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

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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INSIDE

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

KYLA ALLISON

WCU Women’s Basketball Roster....................................... 6

R-Junior w Guard w Orlando, Fla.

WCU Women’s Basketball Photo Roster............................ 8 Meet the Catamounts.................................................. 10-22 Kyla Allison / Zanoria Cruz............................................10 Mykaylyn Davis / Lauren LaPlant..................................12 Mia Littlejohn / Nadia Marshall.....................................14 Andrea Martin Ruiz / Audrey Meyers............................16 Tembre Moates / Joi Reid.............................................18 Sophia Singer / Alyssa Walker.....................................20 Grace Yocum............................................................... 22 WCU Head Coach Kiley Hill.........................................26-27 Western Carolina Assistants / Staff.............................28-30 Brooke Rhodes / Shyla Coleman................................. 28 Megan Brown / Amaura Brandt / Alisha Grisby...........30 Western Carolina 2020-21 WBK Schedule....................... 34 2020-21 Opponents: Mercer Bears................................ 36 2020-21 Opponents: Samford Bulldogs......................... 38 2020-21 Opponents: SC State Bulldogs......................... 40 2020-21 Opponents: UNCG Spartans............................ 42 2020-21 Opponents: Wofford Terriers........................... 44 Dr. Kelli R. Brown, WCU Chancellor.................................. 49 Alex Gary, WCU Athletics Director............................... 50-51 Western Carolina Athletics Staff....................................... 53 Western Carolina Coaching Staff..................................... 54 Catamount Women’s Basketball: DYK...?......................... 57 “Whee Are One” Campaign............................................ 58 The Ramsey Center..........................................................60

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 Denise Gideon and Steven Grandy.

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.

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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2020-21 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER

#

NAME

PRONUNCIATIONS

POS.

HT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)

uh-LISS-uh

G / F

5-11

So.

Maryville, Tenn. (William Blount HS)

muh-KAY-lynn

G

5-8

Fr.

KIE-luh

G

6-0

R-Jr.

Orlando, Fla. (Middle Tennessee / Wekiva HS)

00

Alyssa Walker

2

Mykaylyn Davis

3

Kyla Allison

4

Lauren LaPlant

5

Mia Littlejohn

11

Sophia Singer

G

12

Joi Reid

JOY

G

13

Zanoria Cruz

zuh-NORE-E-yuh

G / F

5-10

Fr.

Orlando, Fla. (Lake Highland Preparatory School)

on-DRAY-uh rue-EASE

G

5-6

So.

Granada, Spain (La Presentacion de Nuestra Senora)

Riverview, Fla. (Seffner Christian Academy)

luh-PLANT

G

5-7

R-Sr.

Asheboro, N.C. (Southwest Randolph HS)

MEE-yuh

G

5-6

So.

Shelby, N.C. (Shelby HS)

6-0

Fr.

Woodstock, Ga. (Woodstock HS)

6-0

Fr.

Ellenwood, Ga. (Forest Park HS)

20

Andrea Martin Ruiz

22

Nadia Marshall

G / F

5-9

So.

Bainbridge, Ga. (Gulf Coast State / Bainbridge HS)

Audrey Meyers

G / F

6-0

Fr.

Columbia, S.C. (Cardinal Newman HS)

33

Tembre Moates

TIMBER

G / F

6-0

R-Sr.

34

Grace Yocum

YO-come

F

6-4

Jr.

31

HEAD COACH: Kiley Hill (Arkansas Tech, 1995) – 2nd season ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH: Brooke Rhodes (Southern Miss, 2014) ASSISTANT COACH: Syla Coleman (Southern Wesleyan, 2015) ASSISTANT COACH: Megan Brown (Southern Miss, 2017) DIRECTOR OF OPS: Amaura Brandt (Limestone, 2017) ATHLETIC TRAINER: Alisha Grisby (Central Oklahoma, 2014) ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: Rachel Blevins (Southern Nazarene, 2016)

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

Greenwood, S.C.. (Greenwood HS) Frankfort, Ky. (Vincennes Univ. / Frankfort HS)

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, @CatamountWBB

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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2020-21 CATAMOUNTS – WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

00

2

Alyssa WALKER GUARD / FORWARD

5

Mykaylyn DAVIS GUARD

11 Mia LITTLEJOHN GUARD

20

34 Grace YOCUM FORWARD Catamount Women’s Basketball

Nadia MARSHALL GUARD / FORWARD

4 Kyla ALLISON GUARD

12

Sophia SINGER GUARD

22

Andrea MARTIN RUIZ GUARD

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3

Lauren LaPLANT GUARD

13 Joi REID GUARD

31 Audrey MEYERS GUARD / FORWARD

Zanoria CRUZ GUARD / FORWARD

33 Tembre MOATES GUARD / FORWARD

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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3 ALLISON KYLA

Guard w R-Junior Orlando, Fla. WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT KYLA ALLISON: “The greatest attribute or mark of toughness is consistency.

Kyla is a difference-maker when it comes to consistency both on and off the floor. She has sacrificed in so many areas to get the chance to play this year and we truly want her to be rewarded for her efforts. Her intentional courage to keep moving forward and opening her heart to all around her has been an incredible to view. People are going to enjoy getting to know her more and watching her play.”

13 CRUZ ZANORIA

Guard w Freshman Orlando, Fla. WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT ZANORIA CRUZ: “Zo is a ‘steady Eddie.’ Her versatility and high basketball IQ are amazing in so many regards. She has an amazing feel for the game and work ethic that is out of this world. We are so fortunate to have her part of the women’s basketball program as a person and player. She is a difference maker with her heart, mind, and soul.”

Catamount Women’s Basketball

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

2 DAVIS MYKAYLYN

Guard w Freshman Riverview, Fla. WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT MYKAYLYN DAVIS: “KK has some tools with her athleticism and speed. She is in that sponge-mode of learning as she has entered her freshmen year in college. As KK learns to how to match her speed with intentional purpose her growth will be on a roller coaster going up! There will be some bumps, but we believe she will battle through adversity to reach success.”

4 LaPLANT LAUREN

Guard w R-Senior Asheboro, N.C. WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT LAUREN LaPLANT: “Lauren is very intentional in her work habits and growth.

We are so thankful she chose to come back for her final year of eligibility. She is a process driven person who refuses to settle. I’m so proud of her steady level of maturity and IQ on and off the floor. These attributes are “North Stars” for our young kids. It will not be long before we call her Dr. LaPlant!”

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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5 LITTLEJOHN MIA

Guard w Sophomore Shelby, N.C.

Catamount Women’s Basketball

WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT MIA LITTLEJOHN: “L’Mia is back to help this team grown internally. She is still learning key parts of the game but her willingness to help others succeed is amazing.“

22 MARSHALL NADIA

Guard/Forward w R-Sophomore Bainbridge, Ga. WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT NADIA MARSHALL: “Nadia is a simple joy to be around. Her consistent attitude of ‘We not Me’ is a driving force behind her success. We are so excited to see her growth as she returns to the floor after an injury that sidelined her last year in junior college. Nadia has some special gifts and her willingness to share them is contagious!”

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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20 MARTIN RUIZ ANDREA

Guard w Sophomore Granada, Spain

Catamount Women’s Basketball

WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT ANDREA MARTIN RUIZ: “We are really anxious to see the exponential growth we expect from Andrea this season. As her ability grows in various levels of the game, our team will do nothing but improve. She is a quick and critical thinker who is only a sophomore. We saw glimpses of how well she can play late into last season as her confidence grew.”

31 MEYERS AUDREY

Forward w Freshman Columbia, S.C. WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT AUDREY MEYERS: “The ‘ENERGIZER BUNNY’ – Audrey’s work ethic is second to none. Her competitive grit, love for her teammates, and joy playing is on display every day. She is a ‘glue player’ that has incredible tact with her communication skills and an innate understanding of leadership principles.”

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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33 MOATES TEMBRE

Guard/Forward w R-Senior Greenwood, S.C. WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT TEMBRE MOATES: “We love ourselves some Tembre Moates! As like Lauren LaPlant, we are so thankful she has chosen to return and use her final season of eligibility. Her ability to hold others and herself accountable from every facet of program – weights, skill workout, to off the court responsibility has been impressive. Her passion for working hard and sharing that passion is and will continue to be contagious.”

Catamount Women’s Basketball

12 REID JOI

Guard w Freshman Ellenwood, Ga. WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT JOI REID: “She a driven gym rat. Joi exudes energy, verbal communication and positive encouragement and is just a freshmen. A highly emotionally grounded person that is a joy to be around and on and off the floor. She will do great things in the days ahead as a Catamount.”

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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MEET THE 2020-21 CATAMOUNTS

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11 SINGER SOPHIA

Guard w Freshman Woodstock, Ga. WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT SOPHIA SINGER: “As Sophia still is working to get back on the floor due to an injury during high school, she has had some peaks and valleys to grow through. We feel she will continue to move forward with progress as she learns more about her limits that are very few.”

00 WALKER ALYSSA

Guard/Forward w Sophomore Maryville, Tenn.

WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT ALYSSA WALKER: “Alyssa was able to earn some great minutes in her freshmen campaign. We were so pleased with her ability to do a ton of the ‘blue collar’ work on the floor. Her gift of picking things up quickly will help in making another exciting jump into her sophomore season.”

Catamount Women’s Basketball

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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MEET THE CATS

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34 YOCUM GRACE

Forward w Junior Frankfort, Ky. WHAT KILEY HILL IS SAYING ABOUT GRACE YOCUM: “Grace is still learning the collegiate game and more importantly she is WANTING to learn the game. If we can keep her healthy, her potential with her space-eating length is tremendous. We are really excited to see her growth over this next year.”

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

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

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KILEY

HILL

@CoachKileyHill

Head Coach – Arkansas Tech, 1995 On the surface, Western Carolina head women’s basketball coach Kiley Hill ended his first season at the helm in 2019-20 with many could deem a disappointing campaign – but the wins and losses can’t account for the strides made and some of the program records the Catamounts had in his first season in Cullowhee.

Under Hill’s tutelage, the Catamounts won five games – one more then the team had in both of the previous two seasons. Western Carolina also won two Southern Conference games, one on the road and one at home – the most by WCU since the 2016-17 season.

Both SoCon victories hammered home the proof of progress for a program that had struggled for over 10 years. Hill’s coaching of the team saw WCU defeat perennial power in the conference Mercer for the first time in the team’s previous 17 meetings.

Another streak was broken a few weeks later when the Catamounts knocked off Chattanooga on the road, defeating the Mocs on their home court for the first time since 2009 and ending a 21-game losing skid.

Player development was also on Hill’s agenda in his first season in Cullowhee – and it paid off ten-fold. Sophomore guard Jewel Smalls was named SoCon Player of the Week twice, SoCon Player of the Month for November and SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week in 2019-20. Lauren LaPlant was also named Student-Athlete of the Week. End of season accolades included SoCon All-Freshman team honors for Andrea Martin Ruiz and Alyssa Walker along with Smalls earning SoCon All-Conference third team by the media.

It wasn’t just honor’s for Catamount players under Hill, the team and individuals made strides as well. LaPlant broke the program record for most three-pointers in a season-ending with 80. The team also broke the program record for most threepointers on the year concluding the year with 215.

in collegiate women’s basketball including 17 seasons as a head coach, Hill came to Western Carolina after spending three seasons as the associate head coach at Conference USA-member, Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Miss. His experience also includes a successful 16-year stint as the head coach at Valdosta State in Georgia, and a four-year term at West Alabama in Livingston, Ala. – one as head coach preceded by three as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

As the associate head coach at Southern Miss, Hill helped the team amass a record of 56-40 including a 23-11 tally in the 2016-17 season that finished with a return to the Conference USA championship game. Hill’s experience helped an undersized squad, nicknamed the “Feisty Bunch,” rank 11th nationally for total steals (370) and finish No. 20 in steals per game (10.9).

In the 2017-18 season with the Eagles, Hill helped 10 players surpass their career-highs in season points. Jayla King joined the 1,000-point club with 1,023 points, and Shonte Hailes led C-USA in assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.4, while also leading the conference in 3-point field goal percentage at 45.2%.

This past season, 2018-19, Hill and the Eagles strung together a record of 18-14, reaching the second round of the Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI) postseason tournament before being edged by North Alabama 69-65. The Eagles had an All-Conference USA selection as the team ranked third in the conference in scoring defense limiting opponents to an average of 59.1 points per game while also ranking second in steals (8.9).

Hill came to Southern Miss following a 16-year stint as head women’s basketball coach at Valdosta State where he compiled a 279-177 record. He established himself as one of the top NCAA Division

II coaches in the nation and was recognized as the 2012 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) South Region Coach of the Year. He stacked that on top of being named the Gulf South Conference (GSC) East Division’s Coach of the Decade. During his time at Valdosta, Hill garnered the GSC East Coach of the Year twice.

Hill advanced to postseason play 14 times during his tenure at VSU. Ten of his 16 teams ranked in the Top-10 or no lower than 25th in the nation in team defense. He had six teams finish in the top two in the Gulf South Conference Eastern Division and collectively, averaged 19 wins over his last 10 seasons.

During his tenure, Hill coached three AllAmericans, two GSC All-Decade team selections, a GSC Female Athlete of the Year and 22 of his players earned all-conference plaudits. Not only did his teams perform well on the court, but off the court as well as his teams produced 28 academic all-conference accolades and were twice named to a WBCA Academic Honor Roll while boasting a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Hill joined the VSU staff in 2000 after a year as the head coach at the University of West Alabama that was preceded by three seasons as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. While on the bench at UWA from 1996-2000, Hill helped orchestrate the program’s first 20-win season since 1982 and produced four all-conference performers and six all-academic conference selection.

A four-year letter winner on the baseball diamond and a 1995 graduate of Arkansas Tech in Russellville, Ark., Hill got his start in collegiate coaching at his alma mater as a graduate assistant.

Hill is married to the former Molly Longing and the couple has two children; Whitley and Skyler.

Three different Catamounts saw scoring increases under Hill: LaPlant (361 – 12 points per game); Tembre Moates (245 – 8.2 points per game) and Smalls (379 – 12.6 points per game). Smalls also had 11 double-doubles – the most based on recorded records and ended the year with 286 rebounds – ranked fourth in the WCU record books.

Hill was named head women’s basketball coach at Western Carolina University on July 8, 2019. A veteran coach with more than 25 years’ experience Catamount Women’s Basketball

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BROOKE

RHODES

@brhodes023

Associate Head Coach – Southern Miss, 2014 Brooke Rhodes was appointed Associate Head Coach for the Western Carolina women’s basketball team in May 2020.

Prior to Western Carolina, Rhodes spent two seasons in Clinton, S.C., at Presbyterian College. In the summer of 2019, she was promoted to associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for the Blue Hose. In the following 201920 season, Rhodes also oversaw the addition of seven impactful newcomers which equated to an all-freshman selection for Blue Hose Tionna Carter.

Presbyterian won its first-round game of the Big South Tournament before the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before Presbyterian, Rhodes spent two seasons on the bench at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Miss., where she helped coach the Bobcats to a 56-6 (.903) record over that span. The team won back-to-back Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) State Championships as well as back-to-back National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Championships.

In 2016, the Bobcats made their first-ever National Tournament appearance and advanced to the Elite Eight. In 2017, the team returned to the tournament and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. During her tenure, Rhodes was selected to coach in the 2017 NJCAA All-Star Game as well as the 2018 MACJC Sophomore All-Star Game.

Prior to her time at JCJC, Rhodes was at Central Arkansas for a season where she helped guide the Bears to an overall record of 28-3, a Southland Conference tournament championship and the program’s first D-I NCAA Tournament berth. That year, UCA set program records for regular-season wins (28) and Southland Conference victories (16) while going undefeated on the road in conference play for the first time in program history.

Originally from Pelahatchie, Miss., Rhodes had a successful playing career at both Southern Mississippi and Delta State where her teams went a combined 96-32 (.744). A team captain on a 25-win, WNIT Elite Eight team at Southern Miss in 2014-15, Rhodes finished the season ranked second in the Conference USA and among the national Top-40 in 3-point FG%.

A prolific shooter throughout her career, Rhodes – a Daktronics All-South Region selection in 2012 – finished her time in uniform with averages of 36.7 percent from 3-point range and 81.3 percent at the free-throw line. In high school, she was a Dandy Dozen selection and a two-time statewide Player of the Year at East Rankin.

Rhodes earned her undergraduate degree in biological sciences with a chemistry minor from Southern Miss in 2014. She also completed a master’s at USM in sports coaching education in 2016.

SHYLA

COLEMAN

@CoachShyColeman

Assistant Coach – Southern Wesleyan, 2015 Shyla Coleman made the transition to assistant coach in late July, 2019 after coming on board as the Director of Basketball Operations for Western Carolina women’s basketball in June 2019.

She spent the 2019-20 season assisting first-year head coach Kiley Hill lead the Catamounts in moving the team in a new direction.

Coleman spent two seasons as a graduate assistant for Clemson women’s basketball. She graduates in August 2019 with a Master’s Degree in Athletic Leadership.

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Catamount Women’s Basketball

While a graduate assistant for the Tigers, Coleman coordinated recruiting visits, assisted in social media posts, organized team meals and assisted with travel plans. She also assisted the coaching staff in travel plans for recruiting, oversaw the team’s managers and assisted with team camp planning and organization.

Prior to pursuing her master’s degree and graduate assistant responsibilities at Clemson, Coleman was a four-year women’s basketball player at Southern Wesleyan University receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2015.

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MEGAN

BROWN

@coachmeganbrown

Assistant Coach – Southern Miss, 2017 Megan Brown joined the Catamount women’s basketball staff as the Director of Basketball Operations before moving into the role of Assistant Coach in the fall of 2019 prior to the start of the 2019-20 season.

Brown played basketball at University Southern Mississippi where current Western Carolina head coach Kiley Hill was the Associate Head Coach. She completed her eligibility as a fifth-year senior working on her postgraduate degree in kinesiology after earning her bachelor’s degree in communications in 2017.

She played four years for the Lady Eagles at Southern Miss, ending her career with the third-longest consecutive starts streak for the team at 96 games in a row. She eclipsed 1,000 career points on a senior day making her the 27th member of the Southern Miss women’s basketball 1,000-point club, finishing her career ranked 24th in the 1,000-point club with 1,030 points.

A decorated student-athlete in the classroom, Brown was a four-time recipient of the Conference USA Commissioner’s Medal, named to the Conference USA Honor Roll four times and was thrice named to the Dean’s List.

AMAURA

BRANDT Director of Basketball Operations – Limestone 2017 Amaura Brandt came to Western Carolina in November 2019 to take over the duties of Director of Basketball Operations for the Catamount women’s basketball program and assisted with coaching duties through April 2020.

Brandt oversees all travel arrangements for Catamount women’s basketball and also handles many of the organizational duties for the team.

She earned a Master of Liberal Studies degree at Southern Methodist University where she played her senior basketball season.

Prior to pursuing her master’s degree, Brandt finished her Bachelor of Science degree playing a season at Limestone College (30-1) earning a regular season Conference Championship and winning the Conference Tournament while leading the nation in Division II with the highest 3-point field goal percentage.

Brandt began her college career at the University of South Carolina-Aiken where she played two seasons under her father, head coach Mike Brandt.

ALISHA

GRISBY Assistant Athletic Trainer – Central Oklahoma, 2014 Alisha Grisby came to Western Carolina as an Assistant Athletic Trainer in September of 2019 where she works with the women’s basketball team and is also one of the insurance coordinators.

Prior to coming to WCU, Grisby spent a year at the University of Kansas under an Athletic Trainer Assistantship, working primarily with the women’s rowing team. She also worked as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Rockwall Heath High School overseeing 24 athletic teams.

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Grisby earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Central Oklahoma. She received her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology: Exercise Fitness Management in 2014. She also received her Masters of Science in Athletic Training in 2016. While at UCO, she worked as a Graduate Athletic Training Student for football, volleyball, and men’s basketball.

Grisby is also a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the College Athletic Trainers’ Society, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

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DEFENDING CATAMOUNTS

Catamount Women’s Basketball

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

2020-21 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DAY DATE

OPPONENT

LOCATION

TIME

Wed. Nov. 25

at UNC Asheville

Asheville, N.C.

1 pm

Sun. Nov. 29

at Duke

Durham, N.C.

2 pm

Sat. Dec. 5

ELON

CULLOWHEE

2 PM

Wed. Dec. 9

NEWBERRY

CULLOWHEE

2 PM

Sun. Dec. 13

at Charleston Southern

Charleston, S.C.

3 pm

Wed. Dec. 16

at Tennessee Tech

Cookeville, Tenn.

7 pm

Sun. Dec. 20

at Georgia State

Atlanta, Ga.

Noon

Mon. Dec. 21

vs. Georgia Southern

Atlanta, Ga.

1 pm

Wed. Jan. 6

PIEDMONT

CULLOWHEE

4 PM

Sun. Jan. 10

at UNCG *

Greensboro, N.C.

2 pm

Thurs. Jan. 14

SAMFORD *

CULLOWHEE

6 PM

Sat. Jan. 16

SAMFORD *

CULLOWHEE

2 PM

Thurs. Jan. 21

WOFFORD *

CULLOWHEE

6 PM

Sat. Jan. 23

WOFFORD *

CULLOWHEE

2 PM

Fri. Jan. 29

at ETSU *

Johnson City, Tenn.

7 pm

Sun.

at ETSU *

Johnson City, Tenn.

2 pm

Thurs. Feb. 4

Jan. 31

MERCER *

CULLOWHEE

6 PM

Sat. Feb. 6

MERCER *

CULLOWHEE

2 PM

Thurs. Feb. 11

at Chattanooga *

Chattanooga, Tenn.

7 pm

Sat. Feb. 13

at Chattanooga *

Chattanooga, Tenn.

5 pm

Fri. Feb. 19

at Furman *

Greenville, S.C.

7 pm

Sun. Feb. 21

at Furman *

Greenville, S.C.

2 pm

THURS. FEB. 25

UNCG *

CULLOWHEE

6 PM

Thurs. March 4

SoCon Quarterfinals

Asheville, N.C.

TBA

Fri. March 5

SoCon Semifinals

Asheville, N.C.

TBA

Sun. March 7

SoCon Championship

Asheville, N.C.

TBA

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

* denotes SoCon game – All times listed are EASTERN

SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

VISIT SOCONSPORTS.COM FOR MORE 34 |

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MERCER UNIVERSITY

BEARS

#

NAME

0

1

POS.

HT.

YR.

Jill Harris

G

5-9

So.

Navarre, Fla. (Crestview HS)

Amoria Neal-Tysor

G

5-6

Jr.

Sanford, N.C. (Lee Senior HS)

2

Sydneey Boykin

G

5-8

Fr.

Clarksville, Tenn. (Clarksville Academy)

4

Cierra Scott

G / F

5-9

Jr.

Louisville, Ky. (Sacred Heart Academy)

5

Emily Stradling

G

5-10

Jr.

11

Kiana Barkhoff

F

6-3

R-Jr.

Kitzingen, Germany (Arizona / Palm Harbor HS)

13

Jada Lewis

G

5-7

R-Sr.

Powder Springs, Ga. (Georgia State / McEachern HS)

20

Sierra Votaw

F

6-2

R-Jr.

Harrells, N.C. (Eastern Florida State / Harrells Christian HS)

Shannon Titus

21

PRONUNCIATIONS

see-AIR-uh

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)

Cardiff, Wales (St. David’s Catholic)

G / F

6-0

Sr.

Johns Creek, Ga. (Northview HS)

e-LIE-zuh

G

5-10

Fr.

Alpharetta, Ga. (Lakeview Academy)

JAIR-in DOOR-it-tee

F

6-0

Jr.

Buford, Ga. (Collins Hill HS)

Naomi Van Nes

C

6-6

R-Sr.

Allie Thayne

F

6-2

Jr.

22

Eliza Snyder

32

Jaron Dougherty

34 44

Dorchester, England (North Carolina / Hamden Hall Country Day) Pocatello, Idaho (Coll. of Southern Idaho / Highland HS)

HEAD COACH: Susie Gardner (Georgia, 1986, ‘88) – 11th season ASSISTANT COACH: Ben Wierzba (SIU Edwardsville, 2000) ASSISTANT COACH: Kaitlyn Cresencia (Connecticut College, 2015) ASSISTANT COACH: Sydni Means (Mercer, 2017) DIRECTOR OF OPS: Bryce Dillard GRADUATE MANAGER: Cy Lippold GRADUATE MANAGER: Ali Trani

QUICK FACTS: LOCATION: Macon, Ga. FOUNDED: 1833 ENROLLMENT: 9,000 PRESIDENT: Dr. William Underwood ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Jim Cole COLORS: Orange & Black TWITTER: @MercerBears, @Mercer_WBB

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#21 SHANNON TITUS

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SAMFORD

BULLDOGS

#

NAME

PRONUNCIATIONS

POS.

HT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)

3

Shauntai Battle

SHAWN-tay

G / F

5-9

Sr.

Mobile, Ala. (McGill-Toolen Catholic)

4

Audra Leipold

AW-dra LEE-a-pold

G

5-8

R-So.

11

Andrea Cournoyer

core-NOY-er

G

5-4

Jr.

Merryville, La. (Lousiana-Lafayette / Merryville HS)

12

Mallory Hampton

G

5-4

Fr.

Evensville, Tenn. (Rhea County HS)

14

Annie Ramil

rim-MEAL

F

6-0

Jr.

Binghamton, N.Y. (Binghampton Univ. / Binghampton HS)

15

Jaden Langford

JAY-den

G

5-8

Fr.

Madison, Ala. (Madison Academy)

Seffner, Fla. (Seffner Christian HS)

21

Katie Allen

G

5-11

R-Sr.

22

Raven Omar

G

5-3

Sr.

Albertville, Ala. (Albertville HS)

23

Kathleen Wheeler

F

5-10

R-Fr.

25

Katie Jones

G

5-10

Fr.

32

Kiersten Nelson

KEER-stin

F

6-1

F

New Orleans, La. (Ursuline Academy)

33

Makaila Woolard

muh-KAY-luh

F

6-0

Sr.

Dandridge, Tenn. (Jefferson County HS)

45

Natalie Armstrong

C

6-2

Sr.

Norcross, Ga. (Wesleyan HS)

Pinson, Ala. (Clay-Chalkville HS) Priceville, Ala. (Priceville HS) Decatur, Ala. (Decatur Heritage HS)

HEAD COACH: Carley Kuhns (Valdosta State, 2008) – 2nd season

QUICK FACTS:

ASSISTANT COACH: Jon Bollier (Piedmont College Athens, 2009)

LOCATION: Birmingham, Ala.

ASSISTANT COACH: Sally Higgins (West Texas A&M, 2014) ASSISTANT COACH: Chandler Merkerson (North Florida, 2014)

FOUNDED: 1841 ENROLLMENT: 5,624

STUDENT ASSISTANT: Sarah Myers

PRESIDENT: Dr. Andrew Westmoreland

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Martin Newton

COLORS: Red & Blue

TWITTER: @Samford_Sports, @SamfordWBB

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#45 NATALIE ARMSTRONG

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SOUTH CAROLINA STATE

BULLDOGS

#

NAME

PRONUNCIATIONS

POS.

HT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)

1

Jacquece Alston

JACK-kweese

G

5-6

Sr.

Atlanta, Ga. (Savannah State / Langston Hughes HS)

2

Nadia Reese

G

5-5

Fr.

Gordon, Ga. (Stratford Academy)

3

Heniaya Moton

G

5-7

Sr.

Washington, D.C. (Savannah State / Friendship Christian Academy)

4

Dejah Williford

F

6-1

Jr.

Hopkins, S.C. (George Mason / Lower Richland HS)

10

Somer Wilson

G

5-10

Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Legion Collegiate Academy)

12

Jayah Hicks

F

5-11

So.

Wayne, Mich. (Wayne Memorial HS)

14

Kierra Cox

G

5-3

So.

Denver, Colo. (Alabama A&M / Vista Peak HS)

15

Shania Wright

F

5-11

Jr.

Clinton, Miss. (Pear River CC / Clinton HS)

20

Jaida Ford

G

5-4

R-So.

Dominique Banks

F

6-3

Sr.

22

Amiah Lindsay

F

6-1

So.

Fort Mill, S.C. (Nations Ford HS)

24

Trinity Klock

F

5-11

Fr.

Silver Springs, Md. (Paint Branch HS)

21

like Summer

JAY-dah uh-MY-ah

HEAD COACH: Audra Smith (Virginia, 1992) – 3rd season ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH: Ervin Monier ASSISTANT COACH: Akian Stanton VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH: Equayia Smith

Baltimore, Md. (Baltimore City College) Atlanta, Ga. (Ole Miss / Gulf Coast State / Maynard Jackson HS)

QUICK FACTS: LOCATION: Orangeburg, S.C. FOUNDED: 1896 ENROLLMENT: 3,000

PRESIDENT: James E. Clark

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Stacy Danley

COLORS: Garnet & Blue

TWITTER: @SCStateAthletic, @ScstateWBB

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#22 AMIAH LINDSAY

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UNCG

SPARTANS

#

NAME

0

1

POS.

HT.

Jayla Johnson

G

Tori Powell

G

5

Jordan Releford

G

10

Rhianna Council

G

11

Excellanxt Greer

G

12

CeCe Crudup

G

14

Aja Boyd

15

Khalis Cain

20

Amber Redmond

Chatori Tyler

21

PRONUNCIATIONS

like Excellent

22

Lilian Izundu

24

Jaylynn Brown

iz-ZUN-doo

33

Pernilla Sörensen

45

Jay’Lin Hastings

SORE-en-suhn

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)

5-8

So.

Cocoa, Fla. (Florida Prep Academy)

5-7

R-Sr.

Durham, N.C. (Providence Day)

5-5

R-Fr.

Decatur, Ga. (Collins Hill HS)

5-11

R-Sr.

Durham, N.C. (Northern HS)

5-6

So.

Charlotte, N.C. (Zebulon B. Vance HS)

5-8

Sr.

Richmond, Va. (Highland Springs HS)

F / G

6-2

R-Sr.

F

6-3

Fr.

G

5-8

So.

Asheville, N.C. (Asheville HS)

G

5-9

Jr.

Summit, Ill. (Moberly Area CC / Argo HS)

Petersburg, Va. (LIU Brooklyln / Appomatox Regional Governor’s School) Durham, N.C. (Mt. Zion Christian)

C

6-3

R-Jr.

G

5-8

Jr.

Jeffersonville, Ind. (Lincoln Trail College / Jeffersonville HS)

Onitsha, Anambra, Nigeria (Forest Trail Academy)

G / F

6-0

Sr.

Taby, Sweden (Broward College)

F

6-1

Fr.

Deland, Fla. (Deland HS)

HEAD COACH: Trina Patterson (Virginia, 1987) – 5th season ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH: Cetera Degraffenreid (North Carolina, 2011) ASSISTANT COACH: Ido Singer (Capella) ASSISTANT COACH: Alex Miller (North Carolina, 2009)

QUICK FACTS: LOCATION: Greensboro, N.C. FOUNDED: 1891 ENROLLMENT: 20,196

DIRECTOR OF OPS: Ariel Caraway (McNeese, 2010)

CHANCELLOR: Franklin D. Gilliam Jr.

GRADUATE ASSISTANT: Cameron Gooding

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Kim Record

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER: Lauren Griffin ASSISTANT STRENGH & CONDITIONING: Kelly Self

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

STUDENT MANAGER: Kianna Funderburk

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#14 CECE CRUDUP

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WOFFORD

TERRIERS

#

NAME

0

Ja’Rae Smith

1

Annabelle Schultz

2

Niyah Lutz

5

Helen Matthews

11

MaryMartha Turner

12

Jamari McDavid

PRONUNCIATIONS

POS.

HT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)

juh-RAY

G

5-6

Fr.

Piedmont, S.C. (Woodmont HS)

G

5-7

Fr.

Asheville, N.C. (Erwin HS)

NAH-yah LOOTS

G

5-8

Jr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Ardrey Kell HS)

G

5-10

Fr.

Kaiapoi, New Zealand (Kaiapoi HS)

F

6-1

Jr.

Atlanta, Ga. (Greater Atlanta Christian)

juh-MARR-ee

F

5-10

Sr.

Springfield, Ohio (Kenton Ridge HS)

14

Lilly Hatton

F

6-1

So.

Georgetown, Ind. (North Harrison HS)

20

Elena Pulanco

G

5-2

Jr.

Englewood, N.J. (Academy of the Holy Angels)

21

Alexis Tomlin

F

6-1

Jr.

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

23

Lawren Cook

F

6-0

Jr.

Greenville, S.C. (Christ Church Episcopal School)

30

Jackie Carman

G

5-8

Jr.

Twinsburg, Ohio (Hathaway Brown HS)

32

Alea Harris

G

5-9

Jr.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Summit Country Day)

40

Abbey Crawford

F

6-1

Fr.

Blountville, Tenn. (Sullivan Central HS)

HEAD COACH: Jimmy Garrity (Elon, 1989 & St. Thomas (1990) – 5th year ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH: Mike Merrill (UNC Wilmington, 2007) ASSISTANT COACH: Trent Bunn (North Carolina, 2001) ASSISTANT COACH: Amanda Parris (Anderson, 2014) ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: A.J. Kerr

QUICK FACTS: LOCATION: Spartanburg, S.C. FOUNDED: 1854 ENROLLMENT: 1,773 PRESIDENT: Dr. Nayef Samhat

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Richard Johnson

COLORS: Old Gold & Black

TWITTER: @WoffordTerriers, @Wofford_WBB

SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2020-21 STATISTICS

#2 NIYAH LUTZ

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

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563 N COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE. CULLOWHEE, NC 28723 48 |

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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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Taylor Sandefur

Head Assistant Coach Baseball

Head Coach Men’s Golf

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Catamount Women’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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CATAMOUNT WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DID YOU KNOW...?

• JAYNE ARLEDGE was the first female student-athlete to receive athletic grant-in aid at Western Carolina University in 1976 and was later the first female student-athlete to have her jersey retired in school history ... In 1992, Arledge was inducted into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame ... Prior to the 2012-13 season, the WCU women’s basketball staff sent a request to Arledge to allow Erika Joseph to wear the otherwise retired jersey ... Arledge whole-heartedly agreed and Joseph wore the honored No. 25 through her four-year career ... Arledge coached at North Greenville University for 36 years ... Remaining on-staff as the Senior Woman Administrator, she was inducted into the Crusaders’ Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019; • BRENDA JOHNSON (1974-77) was the first African-American women’s basketball player at WCU, finishing as the program’s all-time leading rebounder – and only player to eclipse the 1,000 rebounds plateau ... Johnson also ranks ninth in scoring; • Western Carolina’s JAYNE ARLEDGE is the program’s all-time leading scorer, finishing with 1,928 career points, averaging 21.7 points per game over four seasons ... Arledge scored 30 points five times and owns 11 Western Carolina game, season and career records ... Arledge led the Catamounts to fourconsecutive winning seasons and was twice named All-State; • Western Carolina’s 1969 women’s basketball team made history on March 22 as the first team to compete in the Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (CIAW) Championship, facing West Chester State (Pa.) in the title game, falling 65-39 ... Coached by BETTY WESTMORELAND, the team finished its fourth season with a 14-3 record, losing only to UNC Greensboro twice and West Chester in the final game ... the 1969 Catamount women’s basketball team was inducted into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003; • WCU won its first Southern Conference tournament title in 2005, outlasting fifth-seeded Georgia Southern, 97-95, in double overtime to earn the program’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament ... WCU also became the first team in SoCon history to reach and win the tournament championship after playing in the opening round ... WCU’s JENNIFER GARDNER also set SoCon tournament records for points in a game (45), points in a tournament (106), field goals in a tournament (33), free throws in a tournament (37), free throw attempts in a tournament (46) and rebounds in a tournament (43).; • In 2007, Western Carolina won its first Southern Conference regular season title ... the Catamounts won a school-record 15 SoCon games and tied Chattanooga for the regular season title, earning the program’s first-ever No. 1 seed in the tournament ... WCU went on to play in the post-season in the WNIT; • It took three overtimes, 101 points and clutch free throws down the stretch, but WCU weathered it all to capture the 2009 SoCon Tournament title, the second in program history ... the third-seeded Catamounts defeated No. 5 seed College of Charleston, 101-87, in the come-from-behind victory ... the game was the third-highest scoring game in SoCon Tournament history and also the first triple OT game in the tournament ... WCU earned a No. 13 seed in the NCAA tournament, the highest in school history; • All told, WCU has made FIVE appearances in the Southern Conference Tournament championship game with a pair of tournament titles and FOUR combined postseason berths, twice to the NCAA Championship and two invites to the WNIT.

JAYNE ARLEDGE

BETTY WESTMORELAND

WCU ALL-TIME SCORING LEADERS 1.

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1,928 1,765 1,446 1,444 1,436 1,378 1,371 1,362 1,343 1,290

Jayne Arledge Laura Echols Beth Crisp Tiffany Hamm Emily Holliday Lauren Powell Karen Mason Jennifer Gardner Brenda Johnson April Fleck

1976-80 1998-02 1978-82 2000-04 1983-87 2005-09 1994-98 2001-05 1974-77 1997-01

WCU ALL-TIME REBOUND LEADERS 1.

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1,018 947 921 890 888 866 840 790 756 726

Brenda Johnson 1974-77 Chevon Keith 2004-08 Emily Holliday 1983-87 Jennifer Gardner 2001-05 Karen Dillingham 1969-72 Sherae Bonner 2014-18 Marilyn Sheets 1967-70 Laura Echols 1998-02 Roxanne Williams 1987-91 Tiffany Hamm 2000-04

WCU ALL-TIME ASSIST LEADERS

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405 Missy Broy 1994-97 403 Christy Blackwell 1999-01,02-04 386 Sheila Barker 1977-81 376 Judy Green 1980-84 366 Ashley Pellom 2004-08 285 Judith Martin Ruiz 2017-20 268 Monique Dawson 2004-08 260 Kiki Glass 2001-04 252 Ali Lane 2011-15 252 April Fleck 1997-01

JENNIFER GARDNER

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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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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.

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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)

WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

LISTON B. RAMSEY REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTER

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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)

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