230 – Sr. San Antonio, Texas

11 Caleb Fisher

DE – 6-3 – 240 – R-So. Decatur, Ga.

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MEET THE 2023 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

Brody Palhegyi

QB – 5-10 – 175 – R-So. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Ken Moore Jr.

CB – 5-10 – 160 – R-Fr. Miami, Fla.

15 Jai Boyd

WR – 6-2 – 170 – Fr. Winnsboro, S.C.

18 Malik Knight

WR – 6-2 – 170 – R-Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

22 Branson Adams RB – 5-9 – 185 – So. Greensboro, N.C.

Antoine Williams

LB – 5-10 – 200 – R-Jr. Birmingham, Ala.

18 Antarron Turner

LB – 6-2 – 225 – R-Fr. Kannapolis, N.C.

24 Zayveon Wells

DB – 5-10 – 185 – Fr. Sumter, S.C.

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13 Charlie Dean

QB – 6-1 – 205 – Jr. Odessa, Fla.

16 James Tyre

WR – 5-10 – 160 – Fr. Suwanee, Ga.

19 Zion Booker

WR – 5-10 – 185 – Fr. Charlotte, N.C.

25 Marlin Cochran RB – 5-11 – 195 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

13 Darian Anderson Jr. CB – 5-10 – 160 – R-Fr. Miami, Fla.

16 Jordy Lowery

CB – 5-11 – 190 – R-Fr. Bartow, Fla.

19 Jayelin Davis

DE – 6-0 – 255 – Sr. North Augusta, S.C.

26 Bo Simpson

DB – 5-10 – 185 – Fr. Altamonte Springs, Fla.

14 Santana Fleming WR – 5-10 – 160 – Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

17 Bennett Judy

QB – 6-3 – 200 – Fr. Simpsonville, S.C.

20 Corey Reddick Jr. RB – 5-10 – 170 – Fr. Delray Beach, Fla.

27 Skylin Thomas

LB – 5-10 – 205 – R-Jr. Lenoir, N.C.

14 Nick Louis

S – 6-2 – 195 – R-Sr. Miami, Fla.

17 Malik Richardson DE – 6-4 – 245 – R-Jr. Sumter, S.C.

21 Andreas Keaton S – 6-2 – 200 – So. Powder Springs, Ga.

28 Markel Townsend RB – 5-8 – 175 – Fr. Columbia, S.C.

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MEET THE 2023 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

29 Devuntray Hampton DB – 5-10 – 190 – Gr. Pahokee, Fla.

35 Christian Murphy LB – 6-1 – 220 – R-Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

41 Camury Reid

RB – 5-11 – 190 – R-Fr. Gasontia, N.C.

47 Blue Monroe

LB – 6-1 – 235 – R-Fr. Concord, N.C.

30 Kenyon Partridge DE – 6-3 – 225 – Fr. Decatur, Ga.

36 Ja'morri Downing S – 6-0 – 200 – R-Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

42 Jayion McMillan S – 5-9 – 185 – R-Fr. Chapel Hill, N.C.

48 Colby Cross

LS – 6-0 – 225 – Sr. Mooresville, N.C.

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31 Tyler Matheny

LB – 6-1 – 230 – Gr. Fairfax Station, Va.

37 Marquis Lymon

S – 5-10 – 205 – R-Fr. Delray Beach, Fla.

43 Walter Gibson

DB – 5-11 – 190 – R-Jr. Apex, N.C.

50 Jeno Junius Jr. LB – 5-11 – 190 – Fr. Hollywood, Fla.

32 Trevaughn Martinez DB – 5-10 – 175 – Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

38 Jhamari Pierre-Louis S – 5-11 – 195 – R-Fr. Delray Beach, Fla.

44 Caleb Scott

TE – 6-2 – 235 – Jr. Black Mountain, N.C.

51 Aaron Sanez

OL – 6-2 – 290 – R-Fr. Clearwater, Fla.

33 Lee Campbell

S – 6-0 – 205 – R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C.

39 Brayden Blackmon TE – 6-3 – 230 – Jr. Duncan, S.C.

45 Justin Wallace

DL – 6-3 – 230 – R-Fr. Miami, Fla.

52 Antwann Fann

OL – 6-3 – 320 – R-Jr. Perry, Ga.

34 Quenten Zanders RB – 5-8 – 175 – 5th Shelby, N.C.

40 Cory Hennings

S – 6-1 – 210 – R-So. Matthews, N.C.

46 Paxton Robertson K/P – 6-0 – 205 – Jr. Knoxville, Tenn.

53 Zach Watson

OL – 6-1 – 265 – Fr. Waycross, Ga.

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MEET THE 2023 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

55 Richard Garrett

DL – 6-4 – 250 – R-Fr. Jacksonville, Fla.

63 Marselle Felton OL – 6-5 – 290 – Fr. Acworth, Ga.

70 Christian Coulter OL – 6-5 – 320 – Sr. Thomson, Ga.

76 Nathan Linkous

OL – 6-5 – 300 – R-So. Cramerton, N.C.

58 Giovanni Ricciardi LB – 6-0 – 220 – Jr. Clemmons, N.C.

64 Tyler Bailey

OL – 6-1 – 260 – Fr. Sylva, N.C.

71 Cade McClellan

OL – 6-3 – 305 – R-Fr. Plant City, Fla.

78 Evan Carney

OL – 6-3 – 305 – R-Fr. Nashville, Tenn.

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59 Anthony Joseph LB – 6-1 – 195 – R-Fr. Winter Garden, Fla.

65 Blake Ellsworth

OL – 5-10 – 260 – Fr. Kennesaw, Ga.

72 Blake Whitmore

OL – 6-2 – 295 – R-Jr. Raleigh, N.C.

79 Aidan Alston

OL – 5-8 – 295 – R-So. Southern Pines, N.C.

60 Therion Cannon

OL – 6-3 – 270 – R-So. Ridgeland, S.C.

66 Derek Simmons OL – 6-6 – 315 – Jr. Jacksonville, Fla.

73 Xavier Graham

OL – 6-2 – 330 – Sr. Niceville, Fla.

80 Rashad Davis

WR – 5-11 – 185 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

61 Hudson Jones

OL – 6-2 – 290 – R-Fr. Matthews, N.C.

67 Steven Hamby

OL – 6-5 – 285 – Fr. Statesville, N.C.

74 Tyler Smith

OL – 6-8 – 310 – R-Sr. Laurinburg, N.C.

81 Ca'Lique Cunningham WR – 5-9 – 185 – R-Fr. Rock Hill, S.C.

62 Peyton Davis

OL – 6-2 – 305 – R-So. Mooresvile, N.C.

69 Ashton Travis

OL – 6-5 – 295 – Jr. Omaha, Neb.

75 Caleb Carter

OL – 6-3 – 300 – Sr. Jacksonville, N.C.

82 Nate Abraham

WR – 5-9 – 180 – R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C.

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MEET THE 2023 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

84 Eric Rasheed

WR – 5-9 – 160 – Fr. Hendersonville, N.C.

90 Marlon Alexander DL – 6-0 – 305 – Gr. Smyrna, Tenn.

97 Caleb Bradford

DL – 6-1 – 270 – R-So. Canton, N.C.

85 David Hulbert

TE – 6-4 – 220 – Fr. Charlotte, N.C.

91 Jaquarius Guinn DL – 6-2 – 290 – Jr. Clover, S.C.

86 Clayton Bardall TE – 6-3 – 235 – Sr. Cumming, Ga.

92 Brandon Smiley

DL – 6-2 – 295 – R-Fr. Durham, N.C.

87 Jake Young

TE – 6-3 – 240 – R-Fr. Waxhaw, N.C.

93 Chris Morgan

DL – 6-0 – 285 – Jr. Maiden, N.C.

88 Patrick Boyd Jr.

WR – 5-10 – 160 – Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

95 Stephen Brantley

89 Richard McCollum K – 5-9 – 175 – R-Sr. Sanford, N.C.

96 Isaac McLellan

P – 6-2 – 230 – Fr. Pilot Mountain, N.C.

DE – 6-2 – 245 – R-Fr. Rock Hill, S.C.

Jaiden Bond

Mabry Bumgarner

99 Ronald Wilson

DL – 6-3 – 325 – R-Jr. Mocksville, N.C.

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Brandon Benjamin RB – 5-9 – 205 – So. Fort Myers, Fla.

Levi Berryhill

WR – 5-10 – 180 – R-So. Lexington, Ala.

RB – 5-9 – 190 – So. Boone, N.C.

LS – 5-9 – 200 – Fr. Sylva, N.C.

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MEET THE 2023 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

Ty Handley

Jackson Hensley

Cam Smith

Cade Snotherly

TE – 6-2 – 210 – Fr. Franklin, N.C.

DB – 6-0 – 180 – Fr. New London, N.C.

DL – 6-4 – 220 – Fr. Maiden, N.C.

Joshua McMullen CB – 5-10 – 185 – R-Fr. Miami, Fla.

Caden Robinson WR – 6-3 – 195 – Fr. Lake Junaluska, N.C.

Don Robinson III

CB – 5-10 – 180 – R-Fr. Winston-Salem, N.C.

Corbin Shirley

K – 5-10 – 160 – R-Fr. Seneca, S.C.

WR – 6-0 – 195 – Jr. Ramseur, N.C.

THE 2023 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS FOOTBALL TEAM

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

BRENDA JOHNSON HAMILTON

GARY AYERS

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (1974–77)

BROADCASTER & FRIEND OF THE DEPARTMENT (1985 – PRESENT)

Brenda Johnson Hamilton is recognized as not only the first African-American

women’s basketball player to play at Western Carolina, but she is also among the first female student-athletes of color to play at WCU. Johnson finished her collegiate career with 1,343 points scored – currently ninth in the Catamount women’s basketball record books – and is the only WCU player to eclipse the 1,000-rebound plateau with a school-record 1,018 career rebounds. She is one of just 11 WCU women’s basketball players in the 1,000-point / 500-rebound club – and the only player to surpass 1,000 in both categories. Johnson additionally holds the top two single-season rebound records in WCU history. She amassed 323 rebounds in the 1976-77 season, averaging a single-season best 14.7 rebounds per game, which eclipsed her previous benchmark of 296 that set the high mark in 1975-76. Her top rebounding average is more than three and a half boards more than second place in the school ledgers. Over her career, Johnson was credited with 20 or more rebounds in a single game four times including a school benchmark 26 rebounds against Mars Hill in January 1977. That mark stood alone for 37 years until Sherae Bonner match it with 26 boards against Livingstone in 2014. Of the eight Catamounts to hit the 20-rebound mark, Johnson remains the only player to accomplish the feat more than once. Originally from Iron Station, N.C., Johnson was a two-time All-State selection in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), the predecessor of the NCAA for women’s athletics. She was named to the US Collegiate Women’s All-Star team in 1975 while playing under Betty Westmoreland Shure. Johnson joins a pair of teammates in the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame including the program’s all-time leading scorer Jayne Arledge who was inducted in 1992, and Judy Stroud, a 1999 inductee who also coached at her alma mater. Brenda was married to the late Willie Hamilton who played basketball at Western Carolina from 1974-77. She has two sons, Waraire of Miami, Fla., and Brandon of Asheville, N.C.

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Gary Ayers has been a part of Catamount Athletics since the mid-1980s as the

“Voice of Catamount Athletics,” providing play-by-play audio broadcasting through the Catamount Sports Network. Entering the 2023-24 athletic seasons – and beginning with the first football broadcast at Arkansas on Sept. 2 – Ayers has been behind the broadcast microphone for 37 of the last 38 seasons covering Catamount football and men’s basketball. In recent years, Ayers has painted the picture over the air for Catamount Nation for women’s basketball and through the department’s ESPN broadcast initiatives for baseball and softball. Ayers is a familiar voice to many across Western North Carolina. In addition to providing play-by-play for WCU, the Swain County native has handled broadcast duties for several of the region’s high schools including Pisgah, Tuscola, Franklin, Cherokee, and Swain County High. His radio career began back in 1975 at WBHN in Bryson City and the press box where it all started – Swain County Memorial Stadium – bears his name. With a little nudging and support from two WCU Hall of Fame legends – all-time winningest head football coach Bob Waters and former sports information director, now department historian, Steve White – Ayers began broadcasting Catamount football and basketball in 1985. Over his nearly 40-year broadcast career at WCU, Ayers has broadcast over 1,077 men’s and women’s basketball games, 422 football games, and 37 miscellaneous baseball, softball, and volleyball games. Combined, Ayers has been a part of 1,536 games either broadcasting or on the public address microphone during his storied career in Cullowhee. The former president of Allison Outdoor Advertising in Sylva, Ayers has long supported Catamount Athletics through his involvement in Jackson County. When he hasn’t been on the broadcast mic, his voice has remained a part of Cullowhee as he spent several seasons providing public address announcing for WCU Athletics home events. Additionally, Ayers served for many years as the media representative on the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame Committee. Ayers and Byna, his wife of 43 years, have a son, Ben, and a daughter-in-law, Emily. Ayers also has two grandsons, Will and Drew, and a granddaughter, Josie.

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME three student-athletes earned NCAA Division I All-America honors in track and field under Williamson’s guidance. A Jackson County native and 1980 graduate of Sylva-Webster High, Williamson earned numerous coaching honors in track & field during his time at WCU including the NCAA Division I Indoor and Outdoor Southeast Region Coach of the Year in 2006, the United States Track and Field / Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division I Southeast Region Indoor Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2005, the USTFCCCA Division I Southeast Region Outdoor Coach of the Year in 2005, and the 10K Southern Conference Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Hard Charger Coaches Award in 1999. While coaching the Catamounts, Williamson also served as an instructor of Health and Human Performance. He was also the conference’s representative on the USTFCCCA Executive Committee for seven years from 2007 through 2014. He also holds the distinction of having recruited and coached WCU’s only Olympic medalist Manteo Mitchell who won silver in the 1,600-meter relay in the 2012 Summer Olympic games in London.

DANNY WILLIAMSON TRACK & FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY HEAD COACH (1987 – 2016)

Williamson retired from WCU in 2016. He later returned to coaching with stints at Cherokee High School before returning to the collegiate ranks at both Lenoir-Rhyne, where he received USTFCCCA Women’s Southeast Region Coach of the Year honors, and at mountain-rival UNC Asheville. In his lone season at UNCA, the Bulldogs set 16 school records during the indoor season and the men’s team won its first-ever teamscored event in program history. During the cross country season, UNCA also had a runner set the school record in the 8K.

For years, Western Carolina’s success in track & field was synonymous with one name – longtime head coach and now Hall of Famer, Danny Williamson. A two-time WCU graduate, earning his degree in physical education in 1985 and master’s in education in 1986, Williamson was hired by former Athletics Director Dr. Terry Wanless in 1987 and embarked on a 30-year coaching career in Cullowhee first as a part of the WCU football staff before taking over for Don Millwood in guiding the cross country and track & field programs until his retirement in 2016. Williamson developed the Catamount track & field program into a prominent level at the top of the conference standings year in and year out. He guided the Catamounts to an astounding 32 Southern Conference titles including 15 SoCon outdoor championships – six on the men’s side and nine on the women’s – and 17 total SoCon indoor championships – eight on the men’s side and nine women’s titles. He earned an astonishing 39 SoCon Coach of the Year honors – the second-most all-time in the conference history – including 15 during the outdoor season (seven men’s and eight women’s) and 24 in the indoor portion of the schedule, 11 leading the men’s team and 13 guiding the women’s squad. During his tenure, Williamson coached well over 700 student-athletes to All-Southern Conference plaudits and led over 250 Catamounts to cross country and track & field individual conference event championships. Combined, 112 student-athletes earned SoCon Athlete of the Week plaudits. Additionally, 19 Catamounts were named SoCon Athletes of the Year, 28 collected SoCon Freshman of the Year awards, and

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME NAME (INDUCTED) YEARS AT WCU ARDREY, Sam (1997).................................1937-40 ................... Baseball, Men’s Basketball, Football

NAME (INDUCTED) YEARS AT WCU GIBSON, Mel (1992)................................. 1960-63 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

NAME (INDUCTED) YEARS AT WCU LUNDY, Ralph (2006).................................1970-71 ........................................................Men’s Soccer

NAME (INDUCTED) YEARS AT WCU SEAL, Gaston (2010)................................ 1959-63 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

ARLEDGE, Jayne (1992)............................1976-79 ............................................. Women’s Basketball

GILBERT, Jeff (2000)................................ 1981-84 ................................................................ Football

LYONS Wilson, Lori (2002)...................... 1990-93 ............................................. Women’s Basketball

SELZER, Tommy “Bromo” (1995)............. 1948-52 .................................................Football, Baseball

ATTEBERY Kennelly, Christy (2013).......1998-2001 ..............................................................Volleyball

GREEN, Judy (1990)................................. 1980-84 ............. Women’s Basketball, Softball, Volleyball

MARTIN, Kevin (2019).............................. 2001-04 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

SETZER, Bobby (1992).............................. 1951-92 .......................... Football, Coach & Administrator

AYERS, Gary (2023)......................... 1985-present .................................... Broadcaster & Announcer

GREENE, George “Tiger” (1998)............... 1981-84 ................................................................ Football

McCOLLUM, Anquell (2010)..................... 1992-96 ......................................Men’s Basketball, Coach

SIMMONS, Clyde (2002).......................... 1982-85 ................................................................ Football

BEVERLIN, Jason (2008)......................... 1992-94 ................................................................Baseball

GRIFFIN, Odell (1992).............................. 1939-40 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

McCONNELL, Charlie (2015).................... 1962-66 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

SPRADLING, Steve (2009)........................1967-70 ................................................................ Football

BIASUCCI, Dean (1997)............................ 1980-83 Football

GRUNDY, Phillip (2005)............................ 1991-93 ................................................................Baseball

McGINN, Bob (1992).................................1947-50 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

STANKUNAS, Frank (1992)....................... 1960-63 ................................................................ Football

BIGGERSTAFF, Mike (2016)...................... 1966-69 ................................................................ Football

GUDGER, Jim (1990)................................ 1940-69 ....................................................Athlete & Coach

McINTOSH, Otis (1997)............................. 1968-71 ................................................................ Football

STANLEY, Bill (2012)................................. 1964-69 ................................................................ Football

BODINE, Tom (2010)................................. 1991-94 ................................................................ Football

HAILEY, Freddie (1999).............................1984-87 ................................................................Baseball

McKENNIE, Tony (2008).......................... 1986-90 .........................................................Track & Field

STROUD, Judy (1999)...............................1973-76 ............................................. Women’s Basketball

BROADWATER, Tom (2015)...................... 1957-60 ................................................................ Football

HAMILTON, Brenda Johnson (2023)........ 1974-77 ............................................. Women’s Basketball

MENHART, Paul (2021)............. 1988-90, 2002-05 ....................................................Baseball, Coach

TIESZEN Kamarainen, Laura (2012)........ 2002-05 ......................................... Women’s Track & Field

BROWN, Regina (1998).............................1987-92 ......................... Volleyball & Women’s Basketball

HAMILTON, Hugh “Pee Wee” (1992)........1947-50 ................................................................ Football

MILLER, Brett D. (2001)............................ 1984-86 ............................................................ Men’s Golf

WESTMORELAND Suhre, Betty (1990)........1965-79 ................................................................... Coach

BYRD, Art (1990)...................................... 1946-49 ................................................................ Football

HARKINS, Todd (2011).............................. 1989-92 ................................................................ Football

MOORE, Chris (2011)................................ 1996-99 ................................................................Baseball

THARPE, Danny (1991)............................. 1960-64 .....Men’s Basketball, Baseball, Football & Tennis

CANTLER, Fred (2016)..........................1978-2012 ...................................................... Administration

HARP, Gerald (1992).................................1977-80 ................................................................ Football

MOORE, Nardia (2011).........................1999-2002 ...................................................Women’s Soccer

TOLLESON, Wayne (1990).........................1974-78 .............................................. Football & Baseball

CARMICHAEL, Alonzo (2008).................. 1983-86 ................................................................ Football

HARTBARGER, Jim (2000)........................1969-75 ................................................................... Coach

MORGAN, Ken (1998)............................... 1960-63 .............................................. Football & Baseball

WALKER, Harvey (2021).............1969-70, 1975-76 ................................................................ Football

CARPENTER, Wille (1994)........................ 1976-80 .............................................. Football & Baseball

HARTSELL, Susan B. (1994).....................1973-76 ........................................................... Gymnastics

MURRAY, Darrell (2006).......................... 1960-64 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

WATERS, Bob (1993)................................ 1969-88 ....................... Football Coach & Athletic Director

CARR, Ronnie (1999)................................ 1980-83 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

HASTINGS, Rebecca Twiner (2010)........ 2000-04 ....................................................... Women’s Golf

NELLOMS, Skip (2022)............................ 1985-88 ................................................................Baseball

WIKE, Johnny (2009)........................... 1964-2004 ............... Football, Men’s & Women’s Golf Coach

CHEUNG, Patrick (1990)...........................1970-73 ........................................................Men’s Soccer

HAYES, Kerry (2010)................................. 1991-94 ................................................................ Football

PEELE, Betty (1997).................................. 1963-96 ......................................... Coach & Administrator

WILLIAMS, Denny (2004)......................... 1955-60 ................................................................ Football

CHILDERS, Tobe (2010)........................... 1957-60 ................................................................ Football

HAYWOOD, Bill (1996).............................. 1969-81 .....................................................Baseball Coach

PERSONS, Susan (2005)..........................1969-75 ................................................................... Coach

WILLIAMS, Jim (1992).............................. 1964-66 ................................................................ Football

COOPER, Louis (2005)............................. 1981-84 ................................................................ Football

HELMS, Terry (2011)..................................1968-72 ................................ Cross Country, Track & Field

PETERSON, Bruce (2001)......................... 1960-64 .......... Football, Men’s Basketball & Men’s Tennis

WILLIAMS, Steve (1996)............................ 1968-71 ................................................................ Football

CRISP, Beth (2020)....................................1977-81 .............................Women’s Basketball & Softball

HOLDEN, Leroy (2014)............................. 1963-66 ................................................................ Football

POINDEXTER, C.C. (1991)......................... 1930-35 ..................................... Athletic Director & Coach

WILLIAMS, Willie (2006).......................... 1990-92 ................................................................ Football

D’ALESSANDRIS, Joe (2018).....................1972-76 ..................................... Football (Player & Coach)

HOLLIDAY, Emily (1996)........................... 1982-86 ........................... Women’s Basketball, Volleyball

POWERS, Don (2017)............... 1964-83; 2006-07 ................................................................ Football

WILLIAMSON, Danny (2023).................1987-2016 ............................... Track & Field / Cross Country

DALTON, Don (1995)................................. 1966-81 ..................................... Football (Player & Coach)

HOOVER, Brad (2008)............................. 1996-99 ................................................................ Football

PRYOR, Harris (1994)............................... 1956-59 .................................. Men’s Basketball, Baseball

WILSON, Thomas “Bubba” (2002)...........1975-78 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

DeGRAFFENREID, Al “Mutt” (2013)........1974-76, 77-96 ...................................... Football & Administrator

HOWELL, Charles “Babe” (1998)............. 1950-53 .............................................. Football & Baseball

RALEIGH, Matt (2004)............................. 1989-92 ................................................................Baseball

WITTMAN, Greg (1996)............................ 1966-69 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

DENNIS, Greg (1997).................................1979-82 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

HOWELL Dunn, Jordan (2019)................ 2000-03 ...................................................Women’s Soccer

RASHEED, Eric (2000).............................. 1981-84 ................................................................ Football

WHITE, Steve (1999)................................ 1970-98 ........................................................Administrator

DODSON, Clinton F. (1991)....................... 1934-69 ........................................................Administrator

JAMES, Anthony (1991).............................1979-83 ..........................................Football, Track & Field

RATCLIFFE, Carl (1992)............................ 1933-36 ................................................................ Football

YATES, Steve (2009)..................................1971-74 ................................................................ Football

DOWELL, Jean (1992).............................. 1963-66 ............................................. Women’s Basketball

JOHNSON, Eric (2012)............................. 1995-99 .............................................. Baseball & Football

RATHBURN, David (2020).........................1971-74 ................................................................ Football

YOUNG, Tom (1990)................................ 1946-68 ..................................... Athletic Director & Coach

DURR, Walter J. (1991).............................. 1951-98 .....................................................Team Physician

KING, Frankie (2013)................................ 1993-95 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

RAY, Dr. Bob (2009).................................. 1951-92 .......................Basketball, Coach & Administrator

ECHOLS Wellmon, Laura (2009)..........1999-2002 ............................................. Women’s Basketball

JONES, David L. (2013)............................ 1957-60 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

REED, Jerry (1994).................................... 1974-77 ................................................................Baseball

ELLIOTT, Keith (2018)............................1965-1968 ................................................................ Football

JONES, Paul (2002)............. 1967-68 and 1969-81 .....Cross Country / Track & Field (athlete and coach)

ROACH, Kirk (1996)...................................1984-87 ................................................................ Football

FAIREY, Clint (1998)................................. 1986-89 ................................................................Baseball

LAVELLE, Tommy (2000).......................... 1961-64 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

ROBINSON, Dan (1990)........................... 1946-68 ....................................................Athlete & Coach

FERGUSON, Mark (2006).........................1970-73 ................................................................ Football

LeCLAIR, Keith (2002)........ 1985-88 and 1992-97 ................................Basetball (player and coach)

ROGERS, Ronald (1990).......................... 1950-53 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

FINCH, Nora Lynn (1991)...........................1967-70 ..................... Women’s Basketball, Field Hockey, ............................................... Tennis & Volleyball

LEGGETT, Jack (2001)............................... 1983-91 .....................................................Baseball Coach

ROSS, Devondia (2005).......................... 1990-93 ......................................... Women’s Track & Field

LIPFORD, Darrell (2004)........................... 1974-77 ................................................................ Football

RUTA, John (2008)................................. 1962-65 ................................................................ Football

LIVESAY, Robyn Keeler (1995)................. 1980-84 ..............................................Softball & Volleyball

SALTZ Simmons, Cindi (2000)..................1979-82 ............................................. Women’s Basketball

LOGAN, Henry (1990)............................... 1965-68 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

SANDERS Peterson, Karen (2001)........... 1962-64 .........................................................Men’s Tennis

LOTT, Steve (2022)...............................1998-2010 .................. Women’s Golf Coach & Administrator

SCHRADER, Dr. Charles (1998)................ 1968-93 .............................................Men’s Soccer Coach

LOVE, Joe C. (2020)................................ 1964-69 ................................................................ Football

SCOTT, George “Ronnie” (2013).............. 1964-66 ................................................................ Football

GAINES, Jerry (1991).................................1970-75 ........................Football, Track & Field & Baseball GALLOWAY, Alonzo “Lonnie” (2015)........ 1990-94 ................................................................ Football GARDNER-MAYHORN, Susie (2004)........ 1989-93 ................Women’s Track & Field / Cross Country GAY, Scott (2006).................................... 1983-85 ................................................................Baseball

1983 FOOTBALL TEAM (2003) 1963 MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM (2003) 1969 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM (2003) 1949 FOOTBALL TEAM (2007) 2003 WOMEN’S GOLF TEAM (2014) 1969 FOOTBALL TEAM (2018) 1996 MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM (2022)

PAT R O N A W A R D

1992 .........................................Ralph Sutton 1993 ......... E.J. Whitmire & Dr. Wallace Hyde 1994.............................. Dr. Quinn Constantz 1995..........................................Alice Benton 1996....................................Dr. Jim Hamilton 1998............................Dr. Gurney Chambers 1999....................................Jimmy Childress 2004.................................... Larry Stanberry 2005.......................................Nathan Arthur 2013..................................Alden McCracken

C A R E E R AC H I E V E M E NT

2007 ................ Dave Bristol & Jim Garrison 2021........................................ Gerald Austin

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2023 "PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS" MARCHING BAND

The students and staff of the 2023 "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band are proud to present our 2023 production entitled, “Feeling Lucky.” The directors, staff, student leadership team, and membership have worked incredibly hard to provide audiences with another unforgettable performance experience. The "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band is poised to set new performance standards in 2023, while continuing to push boundaries of design innovation and entertainment at the collegiate level. In addition, B.H. Graning Landscapes and Supply, Inc. is making possible the opportunity for the "Pride of the Mountains" to be a member of the Marching Health team. Marching Health is a nationwide physical conditioning initiative that serves as a training program for students in the marching arts. Through our involvement, students are receiving instruction on preemptive techniques that will reduce injury and build a stronger body. We look forward to a long relationship with Dr. Elliot Cleveland, founder of Marching Health and feel confident that this program will build longevity to our students’ physical health while teaching best practices for lifelong wellness. This fall promises to again be one of the busiest on record regarding recruitment performances. Beginning Saturday, September 30, the band will perform for over 3,000 spectators in exhibition at the Enka High School “Land of the Sky” Marching Band competition, which showcases 30 of the top high school bands in the area. The 22nd annual Western Carolina University "Tournament of Champions" takes place on Saturday, October 14, when the Pride welcomes 25 high school bands from around the Southeast to the WCU campus, greeted by a world-class evaluation panel assimilated from across the United States. The "Pride of the Mountains" will perform twice during this event for over 10,000 attendees. The band is also very pleased to announce that the "Pride of the Mountains" has been asked to perform in exhibition at the South Carolina 5-A State Championships in Walterboro, S.C. This is an event filled with elite high school bands, and we feel honored to be invited to share our talents at such an esteemed venue. About our 2023 production… “FEELING LUCKY” Featuring the music of: the Black Eyed Peas, Pharrell Williams, Andy Grammer, Nina Simone, Flo Rida, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga, Metallica, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Frederic Weatherly

Part 1 – FEELING GOOD "You’re off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” — Dr. Seuss Feeling good is like basking in the warmth of the sun on a clear day—it's an uplifting energy that fuels our every moment. When we embrace a positive outlook, we greet each day with enthusiasm and anticipation, knowing that there's potential for joy and growth in every experience. Optimism becomes our constant companion, guiding us through challenges with a belief in our ability to overcome. This radiant perspective infuses our interactions with a magnetic charm, attracting positivity and kindred spirits. Feeling good isn't just a fleeting emotion; it's a mindset that transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary memories and turns the journey of life into an exhilarating adventure.

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Part 2 – FEELING BEAUTIFUL “You are imperfect, permanently, and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.” – Amy Bloom Feeling beautiful is a profound sentiment that extends far beyond physical appearance. It's about embracing the uniqueness that defines us and radiating self-assurance from within. When we feel good about ourselves, a genuine sense of confidence emerges that draws respect and admiration from others. It's a captivating aura that commands attention, not merely for how we look, but for the authenticity we project. Being seen and respected becomes a natural consequence of this self-assuredness. This journey to feeling beautiful involves recognizing our strengths, accepting our imperfections, and celebrating our individuality. It's a transformative path that transcends societal standards and empowers us to shine with an inner light that captivates the world around us.

Part 3 – FEELING DRIVEN “We are driven by five genetic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun.” – William Glasser Feeling driven is like having a steady flame within that ignites our ambitions and propels us towards remarkable achievements. It's a powerful force that surges through us, infusing each step with purpose and determination. With this energy, challenges become opportunities, and obstacles become stepping stones. The desire to accomplish great things becomes an unwavering compass, guiding us through the labyrinth of possibilities. This drive is what fuels late nights and early mornings, pushing us beyond comfort zones and into the realm of innovation. It's a beacon of potential that reminds us that our potential knows no bounds, as long as we cultivate and nurture the fire of determination that resides within us.

Part 4 – FEELING LUCKY “Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose." – Ralph Waldo Emerson Feeling lucky is a heartwarming sensation that arises when we take a moment to truly appreciate the tapestry of blessings that adorn our lives. It's the realization that amidst the everyday hustle, we are surrounded by precious gems of connection—family who stand by us, friends who uplift us, and a purpose that propels us forward. Each interaction, each smile, each sunrise becomes a reminder of the abundance of life's gifts. Gratitude becomes our compass, guiding us to acknowledge the beauty of simple moments and cherish the profound relationships that grace our journey. Feeling lucky isn't just about chance; it's about recognizing the intricate threads of opportunity that weave our narrative and embracing the joy that resides in appreciating every facet of our existence. At the end of our program, you will hear the familiar strains of “Danny Boy”, as we as a program express how lucky 'Whee feel' to have the extraordinary opportunity of representing Western Carolina University and the great state of North Carolina in the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. Thank you to our friends, family, and fans for your continued support. We feel so very lucky, indeed.

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"Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band Instructional Staff and Design Team

Dr. Jack Eaddy Director of Athletic Bands Matt Henley Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Gold Drumline Director / Arranger Purple Drumline Director / Arranger Trevor Bailey Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Doug Thrower Wind Music Arranger Jon Henson Front Ensemble, Rhythm Section and Sound Design/Arranger Jamey Thompson Drill Designer Bob Buckner Pregame Drill Designer Katie Pacifico Colorguard Director Billy Pacifico Colorguard Choreographer Dayne Frazier Front Ensemble Director Dustin Leo Audio Production Director STAFF COORDINATORS: Jude Hahn, Madeline Heaton, Andrew Hill 2023 DRUM MAJORS: McKenzie Yazan (Head), Cody Dalton, Ashley Elliott, Jillian O'Beirne CAPTION COORDINATORS: Elizabeth Bargher, Chad Dickerson, Jordan Felix, William Finigan, Jeffery Sandlin, Kyle Songy SERVICE STAFF CHIEFS: Tayler Franklin, Ian Kirwin, Hailey Rosdhal, Karl Servian, Zoe Smith, Samuel Talamentes, Ashley Tuhro, Davis Weaver

WESTERN CAROLINA FIGHT SONG

WESTERN CAROLINA ALMA MATER

Fight on! You Catamounts, Fight for purple and gold. Fight on to victory, True warriors bold. Wave the royal banner high, And let it fill the Western sky. So, fight on! you Catamounts, Fight to vic–to–ry!

Hail to thee, our Alma Mater; Faithful, kind, and true; Every son and every daughter Offers praise to you. – CHORUS – Hail to the dearest spot of all; Hail to WCU! Light and life and fond devotion, All to thee are due. Purple robes and colors golden, Streaming everywhere, Swell our hearts with pride for olden Days and friendships dear. – CHORUS – Under shade trees’ friendly bowers, Voices, ever gay, Mingles with breath of flowers And the song birds’ lay. – CHORUS – Shout aloud with one loud chorus, Voices clear and true, Lifted high in praise and honor, All for WCU! – CHORUS –

Western, Western, Go–Western! Go—Cats! Fight on! You Catamounts, Fight for purple and gold. Fight on to victory, True warriors bold. Wave the royal banner high, And let it fill the Western sky. So, fight on! you Catamounts, Fight to vic–to–ry! Adopted in 1981, Western Carolina’s fight song was composed by members of the University faculty including

Mr. Dick Trevarthen.

Western Carolina and Catamount Athletics was saddened to learn of his passing this past August 2022

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Wonder why.

Wander out. livewestern.wcu.edu

LIVE WESTERN 74 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

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DR. KELLI BROWN WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR

Western Carolina University is led by the Chancellor, the university’s chief administrative officer, with guidance and policy oversight from the Board of Trustees. As one of the 16 universities in the University of North Carolina system, WCU also falls under the administration of the UNC system president and the Board of Governors, advised by the UNC Faculty Assembly. As Provost, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs serves as the top administrator for academics and as the senior member of the Chancellor’s Executive Council: WESTERN CAROLINA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Dr. Kelli R. Brown, Chancellor Dr. Richard Starnes, Provost / Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Mr. Michael T. Byers, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Mr. Alex Gary, Director of Athletics Mr. Craig Fowler, Chief Information Officer Mrs. Jamie T. Raynor, Vice Chancellor for Advancement Dr. H. Samuel Miller Jr., Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Mr. Shea Browning, General Counsel Dr. Melissa Wargo, Chief of Staff Ms. Jessica Woods, Assistant to the Chancellor Dr. Kelli R. Brown is chancellor of Western Carolina University, a regional comprehensive university that serves nearly 12,000 students with a wide range of bachelor’s degrees across the spectrum of arts and sciences disciplines and professional programs in business, education, health care, and engineering; more than 30 master’s degree and certificate programs; and five professional doctoral programs. Dr. Brown took office as the 12th chancellor of WCU in July 2019, becoming the university’s first permanent female chancellor. She previously served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Georgia College & State University. In July 2016, Chancellor

Brown was appointed interim president of Valdosta State University, a regional comprehensive university in southern Georgia. She served in that capacity until a permanent president took office in January 2017, after which she then returned to her position at Georgia College. In addition to her leadership at Georgia College, she has taught undergraduate and graduate students and has served in academic leadership roles at the University of Florida, University of South Florida, Illinois State University, and Western Illinois University. Since her arrival at WCU, Chancellor Brown has highlighted several priorities that continue to enrich Western Carolina University’s profile and reputation: an institutional emphasis on quality and excellence; a commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence; and a focus on the university’s role as an engine of economic development for its communities. Under Chancellor Brown’s stewardship, WCU will continue to capitalize on the opportunity to be a thought leader in regards to how regionally engaged universities can maintain a student-centered focus, with high

levels of teaching innovation. Chancellor Brown has received awards for her leadership. She is the former editor of the Journal of School Health and has served on five other editorial boards, including as an inaugural member of the Pedagogy in Health Promotion: The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning editorial board. A published and funded author, she has written extensively on school and community partnerships, school health, and the use of community-based prevention marketing. Chancellor Brown earned her doctorate in education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; a master of science and education in public health degree and bachelor of science degree in public health services, both from the University of Toledo; and an associate in applied sciences degree in dental hygiene from Michael J. Owens Technical College in Toledo, Ohio. Brown is originally from the Midwest, and she and her husband of more than 30 years, Dennis, live in Cullowhee.

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WESTERN CAROLINA’S POSTSEASON TEAMS

• 1949 •

North State Conference Champions Western Carolina had struggled through its first 15 seasons of football with only two winning seasons in two decades, but all that frustration was forgotten in 1949 when Coach Tom Young completed a four-year, post-World War II building program with an 8-2 regular season and the school’s first North State Conference championship and first postseason appearance. The Cats, led by a stingy defense, won its first five games and allowed only two touchdowns in those victories. The only blemishes on the season were non-conference losses to Maryville (20-13) and Emory & Henry (27-26) as Western finished unbeaten in conference play. The team was rewarded by a bid to play in the Smoky Mountain Bowl in Bristol, Va., where the Cats lost to West Liberty State. Art Byrd, a 165-pound guard, was named to the Associated Press Little All-America Team, Western’s first AllAmerica selection. Linemen Buffalo Humphries and Hugh Constance along with backs Hugh “Pee Wee” Hamilton and Ralph McConnell joined Byrd on the All-North State Conference Team.

• 1974 •

NCAA Division II Playoffs Coach Bob Waters, who saw a perfect season and a trip to the NAIA playoffs denied by a loss in the final game of the 1969 season, led WCU to its first NCAA postseason appearance the hard way five years later. The 1974 Catamounts, playing in a sparkling new stadium, lost their season and stadium opener to visiting Murray State and struggled the next two weeks before establishing themselves as one of the nation’s top NCAA Division II teams. After the season-opening loss, the Cats continued to struggle offensively for the next two weeks but did manage wins over Tennessee Tech (9-7) and Appalachian State (21-14) with outstanding defense. The offense, behind the running of freshman Darrell Lipford and passing of quarterback Jeff Walker to Jerry Gaines and Eagle Moss, found the right gear and the defense continued its great play. In the process, the Catamounts won nine in a row—including victories over top 10 teams Indiana State and Western Kentucky—and won a bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs where they lost a heartbreaker to No. 1 ranked Louisiana Tech, 10-7. The 1974 Catamounts finished the season ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press College Division poll and their defense established team records that still stand to this day. Most significant was allowing a mere nine touchdowns on the season (eight rushing and one passing) and only three over the last six games. Gaines and linebacker Steve Yates were first team All-America selections.

• 1983 •

NCAA Division I-AA National Finalist Like the 1974 team, the 1983 Catamounts got off to a slow start by losing its first two games to Clemson and Wake Forest. After the two setbacks, WCU would go through the next 12 Saturdays unbeaten en route to the NCAA Division I-AA championship game – the first by a Southern Conference school. The winning streak started in the third week of the season when WCU rallied from a 10-point deficit in the closing two minutes to defeat East Tennessee State, 17-16, and ended with a loss to Southern Illinois in the national championship game in Charleston, S.C. Despite the strong comeback in regular season play that produced an 8-2-1 record and No. 9 national ranking, Waters’ Cats barely made it into the I-AA playoffs. They proved their worthiness the next three weeks with comefrom-behind, heart-stopping wins over Colgate (24-23), Holy Cross (28-21) and Furman (14-7). The win over Furman was particularly pleasing as the teams had tied, 17-17, in the regular season, and allowed the Paladins to win the SoCon title as they had played and won one more league game due to a scheduling quirk. Over 5,000 WCU fans traveled to Greenville, S.C., for the rematch which was aired by CBS-TV. On the 1983 team, WCU had EIGHT players named AllSoCon with head coach Bob Waters named Coach of the Year. Wide receiver ERIC RASHEED and defensive back TIGER GREENE selected All-America. Seven members of the ‘83 squad went on to play in the NFL and the team set an NCAA record for the most games played (15) in a season. CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN THE 2023 SEASON

ART BYRD, a 165-pound two-way guard for the 1949 North State Conference championship team, was Western Carolina’s first All-America selection.

Linebacker STEVE YATES was leader and first team All-American on the 1974 team, which was WCU’s first to reach the NCAA playoffs, doing so at the NCAA Division II level.

The 1983 Catamounts advanced to the NCAA I-AA championship game after its 14-7 upset at Furman. WCU was the first Southern Conference team to play for the national title.

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Pepsi is a proud sponsor of Western Carolina University

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2023 CATAMOUNT CHEERLEADERS

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2023 WCU DANCE TEAM

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BOB WATERS FIELD AT E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM

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ALL-TIME TOP WHITMIRE STADIUM ATTENDANCE FIGURES

Construction Completed: June, 1974

BOB WATERS

E.J. WHITMIRE

Construction of E.J. Whitmire Stadium was completed in 1974 at an initial cost of $1.66 million that was granted by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1971. The new facility, located on the southern-most expanse of the Western Carolina University campus, replaced Memorial Stadium and included the construction of the Jordan-Phillips Field House. Dedicated on October 5, 1974, the Catamounts defeated Morehead State, 31-12, in their second game at the new facility. Murray State won the first-ever game played on the artificial surface at Whitmire Stadium on September 14, 1974. Over the years, Western Carolina has posted highlight victories at the facility including wins over nationally-ranked squads such as No. 2 Marshall in 1992; sixth-ranked Appalachian State in 1998 to regain the Old Mountain Jug; and over No. 2 Furman in 2006. Goal posts have also been removed from the premises on several occasions. Brad Hoover set a stadium and school-record with 49 rushing attempts in 1998 as WCU upset Appalachian State, ending a 13-year losing skid its archrival. In 2004, Western Carolina again reclaimed the Jug, posting a dramatic, 30-27, come-frombehind win over the Apps, and the goalposts fell once again in what was the program’s 100th victory at Whitmire Stadium. In 2006, Western Carolina’s defense recorded five interceptions and Darius Fudge rushed for 133 yards on offense to lead the Catamounts to a 41-21 victory over second-ranked Furman, setting the stage for another goalpost celebration. The stadium has also hosted numerous television games over the years. One of the earliest came in 1978 as ABC showcased the Catamounts and Mountaineers from Cullowhee. Other broadcasts include ESPNU, SportSouth, Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS-TV) and most recently, the combined efforts of WLOS-TV and WMYA-TV in Asheville, as well as through the Nexstar Network / SoCon Games of the Week airing on The CW62 locally. Currently with 13,790 seats, the football facility is located on the south end of the WCU campus and is bordered by the picturesque Cullowhee Creek on the west side; Jordan-Phillips Field House and WCU Weight Room on its north end; and the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center, which in addition to serving as the home venue for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball also features the Dale and Diane Hollifield Football Locker Room, WCU Football Offices and Team Room as well as the athletic training / sports medicine facilities.

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West Side Stands Completed: August, 2003 Current Seating Capacity: 13,790 Playing Field: Bob Waters Field, Artificial Turf (IRONTURF) First game: Sept. 14, 1974 vs. Murray State (WCU lost 10-3) Dedicated: Oct. 5, 1974 vs. Morehead State (WCU won 31-12) Largest Attendance: 15,247 on Nov. 12, 1994 vs. Appalachian State BOB WATERS FIELD PLAYING SURFACE / FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS: Western Carolina first installed AstroTurf on the playing surface in 1974. A similar product material was used in replacing the artificial surface several times. Following the facilities’ silver anniversary in 1999, a newer version of synthetic grass called AstroPlay was installed in 2000 for a cost of $1.2 million and was the surface that adorned Waters Field for the next eight years. Amidst the 2008 season, the artificial surface was replaced by the Carolina Green Corporation which installed the Desso Challenge Pro 2 turf, a product of the overseas Desso Sports Systems. That surface remained until the summer of 2020 when Waters Field received a new surface. Designed by Woolpert, Inc., of Charlotte and executed by GeoSurfaces Southeast Inc., out of Mooresville, N.C., the group handled the removal and demolition of the old synthetic surface and replacing it with a new turf called “IronTurf” over a shock pad. The 2020 project also included resurfacing the perimeter immediately around the field and the addition of a new synthetic turf sled and practice area referred to as the “Hog Pit.” In 2002, the creation of a $93,000 Team Room complete with meeting and office space, as well as storage, was completed on the second floor of the Ramsey Center. Prior to the 2003 season, more facility improvements and upgrades to the stadium were completed. A $3.1 million addition featured a 4,000-seat West Side grandstand seating area that included concessions and restroom facilities as well as new, updated lighting. The weight room in the Jordan-Phillips Field House was expanded, nearly doubling its previous capacity which also added a hospitality patio that overlooks the stadium on the north end zone. It also includes additional team meeting space, computer lab and visiting team locker room. The field house and East Side stands were also bricked to match the brickwork of the Ramsey Center and of the new West Side stands. Also, on September, 16, 2006, the Dale & Diane Hollifield Football Locker Room facility located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center was dedicated. At a cost of $225,000, the 100-plus locker facility was expanded with beautiful, wooden lockers located throughout. During the off-season prior to the 2010 campaign, a new Daktronics scoreboard with HD video screen were installed in the south

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

vs. Appalachian State vs. Appalachian State vs. Appalachian State vs. Appalachian State vs. Appalachian State vs. Appalachian State vs. Furman vs. Appalachian State vs. Georgia Southern VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN vs. The Citadel vs. Appalachian State vs. Furman vs. Appalachian State vs. The Citadel vs. VMI vs. Furman vs. Furman VS. SAMFORD vs. Mars Hill vs. The Citadel vs. Appalachian State vs. Appalachian State vs. The Citadel VS. MERCER

1994................15,247 2004................14,714 2008............... 14,213 2010............... 14,004 1983............... 13,924 1998................13,785 1978................. 13,778 2006............... 13,742 1987................ 13,460 2023................13,357 2014................13,323 2012................13,279 1989................13,227 1989................. 13,118 1992................ 12,818 2018................12,759 1985............... 12,635 1991.................12,445 2023.............12,410 2015................12,348 2016............... 12,283 1978................ 12,232 1985................ 12,218 1984............... 12,204 2023............. 12,154

end zone – Ramsey Center end – of the facility. The state-of-the-art video screen measures 17-feet tall by 32-feet wide and includes a scoreboard with a matching score and time board adhered to the facade of the Jordan-Phillips Field House.

STADIUM BENEFACTORS AND NAMESAKES: Western Carolina’s football facilities are named after two prominent figures in Catamount Athletics. The late E.J. Whitmire, for whom the stadium is named, spent most of his adult life involved with the University. An educator, contractor, agriculturalist and public servant, Whitmire – from nearby Franklin, N.C. – served WCU for more than a quarter century with the attitude, leadership and “get it done” ability that made him successful in every walk of life. Whitmire was on the WCU Board of Trustees from 1949-72 and was the driving force behind the University’s unparalleled period of growth. His tireless work served as the cornerstone of the structure that now bears his name. He was granted the Patron Award in the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993. In 1988, the playing surface where Robert Lee Waters made a name for himself in the coaching and administrative ranks while also putting WCU football in the national spotlight was dedicated in his honor and memory. Bob Waters served as the University’s head football coach for 20 years and worked in a dual capacity as its athletics director for 15 years. During his tenure, he became the school’s winningest football coach with 116 victories, 13 winning seasons and top 10 national finishes at three different levels – NAIA, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division I-AA, now FCS). He also had the privilege of coaching 13 national All-Americans and 36 All-Southern Conference players. As athletics director, Waters directed the school’s rise from NAIA to NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I competition and move into the Southern Conference in 1976. He was also instrumental in the planning and constructing of Whitmire Stadium, Childress Field (baseball) and the Ramsey Center. Waters died on May 29, 1989 following a six-year battle with amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was posthumously inducted into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.

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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE The Southern Conference, which celebrates its 102nd year in 2023, is a national leader in emphasizing the development of the studentathlete and in helping to build lifelong leaders and role models. The Southern Conference has been on the forefront of innovation and originality in developing creative solutions to address issues facing intercollegiate athletics. From establishing the first postseason college basketball tournament (1921), to tackling the issue of freshman eligibility (1922), to developing women’s championships (1984), to becoming the first conference to install the 3-point shot in basketball (1980), the Southern Conference has been a pioneer. The Southern Conference is the nation’s fifth-oldest NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association. Only the Big Ten (1896), the Missouri Valley (1907), the Pac-12 (1915) and the Southwestern Athletic (1920) conferences are older in terms of origination. Academic excellence has been a major part of the Southern Conference’s tradition. Hundreds of Southern Conference studentathletes have been recognized on CoSIDA Academic All-America and all-district teams. A total of 20 Rhodes Scholarship winners have been selected from conference institutions, most recently in 2012-13, when former Wofford volleyball player Rachel Woodlee earned the prestigious award. The conference currently consists of 10 members in six states throughout the Southeast and sponsors 21 varsity sports and championships that produce participants for NCAA Division I Championships. The Southern Conference offices are located in the historic Beaumont Mill in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A textile mill that was in operation from 1880 until 1999, Beaumont Mill was renovated in 2004 and today offers the league first-class meeting areas and offices as well as a spacious library for storage of the conference’s historical documents. SOUTHERN CONFERENCE – MEMBERSHIP HISTORY On Feb. 25, 1921, representatives from 14 of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (SIAA) 30 members met at Atlanta’s Piedmont Hotel to establish the Southern Intercollegiate Conference. On hand at the inaugural meeting were officials from Alabama, Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn), Clemson, Georgia, Georgia School of Technology (Georgia Tech), Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi A&M (Mississippi State), North Carolina, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) and Washington & Lee. Dr. S.V. Sanford of Georgia was chosen as acting chairman and N.W. Dougherty of Tennessee was named secretary. The decision to form a new athletic conference was motivated by the desire to have a workable number of conference games for each league member. With 30 schools in the SIAA by the early 1920s, it was

2023 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS C / S Team

SOCON Pct Pts Opp

OVERALL Pct Pts Opp

2 / 2 Furman 17 / 19 Chattanooga RV / 23 Mercer 21 / 17 WESTERN CAROLINA RV / – Samford VMI ETSU The Citadel Wofford

6 6 5 4 4 3 1 0 0

0 2 2 2 3 3 5 6 6

1.000 155 .833 262 .714 200 .667 214 .571 152 .500 51 .167 110 .000 67 .000 89

8 7 7 6 5 4 2 0 0

1 3 3 3 4 5 7 9 9

.889 .700 .700 .667 .556 .429 .222 .000 .000

88 145 140 170 156 92 157 217 171

252 316 272 331 271 69 158 84 122

173 206 242 271 222 138 269 338 262

C – FCS Coaches Poll; S – STATS Perform FCS Top 25 Poll impossible to play every school at least once during the regular season and many schools went several years between playing some conference members. In addition, in 1920, the SIAA voted down proposed rules that an athlete must be in a college a year before playing on its teams and refused to abolish a rule permitting athletes to play summer baseball for money. Play began in the fall of 1921, and a year later, six more schools joined the fledgling league, including Tulane (which had attended the inaugural meeting but had elected not to join), Florida, LSU, Mississippi, South Carolina and Vanderbilt. VMI joined in 1923 and Duke was added in 1929. By the 1930s, membership in the Southern Conference had reached 23 schools. C.P. “Sally” Miles of Virginia Tech, president of the Southern Conference, called the annual league meeting to order on Dec. 9, 1932, at the Farragut Hotel in Knoxville, Tenn. There, it announced that 13 institutions west and south of the Appalachian Mountains were reorganizing as the Southeastern Conference. Members of the new league included Alabama, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Florida, Georgia, Georgia School of Technology, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Mississippi A&M, University of the South, Tennessee, Tulane and Vanderbilt. According to the minutes of the meeting, Georgia’s Dr. Sanford stated that the division was made along geographical lines. Florida’s Dr. J.J. Tigert, acting as spokesman for the withdrawing group, regretted the move but believed it was necessary as the Southern Conference had grown too large. The resignations were accepted and the withdrawing schools formed the new league, which began play in 1933.

The SoCon continued with membership of 10 institutions, including Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina, Virginia, VMI, Virginia Tech and Washington & Lee. The second major shift occurred some 20 years later. By 1952, the Southern Conference included 17 colleges and universities. Another split occurred when seven schools – Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina and Wake Forest – departed to form the Atlantic Coast Conference, which began play in 1953. The revamped Southern Conference included members The Citadel, Davidson, Furman, George Washington, Richmond, VMI, Virginia Tech, Washington & Lee, West Virginia and William & Mary. A third major shift occurred in 2012-13, when five members announced their departures and three schools were added. College of Charleston announced its decision to leave for the Colonial Athletic Association following the 2012-13 season, while Appalachian State (Sun Belt), Davidson (Atlantic 10), Elon (Colonial) and Georgia Southern (Sun Belt) announced they would depart following the 2013-14 campaign. At the Southern Conference’s 2013 spring meetings in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the league officially extended invitations to former members ETSU and VMI, as well as Mercer, to join the league for the 2014-15 academic year. Today, the league continues to thrive with a membership that includes 10 institutions and a footprint that spans six states: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Current league members are The Citadel, ETSU, Furman, Mercer, UNCG, Samford, Chattanooga, VMI, Western Carolina and Wofford.

W. CAROLINA

THE CITADEL

ETSU

FURMAN

MERCER

SAMFORD

CHATTANOOGA

VMI

WOFFORD

at Arkansas Sept. 2 – L, 56-13

at Georgia Southern Sept. 2 – L, 34-0

at Jacksonville St. Sept. 2 – L, 49-3

TENNESSEE TECH Aug. 31 – W, 45-10

vs. North Alabama Aug. 26 – W, 17-7

SHORTER Aug. 31 – W, 69-14

at North Alabama Sept. 2 – L, 41-27

DAVIDSON Sept. 2 – W, 12-7

at Pittsburgh * Sept. 2 – L, 45-7

#7/8 SAMFORD * Sept. 9 – W, 30-7

CAMPBELL Sept. 9 – L, 56-7

CARSON-NEWMAN Sept. 9 – W, 42-0

at South Carolina Sept. 9 – L, 47-21

at Ole Miss * Sept. 2 – L, 73-7

at Western Carolina * Sept. 9 – L, 30-7

KENNESAW STATE Sept. 9 – W, 27-20

at Bucknell Sept. 9 – L, 21-13

at #4 William & Mary Sept. 9 – L, 23-6

at Eastern Kentucky Sept. 16 – W, 27-24

at Chattanooga * Sept. 16 – L, 48-3

at Austin Peay Sept. 16 – L, 63-3

at Kennesaw State Sept. 16 – W, 31-28

MOREHEAD STATE Sept. 16 – W, 48-22

at Auburn Sept. 16 – L, 45-13

THE CITADEL * Sept. 16 – W, 48-3

at NC State Sept. 16 – L, 45-7

PRESBYTERIAN Sept. 16 – L, 23-20

CHA. SOUTHERN Sept. 23 – W, 77-21

at SC State Sept. 23 – L, 31-10

at #17 Samford * Sept. 30 – L, 42-28

#21 MERCER * Sept. 23 – W, 38-14

at #7 Furman * Sept. 23 – L, 38-14

CHATTANOOGA * Sept. 23 – L, 47-24

at #17 Samford * Sept. 23 – W, 47-24

WOFFORD * Sept. 23 – W, 17-14

at VMI * Sept. 23 – L, 17-14

at The Citadel * Sept. 30 – W, 49-14

WESTERN CAROLINA * Sept. 30 – L, 49-14

MERCER * Oct. 7 – L, 24-6

THE CITADEL * Oct. 7 – W, 28-14

VMI * Sept. 30 – W, 38-3

ETSU * Sept. 30 – W, 42-28

at Wofford * Sept. 30 – W, 23-13

at Mercer * Sept. 30 – L, 38-3

CHATTANOOGA * Sept. 30 – L, 23-13

at #20/24 Chattanooga * Oct. 7 – W, 52-50

at #4 Furman * Oct. 7 – L, 28-14

WOFFORD * Oct. 14 – W, 41-10

at Samford * Oct. 14 – W, 27-21

at ETSU * Oct. 7 – W, 24-6

at Wofford * Oct. 7 – W, 31-10

#17 W. CAROLINA * Oct. 7 – L, 52-50

at The Citadel * Oct. 14 – W, 17-13

SAMFORD * Oct. 7 – L, 31-10

#3/4 FURMAN * Oct. 21 – L, 29-17

VMI * Oct. 14 – L, 17-13

at #20/24 Chattanooga * Oct. 21 – L, 34-3

at #14/8 W. Carolina * Oct. 21 – W, 29-17

#20 CHATTANOOGA * Oct. 14 – L, 22-10

#5 FURMAN * Oct. 14 – L,27-21

at Mercer * Oct. 14 – W, 22-10

SAMFORD * Oct. 21 – L, 27-14

at ETSU * Oct. 14 – L, 41-10

MERCER * Oct. 28 – L, 45-38

at Samford * Oct. 28 – L, 37-7

at #3 Furman * Oct. 28 – L, 16-8

ETSU * Oct. 28 – W, 16-8

WOFFORD * Oct. 21 – W, 31-17

at VMI * Oct. 21 – W, 27-14

ETSU * Oct. 21 – W, 34-3

#17/15 CHATTANOOGA * Oct. 28 – L, 24-23

at Mercer * Oct. 21 – L, 31-17

at Wofford * Nov. 4 – W, 28-25

#25 MERCER * Nov. 4 – L, 38-16

VMI * Nov. 4 – L, 31-24

at #13 Chattanooga * Nov. 4 – W, 17-14

at #16/10 W. Carolina * Oct. 28 – W, 45-38

THE CITADEL * Oct. 28 – W, 37-7

at VMI * Oct. 28 – W, 24-23

at ETSU * Nov. 4 – W, 31-24

WESTERN CAROLINA * Nov. 4 – L, 28-25

ETSU * Nov. 11 – 1 pm

WOFFORD * Nov. 11 – 2 pm

at Western Carolina * Nov. 11 – 1 pm

VMI * Nov. 11 – 1 pm

at The Citadel * Nov. 4 – W, 38-16

at Mercer* Nov. 11 – 2 pm

#2 FURMAN * Nov. 4 – L, 17-14

at Furman * Nov. 11 – 1 pm

at The Citadel * Nov. 11 – 2 pm

at VMI * Nov. 18 – Noon

at VMI * Nov. 19 – Noon

THE CITADEL * Nov. 18 – 1 pm

at Wofford * Nov. 18 – Noon

SAMFORD * Nov. 11 – 3 pm

UT MARTIN Nov. 18 – Noon

at Alabama Nov. 18 – Noon

WESTERN CAROLINA * Nov. 18 – Noon

FURMAN * Nov. 18 – Noon

86 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

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WESTERN CAROLINA – HONORED FOOTBALL NUMBERS #14 • KIRK ROACH – (1984-87) Kirk Roach was Western Carolina’s – and the

#23 • JERRY GAINES (1970-75) Jerry Gaines was an Associated Press and Ameri-

14 23

Southern Conference’s – first, three-time All-America

Selection (1984, 1986 and 1987) ... He additionally was the first player in league history to be a fourtime, first team All-SoCon selection (1984-87), an

accomplishment which has since been duplicated just three other times ... Continues to rank as Western

Carolina’s all-time scoring leader with 302 points ...

He connected on 71-of-101 (70.3-percent) field goals in his career and only missed one extra point, making

89-of-90 (98.9-percent) .... Roach also still holds the distinction of being the highest Catamount taken in

can Football Coaches Association All-America selection in 1974 ... Also earned All-America honors in baseball and track & field while at WCU ... Set WCU records with 3,449 career receiving yards,

a 20.6 average yards per reception for his career and 15 games with over 100 receiving yards ...

Only the second WCU football player to have his jersey retired.

Inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.

the NFL draft, selected in the fifth round overall by the Buffalo Bills in 1987 ... Was listed on the 2019 College Football Hall of Fame divisional ballot.

Inducted into the WCU Hall of Fame in 1996; his jersey was honored at WCU in 2006 and he was inducted into the Southern Conference Hall of Fame in 2021.

#41 • BRAD HOOVER (1996-99)

#54 • ART BYRD (1946-49)

Brad Hoover starred at tailback for the Catamounts from 1996 through 1999 before playing 10 seasons for the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League. Affectionally known as "Hoov," Hoover ranks third in Western Carolina football history with 3,616 career rushing yards, trailing just secondplace Detrez Newsome (3,728 yards from 2014-17) and all-time leader Darrell Lipford, (4,089 yards from 1974-77). His career tally includes a WCU single-season record of 1,663 rushing yards in 1998 which came on a single-season best 331 carries. Hoover's 708 career rushes additionally rank him third in program history, finishing fourth with a 5.10 career rushing average and tied for eighth with 23 scores on the ground. During his recordsetting 1998 season, Hoover keyed an upset of archrival Appalachian State by rushing for 195 yards on a school single-game record 49 carries. WCU upended the second-ranked Mountaineers 23-6 in Cullowhee, returning the "Old Mountain Jug" to Cullowhee. Hoover was a 2008 inductee into Western Carolina's Athletics Hall of Fame and a two-time All-SoCon selection at running back.

Art Byrd was the first football All-America selec-

41 54

88 | Hall of Fame / Senior Day – vs. ETSU

tion at Western Carolina, playing guard on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball ...

Helped the Catamounts to an 8-2 regular-season mark in 1949 and their first North State Conference title ... That team additionally holds the

distinction of being WCU’s first team to earn a

postseason bid, playing in the Smoky Mountain Bowl (Bristol, Va.) ... Byrd was the first

Western Carolina student-athlete to have a jersey and number retired.

Inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.

HISTORY OF THE VICTORY BELL Western Carolina continues a tradition resumed in 2009, returning the “Victory Bell” – a mounted, transportable bell that rings the football team’s arrival for pre-game and also accompanies the “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band and the Catamount Cheerleaders in their pregame parades to E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. Whereas the bell is a relatively new tradition, it is actually the re-birth of an old tradition on the WCU campus as is noted on the plaque which adorns the Alumni Bell Tower, the centerpiece in the quad. The tower houses the original “Victory Bell,” which hung in the old Madison Hall from 1904 until 1938 and was run to signal class periods. After the building was torn down, the bell was mounted on a stone base between the Moore and former Joyner Building – which was destroyed by fire – and was rung in celebration of Catamount athletic victories. The bell was later moved closer to the Old Student Union building before making its last active move in the late 1960s to the lawn of the Hinds University Center. The bell and its traveling apparatus were designed and constructed by Mr. Ron Bumgarner, an assistant professor of engineering technology at Western Carolina, and several students in his class.

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Official Football Signals

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