2021 Western Carolina Digital Game Day Program - vs. Samford (9/18/21)

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vs. Samford – Family Weekend 2021

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vs. Samford – Family Weekend 2021

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#27 TREVOR CHILDERS

SENIOR – LINEBACKER

#37 TY HARRIS SENIOR – LINEBACKER

TODAY’S GAME IS PRESENTED BY:

CELEBRATING THE

INSIDE

WCU 2021 Football Schedule............................................. 5 Stadium Game Day Information...................................... 6-7 Scouting Western Carolina................................................. 8 A Look at Today’s Opponent: Samford..............................10 Western Carolina Numerical Roster..................................13 Samford Numerical Roster................................................15 WCU vs. SAM – Two-Deep................................................16 WCU vs. SAM – 2020-21 Stat Comparison.......................20 Looking Back: Last Time We Met.................................... 22 WCU 2021 Season Preview by Game............................... 26 WCU Head Football Coach, Kerwin Bell......................29-30 WCU Football Coaching Staff......................................34-36 WCU Football Support Staff........................................36-38 Football Time in Cullowhee............................................. 39 Football Team Photo / WCU Cheerleaders....................... 40 WCU Athletics Director Alex Gary................................42-43

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vs. Samford – Family Weekend 2021

WCU Athletics Department Staff................................. 47-48 Meet the 2021 Catamounts...................................... 50-58 Thru the Lens: WCU vs. EKU...................................... 60-61 "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band....................64-65 Recent Catamounts in NFL Camps...................................66 Dr. Kelli R. Brown, WCU Chancellor..................................69 Thru the Lens: WCU at #4 Oklahoma........................ 72-73 The Catamount Club Membership.............................. 74-78 Catamount Club – Donor Spotlight................................. 79 Catamount Football – Postseason Teams........................80 E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field........................ 82 The Southern Conference................................................ 84 WCU Football Honored Jerseys....................................... 86 History of the Victory Bell................................................. 86 NCAA Officials Signals...................................................... 88

EXTRA POINTS, the official game program and online digital program for Western Carolina Catamount Football, is a publication of the WCU Athletics Media Relations Office. Editorial content, layout and design has been provided by Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, Daniel Hooker (WCU, 2001).

Special thanks to the staffs of both WCU Athletics Media Relations and Todd Charles. Photography provided by Ashley Evans, Caitlin Penna, Sam Wallace and various student assistants in the Western Carolina Public Relations Department; WCU PR retiree, Mark Haskett; Andy Padyk; Jason Hall of Valleytown Photo; Phil Polito, Paul Setliff, and WCU students, Spencer Douglas and Jared Draney.

Advertising sales for EXTRA POINTS are administered

by Chad Gerrety. To advertise, contact WCU Athletics at (828) 227-2767.

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

FIELD REGULATIONS: No one is allowed on the playing field before, during, or after the game without proper credentials (Zone 1 & 2; Pregame Recruit).

Fans will also be ejected for throwing any objects in the stadium.

UMBRELLAS: Umbrellas are not permitted in the seating area of Whitmire Stadium.

No umbrella will be allowed through the stadium gates.

GATE INSPECTION / CLEAR BAG POLICY: Western Carolina University has implemented a "Clear Bag Policy".

All parcels, bags and alike are subject to inspection upon entry into E.J. Whitmire Stadium. All alcoholic beverages, outside food and beverages, and other items not permitted in the stadium must be discarded prior to entering the stadium. See Page 7 for more info.

GAME TIMES: All game times are subject to change. WCU will publicize any game time changes through its social media channels (@catamounts) and website, CatamountSports.com. Ticket refunds will not be made available because of a change in kickoff times.

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

LOST AND FOUND: If you find an item, please return it to an usher. To recover a lost item, please visit the check bag location near the main entrances of either side of the stadium to make a proper ID of the lost item.

MERCHANDISE: Catamount apparel and game day merchandise from the WCU Bookstore can be found at stands on both sides of the stadium. Merchandise is also available anytime at CatamountSports.com, or also at the WCU Bookstore located near the center of the WCU campus.

CONCESSION STANDS: Concession stands by Catamount Dining are located on the main concourse on both the East and West sides of the stadium serving a variety of drink products from Pepsi and many other items. Concession stands do accept credit cards, and there are also cash-only drink and snack lines available. Other concession options include Bojangles and snacks from Tubby's Caramel Corn & More.

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

COVID PROTOCOLS / FACE COVERINGS: Catamount Athletics and WCU strongly encourage the use of face coverings while in densely populated areas during game day activities. Face coverings are currently required for any indoor activity on campus. Physical distancing, washing of hands and using hand sanitizer remain common practice recommendations to help stop the spread viruses including COVID-19.

GATE 3 TICKET SALES

GATE 4

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

TICKET MEDIA SALES WILL CALL

AA

BB

CC

DD

EE

FF

GG

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

GATE 5

TICKET SALES

GATE 2

10

20

30

40

50

40

30

20

10

PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS MARCHING BAND MM

50

40

30

20

10

L

K

J

I

LL

KK

JJ

II

H GATE 6

1 TE GA

WEST STANDS

TICKET GENERAL SALES WILL CALL

E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM

40

WESTERN CAROLINA SIDELINE

Football • Cheer • Dance • Recruits • Visiting Team

30

RAMSEY REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTER

PLAYER-GUEST ENTRANCE

PAWS PORCH

JORDAN-PHILLIPS FIELDHOUSE

20

THE PURPLE ZONE

GATE 7

Chairback Reserved

WCU Player Pass

Bench Back Reserved

WCU Student Section

General Admission Bleacher

Bleacher Reserved

Western Builders Family Zone

Pride of the Mountains Marching Band

vs. Samford – Family Weekend 2021

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

WCU students and fans must be held accountable for their use of profane and vulgar language, banners, posters, signs, flags, treatment of opponents, and treatment of officials.

In respect to NCAA policies, WCU is held accountable for the actions of its fans.

THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CODE OF SPECTATOR CONDUCT Southern Conference teams shall be supported with enthusiasm and dedication, for strong spectator support is a vital part of the experience of college competition.

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

CATAMOUNT CORNER

VISITING TEAM SIDELINE

10

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

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

PRESS BOX

VISITING TEAM LOCKER ROOM

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TICKETS FOR CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL: Tickets for WCU football games can be purchased at the WCU Athletics Ticket Office Monday thru Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Tickets can be purchased on game day beginning at 10:00 am at the Northwest ticket booth near the main entrance – or anytime online at CatamountSports.com.

VISITING TEAM

EMERGENCY VEHICLE ENTRANCE ONLY

It is the policy of Western Carolina University that all fans at athletic sporting events must maintain the highest degree of credibility and decorum possible.

All fans must make every attempt to conduct themselves in a manner as not to embarrass the institutions by their actions.

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

FIRST AID / EMERGENCY SERVICES: First aid tents are located on the concourse level of both sides of Whitmire Stadium. Local physicians and emergency medical personnel are also in attendance at all WCU football games and can be paged through the public address system in the press box. An oxygen-equipped ambulance is in the stadium during the games.

For games where forecasted temperatures are high, misting cooling stations for spectators will be made available on the concourse level.

EAST STANDS

WESTERN CAROLINA CODE OF FAN CONDUCT

Visiting Team

Our spectators should be courteous and judicious in choice of expression, and should exhibit good manners and kindness to all others.

The scoreboard will reflect the quality of the teams in competitions while the kind of support given by the spectators will reveal the character of Southern Conference fans.

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SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA

WESTERN CAROLINA / SAMFORD INSIDE THE ALL-TIME SERIES

ALL-TIME SERIES. . . . . . . . . . . . WCU TRAILS, 3-15 In Birmingham, Ala.. . . . . . . . . . . . WCU trails, 1-9 In Cullowhee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU trails, 2-6 Current Streak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU, L–3 Longest WCU Win Streak:. . . . . . . . . . 1 games (3x) Longest WCU Losing Skid:. . 11 games (1991-2014) Total Series Points. . . . . . . . . WCU, 371 / SAM 613 WCU Average Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.61 ppg

u Western

Carolina opens Southern Conference play by hosting the Samford Bulldogs at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field in Cullowhee ... Saturday’s game has been billed the Ingles SoCon Game of the Week, a second WCU game marked for linear television on through Nexstar Media Group and streaming online on ESPN+ ... Pete Yanity and Jared Singleton have the call;

u Western

Carolina and Samford meet for the 19TH time on the football gridiron with the Catamounts trailing the Bulldogs in the all-time series, 3-14 ... Samford has won the last three head-tohead meetings dating back to 2018 – and four of the last five meetings overall ... Two of WCU's three victories in the series have come in Cullowhee ... WCU is just 2-11 against Samford since the Bulldogs joined the Southern Conference in 2008; u

u

SAM Average Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.06 ppg

ALL-TIME SERIES MEETINGS:

Western Carolina claimed a thrilling 38-34 win over then No. 17 Samford in Cullowhee back in 2017 ... Detrez Newsome scored the go-ahead touchdown with 93 second remaining in the game – but it wasn't until Keion Crossen deflected a Devlin Hodges pass in the endzone on the game's final play that WCU could celebrate the upset victory, its first over a nationallyranked FCS team since 2006, ending a 27-game slide against ranked foes;

Feb. 27, 2021 Nov. 16, 2019 Oct. 6, 2018 Sept. 23, 2017 Oct. 22, 2016 Oct. 24, 2015 Nov. 8, 2014 Sept. 28, 2013 Sept. 22, 2012 Oct. 29, 2011 Oct. 9, 2010 Oct. 3, 2009 Oct. 4, 2008 Nov. 5, 1999 Nov. 22, 1997 Oct. 3, 1992 Oct. 26, 1991 Nov. 8, 1969

Western Carolina’s 56-36 win in Cullowhee in 2015 marked the first victory for the Catamounts in the series since winning the first-ever meeting between the two schools, 47-13, back in 1969 in Birmingham ... WCU's 2015 victory halted a 46-year drought;

u Since

joining the SoCon in 1977 (member in 1976, although did not compete for the championship until 1977), Western Carolina is 23-21 overall in conference openers including a record of 15-5 at home in Cullowhee, most recently falling to Mercer back in 2019; u

WCU's win over Samford back in 2017 represented the first league game of the year for the Catamounts – and the only other time prior to this season the two met to open conference play;

u Two

of the top three passing quarterbacks in the Southern Conference square-off on Saturday ...

Catamount quarterback ROGAN WELLS (180.5 yds/gm) ranks third in the SoCon in passing through the first two weeks of the season while reigning SoCon Offensive Player of the Year, Samford's LIAM WELCH, leads the league with an average of 293.5 passing yards per game;

Birmingham, Ala. Cullowhee Birmingham, Ala. Cullowhee Birmingham, Ala. Cullowhee Birmingham, Ala. Birmingham, Ala. Cullowhee Birmingham, Ala. Cullowhee Birmingham, Ala. Cullowhee Cullowhee Birmingham, Ala. Birmingham, Ala. Cullowhee Birmingham, Ala.

L, 55-27 L, 31-13 L, 66-28 W, 38-34 L, 30-17 W, 56-36 L, 34-20 L, 62-23 L, 25-21 L, 52-24 L, 38-7 L, 16-3 L, 21-6 L, 35-32 (OT) L, 19-0 L, 30-6 L, 16-3 W, 47-13

u Western

Carolina tailback TJ JONES ranks seventh in the SoCon in rushing entering week three of the regular season ... the junior transfer from Tusculum is averaging 62.5 rushing yards per game including a 115 yard performance on the ground in the season-opener against Eastern Kentucky;

u Transfer

LB IVAN HOGANS ranks tied for third in the SoCon in total tackles through the first two games, posting a team-high 18 stops for a 9.0 tackle per game average ... Hogans is second in the league with a team-best 4.0 tackles for loss ... LB KAREEM TAYLOR (7.0 tackles/gm) and freshman ANDREAS KEATON (6.5 tackles/gm) also rank among the conference leaders; Carolina has two players on NFL rosters – KEION CROSSEN, one of the heroes of the 2017 upset win over Samford, is currently with the New York Giants after being traded by the Houston Texans in the preseason ... Charlotte, N.C., native and Catamount football student-athlete alum JOHN BRANNON was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad on Sept. 7 after being released by the Los Angeles Chargers, the team that signed him as an undrafted free agent;

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vs. Samford – Family Weekend 2021

RUNNING BACK #0 TJ JONES

WCU HEAD COACH KERWIN BELL

SENIOR LB #9 KAREEM TAYLOR

PHOTO BY PAUL SETLIFF

YOU KNOW: Western Carolina's last four NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents have each been ranked inside the Top 25 ... the Catamounts closed the 2019 season on the road at fifth-ranked Alabama ... Last fall in the split 2020-21 schedule, WCU visited both No. 22 Liberty and No. 17 North Carolina ... Last weekend, the Catamounts faced the six-time defending Big 12 Conference Champion and fourth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in Norman ... Since 2006, WCU has played SEVEN games against nationally-ranked FBS programs.

PHOTO BY ASHLEY EVANS

u DID

PHOTO BY PHIL POLITO

u Western

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ABOUT SAMFORD

QUICK LOOK AT TODAY’S OPPONENT: SAMFORD Samford Bulldogs are 1-1 on the season after drubbing Tennessee Tech, 52-14, at home in their season opener before suffering a 33-27 setback at UT Martin last Saturday ... the Bulldogs forced five turnovers against UTM – three interceptions and two fumbles – in the loss, squandering a 17-0 first-quarter lead as the Skyhawks outscored the 'Dogs, 33-10, over the final three frames;

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS

u The

u Samford

comes to Cullowhee boasting the SoCon's second-best scoring offense (39.5 points per game) with the league's best passing attack at 293.5 yards per game through the air ...

Combined, Samford is fifth in total offense through two games this season at 364.5 yards per game that includes ranking ninth in rushing with just 71.0 yards per game to date ... the Bulldogs also lead the league in turnover margin at +4;

u Nine

total Samford players were named to the two preseason All-SoCon teams ... QB LIAM WELCH was joined on the first team by OL GAVIN ORR, WR TY KING, DL ARMOND LLOYD, DB CHRIS EDMONDS and return specialist MONTRELL WASHINGTON ... Samford's second team members were TE MICHAEL VICE, WR A.J. TONEY and LB TRIMARCUS CHEEKS.

u Samford

was picked SECOND in the SoCon preseason coaches poll, receiving two first-place votes to finish just behind first-place Chattanooga ... the Bulldogs were tabbed in a tie for third in the preseason media voting behind UTC and VMI;

u Guiding

Samford's pass-happy "Hatch Attack" offense is graduate QB LIAM WELCH (pictured below), who started six of Samford's seven games a season ago and was named first-team All-Southern Conference and co-Offensive Player of the Year ... Welch was selected both an All-American and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award in the spring 2021; u Echoing

the postseason plaudits from the spring, Welch was also the SoCon's preseason Offensive Player of the Year this fall, while being dubbed preseason All-America and on the watch list for the Walter Payton Award;

u

Welch was named to the preseason watch list for the College Football Performance Awards FCS Performer of the Year Trophy back in late August 2021;

u Samford's

football roster also includes one of the most dynamic play-makers in the Southern Conference – senior WR MONTRELL WASHINGTON; u Washington

earned Southern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors back on Sept. 6 after amassing 245 all-purpose yards including 69 yards on punt returns with a 62yard return for a touchdown ... He also caught seven passes for 128 yards, rushed once for 26 yards, and had two kickoff returns for 22 yards in the win over Tennessee Tech;

QUICK FACTS:

Location:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Birmingham, Ala. Founded:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1841 Enrollment:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,642 Colors:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Navy Blue & Red Conference:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Southern Facility (Capacity):. . . . . . . . Seibert Stadium (6,700) President:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Beck A. Taylor Athletics Director:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Newton Head Coach:. . . . . . Chris Hatcher (Valdosta State, 1994) Record at SAM:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37-30 (7th yr) Overall Record: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158-87 (22nd yr) Basic Offense: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spread Basic Defense:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

2021 SCHEDULE:

Sept. 2 Tennessee Tech Sept. 11 at UT Martin

Sept. 18 at Western Carolina Sept. 25 ETSU

Oct. 2 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6 Nov. 13 Nov. 20

at Mercer at Wofford Chattanooga at VMI The Citadel at Florida Furman

W, 52-14 L, 33-27 2:30 pm ET 3 pm ET 6 pm ET 1:30 pm ET 1 pm ET 1:30 pm ET 3 pm ET TBA 1 pm ET

u Washington

was additionally honored as the Stats Perform National Special Teams Player of the Week following the 52-14, season-opening win over the Golden Eagles;

u Among

the leaders returning for the Bulldog defense is safety CHRIS EDMONDS (pictured below) ... Edmonds was a two-time SoCon Defensive Player of the Week in the spring 2021 and led the league with four interceptions, garnering All-America honors; u

Edmonds was named to the preseason watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award which goes to the top defensive player in all of FCS football, Stats Perform;

u DID

YOU KNOW: The late Bobby Bowden, who gained much of his notoriety as the head football coach at West Virginia and Florida State, was a Howard College – now Samford University – alum and Hall of Famer ... Bowden played on the freshman team at Alabama in 1948 before transferring to Samford where he played from 1949 to 1952, and earned All-America honors in 1952 as a quarterback ... While serving as head coach at his alma mater from 1959 to 1962, Bowden amassed a record of 31-6, posting the highest winning percentage of any coach in school history.

QUARTERBACK #7 LIAM WELCH

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HEAD COACH CHRIS HATCHER

SAFETY #47 CHRIS EDMONDS

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WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS – 2021 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO. NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

0 T.J. Jones

RB

5-11

200

Jr.

Lakeland, Fla. (Tusculum / GMC / Lake Gibson HS)

0 Jaylen Floyd

DB

5-9

180

Sr.

1 C.J. Williams

WR

5-10

165

1 Ivan Hogans

LB

6-2

220

2 Raphael Williams

WR

5-10

160

R-Fr.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Tusculum / Dillard HS)

2 Aaron Gethers

CB

5-10

190

R-So. Blythewood, S.C. (Boston College / Bishop McDevitt HS)

3 Calvin Jones

WR

5-10

175

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

48 Tre’ Jolly

DE

6-2

220

R-Fr.

Miramar, Fla. (Lehigh / Miramar HS)

49 Demorian Smith

LB

6-0

220

Fr.

So.

Gallion, Ala. (Alabama / Demopolis HS)

50 Alex McConnell

OL

6-4

280

R-So.

5th

Stockbridge, Ga. (Tusculum / Stockbridge HS)

51 Matthew Bair

OL

6-3

285

5th

Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna HS)

52 Antwann Fann

DL

6-3

310

R-Fr.

Perry, Ga. (Kennesaw State / Perry HS)

53 Caleb Fisher

DL

6-3

230

Fr.

Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)

55 Kevin Thompson

LS

5-10

185

So.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

3 Jacob Harris

CB

6-1

4 Kason Lincke

QB

6-1

56 Griffin Sestili

OL

6-3

295

R-Jr.

Sewickley, Pa. (Temple / North Allegheny HS)

57 Tyler Anderson

LB

6-0

225

Fr.

4 Cameron McCutcheon DB

Greensboro, N.C. (Northern Guilford HS)

58 Giovanni Ricciardi

LB

6-0

225

Fr.

5 Carlos Davis

Clemmons, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)

60 Joaquin Layno

DL

5-10

280

R-Fr.

5 Jayden Pauling

61 Anthony Giansante

OL

6-4

300

Fr.

Fr.

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

190

Jr.

Greer, S.C. (Independence CC / Greer HS)

195

Fr.

Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Christian HS)

6-3

195

Sr.

Seneca, S.C. (Gardner-Webb / Seneca HS)

QB

6-3

225

DE

6-3

245

R-So. Baltimore, Md. (East Mississippi CC / Mergenthaler Vo-Tech HS) Jr.

Raleigh, N.C. (Louisburg College / Millbrook HS)

NO. NAME

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL) Shelby, N.C. (Shelby HS) Robersonville, N.C. (South Creek HS) Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)

Cherokee, N.C. (Cherokee HS) North Huntingdon, Pa. (Norwin HS)

6 Nick Oelrich

DB

6-1

205

Gr.

Newberry Fla. (Florida / Newberry HS)

62 Michael Harper

OL

6-4

280

R-Jr.

7 Terrence Horne

WR

5-7

180

So.

Miami, Fla. (USF / Miramar HS)

64 Colby Cross

LS

5-11

190

Fr.

Wilkesboro, N.C. (Fork Union Military) Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

7 Charles Gadie

S

5-9

175

R-So.

Douglasville, Ga. (Douglas County HS)

66 Gabe Jones

OL

6-2

250

Fr.

Southern Pines, N.C. (Pinecrest HS)

8 Kenny Benjamin

RB

5-7

180

Gr.

Lehigh Acres, Fla. (Valdosta State / Dunbar HS)

67 Nick Hapeshis

OL

6-1

250

Fr.

8 LA Rogers-Anderson NIC

6-0

215

Jr.

Sumter, S.C. (Western Kentucky / Ridgeview HS)

68 Torrion Stevenson

DL

6-1

330

R-So.

69 Dillon Luther

OL

6-3

300

So.

Asheville, N.C. (Erwin HS)

70 Christian Coulter

OL

6-5

335

So.

Thomson, Ga. (Tusculum / Thomson HS) Kannapolis, N.C. (A.L. Brown HS)

Central, S.C. (Daniel HS) Branchville, S.C. (Branchville HS)

9 Mydreon Vines

WR

6-2

190

Sr.

Greenville, N.C. (ECU / Tusculum / J.H. Rose HS)

9 Kareem Taylor

LB

6-0

215

Gr.

Rincon, Ga. (Kennesaw State / South Effingham HS)

10 JaKobe Quillen

WR

6-3

200

Fr.

Florence, S.C. (Wilson HS)

71 Austin Grunden

OL

6-2

250

Fr.

10 Willie Hampton

DE

6-1

220

R-Jr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Garden City CC / American Heritage HS)

72 Blake Whitmore

OL

6-2

285

R-Fr.

Raleigh, N.C. (Millbrook HS)

11 Rogan Wells

QB

6-4

220

73 Samari Saddler

OL

6-2

295

So.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Eastern Michigan / Moeller HS)

12 Meziah Scott

QB

6-0

200

Fr.

Petersburg, Va. (Petersburg HS)

74 Tyler Smith

OL

6-8

300

R-So.

12 Rod Gattison

CB

5-11

185

So.

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

75 Caleb Carter

OL

6-3

285

Fr.

Jacksonville, N.C. (Southwest Onslow HS)

13 Keenan Hambrick

WR

6-3

205

Fr.

Athens, Ala. (Athens HS)

76 Nate Linkous

OL

6-5

295

Fr.

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

13 Ronald Kent Jr.

CB

5-10

175

Jr.

Harrisburg, Pa. (Harrisburg HS)

77 Peyton Davis

OL

6-2

290

Fr.

Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

14 Toler Keigley

WR

6-1

190

Fr.

Pensacola, Fla. (Mobile Christian HS)

78 Garrett Bowman

OL

6-4

280

R-So.

Arab, Ala. (Arab HS)

15 Solomon Butler

WR

6-0

195

Fr.

Moncks Corner, S.C. (Berkeley HS)

79 Aidan Alston

OL

6-2

270

R-Fr.

Southern Pines, N.C. (Pinecrest HS)

16 Brody Palhegyi

QB

5-9

180

Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons HS)

80 Shammond Hicks

WR

5-10

180

Gr.

17 Raekwon Heath

TE

6-2

205

R-Jr.

Columbia, S.C. (Independence CC / Irmo HS)

81 Kendall Alford

WR

5-10

185

R-Fr.

18 Clayton Bardall

TE

6-3

230

R-So.

Cumming, Ga. (North Forsyth HS)

82 Miller DeArmond

WR

6-1

175

Fr.

Greer, S.C. (Greer HS)

19 Branson Adams

WR

5-9

180

Fr.

Greensboro, N.C. (Dudley HS)

83 Trae Churn

TE

6-5

240

Gr.

Columbia, S.C. (SC State / Blythewood HS)

20 Dramarian McNulty

CB

5-11

185

Fr.

Brookhaven, Miss. (Niceville (Fla.) HS)

84 Owen Cosenke

TE

6-3

240

5th

Aldie, Va. (Fork Union Military / John Champe HS)

21 Andreas Keaton

S

6-2

190

Fr.

Powder Springs, Ga. (Hillgrove HS)

85 Talon James

TE

6-4

235

R-Jr.

Fairview, N.C. (Univ. of Richmond / A.C. Reynolds HS)

22 Mikai Stanley

RB

6-2

235

Fr.

Wilmington, N.C. (New Hanover HS)

86 Daquan Patten

WR

5-6

180

R-5th

Columbia, S.C. (Blythewood HS)

24 Quintin Talley

S

6-0

190

Fr.

Spartanburg, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

87 Dylan Abernethy

WR

6-0

175

Fr.

Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

25 Jaiden Bond

RB

5-9

180

Fr.

Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)

88 Luke Sutton

WR

5-8

170

Fr.

Concord, N.C. (Cox Mill HS)

26 Tyree Nelson

RB

5-10

200

Fr.

Atlanta, Ga. (Mays HS)

89 Richard McCollum

K

5-9

180

R-So.

27 Trevor Childers

LB

6-1

215

5th

Lincolnton, N.C. (East Lincoln HS)

90 Marlon Alexander

DL

6-0

320

So.

29 Willie Rice

CB

6-0

185

Fr.

St. Louis, Mo. (East Coweta (Ga.) HS)

91 Jaquarius Guinn

DL

6-2

280

Fr.

Clover, S.C. (Clover HS)

30 Micah Nelson

DE

6-3

235

R-Fr.

92 Darrius Bell

DE

6-2

240

R-Fr.

Gilbert, S.C. (Gilbert HS)

31 Jerius Edwards

NIC

6-0

180

Fr.

93 Chris Morgan

DL

6-0

265

Fr.

Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

32 Malik Richardson

NIC

6-4

210

R-Fr.

94 Timothy Jamison

DL

6-4

255

Jr.

West Columbia, S.C. (Hutchinson CC / White Knoll HS)

33 Curtis Roach

NIC

6-1

200

R-Sr.

95 Laquavion Haynes

DE

6-4

220

Fr.

Moultrie, Ga. (Colquitt County HS)

34 Quenten Zanders

RB

5-8

175

Jr.

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

96 K.J. Milner

DL

6-4

265

Jr.

Hinesville, Ga. (Bradwell Institute)

97 Ronald Wilson

DL

6-2

355

So.

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

98 Christian Harris

DL

6-3

285

R-Fr.

Raleigh, N.C. (Baylor School)

99 Ricky Palao

DL

6-2

285

5th

Anthony Badgett

CB

5-9

185

R-So.

Gr.

Fort Mill, S.C. (Tusculum / Fort Mill HS)

Murphy, N.C. (Murphy HS) Carrollton, Ga. (Carrollton HS) Sumter, S.C. (Lakewood HS) Cumming, Ga. (South Forsyth HS)

Laurinburg, N.C. (Scotland County HS)

Raleigh, N.C. (UNC Pembroke / Middle Creek HS) Marietta, Ga. (Walton HS)

Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee HS) Smyrna, Tenn. (Gardner-Webb / Smyrna HS)

35 Glenn Young

RB

5-9

200

Fr.

Fayetteville, N.C. (Trinity Christian HS)

36 Skylin Thomas

NIC

5-10

195

So.

Lenoir, N.C. (Hibriten HS)

37 Ty Harris

LB

6-1

235

5th

Dacula, Ga. (Dacula HS)

38 Brandon Dickerson

P

5-11

195

So.

Fort Mill, S.C. (Indian Land HS)

39 Brayden Blackmon

TE

6-3

215

Fr.

Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

Ajay Belanger

WR

6-3

190

Fr.

40 Cory Hennings

S

6-1

195

Fr.

Matthews, N.C. (Weddington HS)

Caleb Bradford

OL

6-1

265

Fr.

Canton, N.C. (Pisgah HS)

41 Caleb Scott

TE

6-2

225

Fr.

Black Mountain, N.C. (Owen HS)

Bryson Boyette

OL

6-1

285

Fr.

Wilmington, N.C. (New Hanover HS)

42 Jontavious Shotwell

S

5-11

185

R-So.

Hoschton, Ga. (Mill Creek HS)

Huntsville, Ala. (Huntsville HS)

43 Luke Hoggard

TE

6-0

230

R-Jr.

Edenton, N.C. (North Carolina / Edenton HS)

44 Nigel Manns

LB

6-1

225

Fr.

45 Ethan Harris

DB

5-8

165

Fr.

Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

46 Paxton Robertson

K

6-0

200

Fr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic HS)

47 Neil Ilenrey

S

6-0

185

R-Fr.

Byron, Ga. (Peach County HS)

Hoover, Ala. (Hoover HS) Greensboro, N.C. (Southeast Guilford HS) Green Cove Springs, Fla. (Tusculum / Clay HS)

Brady Elms

P

6-4

170

Fr.

Trevor Fournet

LB

5-11

215

Fr.

Cornelius, N.C. (Hough HS)

Bryson Grabowski

QB

6-1

180

Fr.

Copperhill, Tenn. (Copper Basin HS)

Elic Haddock

LB

6-0

210

Fr.

Greenville, N.C. (J.H. Rose HS)

Parish Metzger

QB

6-0

190

Fr.

Matthews, N.C. (David W. Butler HS)

Alpharetta, Ga. (Johns Creek HS)

vs. Samford – Family Weekend 2021

| 13

w 2021 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

14 |

vs. Samford – Family Weekend 2021

w 2021 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

SAMFORD BULLDOGS – 2021 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO. NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

0 Chandler Smith

WR

5-10

188

Jr.

Marietta, Ga. (Walton HS)

1 Kourtlan Marsh

CB

5-11

194

So.

Warrior, Ala. (Mortimer–Jordan HS)

1 P.J. McDonald

RB

6-0

180

Fr.

Bessemer, Ala. (Bessemer Academy)

NO. NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

39 Trimarcus Cheeks

LB

6-2

222

Jr.

Hampton, Ga. (Dutchtown HS)

40 Wade White

S

6-0

191

So.

Prattville, Ala. (Prattville HS)

41 Evan Craighead

LB

6-3

218

Fr.

Madison, Ala. (Navy Prep / Madison Academy) Spartanburg, S.C. (Spartanburg HS)

2 Coutrell Plair

CB

6-0

170

Gr.

Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)

41 Henry Bishop

K

6-2

179

Fr.

2 Quincy Crittendon

QB

5-11

193

Fr.

Decatur, Ala. (Austin HS)

42 Trent Shedd

LB

6-1

228

Jr.

Dora, Ala. (Corner HS)

3 A.J. Toney

WR

5-7

182

Jr.

Birmingham, Ala. (Jackson-Olin HS)

43 C.J. Paymon

LB

6-1

216

So.

Montgomery, Ala. (Pike Road HS)

3 David Coltrane

44 Tay Berry

DT

6-2

290

Sr.

Flora, Miss. (Madison Central HS)

45 Thomas Neville

LB

6-3

213

So.

Loganville, Ga. (Dunwoody HS)

LB/S

6-3

203

Fr.

Alpharetta, Ga. (Blessed Trinity HS)

4 Montrell Washington WR

5-10

170

Sr.

Canton, Ga. (Cherokee HS)

4 Teddy Bullock

DB

5-11

170

Fr.

Lexington, Ky. (Lexington Catholic HS)

46 Slade Ziegler

LB

6-0

211

Jr.

Mandeville, La. (Lakeshore HS)

6 DeMarcus Ware

RB

5-9

188

Sr.

Olive Branch, Miss. (Olive Branch HS)

47 Chris Edmonds

S

6-2

214

Jr.

Columbus, Ga. (Brookstone School)

7 Liam Welch

QB

6-2

208

Gr.

Augusta, Ga. (Aquinas HS)

48 Chase Volpi

S

6-0

216

Jr.

Tampa, Fla. (Robinson HS)

P

5-11

156

Sr.

Melbourne, Australia (Aquinas College HS)

49 John Collins

RB

5-9

185

Fr.

Dora, Ala. (Walker HS)

8 J.R. Tran-Reno

WR

6-1

222

Jr.

Birmingham, Ala. (Vanderbilt / Briarwood Christian)

50 William Purdy

OL

6-2

263

Fr.

Alpharetta, Ga. (Denmark HS)

9 Asher Morgan

51 Tate Taylor

P/LB

6-0

210

Fr.

Nashville, Tenn. (Lipscomb Academy)

52 Beau Myers

OL

6-4

290

Jr.

Clarksville, Tenn. (Independence HS)

53 Camren Wood

LS

5-10

174

Jr.

Hoover, Ala. (Hoover HS)

54 Luke Byrne

OL

6-4

310

So.

Forsyth, Ga. (Mary Persons HS)

55 Harrison Saunders

DL

6-2

237

Fr.

Jasper, Ala. (Jasper HS)

56 Griffin Hicks

LS

6-1

158

Jr.

Charlotte, N.C. (NC State / Charlotte Christian School)

57 Cooper Frazier

OL

6-4

315

So.

Corinth, Miss. (Corinth HS)

58 Chris Noble

OL

6-4

284

So.

Brewton, Ala. (UAB / T.R. Miller HS)

59 Zach Williams

K

5-8

188

Jr.

Louisville, Ky. (North Texas / Trinity HS)

60 Tyler Russell

LS

6-1

199

Gr.

Niceville, Fla. (Southern Mississippi / Niceville HS)

61 Alex Applefield

LS

5-10

208

Fr.

Dothan, Ala. (Houston Academy)

62 Jabari Brooks

OL

6-3

338

So.

Sandersville, Ga. (Washington County HS)

63 Zach Bond

OL

6-3

282

So.

McHenry, Miss. (NW Mississippi CC / Stone HS)

64 Rush Boyett

DT

6-1

284

Fr.

Athens, Ala. (Athens HS)

65 Austin Guyse

OL

6-4

274

Jr.

Trinity, Ala. (West Morgan HS)

7 Bradley Porcellato

QB

6-4

219

Fr.

Philadelphia, Miss. (Philadelphia HS)

9 Midnight Steward

S

6-1

180

Fr.

Daphne, Ala. (Daphne HS)

10 Shelton Quarles Jr.

S

6-0

176

Fr.

Tampa, Fla. (Calvary Christian HS)

10 Michael Maginnis

QB

6-1

196

Fr.

Newnan, Ga. (Newnan HS)

11 Lawson Pratt

WR

6-0

195

Fr.

Tuscaloosa, Ala. (American Christian Academy)

11 Will Hudson

QB

5-11

194

Jr.

Marietta, Ga. (Sprayberry HS)

12 Ty King

WR

6-0

165

Jr.

Wrens, Ga. (Jefferson County HS)

13 Sylvaughn Turner

CB

6-0

194

Sr.

Huntsville, Ala. (Murray State / East Limestone HS)

13 David Coleman

QB

6-0

171

Fr.

Dublin, Ga. (Trinity Christian HS)

14 Torrence Pollard

WR

5-8

175

Sr.

Ensley, Ala. (Leeds HS)

14 Zak Burnett

QB

6-1

181

Fr.

Guntersville, Ala. (Guntersville HS)

15 Ty Herring

S

6-2

191

Sr.

Fernandina, Fla. (Fernandina Beach HS)

15 Cade Blackmon

QB

5-11

184

So.

Opelika, Ala. (Opelika HS)

16 Hakeem Johnson

CB

6-3

201

Sr.

Remington, Va. (Univ. of Sioux Falls / Liberty HS)

17 Jordan Oladokun

CB

6-0

177

Fr.

Tampa, Fla. (Gaither HS)

17 Miles Morris

QB

6-2

188

So.

Macon, Ga. (Tatnall Square Academy)

66 Trey Parker

DE

6-1

216

Fr.

Mobile, Ala. (St. Paul’s Episcopal School)

18 Ty Hatcher

QB

5-8

163

Jr.

Homewood, Ala. (Bessemer Academy)

67 Peter Renkoski

OL

6-1

282

Jr.

Roswell, Ga. (Blessed Trinity Catholic HS)

S

6-0

187

Fr.

Fairburn, Ga. (Our Lady of Mercy HS)

68 Brenden Reed

DT

6-4

250

Fr.

Brentwood, Tenn. (Ravenwood HS)

WR

6-4

239

Sr.

Rome, Ga. (Rome HS)

69 J.P. Oliver

DL

6-0

245

Fr.

Jackson, Tenn. (Trinity Christian Academy) Flowood, Miss. (East Mississippi CC / Hartfield Academy)

18 Bryson Mullins 19 Jai’Rus Creamer 19 Coby Neenan

K

6-2

214

Sr.

Dothan, Ala. (UAB / Northview HS)

70 J.D. Beall

OL

6-2

283

Sr.

20 Jay Stanton

RB

6-0

185

Jr.

Crestview, Fla. (Crestview HS)

71 Jayson Webb

OL

6-5

295

Fr.

Hoover, Ala. (Spain Park HS)

20 Camden Kuhn

LB

6-4

197

Fr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Farragut HS)

72 Gavin Orr

OL

6-4

281

Sr.

Southside, Ala. (Southside HS)

21 Joshua Carter

CB

6-1

203

Sr.

Birmingham, Ala. (Ramsay HS)

74 Kasra Bojnordi

OL

6-3

288

Fr.

Milton, Ga. (Cambridge HS)

21 Carson Goold

WR

6-5

197

Fr.

Memphis, Tenn. (Houston HS)

75 Jayme Motley-Simmons OL

6-7

285

So.

Alabaster, Ala. (UAB / Thompson HS) Loretto, Tenn. (Loretto HS)

22 Nathan East

LB

6-2

228

Gr.

McCalla, Ala. (McAdory HS)

77 Zach Brown

OL

6-4

275

Fr.

22 Isaiah Causey

WR

6-2

194

Fr.

Prattville, Ala. (Prattville HS)

78 Chance Butts

OL

6-4

297

So.

Frankville, Ala. (Leroy HS)

23 Bradley Ellis

WR

6-3

191

Jr.

Eads, Tenn. (Briarcrest Christian HS)

79 Donovan Hawkins

OL

6-2

302

So.

Pinson, Ala. (Pinson Valley HS)

23 Keaton Carter

CB

5-10

188

Fr.

Springdale, Ark. (Shiloh Christian HS)

80 Justin Hayes

DT

6-3

253

Jr.

Smyrna, Ga. (Campbell HS)

24 Jocquet Jiles

WR

5-9

174

Jr.

Auburndale, Fla. (Auburndale HS)

81 Jamall Thompson

DE

6-3

248

Fr.

Sarasota, Fla. (Sarasota HS)

24 Copeland Petitfils

LB

5-10

183

Fr.

Greensboro, N.C. (High Point Christian Academy)

82 Deuce Flowers

WR

6-4

172

Fr.

Cleveland, Tenn. (Cleveland HS)

25 J.T. Swanson

S

6-0

178

Jr.

West Chester, Ohio (Morehead State / Lakota West HS)

83 Titus Gardner

WR

5-7

167

Jr.

Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Tuscaloosa Academy)

26 Jacob Peters

CB

6-0

174

So.

Muscle Shoals, Ala. (Muscle Shoals HS)

84 Kendall Watson

WR

5-10

183

Sr.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (McCallie School)

27 Ty Boles

RB

5-6

194

Sr. Panama City, Fla. (William Jewell College / North Bay Haven HS)

85 Wesley Carlock

WR

5-10

171

Fr.

Jackson, Tenn. (Univ. School of Jackson)

28 Josiah Cotton

LB

5-11

220

So.

Macon, Ga. (Mt. De Sales Academy)

86 Nathan Barham

TE

6-4

204

So.

Ridgeland, Miss. (NE Mississippi CC / St. Andrews Episcopal)

29 Mitchell Owen

CB

6-1

169

Fr.

Atlanta, Ga. (Marist School)

87 Jason Houston

WR

6-5

211

So.

Bremen, Ga. (Bremen HS)

29 DeAndre Williams

RB

6-2

210

Gr.

Wetumpka, Ala. (Jackson State)

88 Michael Vice

TE

6-4

253

Jr.

Vestavia Hills, Ala. (Vestavia Hills HS)

30 Dakota Chapman

RB

6-2

238

Gr.

McCalla, Ala. (Jacksonville State / McAdory HS)

31 Lamar Anderson

S

5-9

190

Sr.

St. Louis, Mo. (Ball State / Christian Brothers College HS)

31 Camden Simons

TE

6-4

205

Fr.

Westfield, Ind. (Westfield HS)

32 Noah Martin

LB

6-1

243

So.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (The Baylor School)

33 Caleb Durham-Honer WR

5-10

199

So.

San Antonio, Texas (Texas Tech / San Antonio Christian HS)

34 Miller Karrh

CB

5-11

185

Fr.

Little Rock, Ark. (Little Rock Christian HS)

35 Joseph Mera

DE

6-2

237

Jr.

Fort Myers, Fla. (Bishop Verot HS)

35 Nick Speros

WR

5-10

160

Fr.

Alpharetta, Ga. (Mount Pisgah Christian School)

36 Jonathan Moore

89 Michael Mitchler

TE

6-3

219

Fr.

Roswell, Ga. (Blessed Trinity Catholic HS)

90 J.T. May

DE

6-5

247

So.

Millington, Tenn. (Tipton Rosemark Academy)

91 Kobe Stewart

DE

6-3

213

Fr.

Alabaster, Ala. (Thompson HS)

92 Braeden Royal

DT

6-1

265

Jr.

Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Tuscaloosa County HS)

93 Daniel Bettis

DE

6-0

239

Fr.

Tuskegee, Ala. (Booker T. Washington HS)

94 Nelson Jordan

DE

6-2

251

Sr.

Starkville, Miss. (Starkville HS)

95 Johnny Johnson

DE

6-1

233

Fr.

St. Amant, La. (St. Amant HS)

96 Francisco Jimenez

DT

6-4

257

Jr.

Corona, Calif. (Chaffey CC / Centennial HS)

S

6-0

205

Jr.

Norcross, Ga. (Greater Atlanta Christian)

97 Nick Jackson

DE

6-1

249

So.

Orlando, Fla. (Winter Park HS)

36 Darius Daniel

WR

6-0

183

So.

Grayson, Ga. (Grayson HS)

98 Armond Lloyd

DT

6-3

306

Gr.

Birmingham, Ala. (Oak Mountain HS)

37 Peyton Ringer

WR

5-6

154

Jr.

Lithonia, Ga. (The Lovett School)

99 Seth Simmer

DT

6-4

302

Gr.

Powder Springs, Ga. (Darmouth / Harrison HS)

vs. Samford – Family Weekend 2021

| 15

w 2021 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

WESTERN CAROLINA – DEPTH CHART

SAMFORD – DEPTH CHART

CATAMOUNTS OFFENSE

BULLDOGS OFFENSE

QB

- OR -

11 5 4

ROGAN WELLS Carlos Davis Kason Lincke

6-4 6-3 6-1

220 225 195

GR. R-So. Fr.

QB

- or -

7 15 18

LIAM WELCH Cade Blackmon Ty Hatcher

6-2 5-11 5-8

208 184 163

GR. So. Jr.

RB - OR -

0 8

TJ JONES KENNY BENJAMIN

5-11 5-7

205 180

JR. GR.

RB

6 20

DEMARCUS WARE Jay Stanton

5-9 6-0

188 185

SR. Jr.

WR 2

86

RAPHAEL WILLIAMS Daquan Patten

5-10 5-6

160 180

R-FR. R-Sr.

H

5 0

MONTRELL WASHINGTON Chandler Smith

5-10 5-10

170 188

SR. Jr.

WR 1 7 - or - 10

CJ WILLIAMS Terrence Horne Jakobe Quillen

5-10 5-7 6-3

160 180 200

SO So. Fr.

X

12 19

TY KING Jai'Rus Creamer

6-0 6-4

165.

239

JR. Sr.

WR 3 9 - or - 13

CALVIN JONES Mydreon Vines Keenan Hambrick

5-10 6-2 6-3

175 190 205

FR. Sr. Fr.

Y

88 8

MICHAEL VICE J.R. Tran-Reno

6-4 6-1

253 222

JR. Jr.

TE 18

84

CLAYTON BARDALL Owen Cosenke

6-3 6-3

225 235

R-SO. Sr.

Z

84 3

KENDALL WATSON A.J. Toney

5-10 5-7

183 182

JR. Jr.

LT 74 50

TYLER SMITH Alex McConnell

6-8 6-4

300 275

R-SO. R-So.

LT

65 58

AUSTIN GUYSE Chris Noble

6-4 6-4

274 284

JR. So.

LG 69 73

DILLON LUTHER Samari Saddler

6-3 6-2

300 295

SO. So.

LG

70 62

J.D. BEALL Jabari Brooks

6-2 6-3

283 295

SR. Fr.

C 72

56

BLAKE WHITMORE Griffin Sestili

6-2 6-3

285 295

R-FR. R-Jr.

C

57 52

COOPER FRAZIER Beay Myers

6-4 6-4

314 290

SO. Jr.

RG 78

52

GARRETT BOWMAN Antwann Fann

6-4 6-3

280 310

R-SO. R-Fr.

RG

54 79

LUKE BYRNE Donovan Hawkins

6-4 6-2

310 302

SO. So.

RT

CHRISTIAN COULTER Caleb Carter

6-5 6-3

335 285

SO. Fr.

RT

72 77

GAVIN ORR Zach Brown

6-4 6-4

281 275

SR. Fr.

70 75

CATAMOUNTS DEFENSE

DE

96 53

KJ MILNER Caleb Fisher

6-4 6-3

265 230

JR. Fr.

NOSE

99 90

RICKY PALAO Marlon Alexander

6-2 6-0

270 320

SR. So.

DT

91 94

JAQUARIUS GUINN Timothy Jamison

6-2 6-4

295 255

FR. Jr.

BNDT

30 5

MICAH NELSON Jayden Pauling

6-3 6-3

200 245

R-FR. Jr.

LB

37 58

TY HARRIS Giovanni Ricciardi

6-1 6-0

245 225

SR. Fr.

LB

9 27

KAREEM TAYLOR Trevor Childers

6-0 6-1

215 215

GR. Sr.

LB

1 8

IVAN HOGANS L.A. Rogers-Anderson

6-2 6-0

220 200

SR. Jr.

CB

13 2

RONALD KENT JR. Aaron Gethers

5-10 5-10

165 185

JR. R-So.

S

21 7

ANDREAS KEATON Charles Gadie

6-2 5-9

190 175

FR. R-So.

S

3 6

JACOB HARRIS Nick Oelrich

6-1 6-1

195 205

SO. Gr.

CB - OR -

4 12

CAM McCUTCHEON ROD GATTISON

6-3 195 SR. 5-11 180 SO.

CATAMOUNTS SPECIAL TEAMS

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BULLDOGS DEFENSE

DL

97 90

NICK JACKSON J.T. May

6-1 6-5

249 247

SO. So.

DL

98 96

ARMOND LLOYD Francisco Jimenez

6-3 6-4

306 257

GR. Jr.

DL

44 99

TAY BERRY Seth Simmer

6-2 6-4

290 302

SR. Gr.

DL

94 35

NELSON JORDAN Joseph Mera

6-2 6-2

251 237

SR. Jr.

LB

39 45

TRIMARCUS CHEEKS Thomas Neville

6-2 6-3

222 213

JR. So.

LB

32 28

NOAH MARTIN Josiah Cotton

6-1 5-11

243 220

SO. So.

LB

22 36

NATHAN EAST Jonathan Moore

6-2 6-0

228 205

GR. Jr.

CB

2 16

COUTRELLPLAIR Hakeem Johnson

6-0 6-3

170 201

GR. Sr.

S

47 15

CHRIS EDMONDS Ty Herring

6-2 6-2

214 191

JR. Sr.

S

31 40

LAMAR ANDERSON Wade White

5-9 6-0

190 191

SR. So.

CB

13 21

SYLVAUGHN TURNER Joshua Carter

6-0 6-1

194 203

SR. Sr.

BULLDOGS SPECIAL TEAMS

KO

59 19

ZACH WILLIAMS Coby Neenan

5-8 6-2

188 214

JR. Sr.

P

7 19

BRADLEY PORCELLATO Coby Neenan

5-11 6-2

156 214

SR. Sr.

H

18 13

TY HATCHER David Coleman

5-8 6-0

163 171

JR. Fr.

KO - OR -

46 89

PAXTON ROBERTSON RICHARD MCCOLLUM

6-0 5-9

200 170

FR. R-SO.

PK - OR -

89 46

RICHARD MCCOLLUM PAXTON ROBERTSON

5-9 6-0

170 200

R-SO. FR.

P

38 46

BRANDON DICKERSON Paxton Robertson

5-11 6-0

195 200

SO. Fr.

H

38 88

BRANDON DICKERSON Luke Sutton

5-11 5-8

195 180

SO. Fr.

LS 60 TYLER RUSSELL

56 Griffin Hicks

LS

55 64

KEVIN THOMPSON Colby Cross

5-10 6-0

210 215

SO. Fr.

KOR

12

KOR - AND -

3 7

CALVIN JONES TERRENCE HORNE

5-10 5-7

170 180

FR. SO.

PR

4

PR

86 3

DAQUAN PATTEN Calvin Jones

5-6 5-10

185 170

R-SR. Fr.

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TY KING MONTRELL WASHINGTON

6-1 199 GR. 6-1 158 Jr. 6-0

165

JR.

5-10

170

SR.

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S T N U O M A T A C STRONG AS

L E E ST www.dws-structures.com 336-996-0500

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WESTERN CAROLINA vs. samford bulldogs 2021 WESTERN CAROLINA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS RUSHING

GP–GS Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G 2–2 21 127 2 125 6.0 1 46 62.5 2–1 17 49 3 46 2.7 0 13 23.0 2–2 13 73 29 44 3.4 1 38 22.0

TJ Jones Kenny Benjamin Rogan Wells

PASSING

Rogan Wells Carlos Davis

GP–GS Effic Cmp-Att-Int 2–2 95.4 40-73-2 1–0 87.3 5-7-1

RECEIVING

Kenny Benjamin Raphael Williams TJ Jones Calvin Jones Terrence Horne

GP–GS No. Yds 2–1 12 90 2–2 9 127 2–1 5 41 2–2 4 21 2–1 3 15

PUNT RETURNS

Daquan Patten

No. Yds 3 53

RUSHING

Pct 54.8 71.4

Yds TD Lng Avg/G 361 1 24 180.5 37 0 18 37.0

PASSING

Avg 7.5 14.1 8.2 5.2 5.0

TD Long Avg/G 0 15 45.0 0 24 63.5 1 18 20.5 0 11 10.5 0 9 7.5

RECEIVING

Montrell Washington Kendall Watson Michael Vice Ty King A.J. Toney

TD Long 0 28

PUNT RETURNS

Avg 17.7

GP 2 2 2

DeMarcus Ware Jay Stanton Liam Welch

Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G 12 39 3 36 3.0 2 10 18.0 13 33 3 30 2.3 1 9 15.0 15 55 27 28 1.9 0 17 14.0

GP Effic Cmp-Att-Int Pct 2 142.45 55-82-2 67.1 2 100.00 2-2-0 100.0

Liam Welch Ty Hatcher

GP 2 2 2 2 2

No. 12 8 8 8 8

Yds 200 117 89 68 62

No. Yds 4 77

Montrell Washington

PUNTING

No. Yds Avg Long TB FC I20 50+ Blkd 10 354 35.4 46 0 3 0 0 0

PUNTING

No. 8

KICK RETURNS

No. Yds Avg 2 41 20.5 2 58 29.0

KICK RETURNS

No. Yds Avg 3 26 8.7 1 10 10.0

Brandon Dickerson Terrence Horne Calvin Jones

SCORING

TJ Jones Richard McCollum Rogan Wells

TOTAL OFFENSE Rogan Wells TJ Jones Carlos Davis

ALL PURPOSE

TJ Jones Kenny Benjamin Raphael Williams Calvin Jones

TD Long 0 21 0 30

|------------- PATs -------------| TD 2 0 1

FGs Kick Rush Rcv Pass DXP Saf Points 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 12 2-2 2-2 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 8 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1-1 0 0 6

Bradley Porcellato Montrell Washington Ty Boles

Yds 327

Yds TD Lng Avg/G 587 5 50 293.50 0 0 1 0.00

Avg TD Long Avg/G 16.7 1 50 100.0 14.6 0 42 58.5 11.1 1 24 44.5 8.5 1 20 34.0 7.75 1 20 31.0 Avg 19.3

Avg Long 40.9 51

TD Long 1 62

TB FC I20 50+ 0 5 3 1

Blkd 0

TD Long 0 15 0 10

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

SCORING

TD 0 2 2

Zach Williams DeMarcus Ware Montrell Washington

FGs Kick Rush Rcv Pass DXP Saf Points 3-4 10-10 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 19 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 12 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 12

G Plays Rush Pass Total Avg/G 2 86 44 361 405 202.5 2 21 125 0 125 62.5 1 10 27 37 64 64.0

TOTAL OFFENSE

G Plays Rush Pass Total Avg/G 2 97 28 587 615 307.5 2 12 36 0 36 18.0 2 13 30 0 30 15.0

G Rush Rec PR KOR 2 125 41 0 0 2 46 90 0 0 2 0 127 0 0 2 0 21 0 58

ALL PURPOSE

G Rush Rec PR KOR IR Tot Avg/G 2 26 200 77 26 0 329 164.5 2 0 117 0 0 0 117 58.5 2 0 89 0 0 0 89 44.5 2 0 68 0 0 0 68 34.0

2021 WESTERN CAROLINA DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Tackles Leaders: GP–GS UA–AA = Total Avg. Ivan Hogans................... 2–2......................11–7 = 18................. 9.0 Kareem Taylor................ 2–2.......................7–7 = 14..................7.0 Jacob Harris................... 2–2.......................6–7 = 13................. 6.5 Andreas Keaton............. 2–2.......................7–6 = 13................. 6.5 Cameron McCutcheon.....2–1........................4–4 = 8................. 4.0 Charles Gadie.................2–1........................4–4 = 8................. 4.0 Ronald Kent Jr................ 2–2........................3–5 = 8................. 4.0 Micah Nelson................. 2–2........................3–3 = 6................. 3.0 Trevor Childers............... 2–0........................ 1–4 = 5................. 2.5 Ty Harris......................... 2–0........................3–2 = 5................. 2.5 Jayden Pauling.............. 2–0........................2–2 = 4................. 2.0 TFL Leaders: Total Yds Ivan Hogans...........................................4.0...................................8 Three players tied..................................1.0 Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Ivan Hogans...........................................1.0....................................2 Jayden Pauling / Chris Morgan..............0.5 Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Andreas Keaton.........................................................................1–0

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2021 SAMFORD INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS

Fumbles Forced Leader: none

Total

Fumbles Recovered Leader: none

Total – Return Yds

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IR Tot Avg/G 0 166 83.0 0 136 68.0 0 127 63.5 0 79 39.5

Liam Welch DeMarcus Ware Jay Stanton

Montrell Washington Kendall Watson Michael Vice Ty King

HEAD–TO–HEAD TEAM COMPARISONS:

WCU Offense SAM 28................................Scoring.............................. 79 14.0...................... Points Per Game.................... 39.5 42............................ First Downs........................... 33 679.....................Total Yards Gained................... 729 339.5....................Yards Per Game...................364.5 281....................... Rushing Yardage......................142 140.5............Rushing Average per Game............71.0 398...................... Passing Yardage..................... 587 199.0............Passing Average per Game..........293.5 WCU Team Stats SAM 15–93 (46.5).............. Penalties–Yards............. 10–81 (40.5) 7/27, 26%................3rd Down Conversion........... 10/28, 35.7% 2/5, 40%................4th Down Conversion................4/7, 57% WCU Defense SAM 107.........................Points Allowed........................ 47 53.5.............. Points Allowed Per Game............. 23.5 985....................Total Yards Allowed................... 700 492.5.............Yards Allowed Per Game............350.0 400................. Rushing Yards Allowed................309 200.0............Rushing Average Allowed............154.5 585..................Passing Yards Allowed.................391 292.5............ Passing Average Allowed............195.5

2021 SAMFORD DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Tackles Leaders: GP UA–AA = Total Avg. Nathan East.......................2.......................9–12 = 21................ 10.5 Lamar Anderson...............2.........................6–7 = 13................. 6.5 Trimarcus Cheeks.............2........................ 4–8 = 12................. 6.0 Sylvaughn Turner..............2........................ 4–6 = 10................. 5.0 Chris Edmonds..................2..........................4–5 = 9..................4.5 Josiah Cotton....................2..........................3–6 = 9..................4.5 Tay Berry...........................2.......................... 1–8 = 9..................4.5 Ty Herring.........................2..........................5–4 = 9..................4.5 Wade White.......................2..........................2–7 = 9..................4.5 Nelson Jordan...................2...........................1–7 = 8................. 4.0 TFL Leaders: Total Yds Nathan East............................................5.0................................ 29 Trimarcus Cheeks / Tay Berry................1.5 Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Nathan East............................................1.5.................................. 17 Chris Edmonds.......................................1.0....................................5 Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Four players tied............................................................................ 1 Lamar Anderson, Chris Edmonds, Ty Herring, Hakeem Johnson Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Joseph Mera.................................................................................. 1 Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total Nick Jackson / Dakota Chapman................................................... 1

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LOOKING BACK: LAST TIME WE MET SAMFORD 55, WESTERN CAROLINA 27

TEAM STATS:

SEIBERT STADIUM BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – SAT., FEB. 27, 2021

1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH FINAL

WESTERN CAROLINA 7 13 7 0 27 SAMFORD

14 7 20 14 55 ATTENDANCE: 1,276

SCORING SUMMARY: QTR 1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th

TIME 12:33 10:32 5:50 11:52 8:17 5:52 00:00 12:30 9:35 7:25 0:32 13:07 2:18

PLAY WCU - Calvin Jones 2 yd pass from Ryan Glover (McCollum kick) SAM - Liam Welch 24 yd run (Fineran kick) SAM - Jay Stanton 4 yd run (Fineran kick) SAM - Kendall Watson 22 yd pass from Liam Welch (Fineran kick) WCU - R. McCollum 44 yd field goal WCU - Clayton Bardall 34 yd pass from Ryan Glover (McCollum kick) WCU - R. McCollum 45 yd field goal SAM - Dakota Chapman 2 yd run (Fineran kick) SAM - Liam Welch 5 yd run (Fineran kick failed) SAM - A.J. Toney 31 yd pass from Liam Welch (Fineran kick) WCU - D. Spencer 24 yd run (R. McCollum kick) SAM - Liam Welch 6 yd run (Fineran kick) SAM - Ty Boles 57 yd run (Fineran kick)

DRIVE SUMMARY 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:27 7 plays, 66 yards, 1:51 8 plays, 78 yards, 1:42 3 plays, 25 yards, 0:58 10 plays, 48 yards, 3:35 2 plays, 55 yards, 0:35 12 plays, 49 yards, 3:40 10 plays, 72 yards, 2:30 6 plays, 59 yards, 1:45 1 plays, 31 yards, 0:08 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:41 8 plays, 72 yards, 2:18 3 plays, 63 yards, 1:45

WCU 7 7 7 7 10 17 20 20 20 20 27 27 27

SAM 0 7 14 21 21 21 21 28 34 41 41 48 55

WCU's DONNAVAN SPENCER (#20) rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown last year at Samford. The Catamount offense posted 449 total yards. QB RYAN GLOVER threw for 306 yards and a pair of scores on 25-of-43 passing. Eight different receivers caught passes for WCU including a career-best seven receptions for 62 yards and a TD for CALVIN JONES with tight end CLAYTON BARDALL catching four passes for 42 yards and a score.

(Photo by Chase Cochran) Western Carolina linebacker TY HARRIS (#37) recorded the 11th double-digit tackle effort of his career, finishing with 12 stops including 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. TREVOR CHILDERS was credited with eight stops, while LAQUAVION HAYNES tallied a career-high seven solo stops.

WILLIE HAMPTON (1.0) and JAQUARIUS GUINN (0.5) added to WCU's three sack total.

(Photo by Marvin Gentry)

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WCU SAM FIRST DOWNS 22 29 Rushing 9 14 Passing 11 15 Penalty 2 0 RUSHING 143 319 Rushing Att 36 51 Yds per rush 4.0 6.3 Rushing TDs 1 6 Yards Gained 162 338 Yards Lost 19 19 PASSING 306 311 Comp-Att 25-43-2 26-36-0 Yds per pass 12.2 12.0 Passing TDs 2 2 TOTAL YARDS 449 630 Plays 79 87 Fumbles–Lost Interceptions PENALTIES TURNOVERS TIME OF POSS. 3RD DOWN CONV. 4TH DOWN CONV. FGS MADE

0–0 2 6–46 2 29:19 2 of 14 2 of 5 2 for 2

0–0 0 4–40 0 28:23 8 of 17 2 of 4 0 for 1

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS: PASSING Ryan Glover, WCU Liam Welch, SAM

25-43-2 26-36-0

RUSHING Donnavan Spencer, WCU Mikai Stanley, WCU Jay Stanton, SAM Liam Welch, SAM

14 carries, 79 yds, TD 6 carries, 37 yds 23 carries, 135 yds, TD 18 carries, 83 yds, 3 TDs

RECEIVING Reggie Jones, WCU Calvin Jones, WCU A.J. Toney, SAM Ty King, SAM

3 rec.

7 rec.

9 rec.

4 rec.

306 yds, 2 TD 311 yds, 2 TD

76 yds 62 yds, TD 77 yds 66 yds

DEFENSIVE LEADERS:

Samford QB LIAM WELCH (#7) threw for 311 yards on 26-of-36 passing with two touchdowns, adding 83 rushing yards and three scores to pace the Bulldogs. Three Bulldog running backs scored led by JAY STANTON who ran for 135 yards and a 4-yard touchdown while A.J. TONEY (9-for-77) and KENDALL WATSON (2-for-24) hauled in receiving touchdowns.

(Photo by Chase Cochran)

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WESTERN CAROLINA VS SAMFORD

TACKLES Ty Harris, WCU 12 tckls (8ua, 4a), 2.5 TFL Dorian Davis, WCU 8 tckls (7ua, 1a) Trevor Childers, WCU 8 tckls (6ua, 2a) Ty Herring, SAM 9 tckls (5ua, 4a), PBU Nathan East, SAM 8 tckls (8ua), TFL Noah Martin, SAM 7 tckls (4ua, 3a) Chris Edmonds, Coutrell Plair – both with an INT SACKS Ty Harris, WCU 4 players tied, SAM

1.5, 9 yds loss 0.5 sacks each

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DEFENDING CATAMOUNTS

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2021 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL – SEASON PREVIEW GAME-BY-GAME

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GAME 1 GAME 2 GAME 3 GAME 4 GAME 5 GAME 6

MERCER * Saturday, Oct. 9 CULLOWHEE 3:30 pm

The Mercer Bears come to Cullowhee as the opposition in Western Carolina’s 2021 Homecoming game. Last year, the Bears used a solid rushing attack that included eight different ball-carriers to hand the Catamounts a 45-28 defeat at Five Star Stadium. WCU has dropped five-straight games against the Bears in the all-time series, falling to 2-5 overall.

One of the two victories in the series came in Cullowhee in a thrilling 24-21 win back in 2015.

GAME 7

at The Citadel * Saturday, Oct. 23 Charleston, S.C. 2:00 pm

WCU travels down I-26 for the age-old rivalry, Cat vs. Dog, when it squares-off against The Citadel at Johnson Hagood Stadium. WCU scored its lone win of the 2020-21 season against The Citadel, halting a six-game seasonal slide and a four-game winless drought against conference opponents with its win in Cullowhee a season ago.

Donnavan Spencer rushed for 220 yards – the eighth-best single-game performance in WCU history – to key the 21-14 home win as WCU led 21-6 at intermission and stood tall against the ‘Dogs ground game in the second half.

GAME 8

Last year’s meeting in Cullowhee was canceled when Chattanooga opted-out of its remaining spring schedule resulting in a no-contest. In the most recent meeting, WCU amassed 497 yards of offense including 423 on the ground as the two squads combined for 96 total points in UTC’s 60-36 win. WCU closed to within one score, 44-36, in the third quarter, but the Mocs pulled away in the final stanza. The Catamounts trail in the all-time series, 17-29, though WCU’s most recent victory came on the road in a convincing 45-7 victory back in 2017.

at Chattanooga * Saturday, Oct. 2 Chattanooga, Tenn.

1:30 pm

at Wofford * Saturday, Oct. 30 Spartanburg, S.C. 1:30 pm

Last year’s meeting in Cullowhee was canceled when Wofford opted-out of its remaining spring schedule resulting in a no-contest. In the most recent meeting in Spartanburg, WCU QB Tyrie Adams threw a 69-yard TD pass on a toss-back reverse flea flicker on the game's first play. However, Adams was lost to a game-ending injury on the second offensive series and Wofford took advantage, limiting WCU to just 172 yards and four first downs in handing the Catamounts a 59-7 loss. Three Terriers rushed for 100+ yards and combined for five touchdowns.

GAME 9

The regional, intra-conference rivalry is renewed when Western Carolina heads to Boiling Springs to face the Runnin’ Bulldogs at Spangler Stadium. GWU hit a game-winning field goal as time expired to win the most-recent meeting, 24-21, in Cullowhee back in 2019, snapping WCU’s four-game series win streak and giving GWU its first win over WCU since 2009. The Catamounts lead the series with the Runnin’ Bulldogs 6-4 including three wins on the road.

at Gardner-Webb Saturday, Sept. 25 Boiling Springs, N.C. 6:00 pm

FURMAN * Saturday, Nov. 6 CULLOWHEE 2:00 pm

Western Carolina hosts chromatic rival Furman in Cullowhee, site of the Catamounts last series win back in 2015.

WCU has dropped five-straight to the Paladins in the series, trailing Furman 12-34-2 all-time. Last season, the Catamount defense had three interceptions and grabbed an early touchdown lead only to see the Paladins gallop to 533 yards of offense including 320 rushing and 213 passing in scoring 35-consecutive points in the winning effort.

GAME 10

It promises to be an aerial showcase when Western Carolina opens its Southern Conference slate by entertaining the pass-happy attack of the Samford Bulldogs for the annual “Family Weekend” game. Samford boasted the league’s top-scoring (40.3 ppg) and best-producing (513.9 yds/gm) offense in 2020-21, ranking fifth in the NCAA FCS with 353.1 passing yards per game. It was a one-point game at halftime in Birmingham a year ago before Samford took over in posting the 55-27 win, relegating WCU to its third-straight loss in the head-to-head series.

SAMFORD * Saturday, Sept. 18 CULLOWHEE 2:30 pm

ETSU * Saturday, Nov. 13 CULLOWHEE 2:00 pm

The mountain-rivalry is rekindled in WCU’s final home game of 2021 as the Catamounts host ETSU in the “Blue Ridge Border Battle” with the traveling trophy again on the line. ETSU reclaimed “the Rock” with a 24-17 win at Greene Stadium in the spring of 2021. WCU won the most recent rivalry meeting in Cullowhee, outlasting the Bucs for a thrilling 23-20 overtime victory. The all-time series between WCU and ETSU now stands at 25-24-1 in favor of the Catamounts and each of the last three series meetings have been decided in one-possession games.

GAME 11

NORMAN, Okla. — Spencer Rattler threw five touchdown passes, and No. 4 Oklahoma defeated Western Carolina 76-0. Oklahoma tied for its fifth-highest point total in school history. The Sooners led 62-0 after three quarters, and the fourth quarter was shortened to 12 minutes. Rattler completed 20 of 26 passes for 243 yards before resting in the second half of Oklahoma’s 10th straight victory. Jadon Haselwood caught two touchdown passes for the Sooners, who looked sharper after holding off Tulane 40-35 in their season opener a week earlier.

at Oklahoma Saturday, Sept. 11 Norman, Okla.

L, 76-0

at VMI * Saturday, Nov. 20 Lexington, Va. 1:30 pm

Western Carolina concludes the regular season portion of its schedule with a road trip to Lexington, Va., to face the defending Southern Conference champion VMI Keydets. Last season, VMI halted Western Carolina’s 17-game series winning streak which had dated back to 1991 with a 30-7 win over the Catamounts in Cullowhee – the first by the Keydets all-time, ending a 13-game road slide in the series. WCU leads the series, 23-4, all-time.

POSTSEASON

CULLOWHEE – EKU's Da’Joun Hewitt scored three rushing touchdowns, Patrick Nations kicked a fourth-quarter field goal, and Eastern Kentucky edged Western Carolina 31-28, spoiling the debut of Catamounts coach Kerwin Bell.

The Catamounts pulled to within three points on a Rogan Wells keeper from the 1-yard line a two-point conversion pass to C.J. Williams with just over three minutes left. WCU missed a 56-yard field goal attempt to force overtime on its final possession. RB T.J. Jones rushed for 115 yards and a TD, adding 31 receiving yards and a score for WCU.

EASTERN KENTUCKY Saturday, Sept. 4 CULLOWHEE L, 31-28

2021 NCAA FCS PLAYOFFS Saturday, Nov. 27 TBA

Western Carolina looks to halt a 38-year drought of advancing to the NCAA postseason. The NCAA FCS Playoffs returns to 24 teams in the fall of 2021 after being reduced back down to 16 teams in 2020-21. WCU looks to make a return to the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs for the first time since making a run to the national title game in 1983. The Southern Conference regular season champion will garner the league’s automatic bid into the postseason field.

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head coach

KERWIN BELL

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

BORN: June 15, 1965 HOMETOWN: Mayo, Fla. ALMA MATER: Florida, 1987 FAMILY: Wife, Cosette Odom; Three children; Kade, Kolton, and Kenzley

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

Florida–Georgia Hall of Fame, 1996 inductee

u

Univ. of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, 1997 inductee

MIAMI DOLPHINS (NFL), 7th-round draft pick (180), 1988 ATLANTA FALCONS (NFL), 1988 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (NFL), 1989 ORLANDO THUNDER (WLAF), 1991-92

An accomplished player who worked his way from walkon to All-American to the National Football League, and a 12-year veteran head coach who won a combined four conference championships and the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship, Kerwin Bell was named the 14th head football coach at Western Carolina University by Director of Athletics Alex Gary on April 27, 2021.

“We talk every day about Catamount Athletics having a winning mentality and the confidence to believe we can bring championships to our university,” said Gary. “Kerwin is a proven winner and has shown the ability to build successful programs. We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Cullowhee.”

Bell comes to Cullowhee having served as the offensive coordinator at the University of South Florida under head coach Charlie Strong in 2019. He most recently walked off the field as a head coach following the 2018 NCAA Division II national championship, leading the Valdosta State Blazers where he coached for three seasons, twice making playoff appearances.

“I am excited and honored to be named the new head football coach at Western Carolina University,” said Bell. “We are coming here to win championships on the field and help mentor the young men who are in our program. I am ready to get started building this into a championship program that the Catamount Nation can be proud of.”

Over a 12-year head coaching career, Bell led the football programs at Valdosta State (2016-18) and Jacksonville University (2007-15). He did this coming on the heels of a 13-year playing career in professional football that included several stops in the NFL and the Canadian Football League.

Bell served three seasons as the head coach at Valdosta State where he also guided the offense. He led the Blazers to a 27-7 record during his tenure including a school-record 15 straight victories, two Division II playoff appearances, and won both a conference and a national championship in 2018. He was named the 2018 Don Hansen NCAA Division II Co-Coach

of the Year and the Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year after leading VSU to a 14-0 record – the first unbeaten season in program history that included a thrilling 49-47 victory over Ferris State in the D-II National Championship game. Picked fifth in their conference in the preseason and the No. 3 seed entering the playoffs, the Blazers finished No. 1 nationally in the final AFCA Division II poll.

Bell’s 2018 offense led the nation in scoring (52.0 ppg), ranked second in first downs (341), and was fourth in total offense (523.9 ypg), red-zone offense (.901), and pass efficiency (167.37). The Blazers scored 728 points on the year, the most in NCAA Division II history, as they posted 7,334 yards (3,676 rushing/3,658 passing) and 7.9 yards per play on the year.

Within Bell’s system, VSU sophomore quarterback Rogan Wells finished as the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented to the Division II Player of the Year, and was named both the Region Two and Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Wells accounted for 50 touchdowns on the year (including one receiving), led the

SACRAMENTO GOLD MINERS (CFL), 1993-94 EDMONTON ESKIMOS (CFL), 1995 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (NFL), 1996-97 TORONTO ARGONAUTS (CFL), 1998 u

CFL East All-Star (1998)

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

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

Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year (2008)

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

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

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

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nation in points responsible for (300), was second in passing touchdowns (38) and points responsible for per game (21.4 ppg), 10th in passing yards (3,075), 12th in passing efficiency (160.6) and 25th in total offense (271.9 ypg). He finished second on the team with 732 yards rushing and led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns.

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

Bell led VSU to runner-up conference finishes in his first two years guiding the program and went 8-3 with a playoff appearance in his first season at the helm in 2016 as the Blazers led the nation with 27 interceptions on defense.

Prior to Valdosta, Bell led Jacksonville University for nine seasons, guiding the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program to a 66-35 record and three Pioneer Football League (PFL) championships. Serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach as well as head coach, Bell was named the 2008 PFL Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award after leading the Dolphins to a 9-4 seasonal record and conference title.

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He also led Jacksonville to a school-best 10-1 record and conference championship in 2010 as the Dolphins led the nation in total (486 ypg) and scoring (42.2 ppg) offense.

JU also posted a 9-2 overall mark and won a conference title in 2014.

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

Originally from Mayo, Fla., Bell was a quarterback at the University of Florida from 1983-87 where he completed over 57 percent of his 953 pass attempts for 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns.

A former walk-on, Bell concluded his collegiate career as the SEC Player of the Year in 1984 after leading Florida to a 9-1-1 record and a conference championship, and both a firstteam All-SEC selection and All-America honorable mention in 1985, a season that saw the Gators earn the programs

first-ever No. 1 national ranking in the Associated Press poll.

Garnering a second honorable mention All-America honor in 1986, Bell was a 1987 team captain and earned the program’s Fergie Ferguson Award.

Bell was ranked the No. 26 Greatest Gator of all-time from the first 100 years of football at Florida in 2006 by The Gainesville Sun. Bell later served as a graduate assistant for the 1990 season under Steve Spurrier at Florida after earning a degree in psychology in 1987.

He was selected in the seventh round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, beginning his 13-year professional career that saw stops with the NFL teams in Miami, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Indianapolis as well as stops in the Canadian Football League, where he passed for 19,538 yards and 101 touchdowns in nine seasons, and the World League of American Football (WLAF).

Married in 1986 while both students at Florida, Bell and his wife, Cosette, have three children: Kade, Kolton, and Kenzley.

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FOLLOW CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL ALL SEASON LONG Is Proud to Support Catamount Football

The Pepsi Tailgate Show begins an hour prior to kickoff on the Catamount Sports Network – the Voice of Catamount Athletics!

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PROUD SUPPORTERS OF

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2021 FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF

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KADE BELL

JUSTIN HINDS

CHAZMON SCALES

KERRY WEBB

JON COOPER

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR / QBS

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR / LBS

CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR / SAFETIES

SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR / NICKELS

ASSISTANT COACH / OFFENSIVE LINE

JJ LASTER

LARRY MURPHY

RUDI SMALL

DENNIS THOMAS

RYLAN WELLS

ASSISTANT COACH / WIDE RECEIVERS

ASSISTANT COACH / CORNERBACKS

ASSISTANT COACH / RUNNING BACKS

ASSISTANT COACH / DEFENSIVE LINE

ASSISTANT COACH / TIGHT ENDS

TODD SHEALY

TRENT TURKNETT

CODY EDWARDS

GREG McGRUDER

DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL

QUALITY CONTROL COACH – DEFENSE

QUALITY CONTROL COACH – OFFENSE

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IN MEMORY OF COACH

JOHN PEACOCK

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2021 FOOTBALL SUPPORT STAFF

JEFF BURGER

JACOB FLOYD

DANTE JOHNSON

DYLAN QUICK

JESS SMITH

VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH

STUDENT ASSISTANT

STUDENT ASSISTANT

STUDENT ASSISTANT

STUDENT ASSISTANT

MIKE TAYLOR

SPENCER WRIGHT

SANDY NEUENSCHWANDER

HEAD ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT MANAGER

ASST. ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT MANAGER

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT ASSOCIATE – FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL OPERATIONS – 2021 VIDEO CREW

Donavon Barnes, Nate Nunamaker, Trent Turknett, Max Krpejs, & Carter Honeycutt

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – SPORTS PERFORMANCE STAFF

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BEN JACOBS

COLLIN LAWLESS

BRIAN DRYDEN

BAILEY FORST

RYAN GIPSON

DIR. OF SPORTS PERFORMANCE & NUTRITION

ASST. DIRECTOR OF SPORTS PERFORMANCE

ASSISTANT SPORTS PERFORMANCE COACH

ASSISTANT SPORTS PERFORMANCE COACH

ASSISTANT SPORTS PERFORMANCE COACH

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MOUNTAIN CREDIT UNION is a proud supporter of WESTERN CAROLINA FOOTBALL

30 Hwy 107, Sylva, NC (in ffront ont of Ingles)

828-586-0425

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – SPORTS MEDICINE STAFF

STEVEN HONBARGER

ROB REYBURN

NICOLE BOHANNON

ALISHA GRISBY

TYLER SPAIN

DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE – FOOTBALL

ASSOCIATE HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER – FOOTBALL

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER

WCU ATHLETIC TRAINING STUDENT ASSISTANTS

ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT STUDENT ASSISTANTS

Ashlyn Ellenburg Taylor Lee Emma Shirley Olivia Weeks Jordyn Wills

Jacob Carver Braeden Frankenfield Eli Lautzenheiser Andrew Smith Cole Watson

BRAXTON ZEIGLER

LINDSEY BARTLE

LEEANN GRAYSON

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER

ATHLETIC TRAINING INTERN

ATHLETIC TRAINING INTERN

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – STUDENT-ATHLETE SUPPORT SERVICES

ANITA PUERTO

ASHLEY BUCK

JUSTIN DOWD

HALEY TOWNSEND

BRIGHAM WAGINGER

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT-ATHLETE ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES

ACADEMIC SUPPORT ASSISTANT

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT-ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – CATAMOUNT CLUB STAFF

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JULIE MILLER

BLAKE CANTRELL

ANTHONY MIELE

JEFF BEWSEY

DIRECTOR OF THE CATAMOUNT CLUB

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE CATAMOUNT CLUB

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE CATAMOUNT CLUB

CATAMOUNT CLUB ASSISTANT

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2021 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL

ROW 1 (l-r): C.J. Williams, Raphael Williams, Calvin Jones, Kason Lincke, Daquan Patten, Terrence Horne, Kenny Benjamin, Mydreon Vines, Jakobe Quillen, Rogan Wells, Meziah Scott, Keenan Hambrick, Toler Keigley, Solomon Butler, Brody Palhegyi ROW 2 (l-r): Jaylen Floyd, Ivan Hogans, Aaron Gethers, Jacob Harris, Cameron McCutcheon, Jayden Pauling, Nick Oelrich, Charles Gadie, LA Rogers-Anderson, Kareem Taylor, Willie Hampton, Rod Gattison, Ronald Kent Jr., Braxton Richburg, Dramarian McNulty, Andreas Keaton ROW 3 (l-r): Raekwon Heath, Parish Metzger, Branson Adams, Mikai Stanley, Jaiden Bond, Tyree Nelson, Bryson Grabowski, Quenten Zanders, Glenn Young, Brandon Dickerson, Brayden Blackmon, Caleb Scott, Luke Hoggard, Alex McConnell ROW 4 (l-r): Quintin Talley, Trevor Childers, Corey Hennings, Willie Rice, Micah Nelson, Jerius Edwards, Malik Richardson, Curtis Roach, Skylin Thomas, Ty Harris, Elic Haddock, Nigel Manns, Ethan Harris, Neil Illenrey, Tre Jolly, Mo Smith, Caleb Fisher, Tyler Anderson ROW 5 (l-r): Antwann Fann, Griffin Sestili, Brady Elms, Peyton Davis, Michael Harper, Colby Cross, Nick Hapeshis, Dillon Luther, Christian Coulter, Blake Whitmore, Samari Saddler, Tyler Smith, Caleb Carter, Nate Linkous, Bryson Boyette ROW 6 (l-r): Giovanni Riccardi, Joaquin Layno, Torrion Stevenson, Caleb Bradford, Marlon Alexander, Jaquarius Guinn, Darrius Bell, Timothy Jamison, Laquavion Haynes, KJ Milner, Ricky Palao, Nate Nunamaker, Carter Honeycutt, Donavon Barnes, Max Krpejs ROW 7 (l-r): Garrett Bowman, Aidan Alston, Shammond Hicks, Kendall Alford, Miller DeArmond, Owen Cosenke, Talon James, Clayton Bardall, Dylan Abernethy, Luke Sutton, Richard McCollum, Jess Smith, Jacob Floyd, Dante Johnson, Dylan Quick, Jeff Burger ROW 8 (l-r): Greg McGruder, JJ Laster, Jon Cooper, Rylan Wells, Kade Bell, Rudi Small, Kerwin Bell, Justin Hinds, Cody Edwards, Larry Murphy, Chazmon Scales, Kerry Webb, Dennis Thomas, Ben Jacobs, Bailey Forst, Ryan Gipson, Trent Turknett

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2021 CATAMOUNT CHEERLEADERS

FRONT ROW (l-r): Natalie McIver, Mary Morrison, Kylee Jonson, Marissa Clontz, Sarena Burrell, Emma Page, Liz Liner, Kristin Cates, Trinity Turner, Hannah Wing, Scottie Branning MIDDLE ROW (l-r): Savannah Jones, Molly McAvoy, Becca Kilpatrick, Kasi Jones, Izzy Wilson, Olivia Hawkins, Makenna Shipley BACK ROW (l-r): Lauren Brooks, Sara Grace Smith, Riley Sanz, Brayden Short, Shelby Bramlett, Nicole Carmical, Kamdyn Anderson, Hallie Holt, Leah Bridges, Caroline Lopp, Airica Anderson

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ALEX GARY

DIRECTOR OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Alex Gary, a former student-athlete on the Western Carolina University baseball team was dubbed the next director of the Catamount athletics program in late February 2020. Gary had most recently served as senior associate athletics director for development at Oregon State University.

WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown announced the selection of Gary on Friday, Feb. 28 to serve as director of athletics following approval of his contract by the university’s Board of Trustees during a special conference call meeting earlier in the day. The appointment, which is effective May 1, follows a national search conducted by a 15-member committee working with the assistance of the North Carolina-based executive search consulting firm Collegiate Sports Associates.

During his first year as the Athletics Director at WCU, Gary successfully navigated the department through the COVID-19 pandemic while also overseeing the hiring of 50 employees including two high-profile sport head coaches – men's basketball head coach Justin Gray, and Kerwin Bell, head football coach.

Prior to coming to Cullowhee, Gary served as senior associate director of athletics and the department’s chief development officer at Oregon State beginning in September 2017. He previously served as associate athletics director for development and external relations at the University of Maryland from 2014 until 2017. He also has held development positions at the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Gary’s professional experience in major collegiate athletics conferences, such as the Pac-12 and Big Ten, 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

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the fields and courts of competition that they have had in the classroom in recent years,” she said.

“The committee has found exactly that in Alex Gary,” Brown said. “To borrow some terminology from the sport that Alex once played while representing the Catamounts, this hire is a grand slam homerun and one that touches all of the bases.”

A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, who grew up in Charlotte, Gary was an outfielder on the WCU baseball team from 2001 until 2004, earning Southern Conference Player of the Week honors in March 2004. During his junior year of 2003, he was a member of WCU’s regular season and Southern Conference Tournament championship baseball team and participated in the NCAA regionals held in Wilson.

“I have a strong affinity and love for WCU. Three groomsmen in my 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 and what is needed to advance Catamount Athletics.

I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to help develop student-athletes during a critically important time in their lives, especially at a place where I spent those same significant years,” he said.

At Oregon State, he has been a member of the executive leadership team responsible for the athletics department’s $85 million budget, 150 employees and more than 500 student-athletes. He oversees the 16-member athletics development team, which raised nearly $26 million in 2019, a record for the Beavers’ athletics program. That fundraising effort included a $3.5 million sports performance center renovation, $2.3 million women’s locker room renovation, and $2.6 million baseball stadium expansion.

During his stint at the University of Maryland, Gary chaired a committee focused on the financial sustainability of the athletics department, and he led annual giving growth in the Terrapin Club by 22 percent in 2015 and 13 percent in 2016. As a member of the development team at the University of Michigan from 2010 until 2014, he worked closely with the university’s athletics department, raising $12.8 million to support the Wolverines’ athletics program’s capital and endowment needs. He began his career in 2009 as assistant director of annual giving at UNC Charlotte.

“Western Carolina University’s growth and development over the past decade have been impressive. WCU athletics has the ability to assist in that growth by raising the competitive bar across the 16 sports,” Gary said.

“Research has proven that high-level athletics performance is symbiotic with university success, allowing the university to increase its visibility and further its mission.

I am confident in my ability to lead what may not be the most important room in the house, but potentially the most visible.”

He earned a degree in business administration in 2005 from Virginia Commonwealth University and his 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.

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“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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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – ATHLETICS SENIOR STAFF

ALEX GARY

KYLE PIFER

STACEY MILLER

CHAD GERRETY

JULIE MILLER

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

DEPUTY ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

ASSOC. AD FOR STUDENT SUCCESS / SWA

ASSOC. AD FOR EXTERNAL OPERATIONS

ASSOC. AD FOR DEVELOPMENT / CATAMOUNT CLUB

DANIEL HOOKER

AMANDA MURCHIE

DR. ALEXANDER MACAULAY

ASSISTANT AD FOR MEDIA RELATIONS

ASSISTANT AD FOR BUSINESS OPERATIONS

WCU FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – ATHLETICS STAFF

Denise Gideon Director of Media Relations

Ben Page

Director of Athletics Ticketing

Steven Grandy Director of Media Relations

Zach Denitto

Athletics Ticketing and Marketing Assistant

TBA

Patrick Mullaney

Rory Jimerson

Mark Conlin

Director of Video Operations

Director of Game Operations & Facilities

Assistant Director of Video Operations

Director of Athletic Facilities

Greg Camillone Director of Creative Media

Eynde Frazier

Assistant Director of Game Operations & Facilities

Tyler Pope

Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement

Ric Sisler

Director of Corporate Sponsorship

Kim Jamison

Athletic Department Administrative Assistant

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – COACHING STAFF

Bobby Moranda Head Coach Baseball

Zack Freesman Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Megan Brown Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Todd Herman

Vince Grier

Andrew Cox

Assistant Coach Baseball

Molly Bachand

Jeff Lavin

Volunteer Assistant Coach Baseball

Cody Cohen

Graduate Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Director of Men's Basketball Operations

Video Coordinator Men’s Basketball

Darryln McDonough

Ashley Morgan Crowe

Kourtney Sandefur

Jim Clift

Madison Armstrong

Bret Beaver

Chelsi Carter

Nick Collins

Director of Women's Basketball Operations

Associate Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Head Coach Softball

Josh Hall

Karen Glover

Graduate Assistant Coach Track & Field

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Taylor Sandefur

Head Assistant Coach Baseball

Head Coach Volleyball

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Head Coach Cheerleading

Assistant Coach Softball

Associate Head Coach Volleyball

Assistant Coach Cheerleading

Head Coach Women's Tennis

Assistant Coach Volleyball

Justin Gray

Head Coach Men’s Basketball

Kiley Hill

Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Jayson Gee

Brian Graves

Kendra Samuels-Eaton

Shyla Coleman

Associate Head Coach Men’s Basketball

Associate Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Tim Eckberg

Courtney Gunter Head Coach Women’s Golf

Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Jesse Norman

David Johnston

Greg Lambert

Head Coach Men’s Golf

Head Coach Cross Country / Track & Field

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Chad Miller

Assistant Coach Track & Field

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THANK YOU TO THESE DONORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM / BOB WATERS FIELD TURF REPLACEMENT PROJECT Betty Allen

Loretta and Bill Dodgen

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Andy and Jordan Dunn

Wilmot Jones

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Ben Kees

Chuck and Jodi Pippin

Gary and Martha Stepp

John and Kelli Baker

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Patrick and Natalie Kesler

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Jeff and Josie Bewsey

Jarrett and Jaime Friday

Bryant and Brenda Kinney

Mark and Emily Prosser

Chuck and Mary Thompson

Clayton Bolton

Robert Gibson

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Anita Puerto

Bradley Tollie

Ross Bonnewell

Marc and Kelli Ann Gibson

Kristy and Joanne Kiser

Tracy Pyle

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Charlie and Mary Jo Boswell

Daniel and Lynette Gibson

Bob and Theresa Konen

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Gail Totherow

Dana Boyer

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Jimmy and Darryl Ray

John and Martha Truitt Steve and Chelsi Ulsh

Eva Bradshaw

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Jennifer Brown

Marshall Gunter

Carl Long

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Jason and Tonia VanDyke

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Arnold and Donna Roope

Robbie and Miriam Vannoy

Blake Cantrell

Jimmy and Karen Hardy

Jerry and Judy Matheny

Rylee Roquemore

Mike and Regina Wade

Michael and Tamara Caskey

Rod and Pamela Harrelson

Brenda McDonald

Bob Sabin and Susan Hinkle-Sabin

David and Brenda Warlick

Justin Caudell

Keith and Shannon Haskett

Kevin and Erica McIntosh

Jeff and Libby Sanders

Mike Wash

David and Charlene Chapman

Mark and Tammy Haskett

Kenny Messer and Melanie Clark

Noah Sautter

Jim and Teresa Watson

Martin Cheatham IV

Timothy and Ashley Hayzlip

John and Page Mikol

Christopher and Kirstin Schlenker

Eddie and Savannah Wells

Lynne Chiger

Jessica Helms

Daniel and Jordan Moeller

Michael and Rebecca Schlosser

Tommy and Shelly White

Jennifer Childers

Kenneth and Joanne Henry

Curtis and Kellie Monteith

Jeffrey and Natalie Sechrist

Ron and Susan Whitmire

Scott and Kelly Christian

Lisa Henderson-Hill and Dale Hill

Brian Moore

Mike and Kathie Shelton

Tina Whitmore

Bob and Lauren Clark

Brittney Holder

Don and Heather Moore

Jerry and Glenda Shepardson

Don and Ann Williams Onifer and Meagan Wilmoth

Thomas Condon

Tom Holderby

Noah Moore

Brenda Sidney

John and Lori Connet

Daniel K. Hooker

Edwin Morrow

Gerald and Anne Smart

Holly Wilson

Cam and Brandi Cooper

Sherri Houston

Paxton Myers

Lenny and Vicky Smathers

Donna Winbon

Stephen and Kelly Cosenke

Thomas and Jennifer Jackson

Mark and Heidi Nash

Anthony Smith

Jim and Jane Wood

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Rob and Cathy Neill

Mark and Lisa Smith

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Rachel Young

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MEET THE 2021 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

0

0 Jaylen Floyd

DB – 5-9 – 185 – Gr. Miramar, Fla.

TJ Jones

RB – 5-11 – 205 – Jr. Lakeland, Fla.

3

3 Jacob Harris

S – 6-1 – 190 – So. Greer, S.C.

6

Calvin Jones

WR – 5-10 – 175 – Fr. Forest City, N.C.

7 Nick Oelrich

DB – 6-1 – 205 – Gr. Newberry, Fla.

9 Mydreon Vines

WR – 6-2 – 190 – Sr. Greenville, N.C.

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1

Charles Gadie

S – 5-9 – 175 – R-So. Douglasville, Ga.

10 Willie Hampton

DE – 6-1 – 220 – R-Jr. Ft. Laurderdale, Fla.

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Ivan Hogans

LB – 6-2 – 220 – Sr. Stockbridge, Ga.

4 Cameron McCutcheon DB – 6-3 – 195 – Sr. Seneca, S.C.

7 Terrence Horne

WR – 5-7 – 180 – So. Miami, Fla.

10 Jakobe Quillen

WR – 6-3 – 200 – Fr. Florence, S.C

1

2 CJ Williams

WR – 5-10 – 160 – So. Gallion, Ala.

4 Kason Lincke

QB – 6-1 – 195 – Fr. Mobile, Ala.

8 LA Rogers-Anderson NIC – 6-0 – 215 – Jr. Sumter, S.C.

11 Rogan Wells

QB – 6-4 – 220 – Gr. Fort Mill, S.C.

Aaron Gethers

CB – 5-10 – 190 – R-So. Blythewood, S.C.

5 Jayden Pauling DE – 6-3 – 245 – Jr. Raleigh, N.C.

8 Kenny Benjamin RB – 5-7 – 180 – Gr. Lehigh Acres, Fla.

12 Rod Gattison

CB – 5-11 – 185 – So. Hartsville, S.C.

2 Raphael Williams

WR – 5-10 – 160 – R-Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

5 Carlos Davis

QB – 6-3 – 225 – R-So. Baltimore, Md.

9 Kareem Taylor

LB – 6-0 – 215 – Gr. Rincon, Ga.

12 Meziah Scott

QB – 6-0 – 200 – Fr. Petersburg, Va.

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MEET THE 2021 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

13 Ronald Kent Jr.

CB – 5-10 – 175 – Jr. Harrisburg, Pa.

18 Clayton Bardall

TE – 6-3 – 230 – R-So. Cumming, Ga.

25 Jaiden Bond

RB – 5-9 – 180 – Fr. Boone, N.C.

32 Malik Richardson NIC – 6-4 – 210 – R-Fr. Sumter, S.C.

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13 Keenan Hambrick WR – 6-3 – 205 – Fr. Athens, Ala.

19 Branson Adams WR – 5-9 – 180 – Fr. Greensboro, N.C.

26 Tyree Nelson

RB – 5-10 – 200 – Fr. Atlanta, Ga.

33 Curtis Roach

NIC – 6-1 – 200 – R-Sr. Cumming, Ga.

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14 Toler Keigley

WR – 6-1 – 190 – Fr. Pensacola, Fla.

20 Dramarian McNulty DB – 5-11 – 185 – Fr. Brookhaven, Miss.

27 Trevor Childers LB – 6-1 – 215 – Sr. Lincolnton, N.C.

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

15 Solomon Butler WR – 6-0 – 195 – Fr. Moncks Corner, S.C.

21 Andreas Keaton S – 6-2 – 190 – Fr. Powder Springs, Ga.

29 Willie Rice

CB – 6-0 – 185 – Fr. St. Louis, Mo.

35 Glenn Young

RB – 5-9 – 200 – Fr. Fayetteville, N.C.

16 Brody Palhegyi QB – 5-9 – 180 – Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

22 Mikai Stanley

RB – 6-2 – 235 – Fr. Wilmington, N.C.

30 Micah Nelson

DE – 6-3 – 235 – R-Fr. Murphy, N.C.

36 Skylin Thomas

NIC – 5-10 – 195 – R-Fr. Lenoir, N.C.

17 Raekwon Heath

TE – 6-2 – 205 – R-Jr. Columbia, S.C.

24 Quintin Talley S – 6-0 – 190 – Fr. Spartanburg, S.C.

31 Jerius Edwards

NIC – 6-0 – 180 – Fr. Carrollton, Ga.

37 Ty Harris

LB – 6-1 – 235 – Sr. Dacula, Ga.

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MEET THE 2021 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

38 Brandon Dickerson P – 5-11 – 195 – So. Fort Mill, S.C.

44 Nigel Manns

LB – 6-1 – 225 – Fr. Byron, Ga.

50 Alex McConnell

OL – 6-4 – 280 – R-So. Boone, N.C.

57 Tyler Anderson LB – 6-0 – 225 – Fr. Greensboro, N.C.

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39 Brayden Blackmon TE – 6-3 – 215 – Fr. Duncan, S.C.

45 Ethan Harris

DB – 5-8 – 165 – Fr. Duncan, S.C.

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Cory Hennings S – 6-1 – 195 – Fr. Matthews, N.C.

46 Paxton Robertson K/P – 6-0 – 200 – Fr. Knoxville, Tenn.

52 Matt Bair

OL – 6-3 – 285 – Sr. Anderson, S.C.

58 Giovanni Ricciardi LB – 6-0 – 225 – Fr. Clemmons, N.C.

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Antwann Fann

OL – 6-3 – 310 – R-Fr. Perry, Ga.

60 Joaquin Layno

DL – 5-10 – 280 – R-Fr. Cherokee, N.C.

41 Caleb Scott

TE – 6-2 – 225 – Fr. Black Mountain, N.C.

47 Neil Ilenrrey

S – 6-0 – 185 – So. Alpharetta, Ga.

53 Caleb Fisher

DL – 6-3 – 230 – Fr. Decatur, Ga.

61 Anthony Giansante OL – 6-4 – 300 – Fr. North Huntingdon, Pa.

42 Jontavious Shotwell S – 5-11 – 185 – R-So. Hoschton, Ga.

48 Tre’ Jolly

DE – 6-2 – 220 – R-Fr. Shelby, N.C.

55 Kevin Thompson LS – 5-10 – 185 – So. Rock Hill, S.C.

62 Michael Harper

OL – 6-4 – 280 – R-Jr. Wilkesboro, N.C.

43 Luke Hoggard

TE – 6-0 – 230 – R-Jr. Edenton, N.C.

49 Demorian Smith LB – 6-0 – 220 – Fr. Robersonville, N.C.

56 Griffin Sestili

OL – 6-3 – 295 – R-Jr. Sewickley, Pa.

64 Colby Cross

LS – 6-0 – 220 – Fr. Mooresville, N.C.

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MEET THE 2021 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

66 Gabe Jones

OL – 6-2 – 250 – Fr. Southern Pines, N.C.

72 Blake Whitmore

OL – 6-2 – 285 – R-Fr. Raleigh, N.C.

78 Garrett Bowman

OL – 6-4 – 280 – R-So. Arab, Ala.

84 Owen Cosenke TE – 6-3 – 235 – Sr. Aldie, Va.

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67 Nick Hapeshis

OL – 6-1 – 250 – Fr. Central, S.C.

73 Samari Saddler

OL – 6-2 – 295 – So. Cincinnati, Ohio

79 Aidan Alston

OL – 6-2 – 270 – R-Fr. Southern Pines, N.C.

85 Talon James

TE – 6-4 – 235 – R-Jr. Fairview, N.C.

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68 Torrion Stevenson DL – 6-1 – 330 – R-So. Branchville, S.C.

74 Tyler Smith

OL – 6-8 – 300 – R-So. Laurinburg, N.C.

80 Shammond Hicks WR – 5-10 – 180 – Gr. Raleigh, N.C.

86 Daquan Patten

WR – 5-6 – 180 – Sr. Columbia, S.C.

69 Dillon Luther

OL – 6-3 – 300 – So. Asheville, N.C.

75 Caleb Carter

OL – 6-3 – 285 – Fr. Jacksonville, N.C.

81 Kendall Alford

WR – 5-10 – 185 – R-Fr. Marietta, Ga.

87 Dylan Abernethy WR – 6-0 – 175 – Fr. Maiden, N.C.

70 Christian Coulter OL – 6-5 – 335 – So. Thomson, Ga.

76 Nathan Linkous OL – 6-5 – 295 – Fr. Cramerton, N.C.

82 Miller DeArmond WR – 6-1 – 175 – Fr. Greer, S.C.

88 Luke Sutton

WR – 5-8 – 170 – Fr. Concord, N.C.

71 Austin Grunden OL – 6-2 – 250 – Fr. Kannapolis, N.C.

77 Peyton Davis

OL – 6-2 – 290 – Fr. Mooresville, N.C.

83 Trae Churn

TE – 6-5 – 240 – Gr. Columbia, S.C.

89 Richard McCollum K – 5-9 – 180 – R-So. Sanford, N.C.

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MEET THE 2021 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

90 Marlon Alexander DL – 6-0 – 320 – So. Smyrna, Tenn.

96 K.J. Milner

Jaquarius Guinn DL – 6-2 – 280 – Fr. Clover, S.C.

97 Ronald Wilson

DL – 6-4 – 265 – Jr. Hinesville, Ga.

DL – 6-2 – 355 – So. Mocksville, N.C.

Bryson Boyette

Caleb Bradford

Parish Metzger

Braxton Richburg

OL – 6-1 – 285 – Fr. Wilmington, N.C.

QB – 6-0 – 190 – Fr. Matthews, N.C.

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DL – 6-1 – 265 – Fr. Canton, N.C.

DB – 6-0 – 190 – Sr. Hoschton, Ga.

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92 Darrius Bell

DE – 6-2 – 240 – R-Fr. Gilbert, S.C.

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93 Chris Morgan

Dl – 6-0 – 265 – Fr. Maiden, N.C.

94 Timoty Jamison DL – 6-4 – 255 – Jr. Lexington, S.C.

DL – 6-2 – 285 – Sr. Hoover, Ala.

Ricky Palao

Anthony Badgett

Brady Elms

Trevor Fournet

Bryson Grabowski

P – 6-4 – 170 – Fr. Huntsville, Ala.

Laquavion Haynes DE – 6-4 – 220 – Fr. Moultrie, Ga.

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DL – 6-3 – 285 – R-Fr. Raleigh, N.C.

Christian Harris

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LB – 5-11 – 215 – Fr. Cornelius, N.C.

CB – 5-9 – 185 – R-So. Greensboro, N.C.

QB – 6-1 – 180 – Fr. Copperhill, Tenn.

Ajay Belanger

TE – 6-3 – 190 – Jr. Green Cove Springs, Fla.

Elic Haddock

LB – 6-0 – 210 – Fr. Greenville, N.C.

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2021 "PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS" MARCHING BAND

The students and staff of the 2021 "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band are proud to present our 2021 production entitled, “INVINCIBLE” presented by B.H. Graning Landscapes, Inc. The directors, staff, student leadership team, and membership have worked incredibly hard to provide audiences with another unforgettable performance experience.

With a membership of over 410 elite members, the Pride of the Mountains marching band is poised to set new performance standards in 2021, while continuing to push boundaries of design innovation and entertainment at the collegiate level. In addition to their halftime support, B. H. Graning Landscapes, Inc. is making possible the opportunity for the Pride of the Mountains to be a member of the Marching Health team. Marching Health is a nationwide physical conditioning initiative that serves as a training program for students in the marching arts. Through our involvement, students are receiving instruction on preemptive techniques that will reduce injury, build a stronger body.

We look forward to a long relationship with Dr. Elliot Cleveland, founder of Marching Health and feel confident that this program will build longevity to our students’ physical health while teaching best practices for life long wellness.

The production is designed by Matt Henley (Asst. Director of Athletic Bands and Percussion Arranger), Jon Henson (Front Ensemble Arranger), and Ian Lewis (Colorguard Choreographer and Designer). Musical arrangements are created by Drum Corps International Hall of Fame composer Doug Thrower and the drill is written by acclaimed creative designer, Jamey Thompson. Both of these gentlemen are internationally recognized for their contribution to the pageantry arts world and are iconic names in the marching band and drum and bugle corps activity. With the national reputation the Pride of the Mountains maintains, we recognize our design team as prime contributors to the innovation and entertainment excitement centered upon each year’s production.

This fall promises to again be one of the busiest on record with regard to recruitment performances. Beginning Saturday, September 25th, the band will perform for over 3000 spectators in exhibition at the Enka Land of the Sky competition which showcases 30 of the region’s top high school bands. The 20th annual Western Carolina University Tournament of Champions takes place on Saturday, October 23rd , when we welcome high school bands from around the Southeast to our campus as well as our world- class evaluation panel assimilated from across the United States. The Pride of the Mountains will perform twice during this event for over 10,000 attendees.

On October 30th we are also excited to travel to Atlanta, GA to perform at the Lafayette Classic Marching Band Competition to perform in exhibition for some of Georgia’s premier high school band programs. It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to showcase our talented students and our passion for the marching arts with this esteemed community.

About our 2021 production… “INVINCIBLE”

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“It’s not what happens that counts, but how you react.” – Bruce Lee With all of the sadness and negativity surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the dismantling of education systems, experiences, programs, families, lives and all things surrounding the past year and a half – it would be easy and even natural for people to give up.

However, it is with great pride and conviction that we say that our Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains students have not only NOT given up, but are THRIVING in spite of the difficult situations and constantly changing landscape! It is this valiant spirit that has inspired this year’s production – because our band program, our University, our Alumni, and our community are without a doubt – INVINCIBLE!!!

PART ONE – The entire production actually begins where we left off in the fall of 2020. Our percussion students last performed a piece that was leaning on how we felt at the time. “Uninvited” by Alannis Morissette represents the uninvited virus and all things that came with it in our world. Also, the powerful song “Shatter Me” by Lindsey Stirling represented the shattering of so many lives and programs, including our own.

The PotM bass drum line begins with a virtuosic solo performance while the remainder of the band is visibly broken and shattered into a million pieces all over the field. As the music evolves, you will see our incredible students pick themselves up and put themselves back together again, one piece at a time. This is the invincible spirit that our program has continued to exhibit even during the most difficult of times.

“Yesterday” by the Beatles is our opening full band statement! This classic and beautiful melody screams the sentiment that, yes, we were broken – but that was yesterday. We are moving on, and we will be stronger than before. This spirit carries forward with the popular and meaningful song “Invincible” by Kelly Clarkson. This passage features a musical and visual fugue where you can experience us piece together once again, in small groups this time, to a penultimate moment of victory and strength!

Our final song in this fun medley is “Get Back” by the Beatles, that emphatically states that we are back, back to where we once belonged, experiencing the thrill of live performance with our friends – ALL OF YOU!!

PART TWO is intended to be one BIG thank you to our Alumni! Throughout all things the vast majority of our former members have been massive supporters of our current students and the program that was so good to them. The “long purple line” is real, it is meaningful, and we do not take for granted the shoulders in which we stand on today. “I’ll Be There” by the Jackson 5 expresses the sentiment in which we felt from our alumni, and that we appreciate so very much. This meaningful song blends directly

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

Dr. Jack Eaddy Matt Henley Trevor Bailey Doug Thrower Jamey Thompson Jon Henson Bob Buckner Emily Lawson Ian Lewis Rebekah Chadderdon Tucker McGrew Heath Ballard Taylor Barnes Seaon Carter Ohnyale Patterson

Director of Athletic Bands Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Music Arranger Drill Designer Front Ensemble Arranger Pregame Drill Designer Director of the Colorguard Colorguard Choreographer Colorguard Instructor Director of Front Ensemble Director of Audio Production Bass Drum Technician Cymbal Technician Cymbal Technician

STAFF COORDINATORS: Jennifer Burhans, Maddy Farmer, Holly Hauschild 2021 DRUM MAJORS: Ren Byrnes, Connor Nelson, Megan Newton, Grace Pressley CAPTION TEACHING ASSISTANTS: Madison McCoy, Hannah Taylor, Abby Traylor, Nick Tirpak into the Aretha Franklin hit “You’re All I Need to Get By”, which most certainly sends the correct message of how we need one another, young and old, to have strength through the most difficult of times. In tandem with this aspect of the program, we also have a gift to the alumni that you can experience on the Jumbo Tron during the performance. #longpurpleline #thankyou #invincible

2021 Drum Majors (l-r):

Megan Newton, Ren Byrnes, Grace Pressley, Connor Nelson PART THREE is a figurative and literal light at the end of the tunnel. The phenomenal WCU percussion section takes the stage with “Lights” by Ellie Goulding.

With an actual tunnel on the field, once they enter, will they come out the other side?

Will they find the light that we have all been seeking at the end of this scary period of time? YES – and we will be bigger and better than before!!! You simply won’t believe the “magic” before your eyes!

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius It is with great pride as we begin PART FOUR with “Rise Up” by Andra Day, and we celebrate the camaraderie and sense of community that we have missed for so long. With the help of our friends, our family, our alumni, and our community we can and will help each other out of the darkness and RISE UP into a place of light and optimism.

WE are Western Carolina University; WE are our current members; WE are our past members; WE are the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band and WE are…. “INVINCIBLE”

WESTERN CAROLINA FIGHT SONG

WESTERN CAROLINA ALMA MATER

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

Hail to thee, our Alma Mater; Faithful, kind, and true; Every son and every daughter Offers praise to you.

– CHORUS – Hail to the dearest spot of all; Hail to WCU! Light and life and fond devotion, All to thee are due.

Purple robes and colors golden, Streaming everywhere, Swell our hearts with pride for olden Days and friendships dear.

– CHORUS – Under shade trees’ friendly bowers, Voices, ever gay, Mingles with breath of flowers And the song birds’ lay.

– CHORUS – Shout aloud with one loud chorus, Voices clear and true, Lifted high in praise and honor, All for WCU! – CHORUS –

Western, Western, Go–Western!

Go—Cats!

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

Adopted in 1981, Western Carolina’s fight song was composed by members of the University faculty

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CATAMOUNTS IN THE NFL DRAFT YEAR PLAYER

TEAM ROUND PICK

1972............Steve Williams.................... San Francisco 49ers............. 10................ 252 1982............Eddie McGill.......................... St. Louis Cardinals............. 10................ 259 1985............Louis Cooper.......................... Seattle Seahawks..............11................. 305 1986............Clyde Simmons................... Philadelphia Eagles..............9................. 233 1988............Kirk Roach........................................ Buffalo Bills..............5.................. 135 1993............Willie Williams...................... Pittsburgh Steelers..............6..................162 1994............Andrew Jordan......................Minnesota Vikings..............6.................. 179 2017............Keion Crossen.................. New England Patriots.............. 7................. 243

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DR. KELLI BROWN

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR

Western Carolina University is led by the Chancellor, the university’s chief administrative officer, with guidance and policy oversight from the Board of Trustees.

As one of the 16 universities in the University of North Carolina system, WCU also falls under the administration of the UNC system president and the Board of Governors, advised by the UNC Faculty Assembly.

As Provost, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs serves as the top administrator for academics and as the senior member of the Chancellor’s Executive Council: WESTERN CAROLINA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Dr. Kelli R. Brown, Chancellor Dr. Richard Starnes, Provost / Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Mr. Michael T. Byers, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Mr. Alex Gary, Director of Athletics Mr. Craig Fowler, Chief Information Officer Mrs. Jamie T. Raynor, Vice Chancellor for Advancement Dr. H. Samuel Miller Jr., Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Mr. Shea Browning, General Counsel Dr. Melissa Wargo, Chief of Staff Ms. Jessica Woods, Assistant to the Chancellor Dr. Kelli R. Brown is chancellor of Western Carolina University, a regional comprehensive university that serves 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,

Chancellor Brown was appointed interim president of Valdosta State University, a regional comprehensive university in southern Georgia. She served in that capacity until a permanent president took office in January 2017, after which she then returned to her position at Georgia College. In addition to her leadership at Georgia College, she has taught undergraduate and graduate students and has served in academic leadership roles at the University of Florida, University of South Florida, Illinois State University, and Western Illinois University.

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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Friends.

Family.

Community. w 2021 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

We’re all in this together.

State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. That's one reason why I'm proud to support Western Carolina University.

Get to a better State®.

Charles Wolfe, Agent 180 Webster Road Sylva, NC 28779 Bus: 828-586-4026 charles.w.wolfe.bwll@statefarm.com

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1211009

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

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CATAMOUNT CLUB MEMBERSHIP (as of September 14, 2021)

LEGACY David and Marie Brinkley........................Kings Mountain, N.C. Michael and Gina Crawford................................. Candler, N.C. Tad and Susan Grattan.......................Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Harris Regional Hospital.......................................... Sylva, N.C.

TROPHY C. Philip Byers.................................................Forest City, N.C. Scott and Kim Davis...................................Willow Spring, N.C. Tom and Shannon Holderby................................Whitsett, N.C. Jeanette Hyde......................................................Raleigh, N.C. Gaither and Bev Keener................................ Mooresville, N.C. Kelly and Jeff Kent......................................... Mooresville, N.C.

LEVEL Ingles Markets, Inc............................................ Asheville, N.C. Blaise and Brittne Stevens................................. Madison, N.C. Mike and Marsha Sullivan................................Fort Myers, Fla.

LEVEL Kevin and Lynn Stanberry........................................ Sylva, N.C. Dave and Lois Steed.................................... Myrtle Beach, S.C. Kevin Vasquez........................................................Naples, Fla. David and Brenda Warlick....................................Raleigh, N.C. Randy White and Kim Hunter........................Santa Rosa, Calif.

Michael and Torri Winstead............................Wilmington, N.C.

CHAMPIONS CLUB LEVEL Larry and Mary Arbaugh...........................................Sylva, N.C. Jack and Judy Brinson..................................... Highlands, N.C. Sonny Carter and Shirley Bruce............................... Greer, S.C. Willie L. Carpenter, Jr...............................................Miami, Fla. Civil Design Concepts, P.A.................................Asheville, N.C. Stephen C. Couch.................................................Durham, N.C. Wes and Cathy Elingburg.............................. Greensboro, N.C. Terry and Vikki Fortner..................................... Dahlonega, Ga. Todd and Julie Harkins........................................ Conover, N.C. Louanna King................................................... Mills River, N.C. Ken and Donna Martin.....................................Knoxville, Tenn.

Alden and Sari McCracken....................... Hendersonville, N.C. Kenny Messer and Melanie Clark....................Greensboro, Ga.

John and Page Mikol.........................................Rural Hall, N.C. Paxton Myers and Dana Boyer.................................Sylva, N.C. Heidi and Mark Nash....................................... Mill Spring, N.C. Teddy and Christy Phillips................................Knoxville, Tenn.

Cambria and Brian Reinsborough........................ Austin, Texas Ronny and Zaidee Robertson...........................Knoxville, Tenn.

Jake and Olivia Robinson......................................Canton, N.C. Van Stayton..................................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Robbie and Miriam Vannoy....................................Sunset, S.C. David and Joy Wiggins................................. Simpsonville, S.C. Jim and Jane Wood................................................. Clyde, N.C. Brittany and Jonathan Zapp.............................. Charlotte, N.C.

I-CATS LEVEL David and Sonya Bair..............................................Belton, S.C. Tom and Bonnie Broadwater............................ High Point, N.C. Gurney and Ann Chambers..............................Cullowhee, N.C. Tobe and Barbara Childers................................. Charlotte, N.C. Brian Davis......................................................... Asheville, N.C. Dennis and Susan Fox...........................................Raleigh, N.C. Jason and Malea Habbal.................................. Lake Wylie, S.C. Keith and Shannon Haskett...................................... Sylva, N.C. Stephen Heatherly.........................................Waynesville, N.C. Dale and Dianne Hollifield.......................Kings Mountain, N.C. Paul and Nora Jones.................................. Rutherfordton, N.C. Wilmot and Kari Jones...................................Greensboro, N.C. Doreen Loska....................................................... Sanford, N.C. John and Suzy Martin............................................Raleigh, N.C. Raymond and Sonia McGowan....................... Vero Beach, Fla. David D. Moore......................................................... Sylva, N.C. Thomas and Kimberly Morgan...................... Jacksonville, N.C. Stanton Moss..................................................Kernersville, N.C. Josh and Amy Paris...............................................Winston Salem, N.C.

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Clay and Vicky Poindexter.........................Winston Salem, N.C. Susie Ray................................................. Cullowhee, N.C., N.C. David Thomas Roberts.......................................Piedmont, S.C. Bill and Elaine Ross...................................... Hillsborough, N.C. Mike and Kathie Shelton.................................... Columbia, S.C. Larry and Heulwen Stanberry............................Sebastian, Fla. Watt and Billie Staples...........................................Raleigh, N.C. Jace and Stephanie Stowe.................................. Belmont, N.C. Linney and Kimberly Teague.................................Hickory, N.C. Mark A. Tedder.................................................... Advance, N.C. Randell and Susan Thomas............................... Rural Hall, N.C. Bob Thomas...................................................... Alpharetta, Ga. Mike and Regina Wade....................................Cullowhee, N.C. Ken and Carolyn Wash............................................ Toccoa, Ga. Dewight and Jamie Winchester............................Whittier, N.C. Donna Carlene Winbon.........................................Raleigh, N.C. Baxter Wood.....................................................Cullowhee, N.C. Brian and Debbie Young.....................................Cumming, Ga. Tony and Lynne Zande.................................... Vero Beach, Fla.

CAPTAINS LEVEL

Andrew B. Abernathy...................................... Sylva, N.C. Betty J. Allen.......................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Neal and Jo Andrews..................... Browns Summit, N.C. Sonya and David Bair.....................................Belton, S.C. Drew Barefoot.......................................... Reidsville, N.C. Hank and Andi Barkley......................... Huntersville, N.C. Better Alternatives, Inc...................................Lenoir, N.C. Don Blaine................................................. Asheville, N.C. Bear Lake Reserve............................... Tuckasegee, N.C. Mike and Sandee Biggerstaff.........................Lenoir, N.C. Scott and Evelyn Bond.................................Etowah, N.C. Wilson Boyd.............................................Burlington, N.C. Travis and Maggie Bramlett..................Waynesville, N.C. Dan and Kathy Brooks........................... Sevierville, Tenn.

Ronald and Judy Brown..........................Nashville, Tenn.

Budweiser of Sylva.......................................... Sylva, N.C. James Causby................................... Biltmore Lake, N.C. Champion Credit Union................................Canton, N.C. Paul and Angela Childers............................. Denver, N.C. Michael and Leigh Colombo........................... Sylva, N.C. Joe and Cinzia Condemi.............................Franklin, N.C. John and Lori Connet...................... Hendersonville, N.C. Cameron and Brandi Cooper...................Cherokee, N.C. Jim and Megan Davis.......................Winston Salem, N.C. Joel and Dana Fleming............................. Asheville, N.C. Paul and Heidi Luebke Dent.......................Cashiers, N.C. Donnie Rhodes and Jane Fliesbach............ Candler, N.C. Alex and Katie Gary...............................Waynesville, N.C. Mike and Lisa Gillespie.........................Waynesville, N.C. Karl and Janet Gillespie..............................Franklin, N.C. Jeff and Rosa Goss.......................................... Sylva, N.C. Justin and Katerina Gray......................... Cullowhee, N.C Great Smoky Mountain Railroad............Bryson City, N.C. Leslie E. Greer................................................ Duluth, Ga. Marshall G. Gunter..................................Lincolnton, N.C. The John C. Harmon Foundation..........Waynesville, N.C. Rod and Pam Harrelson.........................Morganton, N.C. Jason and Stephanie Hopfinger............. Cullowhee, N.C. Jonathan and Hannah Hough....................Cashiers, N.C. Kurt Houser.................................................. Denver, N.C. John and Janeth Jackson...........................Sanford, N.C. Steven and Martha Jeffords........................Fletcher, N.C. Bryant and Brenda Kinney........................... Denver, N.C. Jerry and Kay Kiser...........................................Irmo, S.C. Gary and Kathy Lance...........................Waynesville, N.C. Stan and Lana Lehmans.............................Florence, S.C. Kevin and Amy Lowery.................................Canton, N.C. Heather and Damien Martin....................... Waxhaw, N.C. Brett D. Miller..............................................Fletcher, N.C. Bruce and Denise Moore........................... Waxhaw, N.C. Jim L. Moore.................................................... Sylva, N.C. Col. John Mosbey.............................. Georgetown, Texas Ben and Jenna Pendry.................................... Sylva, N.C. Charlie Phillips.......................................Waynesville, N.C. Thomas C. Posey Jr........................................ Clyde, N.C. Karen Powers........................................... Rolesville, N.C. Chris and Jen Pressley........................... Cullowhee, N.C. Ralph and Chrisann Ricciardi................. Clemmons, N.C. Gary Rockett....................................................Nebo, N.C. Rob and Amy Rucker....................................Hickory, N.C. Doug and Lynn Sanders............................Charlotte, N.C. Gaston and Libby Seal...............................Glenville, N.C. Select Homes WNC...............................Waynesville, N.C. Dale and Debbie Sims...............................Franklin, Tenn.

Ron and Pam Sink....................................Lexington, N.C. Lenny and Vicky Smathers.................. Granite Falls, N.C. Darryl and June Smith.............................. Reidsville, N.C. Steve and Jima Sparks.................................Gaffney, S.C. Scott and Robbie Stanberry............................ Sylva, N.C. William T. Stanley..................................Waynesville, N.C. Betsy and Sam Stewart.............................Charlotte, N.C. Elisabeth and Wade St. John III............ Tuckasegee, N.C. David and Diana Sutton.............................Concord, N.C.

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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

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THE 2021 CATAMOUNT CLUB GREEK CHALLENGE IS ON NOW! vs. Samford – Family Weekend 2021

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CATAMOUNT CLUB MEMBERSHIP (as of September 14, 2021) Kenneth and Anna Taylor........................... Belmont, N.C. Dave and Nancy B. Thompson..................Charlotte, N.C. Mitchell and Ann Treadaway.................. Clemmons, N.C. John and Martha Truitt...................... Biltmore Lake, N.C. Chuck and Sheila Tucker.......................Weaverville, N.C. James D. Turner............................................ Irvine, Calif.

Sue Wakeley............................................Rockwall, Texas Jim and Teresa Watson...........................Lincolnton, N.C. Norman and Carolyn West..................... Cullowhee, N.C. Steve and Elaine White.......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Steven and Gail Williams........................... Salisbury, N.C. Justin and Jessica Willis..............................Franklin, N.C. Buzz and Alice Worrall....................................Arden, N.C. Rob and Leigh Anne Young.........................Webster, N.C. Ron and Anne Young.............................. Cullowhee, N.C.

COACHES LEVEL

R. Daniel Altenburg.......................... Tarpon Springs, Fla. Amy Manshack State Farm Insurance.........Franklin, N.C. Paul Badgley............................................Burnsville, N.C. Tracy Bailey............................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Milton H. Beck Jr............................. Powder Springs, Ga. Mark and Kelly Benge........................Archer Lodge, N.C. Jim and Libby Beddingfield........................Cumming, Ga. Todd and Melanie Blosser............... Powder Springs, Ga. Matt and Megan Bohlander....................... Waxhaw, N.C. Andrea D. Border.......................................... Naples, Fla. Gorham and Rebecca Bradley....................... Clyde, N.C. Brad and Eileen Bradshaw.............. Saint Augustine, Fla. Suzanne and Ralph Britt..............................Calypso, N.C. Kelli and Dennis Brown.......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Howard and Roz Buchanan..........................Canton, N.C. Greg and Alison Burnette........................ Gainesville, Ga. Bobby Byrd........................................... Greensboro, N.C. Bruce and Sibyl Byrd.......................................Nebo, N.C. Melissa Cabe.......................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Josh and Scotti Carnes................................... Sylva, N.C. Cory Causby..........................................Waynesville, N.C. Charlie Lombard Cobb..........................Port Orange, Fla. Ben and Paige Comm...................................Ashburn, Va. Tom and Lisa Condon..........................Lawrenceville, Ga. Joseph and Carol Crocker............... Winston-Salem, N.C. Seburn Crocker.....................................Mooresville, N.C. Howe Crockett.....................................Vancouver, Wash.

J. Darren Dawson............................................Dunn, N.C. Jim and Susan McElroy Davis....................Advance, N.C. Mark P. Dellinger.......................................... Denver, N.C. Bill and Loretta Dodgen............................ Gastonia, N.C. David and Valorie Duckworth................. Woodstock, Ga. Dave and Sharon Earley...........................Greenville, S.C. Bob and Sonia Elledge................................. Marion, N.C. Paul and Vicky Faris................................... Surf City, N.C. First Citizens Bank........................... Hendersonville, N.C. Ken and Peggy Flynt.............................Waynesville, N.C. Dick Freeman............................................ Newland, N.C. Sam and Janice Freeman......................Waynesville, N.C. Jarrett and Jaime Friday........................... Gastonia, N.C. Rick and Jana Fulton...................................Webster, N.C. Robert Gibson............................................. Raleigh, N.C. Jeffrey and Katherine Gilbert............... Greensboro, N.C. Timothy and Betsy Gillespie...................... Asheville, N.C. Leonardo M. Gonzalez.............................. Asheville, N.C. Jeffery and Brenda Gorsuch................... Mills River, N.C. Brent and Allyson Grass...............................Stanley, N.C. Charles and Elizabeth Gray........................ Belmont, N.C. BJ and Annie Green.......................................Arden, N.C. Ed and Betsey Hamlet..................................... Sylva, N.C. Bruce and Maretta Hamrick...................Morganton, N.C. Jimmy and Karen Hardy............................Columbia, S.C. Darrin and Babetta Hemphill.....................Garland, Texas Ken and Joanne Henry.............................. Gastonia, N.C. David and Lisa Hill........................................ Apopka, Fla. John and June Horne........................... Huntersville, N.C. Bill and Malissa Hawkins...............................Taylors, S.C.

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vs. Samford – Family Weekend 2021

Ronald and Paula Henderson.............. Edisto Island, S.C. Charles and Pam Hill.............................. Cullowhee, N.C. Lisa and Dale Hill...................................Horse Shoe, N.C. Len Jones and Phyllis Holt.........................Mars Hill, N.C. Alma Hooks................................................Fremont, N.C. Lambert and Joy Hooper................................ Sylva, N.C. Alan and Julie Howard.......................... Social Circle, Ga. Tony and Fran Johnson........................... Mills River, N.C. Chase and Ashley Kress........................Waynesville, N.C. Andy and Angela Lambert........................Lexington, N.C. Coleman Leopard..................................Waynesville, N.C. James and Jill Locke.................................... Marion, N.C. Bill and Susan Loggins.................... Winston-Salem, N.C. Jennifer and Sam Long................................... Sylva, N.C. Matt Magnus........................................... Gainesville, Ga. Tracy and Lisa Marion............................Stokesdale, N.C. John and Sue Martin................................ Reidsville, N.C. Patrick and Jeanne McGuire.................. Cullowhee, N.C. McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture...Spartanburg, S.C. Chad and Deidre McMahon........................... Clyde, N.C. Matt and Tracey Monday........................... Asheville, N.C. Jeff and Kim Myers.....................................Rock Hill, S.C. Michael G. Paysour..................................... Conover, N.C. Bob and Carol Roberts.............................. Asheville, N.C. Curtis and Ann Patterson...........................Concord, N.C. Philip and Catherine Preston.........................Atlanta, Ga. Jane Powers....................................Mount Pleasant, S.C. Mary Beth Richard................................. Sevierville, Tenn.

Kirk and Carrie Roach................................Cumming, Ga. Barrett and Jane Scott..............................Loganville, Ga. Greg and Caron Simpson............................Newton, N.C. Ken and Michelle Speir................................Newnan, Ga. Thomas and Ann Steagall........................... Raleigh, N.C. Strick and Stephanie Strickland............Waynesville, N.C. Larry Supik...................................................... Sylva, N.C. Elliott Pritchard and Felisha Sutton................. Sylva, N.C. Bob and Janice Thompson........................Charlotte, N.C. Ken and Jane Teasley................................Spindale, N.C. Larry and Maggie Tuttle..................Black Mountain, N.C. Martin and Heather Unger........................ Gastonia, N.C. Francisco S. Vasquez.............................. Columbus, N.C. Eddie and Savannah Wells.............................. Sylva, N.C. Nate Williams....................................... Red Springs, N.C. Onifer and Meagan Wilmoth.................. Cullowhee, N.C. Charles and Wanda Wolfe............................... Sylva, N.C. Chuck and Kathy Wooten................................ Sylva, N.C.

TOP CAT LEVEL

A+ Portable Toilets Inc............................Bryson City, N.C. Stephen and Taffy Allen............................ Gastonia, N.C. Susan and Eric Allen.....................................Stanley, N.C. Gerald and Sylvia Austin..................... Summerfield, N.C. Bob and Cathy Barber..................Clearwater Beach, Fla. Brad and Rachael Bardall...........................Cumming, Ga. John and Elizabeth Beach......................Morganton, N.C. Kathy Abbott-Beam and David Beam.............Salem, S.C. James and Toy Beaty...................... Winston-Salem, N.C. Jeff and Josie Bewsey.................................... Sylva, N.C. Joe Don Biggerstaff.......................................Lenoir, N.C. Earl and Jo Ann Black................................. Whittier, N.C. Jason Blackwell............................................... Dana, N.C. Charles S. Brown...........................................Shelby, N.C. Jeff and Lisa Bontekoe..............................Charlotte, N.C. Michael and Renee Bowen.....................Lincolnton, N.C. John and Barbara Brown.........................Houston, Texas Mike and Laura Byers........................ Maggie Valley, N.C. Fred and Katrina Cantler.............................Brevard, N.C. Todd and Robin Cates...........................Mooresville, N.C. Don and Patti Chason............................. Harrisburg, N.C. David and Mae Claxton.......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Ed & Andrea Cody..................................... Asheville, N.C. Dennis and Sallie Conley............................Franklin, N.C. John and Nancy Connelly...............................Nebo, N.C. Clay Cox.....................................................Braselton, Ga.

Toni Mayfield D’Alessandris..................... Alpharetta, Ga. Col. David Myers and Becky Digges..........Madison, N.C. Woodie and Joyce Dixon.............................Camden, S.C. Jack and Gail Debnam.............................. Dillsboro, N.C. Chris and Danielle Diluzio................Winston Salem, N.C. Adam and Emily Dresback.......................... Candler, N.C. James and Barbara Dougherty.................Voorhees, N.J. Tony and Natasha Eaves................................. Sylva, N.C. Tim Eckberg........................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Wayne Edwards................................. Maggie Valley, N.C. Robert and Sherrie Edwards.......................Webster, N.C. Keith and Nina Elliott............................... Knoxville, Tenn.

Doug and Tina Embler............................... Asheville, N.C. Tim Faulkner.............................................. Gastonia, N.C. Bob and Kay Folsom............................... Gainesville, Ga. Nancy and Dennis Ford..............................Glenville, N.C. Robert Gee and Joy Postell-Gee............. Knoxville, Tenn.

Chad and Kristin Gerrety................................. Sylva, N.C. Karen L. Glover................................................ Sylva, N.C. Rich and Becky Griggs........................St Petersburg, Fla. Phil and Connie Haire..................................... Sylva, N.C. Bubba and Kelly Hamrick..................... Fort Benning, Ga. Ed and Becky Harwood............................... Whittier, N.C. Bobby Haskett........................................... Asheville, N.C. Mark and Tammy Haskett...................... Cullowhee, N.C. Timothy and Ashley Hayzlip................... Clemmons, N.C. Anthony H. Smith and Laura Heaton............ Seneca, S.C. William and Deborah Herman.................Claremont, N.C. Glenn Hill Sr...............................................Davidson, N.C. Leroy and Ginny Holden........................... Cornelius, N.C. Daniel K. Hooker.................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Timothy Shawn Hubbs................................Franklin, N.C. Zachary Hurst....................................Chattanooga, Tenn.

Hunter Jacobs................................................Atlanta, Ga. Kimberly Jamison............................................ Sylva, N.C. Ryan and Meredith Jones.....................Waynesville, N.C. Michael and Gail Joyner............................... Seneca, S.C. Ted and Kathy Kay........................................... Sylva, N.C. Kristy and Joanne Kiser........................Kernersville, N.C. Jesse R. Lankford Jr.................................... Raleigh, N.C. Laura and Ron Leatherwood.................Waynesville, N.C. George and Sandy Leopard........................Brevard, N.C. Earl and Bea Lutz..........................................Shelby, N.C. Kenneth and Maria Marler.............................. Greer, S.C. Matt and Melissa Mitchell...........................Fort Mill, S.C. Chad and Stacey Miller.......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Carroll and Laura Lee Moore.....................Blairsville, Ga. Turner and Susan Morrison.......................Davidson, N.C. Nancy and Steve Neubeiser............................ Sylva, N.C. Cindy and Paul Nicholson...................... Cullowhee, N.C. Kenneth and Karen Nicholson.....................Webster, N.C. David and Angie Noland................................. Sylva, N.C. Boyce and Donna Parks........................ Williamston, S.C. Betty Peele............................................. Cullowhee, N.C. Sue and Scott Persons......................... Tuckasegee, N.C. Tanner Poindexter............................Winston Salem, N.C. Sarah Calloway Pogue............................. Troutman, N.C. Rick S. Queen........................................Waynesville, N.C. Rob and Cyndi Ragusa...................................Salem, S.C. Michael and Suzanne Rainwater..................Acworth, Ga. Jimmy and Laure Ramsey..................... Wilmington, N.C. Marty Ramsey......................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Jamie and Brent Raynor......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Grace Reed............................................. Cullowhee, N.C. J. Wayne and Andrea Rial..................Mount Juliet, Tenn.

Hoyte and Kathy Roberson............................. Sylva, N.C. Owen and Beth Robertson...................... Knoxville, Tenn.

Fred W. Rosenkampff............................. Cullowhee, N.C. Laura Ross....................................................... Dulles, Va. Bob and Susan Sabin...................................Marietta, Ga. Chris and Kirstin Schlenker......................... Raleigh, N.C. Randy Shaw............................................... Asheville, N.C. Justin Shinn..............................................Lexington, N.C. Katie W. Simmons................................... Forest City, N.C.

Gwynette W. Smith........................................Taylors, S.C. Lance Sockwell...................................McLeansville, N.C. Daniel and Kay Southern................ Browns Summit, N.C. Bill and Margaret Studenc.....................Waynesville, N.C. Mike Taylor............................................. Cullowhee, N.C. Michael and Nicole Turnmyre.......................Hickory, N.C. Duane Vanhook.....................................Waynesville, N.C. Barbara A. Vaughn.......................................Canton, N.C. Gene and Rita Vinson.....................................Inman, S.C. Jonathan and Kristine “Eileen” Walker...........Milton, Ga. Phil and Joan Walker....................................Hickory, N.C. Danny and Jennifer Williamson..................... Clyde, N.C. Jeffrey Wilson............................................ Asheville, N.C. Kaleb D. Wingate...................................Waynesville, N.C.

SUPER CAT LEVEL

Jackie and Audrey Adkins.........................Charlotte, N.C. Joey and Martha Aiken.............................Charlotte, N.C. Ken and Ina Allen......................................... Roswell, Ga. Charles M. Allison..................................Waynesville, N.C. Julie and Chip Barbee..................................Augusta, Ga. Doug Painter and Mary Anne Barker..... Cullowhee, N.C. John and Connie Barr................................Rock Hill, S.C. Todd and Stephanie Baucom................. Cullowhee, N.C. Kim and Alan Beck.................................. Statesboro, Ga. Robert and Frances Berry...........................Webster, N.C. Scott and Julie Bingler........................... Harrisburg, N.C. Jeff and Amy Blanton............................Johns Creek, Ga. Bob and Jean Brandon.............................. Fairview, N.C. Stan Pendergraft and Bev Brandt.............Charlotte, N.C. Glenn and Joyce Bridges.........................Greenville, S.C. Kent and Lisa Briggs.............................. Cullowhee, N.C. Frank and Rebecca Brown............................... Cary, N.C. Charles and Mary Jo Boswell................... Reidsville, N.C. Wayne and Betsy Bowers............................ Roanoke, Va. Jeanne C. Bowman..................................Alexander, N.C. Gary and Jan Boyer......................................... Sylva, N.C. Buck and Denise Buchanan.................Wake Forest, N.C. Alton and Phyllis Byers................................Webster, N.C. Lee and Gail Capell..................................Prosperity, S.C. Emily R. Carlstedt.......................................Cashiers, N.C. William and Margaret Carpender..........Waynesville, N.C. Kara L. Carpenter............................ Nacogdoches, Texas Jean Carr......................................................... Sylva, N.C. Beth and Greg Carter.....................................Dallas, N.C. Stephen Ray Castelloe.............................Asheboro, N.C. Philip and Susanne Cauley..................... Cullowhee, N.C. Lynne K. Chiger.........................................Charlotte, N.C. Alex F. Crenshaw........................................ Waxhaw, N.C. Lowell and Carolyn Crisp..................... Robbinsville, N.C. Lee and Tracy Daggerhart...................... Cherryville, N.C. Brent and Carolyn Dalton....................... Walterboro, S.C. Clifton and Kelley Deal........................Rocky Mount, N.C. Mike DeMatteo.........................................Dunwoody, Ga. Mike and Diane Dillard.................................... Sylva, N.C. Tom and Judy Dowell...............................Greenville, S.C. Charles and Adele Dunbar.................Blowing Rock, N.C. Tony Elders............................................. Cullowhee, N.C. Rick Elliott................................................Cartersville, Ga. Mark Ethridge........................................Waynesville, N.C. Tammy and Don Fertenbaugh....................Concord, N.C. Craig and Cathy Fowler.......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Evan Clayton Fowler....................... Hendersonville, N.C. David and Wanda Fowler..................Cape Carteret, N.C. Roger Foxworth...................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Curtis and Jana Fullbright................. Johnson City, Tenn.

John and Jan Griffin...................................Concord, N.C. Angela and Danny Grube................................ Sylva, N.C. Fred and Pam Goldsmith.............................Franklin, N.C. Jack and Lynn Guffey.......................... Isle Of Palms, S.C. Susan Todd Gustafson...........................Mooresville, N.C. Samir Hafiz....................................................Carmel, Ind. Broadus and Kim Hamrick..................... Richmond, Texas Timothy W. Haskett........................ Kings Mountain, N.C. Jason and Logan Heller........................... Cornelius, N.C.

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CATAMOUNT CLUB MEMBERSHIP (as of September 14, 2021) Brenda and Randall Holcombe.............. Cullowhee, N.C. Warren J. Heeg III............................. Boynton Beach, Fla. Hayley Henson.......................................Morganton, N.C. Rory and Rayna Jimerson...................... Cullowhee, N.C. Vance and Pat Johnson............................... Monroe, N.C. Gibbs and Kathleen Jones.............. Hendersonville, N.C. Heather and Joel Jones............................. Mebane, N.C. Roger Jones..............................................Lynchburg, Va. David Kehler................................................. Marion, N.C. Butch Kerns........................................Blowing Rock, N.C. Amy Kilby................................................... Dillsboro, N.C. Benjamin and Anna Laiweneek..............Lincolnton, N.C. Charles Lambreth....................................Rockwall, Texas Clifton Lambreth...................................Brentwood, Tenn.

Mark Lane.................................................Southport, N.C. Todd and Andi Lawing.................................... Clyde, N.C. Laura Setzer-Lembeck........................... Cullowhee, N.C. Philip and Kathy Leftwich.......................... Asheville, N.C. Kenneth S. Liner..............................Lake Junaluska, N.C. Gerald and Rhonda Love........................ Fayetteville, Ga. Clevie and Shirley Luckadoo.....................Charlotte, N.C. John Lupoli.............................................. Highlands, N.C. Joel and Janie Mashburn........................ Statesville, N.C. Chuck and Mallory Mathewson.................. Waxhaw, N.C. Jamaal Lennart Mayo..........................Hillsborough, N.C. Cassie and Brad McAbee................................ Sylva, N.C. Russell McConnell........................................... Sylva, N.C. Tyler McHone.............................................Concord, N.C. Greg McLamb........................................ Four Points, N.C. Donna and Stephen Ball-Metcalf..........Weaverville, N.C. Daniel and Nicole Michael........................Charlotte, N.C. Mitch and Ashley Miller............................... Candler, N.C. Thomas and Martha Mills................................Nebo, N.C. Lynn C. Milner........................................Waynesville, N.C. Matt and Melissa Mitchell...........................Fort Mill, S.C. Don and Heather Moore...................... Huntersville, N.C. Chris and Trena Morrison......................... Troutman, N.C. Myranda Hope Nash....................... Hendersonville, N.C. Dotty Neslen........................................ Friendsville, Tenn.

Howard and Pam Nicholson......................Charlotte, N.C. Steve and Nancy Nixon..........................Wilkesboro, N.C. William and Anne Norris........................ Wilmington, N.C. Ray and Kelly Palhegyi.................................... Davie, Fla. Greg and Ann Parsons............................ Hayesville, N.C. Bruce and Claire Piercy........................ Huntersville, N.C. Cecelia Michelle Powers................................ Clyde, N.C. Terry and Arlene Price...........................Weaverville, N.C. Brian and Jennifer Queen............................Dallas, Texas Joe Quigley.......................................Fuquay Varina, N.C. Michael Rath................................................ Raleigh, N.C. Jeff and Tina Ray............................................. Sylva, N.C. John and Joanne Reid...................................... Cary, N.C. Stephen Rhodes..................................... Cullowhee, N.C. William and Peggy Riggs...................... Greensboro, N.C. Lindsay and Jayne Sells........................Mooresville, N.C. Thomas C. Siegner....................................Charlotte, N.C. Skip and Tina Smith........................................Lenoir, N.C. Jim and Debra Snow.......................Mount Pleasant, S.C. Terry and Meredith Spry.........................Kannapolis, N.C. Brandon Stephens....................................Cherokee, N.C. David and Donna Stephens..........................Denton, N.C. Nikki Stevens..........................................Morganton, N.C. Heath and Jamie Stewart................................ Sylva, N.C. Robert Stow..................................... Hendersonville, N.C. Robert L. Street...................................... Forest City, N.C. Lewis Swain..................................................Canton, N.C. Larry G. Thompson............................. Millers Creek, N.C. Karen Tynan.............................................. Fairfield, Calif.

Samuel Wallace......................................... Asheville, N.C. Mike Wilmoth and Craig Tuminaro...............Dallas, Texas Jeff and Melanie Watts...............................Concord, N.C. Benjamin Watkins...................................... Richmond, Va. Tina and Briana Weaver.........................Kansas City, Mo. Tommy and Shelly White........................ Cullowhee, N.C. Don and Ann Williams.................................Maitland, Fla.

Mitch Williams.................................Black Mountain, N.C. Jenny Wood...........................................Waynesville, N.C. Jason and Shannon Young......................... Waxhaw, N.C. Ron Young.................................................. Conover, N.C. Alan and Cynthia Yount............................Matthews, N.C. Paul and Patricia Zullo..................................... Sylva, N.C.

PURPLE CAT LEVEL

Jane M. Adams-Dunford........................ Cullowhee, N.C. Dot Aldmon............................................. Knoxville, Tenn.

Joe Alexander........................................... Asheville, N.C. Ashley Alletto......................................... Cullowhee, N.C. John and Carol Anderson................................ Griffin, Ga. Pat and Heidi Anderson............................Charlotte, N.C. Dena Anderson...................................... Fayetteville, Ga. James and Vickie Ansley............................. Candler, N.C. Richard C. Barringer........................................Hull, Mass.

Nancy L. Bartlett.............................Sugar Mountain, N.C. The Elise Bear & William D. Pollack Family Charitable Foundation....................Pensacola, Fla. Richard and Debra Bennett.................... Cullowhee, N.C. Diane and Peter Blum....................................Atlanta, Ga. Ralph and Kay Boulier.............................Cartersville, Ga. Michelle & Geoffrey Brooks.................Hillsborough, N.C. Alan Brown...................................North Wilkesboro, N.C. Randy Bruce.............................................Rural Hall, N.C. Brad Burgess......................................... Rockingham, Va. Edward and Andra Burks.........................Asheboro, N.C. Roy and Janice Burnette................................. Sylva, N.C. Brian and Lesley Burnham.................. Summerfield, N.C. Tuckasegee Trading Co & Cabins........... Cullowhee, N.C. Thomas and Tammy Carpenter.............. Forest City, N.C. Randy Carroll.........................................Johns Creek, Ga. Mark and Lisa Carswell..........................McKinney, Texas Cullen Case...............................................Charlotte, N.C. Mark Childress...........................................Concord, N.C. Bob and Cindy Clark..............................Jacksonville, Fla. Joe and Judith Clark.................................Charlotte, N.C. Robert and Lauren Clark...........................Charlotte, N.C. Marvin and Miriam Cole.............................. Candler, N.C. Stefanie Leigh Conley.................................Franklin, N.C. Jerry and Mickey Cook...................... Biltmore Lake, N.C. Nanette Cooper............................................ Roswell, Ga. Stephen and Kelly Cosenke.............................. Aldie, Va. Josh Allen Cox........................................ Spokane, Wash.

Ray Cossart................................................ Waxhaw, N.C. Earl and Julia Crotts.................................Southport, N.C. Wayne and Joselle Culp............................. Sarasota, Fla. Eric and Lynette Cummings..................Simpsonville, S.C. Joey Curtis..................................................Franklin, N.C. Lonnie Ray Davis.................................McLeansville, N.C. Julie Dickerson................................................ Dallas, Ga. Shanna and William Dickerson....................Fort Mill, S.C. Robert and Michelle Doherty.......................... Greer, S.C. Julie Spiro Donaldson and Kelly Donaldson................Webster, N.C. Joe and Elisabeth Donovan...................... Asheville, N.C. Paul and Rachel Dover................... Kings Mountain, N.C. Michael Dyer, Jr........................................... Monroe, N.C. William and Cathy Eaton...........................Lancaster, S.C. Steve and Terri Ebert.............................Mooresville, N.C. Charlotte Ray Eckard................................ Alpharetta, Ga. Fred and Maggie Elliott................................ Marion, N.C. Sherry England........................................ Statesville, N.C. Vicki Cornelius Erwin...................................Durham, N.C. Michael and Wanda Faircloth............... Thomasville, N.C. Jenny Bean and Raymond Farmer..............Webster, N.C. Brett Ferguson................................................ Sylva, N.C. Nora Lynn Finch..................................Sunset Beach, N.C. Jon David Forrester........................................ Buford, Ga. Ryan and Amanda Foster....................... Harrisburg, N.C. Tom and Vickey Frazier................................... Sylva, N.C. Lillian and Charles Freel............................ Andrews, N.C. Dan and Lynette Gibson.................................. Sylva, N.C. G. Alan and Lu Griffin..................................Valdese, N.C. Sean and Ellen Gury.....................................Stanley, N.C. John and Shelia Haire............................Vero Beach, Fla.

Carroll and Elizabeth Hall................................ Sylva, N.C. Jesse and Christina Harkins........................Franklin, N.C. Michael and Vicki Haskell........................... Candler, N.C. Alvin and Sharon Harvell...................... Greensboro, N.C. Ashley Victoria Helton................................ Belmont, N.C. Jennifer and Oscar Hemmelgarn............ Knoxville, Tenn.

Suzanne Henry.........................................Greenville, S.C. Jerry and Judy Hicks.................................... Marion, N.C. Allie Hinson............................................ Chapel Hill, N.C. Heather and Chris Hodgin.................. Summerfield, N.C. Bill Holland................................................Franklin, Tenn.

Robin Holley..............................................Columbia, S.C. John and Krystle Holt............................. Cullowhee, N.C. Robert Joseph Holt........................................Arden, N.C. Steven and Elizabeth Honbarger.................... Sylva, N.C. Ray and Judy Hoots............................... Yadkinville, N.C. Jack Hudson.............................................. Gastonia, N.C. Ed and Diane Huneycutt.....................Myrtle Beach, S.C. Joe and Maxine Hunter......................Pisgah Forest, N.C. Luke Hutchens......................................... East Bend, N.C. Greg Hutchinson......................................Matthews, N.C. Ed and Melissa Jagger.............................. Seminole, Fla. Farrell Jamison............................................Franklin, N.C. Marion and Wanda Jones.......................... Dillsboro, N.C. Patricia and David Kaemmerling.................Norcross, Ga. Julie Kimmel..............................................Charlotte, N.C. Ruby Kluttz...............................................Spring Hill, Fla. W. Scott Lancaster....................................Lexington, N.C. Danielle Leger...................................................Irmo, S.C. Ed and Leslie Levy.......................................Warwick, N.Y. Steven Long.............................................. Gastonia, N.C. Don Lucas...................................................... Boone, N.C. Ted and Ann Luckadoo........................ Edisto Island, S.C. Jim Manring...........................................Waynesville, N.C. Annizel H. Martin.......................................... Roswell, Ga. David and Sandra Martin................................Tampa, Fla. Jerry and Judy Matheny.................................Atlanta, Ga. Tim and Courtney Mayse....................... Cullowhee, N.C. Daniel McAndrew.........................................Evanston, Ill. Timothy M. McBride........................ Hendersonville, N.C. Patrick McColgan.......................... Upper Arlington, Ohio Sandra J. McCracken........................... Orange Park, Fla. Cynthia H. McFerran................................Cincinnati, Ohio Jonathan and Jodi McIntosh.................. Clemmons, N.C. Joel P. McKenzie.............................................. Sylva, N.C. David C. McKay.....................................Waynesville, N.C. Donna McMullan........................................Hoschton, Ga. Henry and Dawn McPherson............... Snow Camp, N.C. Peggy C. Melville............................................ Clyde, N.C. David F. Miller......................................Myrtle Beach, S.C. James T. Miller................................ Hendersonville, N.C. Lacey Miller...................................................... Vass, N.C. Sam and Renee Miller..................................... Sylva, N.C. Bill and Tausha Millwood................Black Mountain, N.C. David and Lisa Monroe......................... Wilmington, N.C. Curtis and Kellie Monteith.....................Waynesville, N.C. Michael K. Moore........................................ Whittier, N.C. Ken and Pat Morgan..........................Rutherfordton, N.C. Pamela and Mark Mullin......................Lawrenceville, Ga. Gayle and Georgia Murdock....................... Whittier, N.C. Bill and Kathy Myers..................................Charlotte, N.C. Jill and Mike Neave...................................... Seneca, S.C. Robert and Catherine Neill........................Charlotte, N.C. Rick Nicholson................................................. Sylva, N.C. Ricky Odom..............................................Matthews, N.C. Robin and Wade Oliver............................. Guysville, Ohio Boyce and Carolyn Padgett..................... Melbourne, Fla. Robin and Trace Pate.............................. Knoxville, Tenn.

Richard W. Pegg..................................... Clemmons, N.C. Kyle and Syd Pifer............................................ Clyde, NC Dale and Lisa Place..................................Louisburg, N.C. Jeffrey and Kathryn Plemmons................. Gastonia, N.C. Ryan and Scarlette Pless................................. Sylva, N.C. Lewis B. Pollak......................................Jacksonville, Fla. Jerry and Deb Powell...................................Canton, N.C. Rich and Susan Price................................... Whittier, N.C.

Kelly D. Rankin.......................................... Gastonia, N.C. Michael and Cheryl Raymer.................... Statesville, N.C. Audrey Redford........................................... Candler, N.C. Pamela Reising....................................... Clemmons, N.C. Bill and Kathy Rhinehart................................. Duluth, Ga. Tommy and Harriet Rockett.......................... Marion, N.C. Arnold and Donna Roope.........................Lewisville, N.C. Libby and Jeff Sanders............................... Belmont, N.C. Paul and Debi Sanders..............................Charlotte, N.C. Rebecca and Michael Schlosser.......... Greensboro, N.C. Ronnie and Saralee Scott........................... Littleton, N.C. Lou and Bonnie Sell................................Charleston, S.C. Dennis and Beth Setzer........................... Statesville, N.C. Rick and Marilyn Shaw..........................Hot Springs, N.C. Ralph Shelley............................................ Deer Park, N.Y. Jaered and Erica Shelton..........................Columbia, S.C. Larry and Emily Sheppard..............................Salem, S.C. Scottie and Mary Ann Sigmon.....................Fletcher, N.C. Dean and Lynn Slusser.................................... Sylva, N.C. Jerry and Anne Smart.................................Hoschton, Ga. Hayley and Jordan Smith............................Maitland, Fla. Mark and Lisa Smith..................................Columbia, S.C. Edward Smyth.............................................. Roswell, Ga. Alfred and Sheila Snyder..............................Gaffney, S.C. Sara Snyder............................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Dick Stallings.........................................Fayetteville, N.C. Anthony Todd Staton...............................Lincolnton, N.C. Cassie Staples............................................. Raleigh, N.C. Gary and Martha Stepp................................ Marion, N.C. Jo Anna Stephens..................................Kannapolis, N.C. Anna and Keith Stocum................................ Ellerbe, N.C. Jeff and Jennifer Stowe.......................... Gainesville, Ga. Logan and Tasha Summers.................... Yadkinville, N.C. David Thomas..............................................Ivanhoe, N.C. Gail Totherow............................. Hilton Head Island, S.C. William Tucker......................................... Albemarle, N.C. Beth Turner...................................................Stanley, N.C. Matthew and Amy Turner...................... Douglasville, Ga. Vickie P. Vaughan....................................Claremont, N.C. Jimmy Villiard..............................................Franklin, N.C. Craig and K. Wagner............................ Fort Worth, Texas Dora Walker...........................................Waynesville, N.C. Samuel and Patricia Watkins....................Bradenton, Fla. Mike and Holly Weaver..........................Indian Trail, N.C. Tim and Jane Welch..............................Waynesville, N.C. Jonathan and Pamela West...........................Taylors, S.C. James and Dottie Whitesides...................... Bristol, Tenn.

Matt and Rachel Wike..................................... Sylva, N.C. David and Jeannette Wilkins...................Cartersville, Ga. Stephen and Mary Bruce Woody............... Asheville, N.C. Royce and Marcia Woosley............................. Sylva, N.C.

GOLD CAT LEVEL

David Abernethy...........................................Six Mile, S.C. Alexandra Anne Abraham......................................... APO Hope and John Alexander......................... Gastonia, N.C. Hoyt and Katherine Almond...................... Asheville, N.C. Cortney Appelbaum..................................New York, N.Y. James Atwater.............................................Hickory, N.C. Roland and Linda Bailey................................Erwin, Tenn.

Mary Jo Baker.....................................Hillsborough, N.C. Jacqueline Chang Barham.................. Summerfield, N.C. Beverly Barr..........................................Saint Joseph, Mo. Dacia Barnes.............................................Pittsboro, N.C. April Bass......................................... Carolina Beach, N.C. Earl and Jennifer Bates.......................McLeansville, N.C. Bret Beaver............................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Eric and Janis Berg.................................... Newland, N.C. Carey and Laura Berryhill........................... Mint Hill, N.C. Bill Biddix........................................................Clover, S.C. Tom Birchfiel........................................Barnardsville, N.C. John Paul Black........................................... Raleigh, N.C. Frank and Sonja Blalock.............................Sanford, N.C. Diane and Peter Blum....................................Atlanta, Ga. Ralph J. Borland.................................... Ramrod Key, Fla. David and Darenda Bowers....................High Point, N.C.

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CATAMOUNT CLUB MEMBERSHIP (as of September 14, 2021) Colleen and Bob Bradley................... Holly Springs, N.C. Paul and Sara Bradley...............................Charlotte, N.C. Mike and Ann Bradshaw.............................. Denver, N.C. Evanell Morrow Bradshaw...........................Murphy, N.C. Thomas and Kaye Brandon..............Winston Salem, N.C. Marion Worth Brock.........................................Apex, N.C. Lindy and Christine Brown.......................... Raleigh, N.C. Hayes and Marissa Brumbeloe............... Roanoke, Texas Vicki and Peter Brunnick...........................Charlotte, N.C. Jim and Darrell Bryant....................................Athens, Ga. Robert and Donna Buckner...................Waynesville, N.C. Mike and Amy Bullard...........................Hampstead, N.C. Rollan and Eleanor Bullman..................Jamestown, N.C. Teah Bulris............................................Jacksonville, N.C. Stiles Burr........................................Fort Lauderdale, Fla. DeNorrise C. Burton.......................................Atlanta, Ga. Jennifer and Edward Bussell.............Framingham, Mass.

Charles and Shirley Byrd................. Hendersonville, N.C. Rex Cable.................................................. Andrews, N.C. Andrea L. Calloway........................................Lenoir, N.C. Ed and Sally Campbell.......................... Chesapeake, Va. Blake Cantrell......................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Laurie Carlson..........................................Quaker Hill, Ct. Rev. Samuel and Linda Carothers............... Raleigh, N.C. Bill and Teresa Carpenter................................ Sylva, N.C. Mark and Lisa Carswell.......................... Mckinney, Texas Chelsi Carter........................................... Cullowhee, N.C. John Chaffee and Karen A. Scarbrough.....Glenville, N.C. Mark Chapman........................................ Hollywood, Fla. Scott and Kelly Christian.................................Milton, Ga. Wally Christopher...................................... Poquoson, Va. Al Chrismon..................................... Winston-Salem, N.C. Mae Claxton........................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Gina D. Cleary...........................................Lexington, N.C. Gary Dean Cogdill..................................Wilkesboro, N.C. James and Mary Cole..................................Sanford, N.C. Willie and Jane Cole..............................Waynesville, N.C. Chris Coley........................................... Greensboro, N.C. Rita Dianne Conner......................................Etowah, N.C. Brad J. Cortese..........................................Charlotte, N.C. Michael and Emma Coward.....................Greenville, S.C. Sandra and James Craig................................Currie, N.C. John L. Crane-Baker............................... Lake Worth, Fla. Kent and Janet Cranford........................... Gastonia, N.C. Douglas E. Croft......................................Lincolnton, N.C. Perry and Debbie Crutchfield.....................Advance, N.C. David and Charlotte Culpepper..................Franklin, N.C. Joey Cutting............................................Gainesville, Fla. Ellie and Jim Daniels................................. Asheville, N.C. Pat Daniels................................................Nashville, N.C. Jeff and Lori Davis.................................... Cornelius, N.C. Kelly and Deborah Davis..............Overland Park, Kansas Nicholas Davis............................................. Raleigh, N.C. Sherri Davenport...................................... Kennesaw, Ga. James B. DeConinck.............................Waynesville, N.C. Gary and Dianna Deese........................... Lexington, S.C. Cecilia Degraffinreid................................... Hilliard, Ohio Boyce and Sandra Deitz.................................. Sylva, N.C. Alvin G. Dellinger.................................... Cherryville, N.C. William F. Derrick......................................... Seneca, S.C. Susan and Robert M. Donahue.............. Clemmons, N.C. James Bo Drenan............................................ Sylva, N.C. Larry and Linda Dunekack................... Pittsburg, Kansas Andy and Jordan Dunn..................................Smyrna, Ga. John and Gail Dusenberry.....................Waynesville, N.C. Andrew and Ashley Dykes.................... Social Circle, Ga. Charlotte Eckard....................................... Alpharetta, Ga. Rodney B. Eckard........................................... Duluth, Ga. Bruce and Rita Edwards...........................Asheboro, N.C. Marc L. Edwards................................... Greensboro, N.C. Stephen and Marlene Edwards...................Durham, N.C. Mark and Tori Ellison.............................. Cullowhee, N.C. Luke Eulitt....................................................Spring, Texas Chris and Lei Lei Everett...........................Charlotte, N.C. Rick and Brenda Falls................................ Gastonia, N.C. Alan J. Freedman....................................Portland, Maine

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Mike and Vicky Ford........................ Powder Springs, Ga. Brian A. Galloway........................................ Whittier, N.C. Ivory and Lynda Gethers....................Hummelstown, Pa. Clarence and Holly Gibbs............................ Manteo, N.C. Patricia A. Gillis............................................... Clyde, N.C. Jordan Glass................................................ Raleigh, N.C. Hart and Sara Goodson................................... Sylva, N.C. Jerome and Dee Ann Grand......................Franklin, Tenn.

Steven Grandy........................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Michael and Sara Gray......................Rutherfordton, N.C. Charles Green............................................Florence, S.C. Linda and Ronald Greene..............Pleasant Garden, N.C. Margaret M. Griffith...................................Charlotte, N.C. Roberta Griffith.........................................Matthews, N.C. Bill and Kim Groves..............................Simpsonville, S.C. Stephenson and Susan Guffey................ Knoxville, Tenn.

Courtney Gunter..................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Larry and Donna Hales.................. Hendersonville, Tenn.

Bob Hamer................................................Piedmont, S.C. Charlie and Knox Hardin..............................Canton, N.C. Timothy and Methial Harris...................... Troutman, N.C. James Hatcher................................................. Cary, N.C. Marty and Dana Hatcher.........................High Point, N.C. Rusty Hawkins........................................ Chapel Hill, N.C. Michael and Cathy Hensgens................. Arnaudville, La. Todd and Paige Herman.................................. Sylva, N.C. Robert and Brenda Hicks......................Kernersville, N.C. Larry and Tracey Hill.......................................Inman, S.C. Charlotte Hirt.................................Fredericksburg, Texas Christopher Hoffman................................Matthews, N.C. Brittney Holder....................................... Cullowhee, N.C. David Holder.................................................. Buford, Ga. Lynn and Leonard Hollifield........................Fletcher, N.C. Jim and Robin Hollis.................................... Oxford, Miss.

George and Lynne Hood........................Watkinsville, Ga. David Hooten...............................................Newnan, Ga. William Hopkins....................................... Blacksburg, Va. Tucker Horne.............................................Davidson, N.C. Kela and Karen Hunt............................... Cleveland, N.C. David William Hux.........................................Shelby, N.C. Jerry and Linda Hyde...................................Acworth, Ga. Alanna Irvin............................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Donna and Patrick James.......... Colorado Springs, Colo.

Mark and Rhonda W. Jackson........................Inman, S.C. Rodney and Sherry Jessup............... Pilot Mountain, N.C. Richard and Melissa Jones.........................Franklin, N.C. Charles and Susan Juliano.......................Dunwoody, Ga. Deana Kaplan...............................................Deerfield, Ill. Barry Karesh................................................. Plano, Texas Frank Kelly..............................................San Diego, Calif.

Langdon and Cathey Kerr........................... Raleigh, N.C. Andrea M. Killian................................ Mechanicville, N.Y. Don and Laura Kimmer................Glendale Springs, N.C. Mary Kirkpatrick.........................................Madison, N.C. Steven and Kristine Kornegay.................Charleston, S.C. Steven Koszarek..........................................Duluth, Minn.

Phyllis and Lindsay Laviner.................... Laurinburg, N.C. Matthew R. Lawing.......................................Maiden, N.C. John and Mary Layne..................................Franklin, N.C. Winford Essic Lee..................................Spring Lake, N.C. Kara Kindley Lemon.................................... Monroe, N.C. Michael Lentz.............................................. Monroe, N.C. Loyd and Kim Leonard.............................Lexington, N.C. Joan B. Lester............................................. Raleigh, N.C. Lisa Lettieri............................................... Alexandria, Va. Bill and Jane Littlejohn...........................Cleveland, Tenn.

Dale and Wanda Lockamy......................Homestead, Fla. John Lockett.............................................. Gastonia, N.C. Todd Long........................................................Nebo, N.C. William G. Long..............................................Jasper, Ala. Jason and Kristina Lorenz..................Pisgah Forest, N.C. Jason F. Lowman.................................. Huntersville, N.C. Ken and Karen Lynch...........................Murrells Inlet, S.C. Thomas C. Mahon...................................Charleston, S.C. Robert Howard and Marianne Lyon................ Sylva, N.C. Rodney and Vivian Mandracchia........... Indian Land, S.C.

Cody Marion...........................................Stokesdale, N.C. Mark Martin........................................Powells Point, N.C. Tish Martin.............................................. Mount Airy, N.C. Kaleb May............................................... Cullowhee, N.C. John McArthur...................................... North Beach, Md. Dan and Margaret McCall.........................Kingsland, Ga. James McCallister..................................... Gastonai, N.C. David Thomas McCaskill.......................... Alexandria, Va. Ruth McConnell...........................................Webster, N.C. Joel and Sarah McCracken............................Salem, S.C. Bob and Judie McCracken....................Waynesville, N.C. Dawn and Darren McDonald.......................... Yuma, Ariz.

Robert McGhee.........................................Charlotte, N.C. John and Mary McGowan....................... Pataskala, Ohio Brian and Shanna McLamb....................Indian Trail, N.C. Phillip and Julia McManus........................Cloverdale, Va. Jim and Mary Medlin....................................... Sylva, N.C. Ronnie and Becky Melton.................Rutherfordton, N.C. Daniel Meyer................................................Canton, N.C. Russ and Lisa Meyer.................................West End, N.C. Anthony Miele........................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Mark B. Millen...............................................Shelby, N.C. Frank Miller......................................... Summerfield, N.C. Patricia Leary Miller.....................................Fletcher, N.C. Janet Millsaps................................................. Sylva, N.C. Jim and Frances Mincey......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Paul and Karen Miret....................... Port Saint Lucie, Fla. P.V. and Sondra Mitchiner..........North Myrtle Beach, S.C. John and Margaret Mitchum.....................Columbia, S.C. Maurice Moody............................................... Sylva, N.C. Reg and Judy Moody................................. Dillsboro, N.C. Brian and Mary Ann Moore................... Wilmington, N.C. John A. Moore............................Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Katie Moore..................................................... Sylva, N.C. Ronald Morgan....................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Karen Morrison..........................................Maysville, N.C. Edwin M. Morrow........................................Rosman, N.C. Peter Morrow.......................................Roaring Gap, N.C. Gary L. Mullis............................................ Pinehurst, N.C. Michael Neal...................................................Atlanta, Ga. Dawn Neatherly...........................................Webster, N.C. Emily Nelson..................................................Wilson, N.C. David Powell and Chuck Norton.................Newton, N.C. Riley J. Oakley Jr........................................ Roxboro, N.C. Kate and Matthew Oelslager................ Wilmington, N.C. Justin and Kimberly Pace..........................Portage, Mich.

Boyce and Carolyn Padgett..................... Melbourne, Fla. Andrew Parham..............................................Terrell, N.C. Hugh and Linda Passingham.................. Maple Hill, N.C. Ryan and Deidra Pegram........................ Thornton, Colo.

Melanie Pellowitz................................... Chapel Hill, N.C. David and Beth Penley......................... Greensboro, N.C. Tony F. Perkins................................ Winston-Salem, N.C. Jessica Petot.........................................Palm Harbor, Fla. Michael and Jennifer Philbeck............... Cherryville, N.C. Debra and Andrew Von Plinsky....................... Evans, Ga. James and Cynthia Pope......................China Grove, N.C. Joyce Pope...................................................... Sylva, N.C. Gene and Susan Posey.......................Myrtle Beach, S.C. Chasity D. Poteat....................................Morganton, N.C. Anita Puerto............................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Keith M. Ramsey...................................... Greenville, N.C. Larry and Shirley Ramsey............................. Marion, N.C. James Ray.........................................................Troy, N.C. Jimmy Ray................................................Burnsville, N.C. David M. Rayburn................................. Tuckasegee, N.C. David C. Raymond................................ Huntersville, N.C. Pat and Bob Rech.................................. White Plains, Ga. Brian Reid................................................... Forney, Texas Ronald and Angela Reid.................. Hendersonville, N.C. Dora D. Reynolds............................................. Sylva, N.C. Billie Jo Rich.............................................Cherokee, N.C. Roger Chance & Ann Rimmer..................... Roxboro, N.C. Alex Ritter.........................................Winston Salem, N.C. Judith and Jeff Rhoads........................... Topeka, Kansas Kenneth A. Roberts.................................. Patterson, N.C.

Megan Robey.................................................Valrico, Fla. Kenneth and Elvena Rogers......................Charlotte, N.C. Patsy and Dick Rogers....................Lake Junaluska, N.C. Rylee Roquemore..................................Waynesville, N.C. Audrey and Gary Sanders.....................Waynesville, N.C. Annika H. Schauer..................................... Asheville, N.C. Brent O. Scholten..................................Kernersville, N.C. Stan and Brenda Schreiber............................Arden, N.C. Jordan Schwartz.......................................Houston, Texas Bill and Kristin Scott....................................Fletcher, N.C. Chad and Lolita Selby.................................... Dalton, Ga. Jerry Shepardson...................................... Salisbury, N.C. Kassie and Adam Shiffermiller.................Rapid City, S.D. William R. Shirley...................................Hampstead, N.C. John Shoop.................................................Fletcher, N.C. Richard Henry Shore...................................... Trinity, N.C. L. Lyn and Debbie Short..............................Fletcher, N.C. Richard and Helen Singleton....................... Central, S.C. Rita Rickman Sivess.................................... Candler, N.C. Allen and Catherine Smith..............................Tryon, N.C. J. Chris and Cecelia Smith........................Southport, N.C. Stan and Carmen Smith......................... Mount Airy, N.C. Dwight A. Sparks........................................Advance, N.C. Carole M. Speas...........................................Stanley, N.C. Carly J. Sprouse........................................LaCrosse, Wis. William G. St. John...................................... Cullman, Ala. John K. Stark.................................. Kings Mountain, N.C. Milton and Betty Jo Staton...........................Orlando, Fla. William W. Staton Jr.....................................Sanford, N.C. Alan Stayton...................................................Atlanta, Ga. Timothy and Katherine Steadman.............Charlotte, N.C. Nick Lawerance Stenger...........................Lillington, N.C. Dylan L. Stevens................................... Walkertown, N.C. John Stevens........................................ Walkertown, N.C. Keith Stewart.............................................Charlotte, N.C. Lew and Mary Stewart.................................... Evans, Ga. Ryan Stone......................................Black Mountain, N.C. Marcus Sutton..............................Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. Keith Taylor................................................Charlotte, N.C. Brooks Treadaway.................................Waynesville, N.C. R . Dean and Kathy Thomas.......................Concord, N.C. Ed and Becky Thompson............................Rock Hill, S.C. Lanie Thompson............................................. Clyde, N.C. John and Sharon Thurman.........................Hoschton, Ga. Chamberlain Williams Tison..................Tybee Island, Ga. Patrick Trammell....................................... Alpharetta, Ga. Jerry and Mary Troxler............................Rockwall, Texas Bill and Beth Trull...................................... Asheville, N.C. Keith Tyburski.............................................Hamilton, N.Y. William A. and Sally Vanhoy.............. Belews Creek, N.C. Charles L. Vick........................................... Richmond, Va. Seth and Cathy Vining............................. Gainesville, Ga. Tripp and Jennifer Viverette.........................Maiden, N.C. Tim Waddell...........................................Mooresville, N.C. Dylan Ward.........................................Christiansburg, Va. Melissa and Steve Wargo....................... Cullowhee, N.C. Randy M. Warlick..........................Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. Bruce Warshawsky.......................................Orlando, Fla. Mike Wash...............................................Bethel Park, Pa. Stephen Blake Watson.................................... Sylva, N.C. James Webb................................................Cliffside, N.C. Laura and Jerry Wellmon..............................Shelby, N.C. David and Lucy Williams...........................Henderson, Ky. Dorothy Williams.........................................Durham, N.C. Mitch and Kelly Williams............................Cleveland, Ga. Tony and Sherry Willis.................. Connelly Springs, N.C. Anne Dodson Wilms........................................Aiken, S.C. Levon E. Wilson....................................... Statesboro, Ga. Whitney and Eric Wilson............................Frederick, Md. Laura and Bill Wise......................... Madison Heights, Va. Marcelina Woods................................West Chester, Ohio Charles and Audrey Wright............. Hendersonville, N.C. Ronald and Diane Yount......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Ronald and Judith Younts.......................McCormick, S.C. Paul Zytnik.................................................Charlotte, N.C.

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CATAMOUNT CLUB

DONORBetty SPOTLIGHT Allen A founding member of the baby boomer generation, hometown of Shelby, N.C., educated at the best university for me at WCU. Was a resident of Lincolnton most of my adulthood, taught various subjects in several schools over a 37-year period and was honored to do so. Has now returned to Cullowhee for my 'Senior years,' and am loving the new adventures. Life is a grand adventure if we strive to always make it one.

Why is Western Carolina University special to you?

“WCU is special to me because it enabled me to gain a college degree, which allowed me to pursue my chosen career of teaching. Also, the friendly atmosphere of the campus during my four years went a long way toward helping me feel at home in Cullowhee. The lifelong friendships I formed in those four years, as well as new friends I have made through Western events over the years continue to keep Western and Cullowhee as my special place in the world."

What is your favorite Western Carolina sports moment?

“Over the 57 years I have been a Catamount, there have been quite a few moments, starting with the upset victory over Elon where we were behind 20-0 with eight minutes left in the game, and we came back to win, 21 20. Watching Henry Logan play basketball anytime – he was awesome! Being in Greensboro when our basketball team won the Southern Conference Championship and in Chattanooga when the women won. The game where Brad Hoover led the Catamounts to a glorious and overwhelming upset over ASU; so many of the victories of our baseball team as well as our track teams; so many

more. The Catamounts – no matter what sport they are playing – they are my team and will always have my support!”

You have been a loyal leadership supporter of the Catamount Club for the past 25 years, can you discuss what motivates you to continually support WCU athletics?

“Having been a teacher for 37 years, I witnessed firsthand the positive differences athletic scholarships can make in the lives of some students who might not be able to receive a four-year college education without those funds. In some cases, being involved in athletics encourages students to be better students and better citizens; plus I have been told by many friends who were athletes that participating on athletic teams teaches many life lessons that might not be grasped any other way and those can help young people with greater success in their future."

What is the best part about WCU game day?

“Everything, the atmosphere, the anticipation, the friendships – old and new, it is always a great day to be in Cullowhee and even more so when the Cats are competing."

What would your message be to other WCU alumni in encouraging them to be involved in philanthropic support of WCU student-athletes?

“I cannot imagine many things we could do to have a greater impact on the direction our world takes in the future than to help young people in many ways, one of which is through scholarship donations to further their education thereby preparing them for their future career.

As a teacher, I will forever remember Christa McAuliffe's words as she prepared for the Challenger flight when she said 'I touch the future, I teach.'

Well, I touch the future when I donate money for scholarships, and that truly gives me one of the greatest feelings in my life, that I might help improve the lives of others through my donation."

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WESTERN CAROLINA’S POSTSEASON TEAMS

• 1949 •

North State Conference Champions Western Carolina had struggled through its first 15 seasons of football with only two winning seasons in two decades, but all that frustration was forgotten in 1949 when Coach Tom Young completed a four-year, post-World War II building program with an 8-2 regular season and the school’s first North State Conference championship and first postseason appearance.

The Cats, led by a stingy defense, won its first five games and allowed only two touchdowns in those victories. The only blemishes on the season were non-conference losses to Maryville (20-13) and Emory & Henry (27-26) as Western finished unbeaten in conference play.

The team was rewarded by a bid to play in the Smoky Mountain Bowl in Bristol, Va., where the Cats lost to West Liberty State.

Art Byrd, a 165-pound guard, was named to the Associated Press Little All-America Team, Western’s first AllAmerica selection. Linemen Buffalo Humphries and Hugh Constance along with backs Hugh “Pee Wee” Hamilton and Ralph McConnell joined Byrd on the All-North State Conference Team.

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

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• 1974 •

NCAA Division II Playoffs Coach Bob Waters, who saw a perfect season and a trip to the NAIA playoffs denied by a loss in the final game of the 1969 season, led WCU to its first NCAA postseason appearance the hard way five years later.

The 1974 Catamounts, playing in a sparkling new stadium, lost their season and stadium opener to visiting Murray State and struggled the next two weeks before establishing themselves as one of the nation’s top NCAA Division II teams.

After the season-opening loss, the Cats continued to struggle offensively for the next two weeks but did manage wins over Tennessee Tech (9-7) and Appalachian State (21-14) with outstanding defense. The offense, behind the running of freshman Darrell Lipford and passing of quarterback Jeff Walker to Jerry Gaines and Eagle Moss, found the right gear and the defense continued its great play. In the process, the Catamounts won nine in a row—including victories over top 10 teams Indiana State and Western Kentucky—and won a bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs where they lost a heartbreaker to No. 1 ranked Louisiana Tech, 10-7.

The 1974 Catamounts finished the season ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press College Division poll and their defense established team records that still stand to this day.

Most significant was allowing a mere nine touchdowns on the season (eight rushing and one passing) and only three over the last six games. Gaines and linebacker Steve Yates were first team All-America selections.

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

• 1983 •

NCAA Division I-AA National Finalist Like the 1974 team, the 1983 Catamounts got off to a slow start by losing its first two games to Clemson and Wake Forest. After the two setbacks, WCU would go through the next 12 Saturdays unbeaten en route to the NCAA Division I-AA championship game – the first by a Southern Conference school.

The winning streak started in the third week of the season when WCU rallied from a 10-point deficit in the closing two minutes to defeat East Tennessee State, 17-16, and ended with a loss to Southern Illinois in the national championship game in Charleston, S.C. Despite the strong comeback in regular season play that produced an 8-2-1 record and No. 9 national ranking, Waters’ Cats barely made it into the I-AA playoffs. They proved their worthiness the next three weeks with comefrom-behind, heart-stopping wins over Colgate (24-23), Holy Cross (28-21) and Furman (14-7). The win over Furman was particularly pleasing as the teams had tied, 17-17, in the regular season, and allowed the Paladins to win the SoCon title as they had played and won one more league game due to a scheduling quirk. Over 5,000 WCU fans traveled to Greenville, S.C., for the rematch which was aired by CBS-TV. On the 1983 team, WCU had eight players named All-SoCon with head coach Bob Waters named Coach of the Year. Wide receiver Eric Rasheed and defensive back Tiger Greene selected All-America. Seven members of the ‘83 squad went on to play in the NFL and the team set an NCAA record for the most games played (15) in a season.

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

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E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM / BOB WATERS FIELD

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Construction Completed: June, 1974 West Side Stands Completed: August, 2003 Current Seating Capacity: 13,742 Playing Field: Bob Waters Field, Artificial Turf (IRONTURF) First game: Sept. 14, 1974 vs. Murray State (WCU lost 10-3) Dedicated: Oct. 5, 1974 vs. Morehead State (WCU won 31-12) Largest Attendance: 15,247 on Nov. 12, 1994 vs. Appalachian State

BOB WATERS

E.J. WHITMIRE

Construction of E.J. Whitmire Stadium was completed in 1974 at an initial cost of $1.66 million that was granted by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1971. The new facility, located on the southern-most expanse of the Western Carolina University campus, replaced Memorial Stadium and included the construction of the Jordan-Phillips Field House.

Dedicated on October 5, 1974, the Catamounts defeated Morehead State, 31-12, in their second game at the new facility.

Murray State won the first-ever game played on the artificial surface at Whitmire Stadium on September 14, 1974.

Over the years, Western Carolina has posted highlight victories at the facility including wins over nationally-ranked squads such as No. 2 Marshall in 1992; sixth-ranked Appalachian State in 1998 to regain the Old Mountain Jug; and over No. 2 Furman in 2006.

Goal posts have also been removed from the premises on several occasions. Brad Hoover set a stadium and school-record with 49 rushing attempts in 1998 as WCU upset Appalachian State, ending a 13-year losing skid its archrival. In 2004, Western Carolina again reclaimed the Jug, posting a dramatic, 30-27, come-frombehind win over the Apps, and the goalposts fell once again in what was the program’s 100th victory at Whitmire Stadium.

In 2006, Western Carolina’s defense recorded five interceptions and Darius Fudge rushed for 133 yards on offense to lead the Catamounts to a 41-21 victory over second-ranked Furman, setting the stage for another goalpost celebration.

The stadium has also hosted numerous television games over the years. One of the earliest came in 1978 as ABC showcased the Catamounts and Mountaineers from Cullowhee. Other broadcasts include ESPNU, SportSouth, Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS-TV) and most recently, the combined efforts of WLOS-TV and WMYA-TV in Asheville to air select WCU home games..

Currently with 13,790 seats, the football facility is located on the south end of the WCU campus and is bordered by the picturesque Cullowhee Creek on the west side; Jordan-Phillips Field House and WCU Weight Room on its north end; and the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center, which in addition to serving as the home venue for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball also features the Dale and Diane Hollifield Football Locker Room, WCU Football Offices and Team Room as well as the athletic training / sports medicine facilities.

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BOB WATERS FIELD PLAYING SURFACE / FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS: Western Carolina first installed AstroTurf on the playing surface in 1974. A similar product material was used in replacing the artificial surface several times. Following the facilities’ silver anniversary in 1999, a newer version of synthetic grass called AstroPlay was installed in 2000 for a cost of $1.2 million and was the surface that adorned Waters Field for the next eight years.

Amidst the 2008 season, the artificial surface was replaced by the Carolina Green Corporation which installed the Desso Challenge Pro 2 turf, a product of the overseas Desso Sports Systems. That surface remained until the summer of 2020 when Waters Field received a new surface. Designed by Woolpert, Inc., of Charlotte and executed by GeoSurfaces Southeast Inc., out of Mooresville, N.C., the group handled the removal and demolition of the old synthetic surface and replacing it with a new turf called “IronTurf” over a shock pad. The 2020 project also included resurfacing the perimeter immediately around the field and the addition of a new synthetic turf sled and practice area referred to as the “Hog Pit.” In 2002, the creation of a $93,000 Team Room complete with meeting and office space, as well as storage, was completed on the second floor of the Ramsey Center.

Prior to the 2003 season, more facility improvements and upgrades to the stadium were completed. A $3.1 million addition featured a 4,000-seat West Side grandstand seating area that included concessions and restroom facilities as well as new, updated lighting. The weight room in the Jordan-Phillips Field House was expanded, nearly doubling its previous capacity which also added a hospitality patio that overlooks the stadium on the north end zone. It also includes additional team meeting space, computer lab and visiting team locker room. The field house and East Side stands were also bricked to match the brickwork of the Ramsey Center and of the new West Side stands.

Also, on September, 16, 2006, the Dale & Diane Hollifield Football Locker Room facility located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center was dedicated. At a cost of $225,000, the 100-plus locker facility was expanded with beautiful, wooden lockers located throughout.

During the off-season prior to the 2010 campaign, a new Daktronics scoreboard with HD video screen were installed in the south

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

STADIUM BENEFACTORS AND NAMESAKES: Western Carolina’s football facilities are named after two prominent figures in Catamount Athletics. The late E.J. Whitmire, for whom the stadium is named, spent most of his adult life involved with the University. An educator, contractor, agriculturalist and public servant, Whitmire – from nearby Franklin, N.C. – served WCU for more than a quarter century with the attitude, leadership and “get it done” ability that made him successful in every walk of life.

Whitmire was on the WCU Board of Trustees from 1949-72 and was the driving force behind the University’s unparalleled period of growth. His tireless work served as the cornerstone of the structure that now bears his name. He was granted the Patron Award in the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.

In 1988, the playing surface where Robert Lee Waters made a name for himself in the coaching and administrative ranks while also putting WCU football in the national spotlight was dedicated in his honor and memory.

Bob Waters served as the University’s head football coach for 20 years and worked in a dual capacity as its athletics director for 15 years. During his tenure, he became the school’s winningest football coach with 116 victories, 13 winning seasons and top 10 national finishes at three different levels – NAIA, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division I-AA, now FCS). He also had the privilege of coaching 13 national All-Americans and 36 All-Southern Conference players.

As athletics director, Waters directed the school’s rise from NAIA to NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I competition and move into the Southern Conference in 1976. He was also instrumental in the planning and constructing of Whitmire Stadium, Childress Field (baseball) and the Ramsey Center.

Waters died on May 29, 1989 following a six-year battle with amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was posthumously inducted into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.

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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE The Southern Conference, which celebrates its 100th year in 2021, is a national leader in emphasizing the development of the stu2021, dent-athlete and in helping to build lifelong leaders and role models.

The Southern Conference has been on the forefront of innovation and originality in developing creative solutions to address issues facing intercollegiate athletics. From establishing the first postseason college basketball tournament (1921), to tackling the issue of freshman eligibility (1922), to developing women’s championships (1984), to becoming the first conference to install the 3-point shot in basketball (1980), the Southern Conference has been a pioneer.

The Southern Conference is the nation’s fifth-oldest NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association. Only the Big Ten (1896), the Missouri Valley (1907), the Pac-12 (1915) and the Southwestern Athletic (1920) conferences are older in terms of origination.

Academic excellence has been a major part of the Southern Conference’s tradition. Hundreds of Southern Conference studentathletes have been recognized on CoSIDA Academic All-America and all-district teams. A total of 20 Rhodes Scholarship winners have been selected from conference institutions, most recently in 2012-13, when former Wofford volleyball player Rachel Woodlee earned the prestigious award.

The conference currently consists of 10 members in six states throughout the Southeast and sponsors 21 varsity sports and championships that produce participants for NCAA Division I Championships.

The Southern Conference offices are located in the historic Beaumont Mill in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A textile mill that was in operation from 1880 until 1999, Beaumont Mill was renovated in 2004 and today offers the league first-class meeting areas and offices as well as a spacious library for storage of the conference’s historical documents.

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE – MEMBERSHIP HISTORY On Feb. 25, 1921, representatives from 14 of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (SIAA) 30 members met at Atlanta’s Piedmont Hotel to establish the Southern Intercollegiate Conference. On hand at the inaugural meeting were officials from Alabama, Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn), Clemson, Georgia, Georgia School of Technology (Georgia Tech), Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi A&M (Mississippi State), North Carolina, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) and Washington & Lee. Dr. S.V. Sanford of Georgia was chosen as acting chairman and N.W. Dougherty of Tennessee was named secretary. The decision to form a new athletic conference was motivated by the desire to have a workable number of conference games for each league member. With 30 schools in the SIAA by the early 1920s, it was

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2021 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS

C / S

17 / 16 25 / RV

22 / RV

– / RV RV / 22

Team

ETSU Furman Wofford Chattanooga Mercer Samford VMI The Citadel Western Carolina

W

L

SOCON Pct Pts Opp

0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

W

2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0

L

OVERALL Pct Pts Opp

0 1.000 68 17 0 1.000 55 18 0 1.000 24 22 1 .500 40 30 1 .500 83 42 1 .500 79 47 1 .500 55 84 2 .000 35 90 2 .000 28 107

C – Final FCS Coaches Poll; S – Final STATS FCS Top 25 Poll impossible to play every school at least once during the regular season and many schools went several years between playing some conference members. In addition, in 1920, the SIAA voted down proposed rules that an athlete must be in a college a year before playing on its teams and refused to abolish a rule permitting athletes to play summer baseball for money.

Play began in the fall of 1921, and a year later, six more schools joined the fledgling league, including Tulane (which had attended the inaugural meeting but had elected not to join), Florida, LSU, Mississippi, South Carolina and Vanderbilt. VMI joined in 1923 and Duke was added in 1929.

By the 1930s, membership in the Southern Conference had reached 23 schools. C.P. “Sally” Miles of Virginia Tech, president of the Southern Conference, called the annual league meeting to order on Dec. 9, 1932, at the Farragut Hotel in Knoxville, Tenn. There, it announced that 13 institutions west and south of the Appalachian Mountains were reorganizing as the Southeastern Conference.

Members of the new league included Alabama, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Florida, Georgia, Georgia School of Technology, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Mississippi A&M, University of the South, Tennessee, Tulane and Vanderbilt.

According to the minutes of the meeting, Georgia’s Dr. Sanford stated that the division was made along geographical lines. Florida’s Dr. J.J. Tigert, acting as spokesman for the withdrawing group, regretted the move but believed it was necessary as the Southern Conference had grown too large. The resignations were accepted and the withdrawing schools formed the new league, which began play in 1933.

The SoCon continued with membership of 10 institutions, including Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina, Virginia, VMI, Virginia Tech and Washington & Lee. The second major shift occurred some 20 years later. By 1952, the Southern Conference included 17 colleges and universities.

Another split occurred when seven schools – Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina and Wake Forest – departed to form the Atlantic Coast Conference, which began play in 1953. The revamped Southern Conference included members The Citadel, Davidson, Furman, George Washington, Richmond, VMI, Virginia Tech, Washington & Lee, West Virginia and William & Mary.

A third major shift occurred in 2012-13, when five members announced their departures and three schools were added. College of Charleston announced its decision to leave for the Colonial Athletic Association following the 2012-13 season, while Appalachian State (Sun Belt), Davidson (Atlantic 10), Elon (Colonial) and Georgia Southern (Sun Belt) announced they would depart following the 2013-14 campaign. At the Southern Conference’s 2013 spring meetings in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the league officially extended invitations to former members ETSU and VMI, as well as Mercer, to join the league for the 2014-15 academic year.

Today, the league continues to thrive with a membership that includes 10 institutions and a footprint that spans six states: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Current league members are The Citadel, ETSU, Furman, Mercer, UNCG, Samford, Chattanooga, VMI, Western Carolina and Wofford.

W. CAROLINA

THE CITADEL

ETSU

FURMAN

MERCER

SAMFORD

CHATTANOOGA

VMI

WOFFORD

EASTERN KENTUCKY Sept. 4 – L, 31-28

at Coastal Carolina Sept. 2 – L, 52-14

at Vanderbilt Sept. 4 – W, 23-3

#24 NC A&T Sept. 4 – W, 29-18

POINT Sept. 2 – W, 69-0

TENNESSEE TECH Sept. 2 – W, 52-14

#20 AUSTIN PEAY Sept. 2 – L, 30-20

DAVIDSON Sept. 4 – W, 45-24

at Elon Sept. 4 – W, 24-22

at #4 Oklahoma Sept. 11 – L, 76-0

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN Sept. 11 – L, 38-21

UVA WISE Sept. 11 – W, 45-14

at Tennessee Tech Sept. 11 – W, 26-0

at Alabama Sept. 11 – L, 48-14

at UT–Martin Sept. 11 – L, 33-27

at North Alabama Sept. 11 – W, 20-0

at Kent State Sept. 11 – L, 60-10

KENNESAW STATE Sept. 18 – 6 pm

SAMFORD * Sept. 18 – 2:30 pm

NORTH GREENVILLE Sept. 18 – 6 pm

DELAWARE STATE Sept. 18 – 7:30 pm

at NC State Sept. 18 – 7:30 pm

at Furman * Sept. 25 – 2 pm

at Western Carolina * Sept. 18 – 2:30 pm

at Kentucky Sept. 18 – Noon

at Cornell Sept. 18 – 2 pm

at VMI * Sept. 25 – 1:30 pm

at Gardner-Webb Sept. 25 – 6 pm

VMI * Oct. 2 – 2 pm

at Samford * Sept. 25 – 3 pm

MERCER * Sept. 25 – 2 pm

SAMFORD * Oct. 2 – 6 pm

ETSU * Sept. 25 – 2 pm

WESTERN CAROLINA * Oct. 2 – 1:30 pm

WOFFORD * Sept. 25 – 1:30 pm

at ETSU * Oct. 2 – 3:30 pm

at Chattanooga * Oct. 2 – 1:30 pm

at ETSU * Oct. 9 – 4:30 pm

WOFFORD * Oct. 2 – 3:30 pm

at Wofford * Oct. 9 – 1:30 pm

at Western Carolina * Oct. 9 – 3:30 pm

at Mercer * Oct. 2 – 5 pm

at VMI * Oct. 9 – 1:30 pm

at The Citadel * Oct. 2 – 2 pm

FURMAN * Oct. 9 – 1:30 pm

MERCER * Oct. 9 – 3:30 pm

at Furman * Oct. 16 – 6 pm

THE CITADEL * Oct. 9 – 4:30 pm

THE CITADEL * Oct. 16 – 6 pm

VMI * Oct. 16 – 4 pm

at Wofford * Oct. 16 – 12:30 pm

ETSU * Oct. 16 – 1:30 pm

CHATTANOOGA * Oct. 9 – 1:30 pm

SAMFORD * Oct. 16 – 1:30 pm

at The Citadel * Oct. 23 – 2 pm

WESTERN CAROLINA * Oct. 23 – 2 pm

at Chattanooga * Oct. 16 – 1:30 pm

ETSU * Oct. 23 – 2 pm

WOFFORD * Oct. 23 – 6 pm

CHATTANOOGA * Oct. 23 – Noon

at Samford * Oct. 23 – 1 pm

at Mercer * Oct. 16 – 4 pm

at Mercer * Oct. 23 – 6:00 pm

at Wofford * Oct. 30 – 1:30 pm

MERCER * Oct. 30 – 2 pm

at Furman * Oct. 23 – 2 pm

at Chattanooga * Oct. 30 – 1:30 pm

at The Citadel * Oct. 30 – 2 pm

at VMI * Oct. 30 – 12:30 pm

FURMAN * Oct. 30 – 1:30 pm

SAMFORD * Oct. 30 – 1:30 pm

WESTERN CAROLINA * Oct. 30 – 1:30 pm

FURMAN * Nov. 6 – 2 pm

at Samford * Nov. 6 – 3 pm

VMI * Nov. 6 – 1 pm

at Western Carolina * Nov. 6 – 2 pm

CHATTANOOGA * Nov. 13 – 3 pm

THE CITADEL * Nov. 6 – 2 pm

at Wofford * Nov. 6 – 1:30 pm

at ETSU * Nov. 6 – 1 pm

CHATTANOOGA * Nov. 6 – 1:30 pm

ETSU * Nov. 13 – 2 pm

WOFFORD * Nov. 13 – 2 pm

at Western Carolina * Nov. 13 – 2 pm

VMI * Nov. 13 – 2 pm

at ETSU * Nov. 20 – 1 pm

at Florida Nov. 13 – TBA

at Mercer * Nov. 13 – 3 pm

at Furman * Nov. 13 – 2 pm

at The Citadel * Nov. 13 – 2 pm

at VMI * Nov. 20 – 1:30 pm

at Chattanooga * Nov. 20 – 1:30 pm

MERCER * Nov. 20 – 1 pm

at Samford * Nov. 20 – 1 pm

FURMAN * Nov. 20 – Noon

THE CITADEL * Nov. 20 – 1:30 pm

WESTERN CAROLINA * Nov. 20 – 1:30 pm

at North Carolina Nov. 20 – TBA

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WESTERN CAROLINA – HONORED FOOTBALL NUMBERS #14 • KIRK ROACH – (1984-87) Roach was Western Carolina’s – and the Southern Conference’s – first, three-time All-America Selection (1984, 1986 and 1987) ... He additionally was the first player in league history to be a four-time, first team All-SoCon selection (1984-87), an accomplishment which has since been duplicated just three other times ... Continues to rank as Western Carolina’s all-time scoring leader with 302 points ... He connected on 71-of-101 (70.3-percent) field goals in his career and only missed one extra point, making 89-of-90 (98.9-percent) .... Roach also still holds the distinction of being the highest Catamount taken in the NFL draft, selected in the fifth round overall by the Buffalo Bills in 1987 ...

Was listed on the 2019 College Football Hall of Fame divisional ballot.

Inducted into the WCU Hall of Fame in 1996; his jersey was honored at WCU in 2006.

#54 • ART BYRD (1946-49) Art Byrd was the first football All-America selection at Western Carolina, playing guard on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball ... Helped the Catamounts to an 8-2 regular-season mark in 1949 and their first North State Conference title ... That team additionally holds the distinction of being WCU’s first team to earn a postseason bid, playing in the Smoky Mountain Bowl (Bristol, Va.) ... First Western Carolina student-athlete to have jersey retired.

Inducted into the WCU Hall of Fame in 1990.

#23 • JERRY GAINES (1970-75) An Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association All-America selection in 1974 ... Also earned AllAmerica honors in baseball and track & field while at WCU ... Set WCU records with 3,449 career receiving yards, a 20.6 average yards per reception for his career and 15 games with over 100 receiving yards ... Only the second WCU football player to have his jersey retired.

Inducted into the WCU Hall of Fame in 1990.

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HISTORY OF THE VICTORY BELL Western Carolina continues a tradition resumed in 2009, returning the “Victory Bell” – a mounted, transportable bell that rings the football team’s arrival for pre-game and also accompanies the “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band and the Catamount Cheerleaders in their pregame parades to E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.

Whereas the bell is a relatively new tradition, it is actually the re-birth of an old tradition on the WCU campus as is noted on the plaque which adorns the Alumni Bell Tower, the centerpiece in the quad. The tower houses the original “Victory Bell,” which hung in the old Madison Hall from 1904 until 1938 and was run to signal class periods.

After the building was torn down, the bell was mounted on a stone base between the Moore and former Joyner Building – which was destroyed by fire – and was rung in celebration of Catamount athletic victories.

The bell was later moved closer to the Old Student Union building before making its last active move in the late 1960s to the lawn of the Hinds University Center.

The bell and its traveling apparatus were designed and constructed by Mr. Ron Bumgarner, an assistant professor of engineering technology at Western Carolina, and several students in his class.

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Official Football Signals

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