2020-21 Western Carolina Men's Basketball Digital Game Day Program

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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INSIDE

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Table of Contents .............................................................. 4

MASON FAULKNER

WCU Men’s Basketball Roster............................................ 6

R-Senior w Guard w Glasgow, Ky.

WCU Men’s Basketball Photo Roster................................. 8 Meet the Catamounts.................................................. 10-24 Xavier Cork / Douglas Elks...........................................10 Mason Faulkner / Kameron Gibson..............................12 Brad Halvorsen / Matt Halvorsen.................................14 Tyler Harris / Cory Hightower.......................................16 Ahmir Langlais / Josh Massey......................................18 Travion McCray / Tyler McGhie....................................20 Sin’Cere McMahon / Kennedy Miles........................... 22 Daniel Ransom / Marcus Thomas................................ 24 WCU Head Coach Mark Prosser..................................26-27 Western Carolina Assistants / Staff.............................28-32 Tony Rack / Ben Betts.................................................. 28 Brett Ferguson / Mitchell Hill.......................................30 Matt Erps..................................................................... 32 Western Carolina 2020-21 MBK Schedule....................... 34 2020-21 Opponents:.................................................36-52 Chattanooga Mocs...................................................... 36 The Citadel Bulldogs................................................... 38 ETSU Buccaneers........................................................ 40 Furman Paladins.......................................................... 42 Mercer Bears............................................................... 44 Samford Bulldogs........................................................ 46 UNCG Spartans............................................................ 48 VMI Keydets................................................................50 Wofford Terriers........................................................... 52 Dr. Kelli R. Brown, WCU Chancellor.................................. 57 Alex Gary, WCU Athletics Director...............................58-59 Western Carolina Athletics Staff........................................61 Western Carolina Coaching Staff..................................... 62 “Whee Are One” Campaign............................................ 64 Catamount Men’s Basketball: DYK...?.............................. 67 The Ramsey Center.......................................................... 68 WCU’s Southern Conference Champions........................69 The CATAMOUNT BASKETBALL Digital Game Day Program for Western Carolina Catamount basketball, 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 (WCU, 2001) and WCU’s Directors of Media Relations Steven Grandy and Denise Gideon.

Special thanks Todd Charles for graphic design assistance.

Photography provided by Ashley Evans, Caitlin Penna, and various student assistants in the Western Carolina Public Relations Department; WCU PR retiree, Mark Haskett; Andy Padyk; Jason Hall of Valleytown Photo; and WCU student, Spencer Douglas.

Advertising sales for the CATAMOUNT BASKETBALL Digital Game Day Program are administered by both Chad Gerrety and Michael Ceccarelli. To advertise, contact WCU Athletics at (828) 227-2767 or (828) 227-2038, respectively.

JOIN THE

CATAMOUNT CLUB TODAY!

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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2020-21 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

MEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER

# NAME

PRONUNCIATIONS

POS.

HT.

WT.

0 Sin’Cere McMahon

1 Travion McCray

2 Matt Halvorsen

HAL-ver-sin

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)

like sincere

G

6-1

TRAY-vee-on

G

6-1

167

Fr.

Indianapolis, Ind. (Crispus Attucks HS)

187

So.

G

6-1

Timmonsville, S.C. (Village Christian)

183

Sr.

Kingsport, Tenn. (Christ School (N.C.))

3 Kennedy Miles

G

6-1

165

Fr.

Burlington, N.C. (Williams HS)

4 Tyler Harris

G / F

6-7

195

So.

Charlotte, N.C. (Independence HS)

5 Josh Massey

G

6-6

195

Fr.

10 Douglas Elks

G / F

6-5

200

R-Jr.

Raleigh, N.C. (Roanoke College / Ravenscroft School)

11 Mason Faulkner

G

6-1

190

R-Sr.

Glasgow, Ky. (Northern Kentucky / Caverna HS)

12 Cory Hightower

F

6-7

222

Jr.

Flint, Mich. (Presbyterian / Meadowcreek HS)

13 Xavier Cork

F

6-9

235

So.

Sulphur Springs, Texas (Sulphur Springs HS)

14 Kameron Gibson

G

6-3

192

Jr.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Walnut Hills HS)

20 Daniel Ransom

F

6-5

214

Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Vance HS)

G

6-3

185

Sr.

Mint Hill, N.C. (Moravian Prep)

HAL-ver-sin

G

6-0

160

Fr.

Kingsport, Tenn. (Christ School (N.C.))

mick-GUY

G

6-5

188

Fr.

AH-meer LANG-lay

F

6-8

218

R-Fr.

21 Marcus Thomas

22 Brad Halvorsen 24 Tyler McGhie 25 Ahmir Langlais

HEAD COACH: Mark Prosser (Marist, 2002) – 3rd season ASSISTANT COACH: Tony Rack (Northern Kentucky, 2012) ASSISTANT COACH: Ben Betts (Roanoke College, 1990) ASSISTANT COACH: Brett Ferguson (Michigan State, 2011) DIRECTOR OF OPS: Mitchell Hill (Tennessee Tech, 2014) VIDEO COORDINATOR: Matt Erps (Winthrop, 2018) ATHLETIC TRAINER: Rob Reyburn

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

Monroe, N.C. (United Faith Christian Academy)

Denton, Texas (Guyer HS) Atlanta, Ga. (Holy Spirit Prep)

QUICK FACTS: LOCATION: Cullowhee, N.C. FOUNDED: 1889 ENROLLMENT: 12,243 CHANCELLOR: Dr. Kelli R. Brown ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Alex Gary COLORS: Purple & Gold TWITTER: @Catamounts, @CatamountMBB

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Available free throughout WNC or read online at smokymountainnews.com Catamount Men’s Basketball

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2020-21 CATAMOUNTS – MEN’S BASKETBALL

0

1

Sin’Cere McMAHON GUARD

4

2 Travion McCRAY GUARD

5

Tyler HARRIS GUARD / FORWARD

12

Marcus THOMAS GUARD 8 |

Catamount Men’s Basketball

Matt HALVORSEN GUARD

10 Josh MASSEY GUARD

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Cory HIGHTOWER FORWARD

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11

Douglas ELKS GUARD / FORWARD

14 Xavier CORK FORWARD

22 Brad HALVORSEN GUARD

Kennedy MILES GUARD

Mason FAULKNER GUARD

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Kameron GIBSON GUARD

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Daniel RANSOM FORWARD

25 Tyler McGHIE GUARD

Ahmir LANGLAIS FORWARD

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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13 CORK XAVIER

Forward w Sophomore 6-9 w Sulphur Springs, Texas ABOUT XAVIER CORK:

Post player that played in all 31 games with two starts as a true freshman with an average of 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds ... During the 2020-21 season, finished with double-digit scoring outputs in each of WCU’s nine nonconference games with two double-doubles … Entered the Southern Conference portion of the schedule ranked as one of the league leaders in field goal percentage.

10 ELKS DOUGLAS

Guard/Forward w R-Junior 6-5 w Raleigh, N.C.

Catamount Men’s Basketball

ABOUT DOUGLAS ELKS:

Transfer from Roanoke College where he played in 28 games as a freshman in 2017-18 ... Sat out in 2018-19 due to NCAA transfer rules … Saw action in 17 games for WCU in 2019-20 coming off the bench primarily for defense … Made his first start for WCU at Chattanooga on Feb. 1 2020 … Shot 33-percent from long-range as a redshirt sophomore.

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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11 FAULKNER MASON

Guard w R-Senior 6-1 w Glasgow, Ky. ABOUT MASON FAULKNER:

Transfer from Northern Kentucky that had an immediate impact in 2019-20, finishing third in the SoCon with a WCUbest 17-7 ppg average … His 6.1 assist per game average was second-best in the SoCon and 19th nationally … Named firstteam All-SoCon and to SoCon All-Tournament team while also claiming a first-team spot on the NABC All-District 21 … Posted two, triple-doubles last season, the first in WCU’s NCAA Division I era … Preseason All-Southern Conference selection entering 2020-21.

Catamount Men’s Basketball

14 GIBSON KAMERON

6-3 w

Guard w Junior Cincinnati, Ohio

ABOUT KAMERON GIBSON:

Started all but one game during his freshman season in 2018-19 where he averaged 13.6 points per game, scoring in double figures 21 times ... Was named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team … Scored 34 points in only his third collegiate game at SMU … Made 17 starts in 201920 before missing the remainder of the season due to injury.

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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22 HALVORSEN BRAD

Guard w Freshman 6-0 w Kingsport, Tenn.

ABOUT BRAD HALVORSEN

Joined the team as a walk-on for the 2020-21 season after spending the 2019-20 academic year as a traditional student at the University of Tennessee … Was a three-year varsity player at Christ School (Arden, N.C.) … Earned AllCarolinas Athletic Association honors during his senior season ... Younger brother of senior Matt Halvorsen.

Catamount Men’s Basketball

2 HALVORSEN MATT

6-1 w

Guard w Senior Kingsport, Tenn.

ABOUT MATT HALVORSEN:

Three-year starter entering his senior season … Surpassed the 1000-career point mark earlier this year in a win over Piedmont College becoming the 47th player in program history to accomplish the feat … Led WCU in minutes played as a sophomore and finished second on the team in the category as a junior … During his high school career at Christ School (Arden, N.C.), was a 1,000-career point scorer and set the school record with 285 made 3-pointers.

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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4 HARRIS TYLER

Guard/Forward w Sophomore 6-7 w Charlotte, N.C. ABOUT TYLER HARRIS:

Swing player that can create match-up problems for the opposition ... Returns after a solid freshman campaign in 2019-20 as he played in 31 games with six starts … Averaged 9.4 points and 5.5 rebounds … Finished in double figures five times as a freshman including a season-best 15 points against Bryan College.

Catamount Men’s Basketball

12 HIGHTOWER CORY

Forward w Junior 6-7 w Flint, Mich.

ABOUT CORY HIGHTOWER:

Transfer from Presbyterian College where he played two seasons … Was an All-Big South Conference Honorable Mention in 2019-20 … Selected to the 2019 Big South AllFreshman team in 2018-19 … Granted immediate eligibility in mid-December 2020 through a blanket waiver from the NCAA Division I Council … Had an immediate impact in his first game as a Catamount, scoring 17 points in the overtime road win at the College of Charleston.

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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25 LANGLAIS AHMIR

Forward w R-Freshman 6-8 w Atlanta, Ga. ABOUT AHMIR LANGLAIS:

Good size and strength in the post ... Made his collegiate debut in Western Carolina’s 2020-21 season opener against UNC Wilmington after using a redshirt during the 2019-20 season … Was a prep teammate of former Georgia standout and 2020 NBA Draft first overall pick Anthony Edwards at Holy Spirit Prep in Atlanta.

5 MASSEY

Catamount Men’s Basketball

JOSH

Guard w Freshman 6-6 w Monroe, N.C. ABOUT JOSH MASSEY:

True freshman who made his collegiate debut against UNC Wilmington and saw action in eight nonconference games … An NCISAA All-State player as a junior and senior, the Monroe, N.C., native averaged 12.0 points and 3.0 rebounds during his senior season as a prep.

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Western Carolina Students...

JOIN THE STUDENT CATAMOUNT CLUB TODAY Call (828) 227-3047 The purpose of the Student Catamount Club is to serve the WCU community by promoting student attendance, school spirit and tradition for all varsity sports teams while educating students on WCU Athletics and the Catamount Club

PRESENTED BY

Catamount Men’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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1 McCRAY TRAVION

Guard w Sophomore 6-1 w Timmonsville, S.C. ABOUT TRAVION McCRAY:

Opened the 2020-21 season with six double figure performances in the first seven games including a careerhigh 26 in the 91-84 win over Newberry … An athletic combo guard, played in all 31 games as a true freshman while making seven starts … Averaged 4.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game with a season-best 15 points in the regular season finale at ETSU.

Catamount Men’s Basketball

24 McGHIE TYLER

Guard w Freshman 6-5 w Denton, Texas ABOUT TYLER McGHIE:

Made his collegiate debut in WCU’s senior opener against UNC Wilmington and saw action in four nonconference games … Shooting guard that joins that Catamounts as a freshman from Denton, Texas … As a senior, was named 5-6A Co-MVP during his senior prep season after he averaged 19 points and 4.5 rebounds.

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When the Catamounts win, you win at the WCU Bookstore!

One-percent off for every point scored by WCU (up to 25%) off your purchase every Monday!

(Excludes software, textbooks and graduation material)

Catamount Men’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

0 McMAHON SIN’CERE

Guard w Freshman 6-1 w Indianapolis, Ind. ABOUT SIN’CERE McMAHON:

Finished in double figures in two nonconference games while making starts against Piedmont College and Newberry … As a high school senior, was named the Indianapolis City Player of the Year after averaging 26.1 points and 4.8 assists per game … Selected to the Second Team All-State in Indiana during his senior prep season.

3 MILES KENNEDY

Guard w Freshman 6-1 w Burlington, N.C. ABOUT KENNEDY MILES:

A sharpshooting point guard from Burlington, N.C. ... Made his collegiate debut in WCU’s season-opener against UNC Wilmington and scored his first career points in the home win over Piedmont … Missed the majority of his senior prep season due to injury, but averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 rebounds as a junior.

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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20 RANSOM DANIEL

Forward w Freshman 6-5 w Charlotte, N.C. ABOUT DANIEL RANSOM:

A strong, energetic post player, played in three nonconference games early in the year and scored his first collegiate points with a seven-point output against Piedmont College … During his senior season at Vance HS in Charlotte, recorded 13 double-doubles while averaging 10.5 points and 9.0 rebounds.

21 THOMAS MARCUS

Guard w Senior 6-3 w Mint Hill, N.C. ABOUT MARCUS THOMAS:

A three-year letterwinner who has played in over 80 career games…Played a career-high 31 games with three starts and averaged 8.8 points with three starts as a sophomore…

Finished with a career-best 31 points in a 105-96 win at Chattanooga as he went 12-for-17 from the field with six 3-pointers… During his junior season, he off the bench to score a season-best 21 points in WCU’s 96-94 double overtime win at Jacksonville.

Catamount Men’s Basketball

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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MARK

PROSSER

@MarkProsser15

Head Coach – Marist, 2002 A former associate head coach at Winthrop University and 15-year NCAA coaching veteran, Mark Prosser was introduced as Western Carolina University’s 18th head men’s basketball coach March 27, 2018 in a press conference held on campus in the Ramsey Center Hospitality Room.

In just his second season at the helm, Prosser sparked a resurgence in the Catamount basketball program with a 19-win season. WCU finished with the second-best most improved mark across NCAA Division I men’s basketball and reached the SoCon Tournament semifinals for the first time since the 2015-16 season. The Catamounts had a pair of first-team All-Southern Conference and NABC All-District players in forward Carlos Dotson and guard Mason Faulkner.

Following the 2019-20 season, he received the 2020 Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award by CollegeInsider. com in March 2020, an award named in memory of Mark’s father, Skip, is presented annually to those who not only achieve success on the basketball court but who also display moral integrity off as well.

Prosser, who spent six seasons on the men’s basketball staff at Winthrop, came to Cullowhee with ties to the Southern Conference including two stints alongside Mike Young, the former head coach at Wofford College where he helped guide the Terriers to consecutive regular season championships in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

WCU is the second head coaching position for Prosser. He is the son of the late Skip Prosser, who guided three programs to a total of eight NCAA tournament appearances during his career.

Between four different NCAA-member institutions, Prosser has been an integral part of recruiting, developing and coaching a total of 28 all-conference players including two conference players of the year, two conference defensive players of the year and a combined eight all-freshman team selections. Teams he has helped coach have appeared in nine conference championship title games and have made five NCAA Tournament postseason appearances, twice pulling off first-round upsets.

Prosser began his time in Cullowhee after six highly successful years on the bench at Winthrop. Alongside head coach Pat Kelsey – a former player for and assistant coach with Prosser’s father, Skip, at Xavier and Wake Forest – the Eagles compiled an impressive record of 102-59 over a five season span, highlighted by four-consecutive Big South Tournament title game appearances and a 2017 NCAA Tournament berth.

Prosser helped orchestrate the offense of the 201516 Winthrop squad that ranked 13th nationally with an average of 82.2 points per game including the 23rd-best free throw percentage (74.9-percent) and an average of 8.9 made 3-pointers made per game to rank 32nd overall in the NCAA.

During his tenure in Rock Hill, S.C., Prosser led the development of Big South Player of the Year and All-American honorable mention, Keon Johnson, and first team All-Big South selection, Xavier Cooks. He also was the primary recruiter of Keon Moore, who set the school’s NCAA Division seasonal scoring record and was Winthrop’s first All-Big South selection since 2006-07.

Prosser began his first of two coaching stretches at Wofford College in the summer of 2002 where he served as an assistant coach for the Terriers in Mike Young’s first season as head coach. During that season, Wofford posted a 14-15 overall record, including a 79-77 win at Virginia Tech. In the SoCon, the Terriers were 8-8 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.

After one season, he parlayed the experience into an assistant coaching position on Pat Flannery’s staff at Bucknell University in Lewisberg, Pa. As an assistant coach, Prosser helped the Bison to a 99-57 record in five years including three Patriot League regular season titles and a pair of tournament crowns. Those squads averaged 20 wins a season while Prosser was on the coaching staff.

It was at Bucknell that Prosser experienced the most post-season success as the Bison scored two NCAA Tournament upset victories during his tenure. In 2005, the 14th-seeded Bison upset No. 3 Kansas in the first round, earning the award for “Best Upset” at the 2005 ESPY Awards, and finished the year ranked 25th overall nationally with a 23-10 record. The following season, No. 9 seed Bucknell defeated No. 8 Arkansas in March Madness.

All told, with Prosser on the bench in Spartanburg, the Terriers posted a 63-36 (.636) overall record, highlighted by back-to-back SoCon regular season and tournament championships, and consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament. He helped Wofford to a then school-record 26 victories in 2009-10 with a second 20-win season in 2010-11 with a squad that led the SoCon in assists and was also first in assist/turnover margin. Wofford also was eighth in the nation in 3-point percentage and 12th in overall field goal percentage.

Prosser was instrumental in the development of threetime first-team All-SoCon selection Noah Dahlman, a post player who scored more than 2,000 career points and was twice dubbed SoCon Tournament MVP. A native of Wheeling, W.Va., Prosser played collegiately at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., before a knee injury ended his career prematurely. He began his coaching career as a student assistant coach at Marist until his graduation in 2002, helping the Red Foxes to a share of the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) regular season title in 2001-02.

Prosser and his wife Emily are the parents of two -- a daughter, Ava Grayce and a son, Declan.

In 2005-06, the Bison went undefeated in Patriot League play, the first team to do so in conference history.

The team was ranked in the top 25 for the first time in school history and featured Patriot League Player of the Year Charles Lee. For the NCAA Tournament, the Bison were seeded 9th and defeated Arkansas in the first round.

In the second round they were defeated by Memphis to end the season at 27-5, the best record in school history.

While at Bucknell, Prosser signed 2008 Patriot League All-Freshman team selection Todd O’Brien and was involved in the player development of Charles Lee, who went on to sign a professional contract with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs. Lee was a three-time All-Patriot League selection and the 2006 Patriot League Player of the Year.

In the summer of 2008, Prosser returned to the sidelines at Southern Conference-member Wofford.

During his first season back in Spartanburg in 2008, the Terriers set a school record with 12SoCon wins. In addition, the team posted its first winning overall record since moving to the NCAA Division I level. The following year, Prosser helped Wofford reach a school-record 26 wins along with the Southern Conference Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

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TONY

RACK

@TonyRack_

Assistant Coach – Northern Kentucky, 2012 Tony Rack joined the Western Carolina men’s basketball coaching staff in mid-April of 2018 as an assistant coach. Rack came to WCU from his alma mater at Northern Kentucky University where he most recently served as the Director of Basketball Operations. Rack has previous working experience with WCU head coach Mark Prosser during his time at Winthrop in the same capacity.

In the spring of 2018, Rack was honored by the National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) as he was named a 2017-18 Under Armaour 30-under-30 recipient.

The 30-under-30 is designed to highlight and recognize up-and-coming basketball coaches across the nation.

Rack spent three seasons on the bench at Northern Kentucky in Highland Heights, Ky., overseeing all the basketball operations for the Norse program including team travel, camps, and budgetary responsibilities. He helped contribute to one of the nation’s largest turnarounds between the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons as NKU went from nine wins to a NCAA Division I era record 24 victories the following year. The Norse earned their first-ever berth into the NCAA tournament by winning the Horizon League tournament in 2016-17.

In 2017-18, Rack contributed in helping NKU capture its first Horizon League regular season championship, garnering the automatic bid to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) with a second-consecutive, 20-win season.

Following his graduation from NKU, Rack got his first position on a collegiate basketball coaching staff as he moved south to join head coach Pat Kelsey’s staff at Winthrop as a graduate assistant and later in basketball operations. He was later assigned the duty of recruiting coordinator on the Winthrop staff. Rack was in Rock Hill, S.C., for three seasons

with the men’s basketball program where he was a part of 53 victories and the Eagles twice reaching the Big South Conference championship game.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Rack is a 2012 graduate of Northern Kentucky where he was a four-year member of the men’s basketball team. As a player, Rack was known for his accuracy behind the 3-point arc at NKU as he led the team in 3-point field goal percentage for three consecutive seasons. As a senior, he finished the year with a 46.1 shooting percentage.

Rack was a team captain as a senior and was also an Academic All-American Nominee, voted to the Capital One Academic All-District IV First Team as well as the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court. He also served as a representative on the NKU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for all four years as an undergraduate.

All told, Rack graduated from NKU as one of the program’s most-prolific shooters, ranking third all-time in 3-point field goal percent (.443) and ninth in three’s made (160).

A 6-0 guard, Rack also had an impressive prep career at Moeller High School in Cincinnati. Over his final two seasons, Rack led the Greater Catholic League in assists and averaged 4.3 assists as a senior. In 2007, he was the starting point guard of the Moeller team that won the Ohio Division I state title. In addition to his basketball skills, Rack was also a member of the varsity football and baseball teams while a prep.

Rack is the son of Jim and Susan Rack and has an older brother, Kevin.

BEN

BETTS Assistant Coach – Roanoke College, 1990 College basketball coaching veteran Ben Betts joined the Western Carolina staff in April, 2020. Betts, a Madison Heights, Va. native, has 30 years of coaching experience including three years as a Division I head coach at South Carolina State.

Betts arrives in Cullowhee after spending the previous five seasons as an assistant coach at former Southern Conference member Georgia Southern. The Eagles compiled three-straight 20-win seasons over the last three years along with 10 All-Sun Belt players including 2019 Sun Belt Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-America Tookie Brown. Before arriving in Statesboro, Betts spent one season as an assistant at IUPUI preceded by three seasons as an assistant at Tennessee State.

Prior to joining the staff at Tennessee State, Betts spent the 2011-12 season as Director of Basketball at the Spectrum Sports Academy in Roanoke, Va. From 2006-11, he served as an assistant coach at Oklahoma where he mentored 2009 NBA No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin and helped direct the Sooners to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and 2009.

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Betts was the head coach at South Carolina State from 2003-06 and directed the Bulldogs to the MEAC regular-season crown in 2004 along with an 18-11 overall record.

The following season, South Carolina State posted a 19-11 mark. During his tenure, South Carolina State claimed road wins over Power 5 foes Miami and Penn State.

Betts began his coaching career as an assistant at South Carolina State from 1990-97 before spending the next five seasons as an assistant coach at the College of Charleston.

While in Charleston, Betts helped lead the Cougars to NCAA Tournament appearances in 1998 and 1999, with the latter team posting a 16-0 SoCon record. Betts spent the 2002-03 season as an assistant at VCU. A 1990 graduate of Roanoke College, Betts was a four-year letterwinner and helped the Maroons reach the 1986-87 NCAA Division III tournament. He earned a master’s degree from South Carolina State in 1997.

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BRETT

FERGUSON

@B__Ferg

Assistant Coach – Michigan State, 2011 Brett Ferguson was promoted to assistant coach in September 2020 after spending the previous two seasons as WCU’s Director of Basketball Operations.

in the summer of 2012 as a graduate student at Winthrop, serving as the men’s basketball video coordinator.

Ferguson came to Cullowhee in April 2018 after he worked with Powerhouse Hoops, an official member of the Under Armour Association (UAA) in Phoenix, Ariz., as a coach and personal basketball skills trainer for kids ages six through high school. He has been an advanced scout for two NBA teams – the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks – which included acquiring play calls for upcoming opponents.

In the fall of 2013, Ferguson returned to his alma mater as the video coordinator for the Michigan State men’s basketball team, again working with a Final Four participant in 2015. He assisted the coaching staff in breaking down game and practice video, while also creating individual player edits for the Spartan team.

He also has sales and fundraising experience with both Custom Image Pros and Great American Opportunities, respectively. Additionally, he worked as a carrier sales professional for Echo Global Logistics, coordinating nationwide truck shipments for several large corporations.

Ferguson began his professional career as an intern for the video department of the Big Ten Conference office in Chicago where he worked with both the football and basketball officials including organizing clinics. He then made the move to Rock Hill, S.C.,

A native of Wheaton, Ill., Ferguson is a 2011 graduate of Michigan State where he earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies of social sciences, graduating with honors from the Urban Educators Cohort Program.

During his time as an undergraduate, he was a four-year letter winner as a student manager for the men’s basketball team where he worked very closely with the Spartans’ director of basketball operations. He was a part of back-to-back regular-season Big Ten Championships and consecutive Final Four appearances in 2009 and 2010 while at Michigan State.

MITCHELL

HILL

@MitchellHill_12

Director of Basketball Operations – Tennessee Tech, 2014 Western Carolina men’s basketball head coach Mark Prosserannounced the addition of Mitchell Hill as the team’s director of basketball operations in October, 2020.

Hill arrived in Cullowhee after spending the previous three seasons at Winthrop working as the team’s video coordinator in 2016-17 and director of basketball operations in 2017-18 and 2018-19. While at Winthrop, Hill was a part of an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016-17 and worked with two Big South Player of the Year selections in Keon Johnson (2016-17) and Xavier Cooks (2017-18). Hill and Prosser worked together between 2016-2018.

Prior to his stint at Winthrop, Hill spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Tennessee Tech. The 2015-16 TTU squad went 19-12 and qualified for the postseason for the seventh time in program history as they participated in the Vegas 16 tournament.

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

A three-year basketball letterwinner at Tennessee Tech, Hill saw action in 43 career games including all 29 games during his sophomore year. During the 2012-13 season, he helped lead the Golden Eagles to a come-from-behind victory at Eastern Illinois thanks to three made 3-pointers in 29 minutes, both career highs. He excelled in the classroom, earning a spot on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll eight times and the OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll three times. Hill was the recipient of the teams’ John P. Hendrix Leadership Award during his senior season of 2013-14.

A native of Cookeville, Tenn., Hill is the leading scorer at Cookeville High School with 1,649 career points. He averaged 22 points, six assists, and two steals per game during a senior season that saw him earn the District 6-AAA MVP award along with All-Region laurels and a spot in the Senior TCAT East-West All-Star Game.

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MATT

ERPS Video Coordinator – Winthrop, 2018

32 |

Matt Erps is in his third season as the video coordinator for the Western Carolina men’s basketball team. Among his responsibilities are capturing and disseminating game and practice video, while also assisting in the team’s social media efforts.

action in 15 games, playing a season-high six minutes against Mars Hill on Nov. 21.

Prior to joining the support staff at Western Carolina, Erps was a part of the Winthrop men’s basketball team as a walk-on during the 2017-18 season after spending the previous three years as a student manager. As a player, he saw

During his prep career at Spartanburg High in Spartanburg, S.C., Erps played basketball and competed in track in field.

Catamount Men’s Basketball

Erps earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2018, earning Dean’s List and President’s List accolades.

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FOLLOW CATAMOUNT BASKETBALL

ALL SEASON LONG 90.5c ufm WWCU llowhee – AND – 95.3d ifm WWOO llsboro

2020-21 MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DAY DATE

OPPONENT

LOCATION

TIME

Wed. Nov. 25

vs. UNC Wilmington

Asheville, N.C.

4 pm

Fri. Nov. 27

vs. Troy

Asheville, N.C.

1 pm

Sat. Nov. 28

at UNC Asheville

Asheville, N.C.

4 pm

Mon. NOV. 30

PIEDMONT COLLEGE

CULLOWHEE

11 AM

Thurs. DEC. 3

NEWBERRY

CULLOWHEE

7 PM

Sun. DEC. 6

TENNESSEE TECH

CULLOWHEE

NOON

Sat.

at North Carolina A&T

Greensboro, N.C.

4 pm

Tues. Dec. 15

at VCU

Richmond, Va.

7 pm

Fri. Dec. 18

at College of Charleston

Charleston, S.C.

7 pm

Wed. Dec. 30

at ETSU *

Johnson City, Tenn.

7 pm

Wed. JAN. 13

UNCG *

CULLOWHEE

4 PM

Sat. Jan. 16

at Mercer *

Macon, Ga.

2 pm

Mon. Jan. 18

at Samford *

Birmingham, Ala.

3 pm

Wed. JAN. 20

ETSU *

CULLOWHEE

4 PM

Sat. Jan. 23

at Wofford *

Spartanburg, S.C.

7 pm

Wed. Jan. 27

at VMI *

Lexington, Va.

7 pm

Sat. JAN. 30

SAMFORD *

CULLOWHEE

1 PM

Mon. FEB. 1

THE CITADEL *

CULLOWHEE

Noon

Wed. FEB. 3

CHATTANOOGA *

CULLOWHEE

7 PM

Sat. Feb. 6

at The Citadel *

Charleston, S.C.

1 pm

Wed. FEB. 10

VMI *

CULLOWHEE

7 PM

Sat. Feb. 13

at Furman *

Greenville, S.C.

MON. FEB. 15

FURMAN *

CULLOWHEE

Wed. Feb. 17

at Chattanooga *

Chattanooga, Tenn.

SAT. FEB. 20

WOFFORD *

CULLOWHEE

1 PM

Wed. Feb. 24

at UNCG *

Greensboro, N.C.

7 pm

Sat. FEB. 27

MERCER *

CULLOWHEE

1 PM

Fri. March 5

SoCon Championshp First Round

Asheville, N.C.

Sat. March 6

SoCon Championship Quarterfinals

Asheville, N.C.

Sun. March 7

SoCon Championship Semifinals

Asheville, N.C.

Mon. March 8

SoCon Championship

Asheville, N.C.

Dec. 12

The Pepsi Pregame Show begins 30 minutes prior to tip-off on the Catamount Sports Network – the Voice of Catamount Athletics!

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE BASKETBALL ON ESPN

100 YEARS OF THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

Noon NOON 7 pm

* denotes SoCon game – All times listed are EASTERN

SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

VISIT SOCONSPORTS.COM FOR MORE 34 |

Catamount Men’s Basketball

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CHATTANOOGA

MOCS

#

NAME

0

1

2

3

10

Alex Tostado

11

Mark Tikhonenko

12

PRONUNCIATIONS

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

A.J. Caldwell

G

6-5

200

R-Jr.

Sarasota, Fla. (South Alabama / Riverview HS)

KC Hankton

F

6-7

217

Jr.

Charlotte, N.C. (St. Louis / Arts & Sciences HS)

Jamaal Walker

G

6-5

185

R-Fr.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (East Hamilton HS)

David Jean-Baptiste

GENE-bap-teest

G

6-1

193

R-Sr.

Miami, Fla. (Norland HS)

toe-STAH-doh

G

6-3

180

R-Jr.

Guadalajara, Mexico (Maryland / Montverde HS)

teek-HON-NEN-koe

F

6-9

238

Jr.

Ashton Smith

G

5-8

163

So.

Memphis, Tenn. (Southwind HS)

13

Malachi Smith

G

6-4

205

So.

Belleville, Ill. (Wright State / Belleville West HS)

14

Grant Ledford

G / F

6-5

208

So.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Grace Christian)

21

Josh Ayeni

F

6-7

209

Gr.

Zaria, Nigeria (South Alabama / St. Frances Academy)

mah-lih-KYE eye-YEN-eee

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)

Moscow, Russia (Sam Houston HS)

24

Prosper Obidiebube

oh-BEE-dee-EH-BOO-bay

F

6-8

208

So.

Lagos, Nigeria (Aspire HS)

25

Jaden Frazier

JAY-den

F

6-9

215

R-Fr.

Pulaski, Va. (Blue Ridge HS)

33

Stefan Kenić

STEF-uhn KEN-nich

F

6-9

223

Sr.

& 5

Darius Banks

G

6-6

218

Sr.

St. Petersburg, Fla. (James Madison / HS)

^ 23

Trey Doomes

G

6-3

171

Jr.

Acworth, Ga. (West Virginia / University School)

like Dooms

Belgrade, Serbia (Cleveland State / KK Smederevo)

& – signifies sitting out 2020-21 | ^ – signifies COVID-19 Opt Out

HEAD COACH: Lamont Paris (College of Wooster, 1996) – 4th season

QUICK FACTS:

ASSISTANT COACH: Tanner Bronson – 2nd season

LOCATION: Chattanooga, Tenn.

ASSISTANT COACH: Eddie Shannon – 2nd season

FOUNDED: 1833

ASSISTANT COACH: David McKinley – 2nd season DIRECTOR OF OPS: Colby Arendale ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD COACH: Roman DiPasquale SPORTS MEDICINE: Brenda Paider ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: Tyler Dobratz

ENROLLMENT: 11,728 CHANCELLOR: Dr. Steve Angle ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Mark Wharton COLORS: Navy, Gold & Silver TWITTER: @GoMocs, @GoMocsMBB

GRADUATE MANAGER: Jacob Elbin

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#13 MALACHI SMITH

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ATHLETICS WEBSITE

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THE CITADEL

BULLDOGS

#

NAME

PRONUNCIATIONS

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)

1

Stephen Clark

2

Jackson Gammons

GAM-muhns

F / C

6-8

G

6-3

200

So.

Charlotte, N.C. (Metrolina Christian Academy)

195

R-Fr.

High Point, N.C. (Calvary Day School)

3

Rudy Fitzgibbons, III

4

Robert Guyton

fitz-GIB-buns

G

GYE-tuhn

G

6-0

145

So.

Atlanta, Ga. (Riverwood International)

6-0

165

Jr.

Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach)

5

Fletcher Abee

11

Kaiden Rice

AE-bee

G

KAY-den

G / F

6-2

180

So.

Valdese, N.C. (Freedom HS)

6-7

205

Sr.

Columbia, S.C. (Ridge View HS)

12

13

Brent Davis Tyler Moffe

G

6-3

185

Fr.

Miramar, Fla. (Miramar HS)

G

6-1

185

Gr.

Elmira, N.Y. (Buffalo/Jamestown CC/Mansfield/Elmira HS)

14

Brady Spence

15

Jerry Higgins, III

F / C

6-9

200

So.

G

5-10

175

R-So.

23 24

Owen Spencer

F / C

6-9

205

Fr.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Turpin HS)

Dylan Engler

G

6-5

185

Fr.

Oswego, Ill. (Link Prep / Oswego HS)

32

Derek Webster, Jr.

F

6-4

215

Sr.

Tampa, Fla. (Seffner Christian Academy)

33

Hayden Brown

F

6-5

225

R-Jr.

HEAD COACH: Duggar Baucom (Charlotte, 1995) – 6th season ASSISTANT COACH: Jack Castleberry (VMI, 2007) ASSISTANT COACH: Josh Hayes (Fitchburg State, 2014) ASSISTANT COACH: Brad Mason (Texas Tech, 2016) DIRECTOR OF OPS: Cody Deas ATHLETIC TRAINER: Ryan Graham

Douglasville, Ga. (Alexander HS) Cleveland, Ohio (Villa Angela-St. Joseph HS)

Greer, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

QUICK FACTS: LOCATION: Charleston, S.C. FOUNDED: 1842 ENROLLMENT: 3,767 PRESIDENT: Gen. Glenn M. Walters ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Mike Capaccio

COLORS: Citadel Blue, Navy & White

TWITTER: @CitadelSports, @CitadelHoops

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#33 HAYDEN BROWN

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ATHLETICS WEBSITE

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ETSU

BUCCANEERS

#

NAME

PRONUNCIATIONS

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)

0

Silas Adheke

1

Serrel Smith

CY-less eh-DECK-aye

C

6-8

257

Gr.

Lagos, Nigeria (Northern Kentucky)

SIR-elle

G

6-4

174

Jr.

2

St. Petersburg, Fla. (Maryland)

Paul Smith

F

6-8

251

Fr.

Upper Marlboro, Md. (DeMatha)

3

Truth Harris

G

6-1

167

Fr.

Mount Vernon, N.Y. (Trinity Pawling Prep)

4

David Sloan

G

6-0

180

Sr.

Louisville, Ky. (Kansas State)

5

Marcus Niblack

G

6-1

192

Fr.

Leesburg, Fla. (Wildwood HS)

11

Eric Hancik

F / G

6-5

205

Jr.

Chino Hills, Calif. (San Bernardino Valley College)

12

Damari Monsanto

F

6-6

225

RFr.

14

Ty Brewer

F

6-9

210

Jr.

Meridian, Miss. (Southeastern Louisiana)

15

Richard Amaefule

F

6-9

215

Fr.

London, United Kingdom (Woodrow Wilson HS)

Bronx, N.Y. (North Idaho College)

NY-black dah-MAR-ee ah-muh-FOO-lay

Pembroke Pines, Fla. (Western High School)

21

Ismael Valdez

F / C

6-9

200

So.

22

Morrell Schramm

G

6-2

209

Fr.

Cleveland, Tenn. (Cleveland HS)

23

Vonnie Patterson

F

6-4

200

Sr.

Louisville, Ky. (John A. Logan College)

24

Jordan Coffin

G

6-1

185

Sr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Karns HS)

25

Ledarrius Brewer

G

6-5

195

RJr.

Meridian, Miss. (Southeast Missouri State)

33

Charlie Weber

F

6-9

215

So.

Owings, Md. (Bishop O’Connell High School)

HEAD COACH: Jason Shay (Iowa, 1995) – 1st season ASSISTANT COACH: Turner Battle (Buffalo, 2005) – 1st season ASSISTANT COACH: Greg Heiar (Mount St. Claire, 2000) – 1st season ASSISTANT COACH: Matt Wise (Transylvania, 2011) – 1st season DIRECTOR OF OPS: Chad Donley DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL SPORT PERFORMANCE: Tyler Janota ASSISTANT FOR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT: Desonta Bradford

QUICK FACTS: LOCATION: Johnson City, Tenn.

FOUNDED: 1911 ENROLLMENT: 14,400 PRESIDENT: Dr. Brian Noland ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Scott Carter COLORS: Navy Blue & Gold

TWITTER: @ETSUAthletics, @ETSU_Hoops

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#25 LEDARRIUS BREWER

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ATHLETICS WEBSITE

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FURMAN

PALADINS

#

NAME

1

Jaylon Pugh

PRONUNCIATIONS

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

PEW

G

6-0

173

Jr.

2

Colin Kenney

G

3

Mike Bothwell

G

4

Noah Gurley

F

6-8

5

Marcus Foster

G

6-4

10

Alex Hunter

G

11

Robert Swanson

G

12

Jonny Lawrence

F

13

Garrett Hien

6-1

172

So.

Michigan City, Ind. (Marquette Catholic HS)

6-3

195

Jr.

Cleveland Heights, Ohio (Cornerstone Christian Academy)

210

Jr.

Fayetteville, Ga. (Fayette County HS)

210

R-Fr.

5-11

180

Sr.

Raleigh, N.C. (Leesville Road HS)

5-10

165

Jr.

Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Myrtle Beach HS)

F

6-10

205

R-Fr.

6-9

205

Fr.

HEEN

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL) Cartersville, Ga. (Cartersville HS)

Atlanta, Ga. (Drew Charter HS)

Orlando, Fla. (Lake Howell HS) Charlotte, N.C. (Concord First Assembly Academy)

14

Rett Lister

G

6-1

167

So.

Easley, S.C. (Easley HS)

20

Jalen Slawson

F

6-7

218

Jr.

Summerville, S.C. (Pinewood Prep)

21

Ben Beeker

F

6-9

225

So.

Hendersonville, N.C. (Hendersonville HS)

22

Joe Anderson

G

6-0

170

Fr.

Maryville, Tenn. (Maryville HS)

45

Clay Mounce

F

6-7

210

Sr.

Elkin, N.C. (Mount Airy HS)

rhymes with Bounce

QUICK FACTS:

HEAD COACH: Bob Richey (North Greenville, 2006) – 3rd season ASSISTANT COACH: Jeremy Growe (Indiana, 2009)

LOCATION: Greenville, S.C.

ASSISTANT COACH: Tim Johnson (Wofford, 2011)

FOUNDED: 1826

ASSISTANT COACH: Jimmie Williams (MidAmerica Nazarene, 2002)

ENROLLMENT: 2,600

DIRECTOR OF OPS: Jon D’Angelo (Miami, 2016) DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING: Daniel Fowler (Furman, 2017)

PRESIDENT: Dr. Elizabeth Davis ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Jason Donnelly

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH: Matt Aldred (West Florida, 2012)

COLORS: Purple & White

VIDEO & ANALYTICS COORDINATOR: Tyler Eckstein (Furman, 2019) TWITTER: @FurmanPaladins, @FurmanHoops

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#45 CLAY MOUNCE

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MERCER UNIVERSITY

BEARS

# 0 1 2 3 5 10 11 12 14 15 20 22 23 25 30 31 35

NAME PRONUNCIATIONS Leon Ayers III Kamar Robertson Neftali Alvarez NEFF-tal-ee Jeff Gary Drew Thomas Shannon Grant Jovan Tucker Mitch Prendergast Victor Bafutto bah-FOO-toe John Treanor Ross Cummings Felipe Haase fa-LEEP-ay HASS-ay James Glisson III Maciej Bender like MAGIC Diego Rivera Jacksen Greco Patrick Urey

POS. G G G G F C G G C F G F F F G G F

HT. 6-6 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-10 6-3 6-0 6-10 6-6 6-3 6-9 6-6 6-11 6-2 6-3 6-6

WT. 180 160 165 162 185 280 175 190 230 250 180 253 210 245 180 150 210

YR. Jr. So. R-So. R-Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Jr. R-Jr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Jr. So. R-Sr. So. Fr. R-So.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL) Troy, Mich. (Henry Ford College / Troy HS) Alpharetta, Ga. Cambridge HS) Cantano, P.R. (Fairfield / Miami Christian School) Austin, Texas (UNCW / Sand Creek HS) Smyrna, Ga. (Campbell HS) Sylacauga, Ala. (Sylacauga HS) Atlanta, Ga. (McEachern HS) Dallas, Texas (Dallas Jesuit HS) Brasilia, Brazil (Centro Educational Sigma) Roswell, Ga. (Marist School) Dickson, Tenn. (Creek Wood HS) Osorno, Chile (South Carolina / Miami Christian School) Decatur, Ga. (Southwest DeKalb HS) Warsaw, Poland (West Virginia / Mountain Mission School) Baymon, P.R. (Miami Christian School) Canton, Ga. (Sequoyah HS) Chattanooga, Tenn. (Baylor School)

HEAD COACH: Greg Gary (Tulane, 1992) – 2nd season ASSISTANT COACH: Bobby Kummer (Charlotte, 1996) – 2nd season

QUICK FACTS: LOCATION: Macon, Ga.

ASSISTANT COACH: Kim Lewis (Tulane, 1994) – 2nd season

FOUNDED: 1833

ASSISTANT COACH: D.J. Byrd (Purdue, 2013) – 2nd season

ENROLLMENT: 8,700

DIRECTOR OF OPS: Luke Brenneman (Purdue, 2016) GRADUATE ASSISTANT: Gerald Fitch (Kentucky, 2017) GRADUATE ASSISTANT: Ben Gilliland (Minnesota, 2020) ATHLETIC TRAINER: Christian Floirendo (Florida Southern, 2015)

PRESIDENT: Dr. William Underwood ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Jim Cole COLORS: Orange & Black TWITTER: @MercerBears, @MercerMBB

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING: Lane Trudo (Kansas State, 2013)

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#20 ROSS CUMMINGS

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ATHLETICS WEBSITE

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SAMFORD

BULLDOGS

# 0 3 4 5 10 11 12 13 14 15

NAME PRONUNCIATIONS Triston Chambers TRISS-ton Jaron Rillie JAIR-uhn REEL-ee Myron Gordon A.J. Staton-McCray STAY-ton-McCray Preston Parks Marcellus Vail Clay Holmes Quinn Richey Richardson Maitre MUH-trey Grayson Walters

21 22 23 24 31 34 35

Luke Champion Logan Dye Christian Guess Jalen Dupree JAY-len Bryan Smith Jacob Tryon Stanley Henderson, Jr.

POS. G G G G G G G G G F

HT. 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-5

WT. 185 175 180 190 175 175 195 195 180 185

YR. R-Sr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. Gr. Fr. Fr. So. R-Sr. Fr.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL) Cold Springs, Ala. (UAH / Cold Springs HS) Santa Barbara, Calif. (Link Year Prep (Mo.)) Bordentown, N.J. (Harcum College / Bordentown HS) Charlotte, N.C. (West Oaks, Academy (Fla.)) Greenville, S.C. (UT Martin / The Citadel / Wade Hampton HS) Shelbyville, Ky. (Martha Layne Collins HS) Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy) Johns Creek, Ga. (James Madison / Mt. Pisgah Christian) Montreal, Canada (Florida Atlantic / Indian Hills CC / West Oaks Academy) Mountain Brook, Ala. (Link Year Prep (Mo.))

F F G F F F F

6-8 6-8 6-6 6-8 6-4 6-11 6-6

175 235 190 235 180 210 210

Fr. Jr. Jr. R-Sr. So. Sr. Jr.

Suwanee, Ga. (Lambert HS) Haleyville, Ala. (Haleyville HS) Cleveland, Ohio (North Idaho College / Shaker Heights HS) Cordova, Tenn. (Murray State / Cordova HS) Pismo Beach, Calif. (Arroyo Grande HS) Temecula, Calif. (Portland / East LA JC / Great Oaks HS) Jonesboro, Ga. (Middle Georgia Prep)

HEAD COACH: Bucky McMillan (Birmingham-Southern, 2006) – 1st season ASSISTANT COACH: Tra Arnold (Biola Univ., 2005) – 1st season

QUICK FACTS: LOCATION: Birmingham, Ala.

ASSISTANT COACH: Sergio Rouco (Nova Southeaster, 1987) – 1st season ASSISTANT COACH: Gerald Gillion (Florida State, 2008) – 1st season

FOUNDED: 1841 ENROLLMENT: 5,624

DIRECTOR OF OPS: Matthew Powell

PRESIDENT: Dr. Andrew Westmoreland

DIR. OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT/SCOUTING: David Good

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Martin Newton

SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD COACH: Duane Reboul SPORTS MEDICINE: Brad Montgomery

COLORS: Red & Blue TWITTER: @Samford_Sports, @SamfordMBB

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH: Jon Farris

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#23 CHRISTIAN GUESS

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UNCG

SPARTANS # 0

1 2 3 4 11 12 13 15 20

NAME PRONUNCIATIONS Keyshaun Langley Isaiah Miller A.J. McGinnis Kobe Langley Mohammed Abdulsalam Michael Hueitt Jr. HUGH-it Khyre Thompson KYE-ree Angelo Allegri uh-LEG-ree Dericko Williams Reggie Raynor

Arnas Adomavicius J.C. Tharrington Hayden Koval Ryan Tankelewicz TANK-uhl-witz Jarrett Hensley Bas Leyte Kaleb Hunter

22 24 25 30 32 33 44

POS. G G G G F G F F F G

HT. 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-9 6-3 6-6 6-7 6-8 6-5

WT. 175 190 180 180 255 185 200 215 220 205

YR. So. Sr. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. So. Fr.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL) High Point, N.C. (Southwest Guilford HS) Covington, Ga. (Newton HS) Hunstville, Ala. (Link Year Prep) High Point, N.C. (Southwest Guilford HS) Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria (Link Year Prep) Fayetteville, N.C. (Old Dominion / Northwood Temmple Academy) Kernersville, N.C. (Wesleyan Academy) Kansas City, Mo. (Link Year Prep) Kinston, N.C. (Winston-Salem Prep) Fayetteville, N.C. (Northwood Temple)

G G C G F F G

6-4 6-1 7-1 6-1 6-8 6-10 6-4

200 180 220 170 205 220 190

So. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. So. R-Jr.

Vilnius, Lithuania (Kaunas Jesuit Gymnasium) Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Christian) Prosper, Texas (Central Arkansas / Link Year Prep) Raleigh, N.C. (Middle Creek HS) Merriam, Kansas (Link Year Prep) Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands (New Hampton HS) Louisburg, N.C. (Neuse Christian)

QUICK FACTS:

HEAD COACH: Wes Miller (North Carolina, 2007) – 10th season ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH: Andre Gray (Methodist, 1998) – 3rd season ASSISTANT COACH: Chris Lepore (Belmont, 2014) – 7th season

LOCATION: Greensboro, N.C. FOUNDED: 1891

ASSISTANT COACH: Kyle Bankhead (Gonzaga, 2003) – 4th season

ENROLLMENT: 20,196

DIRECTOR OF OPS: Tom Tankelewicz (Western Carolina, 2014)

CHANCELLOR: Franklin D. Gilliam Jr.

DIR. OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT: Asad Lamont (UNCG, 2017)

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Kim Record

ATHLETIC TRAINER: Frank Garcia

COLORS: Navy Blue, Gold & White TWITTER: @uncgspartans, @UNCGBasketball

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#1 ISAIAH MILLER

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ATHLETICS WEBSITE

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DEFENDING CATAMOUNTS

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VMI

KEYDETS

#

NAME

PRONUNCIATIONS

HT.

WT.

0

Louis Tang

G

1

Tragen Fahl

TRAY-jen FALL

F

6-4

195

So.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan (St. Mary’s Ryken)

6-8

195

Sr.

Virginia Beach, Va. / Atlantic Shores Christian

2

Trey Bonham

BON-num

G

6-0

5

Greg Parham

PAR-uhm

G

6-4

170

Fr.

Mobile, Ala. / UMS-Wright

176

Sr.

Richmond, Va. / Monacan

10

Kamdyn Curfman

like Camden

G

11

Devin Butler

G

6-1

186

So.

North Bethesda, Md. / Georgetown Prep

6-2

195

Fr.

12

Ta’Vonne Bond

G

Ridgeland, S.C. / Ridgeland-Hardeeville

6-0

177

Sr.

14

Sam Wolfe

Columbia, S.C. / Irmo

F

6-8

214

So.

Charlotte, N.C. / United Faith

15

21

Myles Lewis

G

6-5

186

Sr.

Ashburn, Va. / Middleburg Academy (Victory Rock Prep)

Connor Arnold

F

6-7

206

Jr.

Knoxville, Tenn. / Beckley Prep (Grace Christian)

24

Tanner Mans

G

6-6

187

Fr.

Wichita, Kan. / Bishop Carroll

30

Sean Conway

G

6-5

215

So.

Fairfield, Conn. / Fairfield Warde/Cushing Academy

32

Caleb Moss

F

6-7

200

Fr.

Dillwyn, Va. / Fork Union Military Academy

34

Jake Stephens

C

6-10

266

Jr.

Bunker Hill, W.Va. / Musselman

42

DJ Nussbaum

C

6-9

230

Fr.

Houston, Texas / Episcopal

tuh-VON

POS.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)

QUICK FACTS:

HEAD COACH: Dan Earl (Penn State, 1997) – 6th season ASSISTANT COACH: Austin Kenon (VMI, 2011) – 4th season

LOCATION: Lexington, Va.

ASSISTANT COACH: Ander Galfsky (Birmingham-Southern, 2015) – 2nd season ASSISTANT COACH: Logan Dahms (Covenant College, 2011) – 2nd season DIRECTOR OF OPS: Tom Kiely (Seton Hall, 2018) ASSISTANT DIR. OF OPS: Andrew Weir (Erskine, 2020) ATHLETIC TRAINER: Lance M. Fujiwara

FOUNDED: 1839 ENROLLMENT: 1,700

SUPERINTENDENT: Brig. Gen. Robert W. Moreschi ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Dr. .David Diles COLORS: Red, Yellow, & White TWITTER: @VMIAthletics, @VMI_Basketball

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#5 GREG PARHAM

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ATHLETICS WEBSITE

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Allison Digital Network is the largest digital billboard network in Western North Carolina, Northeast Georgia and the Tri-Cities in Tennessee, offering clients access up to 22 Digital Billboards.

(828) 586-2737 AllisonOutdoor.com

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WOFFORD

TERRIERS

#

NAME

1

2

4

Isaiah Bigelow

5

15

PRONUNCIATIONS

POS.

YR.

HT.

WT.

Keaton Turner

G

Max Klesmit

KLEZ-mit

G

BIG-uh-low

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)

6-0

155

Fr.

6-3

180

Fr.

G

6-7

185

R-So.

Storm Murphy

G

6-0

180

Sr.

11

Ryan Larson

G

6-0

175

Jr.

St. Paul, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall HS)

12

Alex Michael

F

6-6

205

Jr.

Greensboro, N.C. (Greensboro Day School)

13

Morgan Safford

G

6-4

190

R-Fr.

14

Sam Godwin

F

6-9

210

Fr.

Hopewell, Va. (Dublin Coffman HS) Neenah, Wis. (Neenah HS) Greensboro, N.C. (Ben L. Smith HS) Middleton, Wis. (Middleton HS)

Columbus, Ohio (Bishop Harley HS) Moore, Okla. (Southmoore HS)

Austin Patterson

G

6-3

180

Fr.

Sonora, Calif. (Sonora HS)

20

David Appelgren

C

7-1

238

Jr.

Stockholm, Sweden (Laramie County CC)

APPLE-grin

21

Tray Hollowell

G

6-2

185

Sr.

Hopkinsville, Ky. (University Heights Academy)

22

Jonathan Steelman

G

6-3

170

So.

Aiken, S.C. (North Augusta HS)

23

Nick Pringle

F

6-8

200

Fr.

Seabrook, S.C. (Whale Branch HS)

24

Jackson Gore

G

6-3

180

Fr.

Blacksburg, S.C. (Blacksburg HS)

25

Messiah Jones

F

6-6

220

R-So.

33

B.J. Mack

F / C

6-8

250

So.

HEAD COACH: Jay McAuley (Georgia, 2006) - 2nd season

Chicago, Ill. (Simeon HS (Ill.)) Charlotte, N.C. (South Florida / Oak Hill)

QUICK FACTS:

ASSISTANT COACH: Dwight Perry (Kentucky, 2010) – 2nd season

LOCATION: Spartanburg, S.C.

ASSISTANT COACH: Paul Hemrick (Georgia, 2009) – 2nd season

FOUNDED: 1854

ASSISTANT COACH: Will Murphy (Wake Forest, 2013) – 4th season SPECIAL ASSISTANT: Adam Sweeney ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: A.J. Kerr ATHLETIC TRAINER: Alyss Hart

ENROLLMENT: 1,750 PRESIDENT: Dr. Nayef Samhat ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Richard Johnson COLORS: Old Gold & Black TWITTER: @WoffordTerriers, @WoffordMBB

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#5 STORM MURPHY

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ATHLETICS WEBSITE

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563 N COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE. CULLOWHEE, NC 28723 Catamount Men’s Basketball

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DR. KELLI R.

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, Interim 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 more than 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, Chancel-

lor 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.

high levels of teaching innovation.

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

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.

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.

Brown is originally from the Midwest, and she and her husband of more than 30 years, Dennis, live in Cullowhee.

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ALEX GARY WESTERN CAROLINA DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

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.

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.

Gary served as senior associate director of athletics and the department’s chief development officer at Oregon State since 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, 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

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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 upcoming wedding in August come 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

“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 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.

w 2020-21 CATAMOUNT BASKETBALL – DIGITAL GAME DAY PROGRAM w “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.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT ALEX GARY: “Alex has a unique and natural ability to connect with broad, diverse groups. He is authentic in developing relationships and is a gifted leader well beyond his years.”

- S. Scott Barnes, Vice President & Director of Athletics at Oregon State University “I vividly remember when Alex first met with me. He was eager to get into intercollegiate athletics and that hunger was obvious. He started in fundraising where he was a natural fit. His personality and his people skills along with his experience will greatly benefit Western Carolina. Congratulations to both Alex and the University.”

- Judy Rose, former Director of Athletics at Charlotte “Alex Gary is a perfect choice for Western Carolina University. Alex has built an incredible reputation as a leader in intercollegiate athletics; focused on serving others and stewarding institutions with the highest level of integrity. He will keep student-athletes and their experience at the forefront of every decision.

Under Alex’s leadership, Catamount students, coaches and staff will thrive.”

- Joe Parker, Director of Athletics at Colorado State University “I am very happy for Alex becoming the new Athletics Director at Western Carolina University because I know he loves WCU and he is a wonderful young man. I feel sorry for us in losing Alex to this opportunity.

Western Carolina is lucky to have him as AD. We will miss him greatly but we also want him to be happy.

Sometimes, we have to let go of outstanding colleagues because we care about their happiness and it is best for them.”

- Ed Ray, President of Oregon State University

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CATAMOUNT ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT STAFF MEMBERS

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Deputy AD / Chief Operating Officer

SWA / Associate AD for Student Success

Stacey Miller

Chad Gerrety Associate AD for External Affairs

Associate AD for Development & Ticketing

Ryan Jones

Daniel Hooker

Denise Gideon

Steven Grandy

Noah Sautter

Korey Hosch

Ashley Alletto

Michael Ceccarelli

Anthony Miele

Jeff Bewsey

Alex Gary

Director of Media Relations

April Bass

Kyle Pifer

Director of Media Relations

Kaleb May

Assistant Director of the Catamount Club

Assistant Director of the Catamount Club

Rory Jimerson

Mark Conlin

Director of Game Operations & Facilities

Director of Video Operations

Assistant Director of the Catamount Club

Eynde Frazier

Video Operations Assistant

Catamount Club Assistant

Trey Fisher

Director of Athletics Marketing

Anita Puerto

Assistant AD for Media Relations

Director of Corporate Sponsorship

Sametria Matthews

Ashley Buck

Athletics Business Officer

Blake Cantrell

Associate Director of the Catamount Club

Brigham Waginger

Assistant Director of Academic Support

Director of Student-Athlete Development & Alumni Engagement

Steven Honbarger

Rob Reyburn

Athletic Facilities & Grounds Assistant

Athletic Department Administrative Assistant

Kim Jamison

Sandy Neuenschwander

Nicole Bohannon

Alisha Grisby

Carley Stringer

Jackson Thompson

Midori Powell

Assistant Athletic Trainer

Ben Page

Director of Athletics Ticketing

Amanda Murchie

Assistant Director of Academic Support

Assistant Director of Game Operations & Facilities

Assistant Athletic Trainer

Director of Compliance

Director of Student-Athlete Academic Support Services

Director of Athletic Facilities

Assistant Athletic Trainer

Dan Gibson

Assistant Athletic Trainer

Administrative Assistant WCU Football Office

Athletic Training Intern

Director of Sports Medicine

Associate Head Athletic Trainer

Tyler Spain

Athletic Training Intern

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CATAMOUNT ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT COACHING & SUPPORT STAFF MEMBERS

Bobby Moranda Head Coach Baseball

Mitchell Hill

Director of Men's Basketball Operations

Arketa Banks

Andrew Cox

Jeff Lavin

Ben Betts

Tony Rack

Brett Ferguson

Volunteer Assistant Baseball

Head Coach Men’s Basketball

Matt Erps

Ashley Morgan Crowe

Kourtney Sandefur

Mark Speir

Head Coach Football

Assistant Head Coach / OC – Football

Assistant Coach / DC Football

Assistant Coach Football

Nick Newsome

Clyde Simmons

Reuben Wright Assistant Coach Football

Nick Mashburn

Director of Football Operations

Jim Clift

Madison Armstrong

Bret Beaver

Video Coordinator Men’s Basketball

Phillip Ely

Head Coach Cheerleading

Assistant Coach Cheerleading

Assistant Coach Football

Assistant Coach Football

Jay Guillermo

Graham Hobbs

Ryan Kolakowski

Tim Eckberg

Courtney Gunter

Chad Miller

Jesse Norman

David Johnston

Karen Glover

Head Coach Cross Country / Track & Field

Mark Prosser

Assistant Coach Baseball

Assistant Coach Football

Director of Scouting / Quality Control

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Head Assistant Coach Baseball

Head Coach Men’s Golf

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Catamount Men’s Basketball

Head Coach Women’s Golf

Head Coach Volleyball

Assistant Coach Football

Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Chelsi Carter

Assistant Coach Volleyball

Assistant Coach Football

Todd Herman

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

John Holt

Assistant Coach Football

Associate Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Head Coach Softball

Justin Browner

Chandler Baldwin

Assistant Director of Athletic Performance

Athletic Performance Assistant

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Andy McCollum

Assistant Coach Softball

Rachel Blevins

Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Keith Henry

Head Coach Women's Tennis

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Learn more at CatamountSports.com

CATAMOUNT ATHLETICS ANNOUNCES “WHEE ARE ONE” FUND

Fundraising initiative aimed at protecting student-athlete experience

Western Carolina Athletics and its fundraising arm, the Catamount Club, announced the formation of the “Whee Are One” Fund back on Sept. 25, 2020 to facilitate donations and raise funds to support areas of need for Catamount student-athletes above and beyond the current Catamount Club giving. The goal of the campaign is to ultimately protect the experience of WCU’s student-athletes and position WCU Athletics for success while continuing to navigate the financial ramifications of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

“From my time on campus as a student-athlete to the short period I’ve had the privilege of being athletics director here at Western Carolina, one thing remains constant – the resolve of Catamount Nation,” Gary wrote in a letter addressed to supporters back in mid-August. “Our fan base and supporters have always been here to support our efforts in WCU Athletics. As we continue to navigate this pandemic in a time of budgetary uncertainty for many of us, we need you now more than ever as we continue to strive to make Western Carolina University the best place to be a collegiate student-athlete.”

Donations to the Whee Are One Fund will help support critical areas of need for WCU’s student-athletes including scholarships, healthcare, nutrition, academic support, and both pandemic-related and overall operating expenses to ensure the positive studentathlete experience remains intact amidst the health crisis, Gary said.

“While there are always challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic has created global difficulties – and ones that have been extraordinarily disruptive for higher education and college athletics. The ‘Whee Are One’ Fund is a critical, and necessary, top priority, alongside our scholarship support,” said Ryan Jones, director of the Catamount Club.

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Through annual fund donations, the Catamount Club aims each year to support the $3 million bill for WCU student-athlete scholarships. This new campaign is intended to provide immediateuse funds towards expenditures associated with the cost to train, practice, and compete during the 2020-21 academic year while WCU Athletics faces changes caused by the current pandemic. With the anticipated financial realities associated with the displaced fall seasons and the effects that COVID-19 have on the department, reducing the impact of those shortfalls on WCU’s student-athletes is a top priority, Jones said.

In addition to contributions directly to the “Whee Are One” Fund, Catamount Nation can continue to give back financially to the campaign by also taking part in on-going initiatives such the Catamount Virtual 5K and Fun Run (Oct. 2-4) and upcoming fundraising activities such as the Whee Are One Online Auction.

Members of Catamount Nation can contribute to the Whee Are One Fund by contacting their representative within the Catamount Club office or by visiting go.wcu.edu/wheeareone. Those donating to the fund will be included in a specialized public recognition.

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Pre-Engineered Building Specialists – Furnish and Erection of Athletic, Retail, Commercial, Religious and Agricultural Steel Buildings.

Proud Sponsor of Catamount Athletics!

336-996-0500 | www.dws-structures.com

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CATAMOUNT MEN’S BASKETBALL DID YOU KNOW...?

• Western Carolina’s HENRY LOGAN – the program’s all-time leading scorer – helped break the color barrier in college basketball when he signed with WCU in 1964 becoming the first African-American collegiate athlete in the history of North Carolina and perhaps at any predominantly white institution in the southeastern United States ... Logan scored an astounding 3,290 points – an average of 30.7 points per game – during his WCU career and was a four-time NAIA All-America selection ... One of 11 in WCU’s initial Athletics Hall of Fame Class, Logan was also inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2000; • WCU gave birth to the 3-point shot in the NCAA as former Catamount RONNIE CARR buried the first 3-pointer in WCU’s 77-70 victory over Middle Tennessee State on Nov. 29, 1980 … the ball he used is on display at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. … The shot was made from the left corner with 16:09 left in the first half (7:06 pm) ... Carr, who is in the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame, actually took and missed a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the 18:15 mark of the first half; • WCU has three retired or honored numbers hanging from the rafters in the Ramsey Center – the No. 10 of the aforementioned HENRY LOGAN; the No. 15 of RONALD ROGERS, a three-time NAIA AllAmerican from 1951-53 and three-time, first-team North State Atlantic Conference pick; and the No. 20 of MEL GIBSON, a first-team NAIA All-American selection in 1963 who was a second-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Lakers; • WCU finished as the 1963 NAIA National Runner-Up under head coach Jim Gudger ... With a 28-7 overall record, WCU won the Carolina’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAC) tournament and the NAIA District title ... the Catamounts then rattled off wins on consecutive days over Eastern Montana, Miles, Lewis & Clark and Fort Hayes State before falling in the championship game to Texas Pan American; • In its only NCAA tournament appearance, the 1996 Catamounts led by WCU Hall of Famer ANQUELL McCOLLUM nearly pulled off the most improbable of upsets as the No. 16 seed fell by two, 73-71, to No. 1 seed Purdue in Albuquerque, N.M. ... the game was tied 71-71 with under three minutes to play with Purdue’s Brandon Brantley scoring the game’s final bucket with 1:30 showing on the clock at “The Pit” ... WCU had two looks at both a game-winning and a game-tying shot inside the closing seconds but both attempts missed; • WCU’s bid to play in the CollegeInsider.com Post-Season Tournament (CIT) following the 2009-10 season represented the Catamounts’ return to post-season play for the first time since 1996 ... WCU made its third post-season appearance all-time in 2015-16 when it traveld to Burlington, Vt., in the firstever meeting against the Vermont Catamounts in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI); • WCU’s most recent former player to play in the NBA is KEVIN MARTIN, who played for the Catamounts from 2001-04 ... Martin, a WCU Hall of Famer and the first-round pick of the Sacramento Kings in ‘04, was the FIRST Catamount to ever be selected in the first round of the NFL, NBA or MLB Draft.

HENRY LOGAN

RONNIE CARR

ANQUELL McCOLLUM

WCU ALL-TIME SCORING LEADERS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

3,290 2,020 1,996 1,838 1,818 1,793 1,777 1,680 1,628 1,589

Henry Logan Mel Gibson Trey Sumler Kevin Martin Ronald Rogers Greg Dennis Anquell McCollum Robert Gaines Greg Wittman Gene McConnell

1964-68 1959-63 2009-14 2001-04 1950-53 1978-82 1992-96 1989-93 1965-69 1966-70

WCU ALL-TIME REBOUND LEADERS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

1,354 1,281 1,208 857 796 781 771 756 700 699 699

Greg Wittman Tommy Lavelle Darrell Murray Kenny Trimier Gene McConnell Gaston Seal Bob Thompson Wilson Scott John Brintnall Marc Gosselin Dondrell Whitmore

1965-69 1960-64 1960-64 1979-83 1966-70 1959-63 1965-68 1970-73 1962-66 2015-19 1996-00

WCU ALL-TIME ASSIST LEADERS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

1037 647 557 530 520 501 496 475 463 398

Henry Logan Casey Rogers Larry Grant Kevin Young Lee Gibbs Vincent Walker Trey Sumler Larry Caldwell Joel Fleming Brigham Waginger

1964-68 1998-02 1969-73 1978-82 1973-76 1983-87 2009-14 1977-81 1994-98 2006-10

KEVIN MARTIN Catamount Men’s Basketball

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WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

LISTON B. RAMSEY REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTER

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Ramsey Center Quick Facts: DEDICATION: December 6, 1986 First Game / First Women’s Basketball Game: Western Carolina 65, Mars Hill 61 (12/4/86) First Men’s Basketball Game: N.C. State 96, Western Carolina 75 (12/6/86) First Men’s Basketball Win: Western Carolina 90, Tusculum 58 (1/5/87) 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

Top Men’s Basketball Attendances: 8,114 North Carolina State (12/6/86) 6,024 Appalachian State (2/06/10) 4,765 College of Charleston (1/25/10) 4,603 No. 16 Kansas (12/3/87) 4,577 Appalachian State (2/26/96) 4,343 Chattanooga (1/14/06) 4,217 Georgia Southern (2/10/07) 4,178 Davidson (1/24/13) 4,121 Appalachian State (2/28/04) 4,107 Appalachian State (1/28/02) Top Women’s Basketball Attendance: 2,178 - vs. Chattanooga (02/10/07) (02/10/07)

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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70 |

Catamount Men’s Basketball

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Catamount Men’s Basketball

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Catamount Men’s Basketball