2022 Catamount Football Digital Game Day Program - vs. Chattanooga (11/19/22)

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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INSIDE Stadium Game Day Information...................................... 6-7 Scouting Western Carolina................................................. 8 A Look at Today’s Opponent: Chattanooga......................10 Western Carolina Numerical Roster..................................13 Chattanooga Numerical Roster.........................................15 WCU vs. Chattanooga – Two-Deep...................................16 WCU vs. Chattanooga – 2022 Stat Comparison..............20 Looking Back: Last Time We Met.................................... 22 WCU 2022 Season Game-by-Game................................. 26 FEATURE: WCU 2022 Senior Day...............................28-29 WCU Head Football Coach, Kerwin Bell.................... 31-32 WCU Football Coaching Staff........................................... 36 WCU Football Support Staff............................................. 38 Football Team Photo........................................................ 40 WCU Athletics Director, Alex Gary..............................42-43

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

WCU Athletics Department Staff.......................... 45-46, 50 Meet the 2022 Catamounts..................................... 52-60 FEATURE: 2022 Athletics Hall of Fame......................62-65 FEATURE: Kirk Roach, SoCon Hall of Fame..................... 67 "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band.....................70-71 Dr. Kelli R. Brown, WCU Chancellor................................ 75 Catamount Cheerleaders..................................................77 Catamount Football – Postseason Teams........................ 78 2022 WCU Dance Team....................................................81 Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium...................... 84 The Southern Conference................................................ 86 WCU Football Honored Numbers..................................... 88 History of the Victory Bell................................................. 88 NCAA Officials Signals......................................................90

EXTRA POINTS, the official game program and online digital program for Western Carolina Catamount Football, is a publication of the WCU Athletics Media Relations Office.

Editorial content, layout and design has been provided by Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, Daniel Hooker (Western Carolina, 2001).

Special thanks to the staffs of both WCU Athletics Media Relations and designer Todd Charles. Photography provided by Ashley Evans, Charlie Bulla, 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. Printing is by the WCU Print Shop in Cullowhee.

Advertising sales for EXTRA POINTS are administered by Chad Gerrety and Ric Sisler. To advertise, contact WCU Athletics at (828) 227-2767 or (828) 227-2038.

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

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 umbrellas will be allowed through the stadium gates.

GATE INSPECTION / CLEAR BAG POLICY: Western Carolina University has implemented a "Clear Bag Policy" – ALL parcels, bags and alike are subject to inspection upon entry into E.J. Whitmire Stadium. All alcoholic beverages, outside food and beverages, and other items not permitted in the stadium must be discarded prior to entering the stadium. See Page 7 for more info.

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 continues to encourage the use of face coverings while in densely populated areas during game day activities. Physical distancing, washing of hands and using hand sanitizer remain common practice recommendations to help stop the spread viruses including COVID-19.

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.

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.

GATE 4

GATE 3 TICKET SALES

PRESS BOX

AA

BB

CC

DD

EE

A

B

C

D

E

FF

GG

F

G

TICKET SALES

GATE 2

20

30

40

50

40

30

20

10

20

30

40

50

40

30

20

10

MM

LL

K

J

I

KK

JJ

II

WEST STANDS

1 TE GA

GENERAL WILL CALL

H GATE 6

RAMSEY REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTER

Football • Cheer • Dance • Visiting Team

L

THE PURPLE ZONE

GATE 7

Chairback Reserved

Visiting Team Player Pass

Bench Back Reserved

WCU Student Section

General Admission Bleacher

Bleacher Reserved

Family Zone

Pride of the Mountains Marching Band

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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

PLAYER PASS ENTRANCE

VISITING TEAM SIDELINE

PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS MARCHING BAND

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.

GATE 5

CATAMOUNT CORNER ENDZONE

PAWS PORCH

JORDAN-PHILLIPS FIELDHOUSE

10

E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM

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MEDIA WILL CALL

WESTERN CAROLINA SIDELINE

VISITING TEAM LOCKER ROOM

TICKET SALES

TICKET SALES

10

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

WCU Player Pass

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

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

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SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA u

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Western Carolina returns home to play its 2022 regular-season finale, looking to close the season on a three-game winning streak ... WCU concludes the home stretch in league play where THREE of its final FOUR regular-season games will have been played in Cullowhee where the Catamounts are 3-1 on the season ... A fourth home victory would be the most since winning five in 2015 (5-2); u The Catamounts have won two-straight seasonal games entering Saturday's home date with Chattanooga with a home win over Wofford and the road victory at ETSU; u WCU's five seasonal victories entering Saturday's game represents the most wins for the Catamounts since winning seven back in 2017 (7-5) – which was also the last time WCU posted a seasonal winning record ... With a victory on Saturday, WCU would finish 6-5 overall; Western Carolina and Chattanooga meet for time 48th time on the football gridiron ... the Catamounts trail in the all-time series 17-30 overall including a 10-14 mark in games played in Cullowhee ... WCU has dropped three-straight to the Mocs in the head-to-head series – and suffered defeat in 11 of the last 12 series meetings dating back to 2009; u WCU has lost five-straight series meetings against Chattanooga played in Cullowhee, last winning at home in 2008 ... Saturday's meeting is the first between the Catamounts and Mocs in Cullowhee since 2018 after the game in the COVID-altered 2020-21 season was canceled; For a second time this season, Catamount freshman WR CENSERE LEE was listed as an honorable mention for the FedEx Ground FCS National Freshman Player of the Week as presented by Stats Perform ... Lee caught a career-high nine passes for 107 yards and a touchdown in last Saturday's road win at ETSU ... Lee also collected recognition after his five-catch, 164-yard outburst at Furman; u Two additional WCU freshmen also earned honorable mention this season – DB SAMAURIE DUKES was listed after his career-high nine tackle performance in his first career start at Mercer ... SoCon Freshman of the Year candidate RB DESMOND REID was listed the week after his second-straight 100-yard rushing game against Wofford.

Western Carolina enters the week ranked tied for second in the SoCon – and tied for 29th nationally – with an average of 31.9 points per game ... the Catamounts LEAD the SoCon and are FOURTH in NCAA FCS with an average of 502.3 yards of total offense per game including the SoCon's top-rated passing attack (308.8 yds/gm, 4th in FCS) and the third-best rushing attack (194.3 yds/gm, 26th in FCS) ... WCU leads the SoCon with an average of 25.7 first downs per game on offense, tied for THIRD nationally in the NCAA FCS with 259 total first downs; u 13 different Catamounts have recorded touchdowns this season ... Wide receivers CENSERE LEE and RAPHAEL WILLIAMS lead the way with SIX receiving scores apiece, with WR DAVID WHITE JR. has FIVE touchdown catches ... DESMOND REID and TJ JONES both have three rushing touchdowns this season, combining for six of WCU's 11 rushing scores to date; u WR RAPHAEL WILLIAMS ranks sixth with 4.5 receptions per game and is sixth with 63.0 receiving yards per game, just ahead of CENSERE LEE in ninth with 54.9 yards per game; Freshman RB DESMOND REID enters the weekend FOURTH in the SoCon in rushing, averaging 85.1 yards per game ... Reid has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark three times with a career-best 175 against Presbyterian, 129 against The Citadel, and 112 most recently against Wofford; Western Carolina's defense ranks SECOND to Chattanooga in sacks entering the weekend with 29 for 184 yards of losses ... WCU's 29 sacks are tied for 12th in the NCAA FCS this season ... 14 different Catamount defenders have recorded at least half a sack this year ... DE KJ MILNER leads the team with 5.0 sacks, just ahead of LB EJ PORTER with 4.5 sacks and DT CHRIS MORGAN with 4.0; Redshirt junior PK RICHARD McCOLLUM claimed his THIRD SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week honor last week after his game-winning field goal at ETSU ... McCollum ranks FIFTH in the SoCon in scoring (85 points), averaging 8.5 points per game ... McCollum is 16-of-18 on field goals and has made 37-of-38 PATs ... McCollum has scored 201 points to rank sixth in WCU football history.

WR #10 CENSERE LEE, TD AT ETSU

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WESTERN CAROLINA / CHATTANOOGA

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

INSIDE THE ALL-TIME SERIES

ALL-TIME SERIES. . . . . . . . . . WCU TRAILS, 17-30 In Cullowhee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU trails, 10-14 In Chattanooga, Tenn.. . . . . . . . . WCU trails, 7-16 Current Streak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU, L–3 Longest WCU Win Streak:. . . . . 4 games (1991-94) Largest Margin of Victory. . . WCU, 38 pts (2017) Longest WCU Losing Skid:. . . . 8 games (2009-16) Total Series Points. . . . . . . WCU 998 / UTC 1,235 WCU Average Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.23 ppg Chattanooga Average Points. . . . . . . . 26.28 ppg

LAST 10 SERIES MEETINGS (1-9): Oct. 2, 2021 Sept. 28, 2019 Oct. 13, 2018 Sept. 30, 2017 Oct. 29, 2016 Oct. 31, 2015 Nov. 1, 2014 Oct. 5, 2013 Nov. 3, 2012 Oct. 15, 2011

Chattanooga, TN Chattanooga, TN Cullowhee Chattanooga, TN Cullowhee Chattanooga, TN Cullowhee Chattanooa, TN Cullowhee Chattanooga, TN

L, 45-17 L, 60-36 L, 26-6 W, 45-7 L, 38-25 L, 41-13 L, 51-0 L, 42-21 L, 45-24 L, 51-7

WCU HEAD COACH KERWIN BELL

PK #89 RICHARD McCOLLUM & HOLDER #38 BRANDON DICKERSON

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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A LOOK AT TODAY’S OPPONENT: CHATTANOOGA u

Chattanooga comes to Cullowhee looking to keep its NCAA FCS playoff hopes alive, holding a 7-3 overall record and looking to advance to the postseason for the first time since 2016 ... the Mocs are ranked 15th in the latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and 17th in the FCS Coaches poll ... UTC is one of 12 teams that has been ranked in the Stats Perform FCS poll each of the 12 weeks, reaching a high of seventh this season; u

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Entering the week, Chattanooga ranks sixth in the SoCon in scoring offense, averaging 29.1 points per game overall – an average that jumps to 30.3 ppg in SoCon play ... the Mocs are limiting opponents to an average of just 19.5 points per game on the year defensively; u

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Chattanooga is fifth in total offense (405.9 yds/gm) – fourth in passing offense at 241.5 yds/gm and sixth in rushing at just 164.4 yds/gm; Chattanooga's defense ranks second overall (321.0 yds/gm), fourth against the pass in allowing just 211.4 yds/gm but LEAD the SoCon against the run limiting teams to 109.6 yds/gm;

Chattanooga RB AILYM FORD became the first Mocs running back to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark in three seasons, entering the weekend with 3,341 career rushing yards ... Ford ranks second in the SoCon in rushing with an average of 121.9 yards per game – a mark that ranks him eighth nationally in the NCAA FCS ... In two previous meetings against the Catamounts u

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Chattanooga has dropped two of its last three games against nationally-ranked opponents, falling at #24 Furman (24-20) and at home against ninth-ranked Samford (35-24); Chattanooga has put together its 25th season with seven or more triumphs – and the first since 2016 (9-4) ... UTC has had five seven-win seasons since 1997 – current head coach Rusty Wright was an assistant coach for all four previous and this year's seven-win season; Chattanooga is one-win shy of its 13th, 8-win season – most recently winning nine in the 2016 campaign ... It would be the fifth, 8-win season since 1980; The Mocs were picked by both the league head coaches AND the voting members of the media in the preseason to win the 2022 SoCon regular-season title, currently tied for 3rd.

Ford is a two-time All-SoCon selection (2019, 2021) and a two-time All-America selection as both a freshman in 2019 and sophomore in 2021 ... Ford was the 2019 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year and finished fifth in voting for the 2019 Jerry Rice Award given to the National FCS Freshman of the Year; Ford scored multiple TDs in seven of his last 10 games, rushing for two last week against Samford ... He has 25 TD (23 rush/2 rec) in his past 20 games – and 34 total touchdowns (32 rush/2 rec) over 31 career games;

SCOUTING THE MOCS

QUICK FACTS:

Location:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chattanooga, Tenn.

Founded:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1886 Enrollment:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,728 Colors:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Navy, Old Gold, Silver Conference:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Southern (SoCon) Facility (Capacity):. . . . . . . Finley Stadium (20,668) Chancellor:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Steve Angle Athletics Director:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Wharton Senior Woman Administrator:. . . . . . Laura Herron Head Coach:. . . . . . Rusty Wright (Chattanooga, '96) Record at UTC:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-16 (4th season) Overall Record: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Same Basic Offense: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Multiple Basic Defense:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Multiple 3-4

2022 SCHEDULE / RESULTS:

Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 22 Oct. 1 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19

WOFFORD *

W, 31-0

at Eastern Illinois NORTH ALABAMA at Illinois

W, 38-20 W, 41-14 L, 31-0

at ETSU * VMI * #11 MERCER * at #24 Furman * at The Citadel * #9 SAMFORD * at Western Carolina *

W, 24-16 W, 41-13 W, 41-21 L, 24-20 W, 31-21 L, 35-24 1 pm

Chattanooga's strong defensive unit is led by senior defensive lineman – and preseason SoCon Defensive Player of the Year – DEVONNSHA MAXWELL ... A three-time, first-team All-SoCon selection, Maxwell was the league's top defensive player in 2021 ... Maxwell is on the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award given to the nation's top defender at the NCAA FCS level; ABOUT CHATTANOOGA HEAD COACH RUSTY WRIGHT: A Chattanooga alum who shared the field with NFL Hall of Famer TERRELL OWENS, Wright took over at his alma mater in December 2018 ... His coaching includes three stints at Chattanooga – his career began as an assistant at UTC in 1996, coaching the Mocs until 2002 ... Other stops in his career include Butler (defensive coordinator, 2004), Miami (Ohio), 2005-08), Gardner-Webb (defensive line, 2008), Furman (linebackers, 2010), Reinhardt (defensive coordinator, 2011-12), Chattanooga (linebackers/special teams, 2013-16), and Georgia State (linebackers/special teams, 2017-18); u

Wright has a 2-0 record against Western Carolina as a head coach, making his first trip to Cullowhee Saturday – UTC's first visit to the 'Whee since 2018 ... Wright owns an 8-5 record in SoCon road games and is 18-9 overall in league play heading into the regular-season finale.

RUNNING BACK #0 AILYM FORD

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ABOUT CHATTANOOGA

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

HEAD COACH RUSTY WRIGHT

DEFENSIVE LINE #90 DEVONNSHA MAXWELL

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS – 2022 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

NO.

NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

0

T.J. Jones

RB

5-11

205

Sr.

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

43

Camury Reid

RB

5-11

185

Fr.

Gastonia, N.C. (Forestview HS)

0

Jaylen Floyd

S

5-9

180

Gr.

Miramar, Fla. (Lehigh / Miramar HS)

44

Antarron Turner

LB

6-2

245

Fr.

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

1

Desmond Reid

RB

5-8

170

Fr.

Hollywood, Fla. (Miramar HS)

45

Justin Wallace

DL

6-3

235

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Killian HS)

1

Cameron McCutcheon CB

6-3

200

5th

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

46

Paxton Robertson

K

6-0

205

So.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic HS)

2

Raphael Williams

WR

5-10

165

R-So.

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

47

Blue Monroe

LB

6-1

235

Fr.

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

2

Rod Gattison

CB

6-0

190

Jr.

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

48

Brady Elms

P

6-4

175

R-Fr.

3

Calvin Jones

WR

5-10

190

So.

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

49

Payton McCracken

WR

6-0

170

Fr.

3

Jacob Harris

S

6-1

195

Jr.

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

49

Corbin Shirley

K

5-10

155

Fr.

Seneca, S.C. (Seneca HS)

4

Kason Lincke

QB

6-0

200

R-Fr.

Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Christian HS)

50

Jayelin Davis

LB

6-0

230

So.

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

4

C.J. Williams

CB

5-10

170

So.

Gallion, Ala. (Alabama / Demopolis HS)

51

Aaron Sanez

OL

6-2

295

Fr.

5

Carlos Davis

QB

6-3

225

Jr.

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

52

Antwann Fann

OL

6-3

320

R-So.

Raleigh, N.C. (Wakefield HS) Murphy, N.C. (Murphy HS)

Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater HS) Perry, Ga. (Kennesaw State / Perry HS)

5

Mateo Sudipo

S

6-1

205

R-So.

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

53

EJ Porter

LB

6-1

245

Jr.

6

Terrence Horne Jr.

WR

5-8

185

Jr.

Miami, Fla. (USF / Miramar HS)

55

Kevin Thompson

LS

5-10

185

Jr.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

6

K.J. Milner

DL

6-4

265

Sr.

Hinesville, Ga. (Bradwell Institute)

56

Richard Garrett

DL

6-4

230

Fr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson HS)

7

David White Jr.

WR

6-4

200

Jr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Valdosta State / Westside HS)

57

Tyler Anderson

LB

6-0

225

R-Fr.

Greensboro, N.C. (Northern Guilford HS)

7

Hayward McQueen III LB

6-1

195

Fr.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (TRU Prep Academy)

58

Giovanni Ricciardi

LB

6-0

220

So.

Clemmons, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)

8

Jalynn Williams

5-10

205

Jr.

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

59

Anthony Joseph

LB

5-9

195

Fr.

Winter Garden, Fla. (West Orange HS)

RB

Atlantic Beach, Fla. (Coastal Carolina / The Bolles School)

8

Va Lealaimatafao

LB

6-1

230

Jr.

San Antonio, Texas (Cisco College / Warren HS)

60

Joaquin Layno

DL

5-10

295

R-So.

9

Cole Gonzales

QB

6-0

190

Fr.

Ocala, Fla. (Trinity Catholic HS)

61

Hudson Jones

OL

6-2

280

Fr.

Matthews, N.C. (Charlotte Christian)

Cherokee, N.C. (Cherokee HS) Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

9

Micah Nelson

DE

6-3

255

R-So.

Murphy, N.C. (Murphy HS)

63

Peyton Davis

OL

6-2

305

R-Fr.

10

Censere Lee

WR

5-11

160

Fr.

Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater HS)

64

Colby Cross

LS

6-0

220

R-So.

10

Taurus Dotson Jr.

CB

5-11

200

Sr.

Miami, Fla. (Valdosta State / Northwestern HS)

66

Derek Simmons

OL

6-6

320

So.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Abilene Christian / Fletcher HS)

11

Ajay Belanger

TE

6-3

245

Jr.

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

67

Dalton Tomlison

OL

6-4

325

5th

Beaver, Ohio (UMass / Iowa Western CC / Eastern HS)

11

Caleb Fisher

DL

6-3

235

So.

Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)

70

Christian Coulter

OL

6-5

320

Jr.

Thomson, Ga. (Tusculum / Thomson HS)

12

Brody Palhegyi

QB

5-10

180

Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons HS)

71

Cade McClellan

OL

6-3

295

Fr.

Plant City, Fla. (Durant HS)

12

Ken Moore Jr.

CB

5-10

155

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Christopher Columbus HS)

72

Blake Whitmore

OL

6-2

295

R-So.

Raleigh, N.C. (Millbrook HS)

13

Jaylin Terzado

WR

6-0

170

Fr.

Overtown, Fla. (Champagnat Catholic HS)

73

Samari Saddler

OL

6-2

320

Jr.

13

Tanner Cromer

DL

6-4

250

So.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Ellsworth CC / Reading HS)

74

Tyler Smith

OL

6-8

310

R-Jr.

Laurinburg, N.C. (Scotland County HS)

14

De’Andre Tamarez

WR

5-11

165

Fr.

Overtown, Fla. (Carol City HS)

75

Caleb Carter

OL

6-3

295

So.

Jacksonville, N.C. (Southwest Onslow HS)

Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

Cincinnati, Ohio (Eastern Michigan / Moeller HS)

14

Nick Louis

S

6-2

200

Jr.

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

76

Nate Linkous

OL

6-5

295

R-Fr.

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

15

Corey Reddick Jr.

RB

5-10

170

Fr.

Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)

77

Neyland Walker

OL

6-5

305

R-Fr.

Canton, N.C. (Charleston Southern / Pisgah HS) Nashville, Tenn. (Christ Presbyterian Academy)

15

Ja’morri Downing

S

6-0

190

Fr.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Stranahan HS)

78

Evan Carney

OL

6-3

290

Fr.

16

Parish Metzger

QB

6-0

200

R-Fr.

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

79

Aidan Alston

OL

6-2

295

R-So.

16

Marquis Lymon

S

5-10

205

Fr.

Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)

80

Ryan Sims

WR

5-8

160

Fr.

Southern Pines, N.C. (Pinecrest HS) Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Ft. Lauderdale HS)

17

Samuel Cornett

QB

6-6

225

Fr.

Woodstock, Ga. (Frederick Douglass (Ky.) HS)

81

Ca’Lique Cunningham WR

5-9

180

Fr.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

18

Malik Knight

WR

6-2

170

Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale HS)

82

Nate Abraham

WR

5-9

160

Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Providence Day School)

19

Toler Keigley

WR

6-1

190

R-Fr.

Pensacola, Fla. (Mobile Christian HS)

83

AJ Colombo

WR

5-8

165

Fr.

Waxhaw, N.C. (Cuthbertson HS)

20

Ed Jones IV

LB

6-1

205

So.

Arlington, Texas (Cisco College / Martin HS)

84

Bryce Yaggi

WR

6-0

195

R-Fr.

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

21

Andreas Keaton

S

6-2

200

So.

Powder Springs, Ga. (Hillgrove HS)

85

Talon James

TE

6-4

235

R-Jr.

22

Branson Adams

RB

5-9

185

So.

Greensboro, N.C. (Dudley HS)

86

Clayton Bardall

TE

6-3

235

Jr.

24

Samaurie Dukes

CB

5-10

185

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Miami HS)

87

Cade Snotherly

WR

6-0

195

R-Fr.

Cumming, Ga. (North Forsyth HS) Ramseur, N.C. (Emory & Henry / Eastern Randolph HS)

25

Darian Anderson Jr.

CB

5-10

160

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Dade Christian School)

88

Antoine Bell

WR

6-4

215

Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Berry Academy)

26

Jeremiah Noel

S

6-0

185

Fr.

Opa-Locka Fla. (Miami Killian HS)

89

Richard McCollum

K

5-9

175

R-Jr.

Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee HS)

27

Skylin Thomas

LB

5-10

205

R-So.

Lenoir, N.C. (Hibriten HS)

90

Marlon Alexander

DL

6-0

300

Jr.

28

Jordy Lowery

CB

5-11

190

Fr.

Bartow, Fla. (Bartow HS)

91

Jaquarius Guinn

DL

6-2

280

So.

Smyrna, Tenn. (Gardner-Webb / Smyrna HS) Clover, S.C. (Clover HS)

29

Jhamari Pierre-Louis

S

5-11

185

Fr.

Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)

92

Brandon Smiley

DL

6-2

300

Fr.

Durham, N.C. (Palmetto Prep)

30

Justin McMullen

CB

5-10

170

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington HS)

93

Chris Morgan

DL

6-0

285

So.

Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

31

Joshua McMullen

CB

5-10

170

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington HS)

94

Timothy Jamison

DL

6-4

255

Jr.

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

32

Malik Richardson

DE

6-4

225

R-So.

Sumter, S.C. (Lakewood HS)

95

Desmond Barkley

DL

6-2

345

So.

Stockbridge, Ga. (Troy / Stockbridge HS)

33

Jaiden Bond

RB

5-9

185

So.

Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)

96

Isaac McLellan

DE

6-2

220

Fr.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

34

Quenten Zanders

RB

5-8

175

Sr.

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

97

Caleb Bradford

DL

6-1

280

R-Fr.

35

Christian Murphy

LB

6-1

220

Fr.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard HS)

98

Wisdom Simms

DL

6-3

310

Fr.

36

Brandon Benjamin

RB

5-9

220

So.

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

99

Ronald Wilson

37

Lee Campbell

S

6-0

205

Fr.

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

38

Brandon Dickerson

P

5-11

190

Sr.

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

Canton, N.C. (Pisgah HS) China Grove, N.C. (South Rowan HS)

DL

6-3

318

R-So.

Juan Allen

WR

5-10

140

Fr.

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

Anthony Badgett

CB

5-9

190

Jr.

Greensboro, N.C. (Southeast Guilford HS)

39

Brayden Blackmon

TE

6-3

230

So.

Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

Bryson Grabowski

QB

6-1

180

R-Fr.

40

Cory Hennings

S

6-1

210

R-Fr.

Matthews, N.C. (Weddington HS)

Don Robinson III

CB

5-10

170

Fr.

Copperhill, Tenn. (Copper Basin HS)

41

Caleb Scott

LB

6-2

240

So.

Black Mountain, N.C. (Owen HS)

Cam Rog

WR

6-4

190

Fr.

Wake Forest, N.C. (Rolesville HS)

42

Jayion McMillan

S

5-9

185

Fr.

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

Chris Van Kleeck

LB

6-0

200

Fr.

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

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

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

| 13

w 2022 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

14 |

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

w 2022 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

CHATTANOOGA MOCS – 2022 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO.

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

NO.

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

0

NAME Devin Mathews

WR

6-4

205

Sr.

Palm Coast, Fla. (US Naval Academy / Matanzas HS)

41

NAME Alex Mitchell

LB

6-1

223

Fr.

Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Riverdale HS)

0

Ailym Ford

RB

5-9

213

Jr.

Florence, S.C. (West Florence HS)

42

Justin Sanders

LB

5-11

207

So.

Atlanta, Ga. (North Atlanta HS)

0

Quay Wiggles

DL

6-2

264

So.

Atlanta, Ga. (Mays HS)

43

Jason Pierce

P

6-2

238

Sr.

Powder Springs, Ga. (Jacksonville State / Hillgrove HS)

2

Jamoi Mayes

WR

5-11

200

So.

Griffin, Ga. (Griffin HS)

44

Grant Reid

LS

6-1

196

Fr.

Jackson, Tenn. (Tennessee / Baylor School)

3

Tyler Smith

WR

6-1

185

So.

Ellenwood, Ga. (Western Kentucky / Salem HS)

45

Kendall Jackson

LB

5-11

193

Fr.

Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Oak Ridge HS)

4

Javon Burke

WR

5-11

161

R-Fr.

Cleveland, Tenn. (Bradley Central HS)

46

Ty Boeck

LB

6-1

229

Sr.

Soddy-Daisy, Tenn. (Soddy Daisy HS)

4

Romeo Wykle

DB

5-11

204

Jr.

Cleveland, Tenn. (Lafayette / Cleveland HS)

47

Andrew Southard

K

5-10

192

Fr.

Hendersonville, Tenn. (Pope John Paul II HS)

5

CaMiron Smith

DB

5-10

191

Sr.

5

Shatarius Williams

WR

6-2

187

R-Fr.

6

Zay Brown

DB

5-10

203

Sr.

7

Javin Whatley

WR

5-9

164

R-Fr.

Cedar Hill, Texas (Trinity Christian HS)

48

Brody Gann

LS

5-10

184

Fr.

Ringgold, Ga. (Ringgold HS)

Demopolis, Ala. (Alabama / Demopolis HS)

49

Jake Hall

LS

6-1

227

Jr.

Saraland, Ala. (Alabama / Saraland HS)

Athens, Ga. (South Carolina / Clarke Central HS)

50

Cody Olszewski

LS

5-9

197

Jr.

Marietta, Ga. (Pope HS)

Rockmart, Ga. (Rockmart HS)

51

Shamar Jones

DL

6-1

237

Jr.

Johnstown, Pa. (Indiana / Johnstown HS)

7

Reuben Lowery III

DB

5-9

192

So.

Powder Springs, Ga. (Hillgrove HS)

52

McClendon Curtis

OL

6-6

328

Sr.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (Central HS)

8

Gino Appleberry

RB

5-8

200

Jr.

Atlanta, Ga. ( Western Kentucky / Westlake HS)

53

Ben Brewton

DL

6-3

220

Jr.

Savannah, Ga. (Beach HS)

8

O'Shea Jackson

DL

6-4

272

Jr.

Philadelphia, Pa. (Old Dominion / Imhotep HS)

54

Luke Lane

OL

6-3

313

So.

Lebanon, Ohio (Indiana / Lebanon HS)

9

Preston Hutchinson

QB

6-2

203

Sr.

Mason, Ohio (Eastern Michigan / Mason HS)

55

DeAndre Jones

DL

6-5

275

Fr.

Douglasville, Ga. (New Manchester HS)

10

Cardavion Myers

DB

5-10

176

Jr.

Piedmont, Ala. (Western Kentucky / Piedmont HS)

56

Jeremiah Katt

OL

6-3

282

So.

Mesa, Ariz. (Fork Union HS)

10

Tyler Walker

WR

6-0

188

So.

Moultrie, Ga. (Colquitt County HS)

57

Kam Jones

LB

5-11

227

Sr.

Gwinnett, Ga. (Louisville / Peachtree Ridge HS)

11

Sam Phillips

WR

5-8

180

R-Fr.

Cartersville, Ga. (Cartersville HS)

58

Marquise Freeman

EDGE

6-2

210

R-Fr.

12

Parker Brown

QB

5-11

200

R-Fr.

Brentwood, Tenn. (Ind. Wesleyan / Wheaton-Warrenville South HS)

59

Deovion Davis

DL

6-1

227

R-Fr.

Cocoa, Fla. (Washington State / Cocoa HS) Oxford, Ala. (Oxford HS)

13

Jaylen Rivers

DB

6-0

219

Jr.

Decatur, Ga. (Northwestern / Grayson HS)

60

Jon Estes

K

5-11

189

R-Fr.

Lewisburg, Tenn. (Marshall County HS)

13

Tyron Arnett

WR

5-11

190

Sr.

Belle Glade, Fla. (Western Michigan / Pahokee HS)

61

Gabe Boring

P

5-9

168

Sr.

Pikeville, Tenn. (Bledsoe County HS)

14

Josh Jones

DB

5-9

175

R-Fr.

Smyrna, Tenn. (Smyrna HS)

62

Malone VanGorder

OL

6-1

283

So.

Athens, Ga. (Bowling Green / Buford HS)

15

Kameron Brown

DB

5-9

179

Jr.

Mobile, Ala. (Theodore HS)

63

Tyler Moore

OL

6-5

348

Fr.

Athens, Ala. (Hutchinson CC / East Limestone HS)

15

Ty Gossett

QB

6-3

225

R-Fr.

Asheville, N.C. (Jireh Prep)

64

Reid Williams

OL

6-1

295

So.

Ringgold, Ga. (Ringgold HS)

16

Camden Overton

TE

6-3

265

Fr.

Marietta, Ga. (Marietta HS)

65

Nick Cerimele

OL

6-1

300

Jr.

Allentown, Pa. (Elon / Central Catholic HS)

Callaway, Ga. (Callaway HS)

66

Adorian Favors

OL

6-5

306

Fr.

Athens, Ga. (Cedar Shoals HS)

Huntsville, Ala. (Sparkman HS)

67

Cameron Cilurzo

OL

6-6

311

R-Fr.

Franklin, Tenn. (Centennial HS)

16

Demetrius Coleman

DB

5-9

175

R-Fr.

17

Luke Schomburg

QB

6-3

202

Fr.

18

Cole Copeland

QB

6-3

210

Sr.

Cleveland, Tenn. (Bradley Central HS)

68

Bryce Goodner

OL

6-2

299

R-Fr.

20

Nasir Howell

DB

6-0

182

R-Fr.

Kennesaw, Ga. (North Dakota State / North Cobb HS)

69

Lucas Lavin

OL

6-5

327

Sr.

Athens, Tenn. (Virginia Tech / McMinn County HS) Nykoping, Sweden (Northern Colorado / Nykopings Gymnasium)

21

Chris Houston

RB

5-9

167

So.

Chesterfield, Va. (Charlotte / Clover Hill HS)

71

Jacob Klein

OL

6-6

321

Fr.

22

Lance Jackson

RB

5-10

192

So.

Norcross, Ga. (Norcross HS)

72

Haze Solomon

OL

6-6

270

R-Fr.

23

Javin Burke

WR

6-0

205

R-Fr.

Cleveland, Tenn. (Virginia / Bradley Central HS)

73

Cameron Perry

OL

6-4

270

So.

Byron, Ga. (Peach County HS)

24

Josh Battle

DB

6-0

194

R-Fr.

Hoschton, Ga. (Mill Creek HS)

74

Colin Truett

OL

6-3

287

Jr.

Lebanon, Ohio (Cincinnati / Lebanon HS)

25

Alec Boruff

LB

6-1

201

So.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Webb HS)

75

Will Collier

OL

6-2

253

Fr.

Valdosta, Ga. (Valdosta HS)

25

Jahmar Quandt

WR

6-3

184

Sr.

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands (Naropa Univ. / Antilles School)

76

Cooper Rumfelt

OL

6-1

270

Fr.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (McCallie School)

26

Jaden Jude

WR

6-4

186

Fr.

27

Aaron Sears

K

5-10

177

R-Jr.

Athens, Ala. (Athens HS)

77

JD Broussard

OL

6-5

312

R-Fr.

Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Arkansas State / Oakland HS)

78

Cameron Thomason

OL

6-2

322

Fr.

Rossville, Ga. (Ridgeland HS) Athens, Ala. (East Limestone HS)

Athens, Ala. (Austin Peay / East Limestone HS) Dallas, Ga. (North Paulding HS)

28

Jordan Walker

DB

6-0

183

R-Fr.

Lafayette, Ala. (Lafayette HS)

79

Dave Monnot III

OL

6-6

264

So.

Joliet, Ill. (Purdue / Catholic HS)

29

Telly Plummer

DB

5-11

190

Jr.

Riverdale, Ga. (Louisville / Langston Hughes HS)

81

Andrew Manning

WR

6-1

208

Jr.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (Ooltewah HS)

30

Jay Person

EDGE

6-3

224

Jr.

Cleveland, Tenn. (Appalachian State / Bradley Central HS)

83

KeShawn Toney

TE

6-2

237

So.

Williston, S.C. (South Carolina / Williston-Elko HS)

31

Bo Spearman

LB

5-11

224

So.

Irondale, Ala. (Shades Valley HS)

84

Cameron Huckabey

TE

6-1

196

Fr.

Decatur, Tenn. (Meigs County HS)

32

Hunter Green

DB

6-0

177

Jr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Virginia Tech / Webb HS)

86

Brody Swafford

WR

5-11

184

R-Fr.

33

Jestin Gilmore

EDGE

6-2

191

Fr.

Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Tuscaloosa HS)

87

Jay Gibson

TE

6-5

255

Jr.

Cleveland, Tenn. (Western Kentucky / McCallie School)

34

Connor Delashmitt

LB

6-0

182

Fr.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (Silverdale Baptist Academy)

89

Evan Brown

TE

6-2

252

So.

Trenton, Ohio (Edgewood HS)

34

Solomon Locke

RB

5-10

188

Fr.

Dalton, Ga. (Christian Heritage HS)

90

Devonnsha Maxwell

DL

6-3

296

Sr.

Valdosta, Ga. (Valdosta HS)

36

Reggie Davis

RB

6-0

186

R-Fr.

Montgomery, Ala. (Lee HS)

91

Montrell Henderson

DL

6-3

339

Fr.

Riverdale, Ga. (Charles Drew HS)

37

Talijah Witt

DB

5-11

181

Fr.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (Brainerd HS)

93

Kelvin Morris

DL

6-0

267

R-Fr.

Hartselle, Ala. (Hartselle HS)

38

Austin Collier

EDGE

6-0

246

Sr.

Nashville, Tenn. (Bethel / Mt. Juliet Christian HS)

94

Marlon Taylor

DL

6-1

311

R-So.

Brunswick, Ga. (Glynn Academy)

39

Meshach Jones

DB

6-3

173

Fr.

Dyersburg, Tenn. (Dyersburg HS)

95

John Prince

DL

6-1

227

So.

Stockbridge, Ga. (Stockbridge HS)

40

Jake Shada

RB

6-0

194

Fr.

Crossville, Tenn. (Stone Memorial HS)

99

Nick Charles

DL

6-2

247

Fr.

Kennesaw, Ga. (Harrison HS)

Cleveland, Tenn. (Austin Peay / Walker Valley HS)

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

| 15

w 2022 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

CHATTANOOGA – DEPTH CHART

WESTERN CAROLINA – DEPTH CHART CATAMOUNTS OFFENSE (PRO SPREAD) QB

RB

- or -

5 9 0 1 8

WR

2 83

MOCS OFFENSE (MULTIPLE)

CARLOS DAVIS Cole Gonzales TJ JONES Desmond Reid Jalynn Williams

6-3 6-0 5-11 5-8 5-10

225 190 205 170 205

JR. Fr. SR. Fr. Jr.

QB

9 18

PRESTON HUTCHINSON Cole Copeland

6-2 6-3

203 210

SR. Sr.

RAPHAEL WILLIAMS AJ Colombo

5-10 5-8

165 165

R-SO. Fr.

RB

- or -

0 8 22

AILYM FORD Gino Appleberry Lance Jackson

5-9 5-8 5-10

213 200 192

JR. Jr. So.

TOLER KEIGLEY Terrence Horne Jr. De’Andre Tamarez

6-1 5-8 5-11

180 185 165

R-FR. Jr. Fr.

WR–X

2 10

JAMOI MAYES Tyler Walker

5-11 6-0

200 188

SO. So.

WR–Z

7 13

JAVIN WHATLEY Tyron Arnett

5-9 5-11

164 190

FR. Sr.

CENSERE LEE David White Jr.

5-11 6-4

160 200

FR. Jr.

WR–H

11 3

SAM PHILLIPS Tyler Smith

5-9 6-1

180 185

FR. So.

TE 11 86

AJAY BELANGER Clayton Bardall

6-3 6-3

245 235

JR. Jr.

TE

87 83

JAY GIBSON Keyshawn Toney

6-5 6-2

255 237

JR. So.

LT 74 75

TYLER SMITH Caleb Carter

6-8 6-3

300 295

R-JR. So.

LT

52 75

McCLENDON CURTIS Will Collier

6-6 6-2

328 253

SR. Fr.

LG 77 75

NEYLAND WALKER Caleb Carter

6-5 6-3

305 295

R-FR. So.

LG

62 56

MALONE VANGORDER Jeremiah Katt

6-1 6-3

283 282

SO. So.

C

BLAKE WHITMORE Aaron Sanez

6-2 6-2

295 295

R-SO. Fr.

C

65 73

NICK CERIMELE Cameron Perry

6-1 6-4

300 270

JR. So.

RG 67 75

DALTON TOMILSON Caleb Carter

6-4 6-3

325 295

5TH So.

RG

68 54

BRYCE GOODNER Luke Lane

6-2 6-3

299 313

FR. So.

RT

CHRISTIAN COULTER Evan Carney

6-5 6-3

320 290

JR. Fr.

RT

69 79

LUCAS LAVIN Dave Monnot III

6-5 6-6

327 264

SR. So.

BEN BREWTON John Prince

6-3 6-1

220 227

JR. So.

NT 94 8

MARLON TAYLOR O'Shea Jackson

6-1 6-4

311 272

SO. Jr.

DE

DEVONNSHA MAXWELL Quay Wiggles

6-3 6-2

296 264

SR. So.

SLB 30

38

JAY PERSON Austin Collier

6-3 6-0

224 246

224 Sr.

MLB

57 41

KAM JONES Alex Mitchell

5-11 6-1

227 223

SR. Fr.

WLB

46 31

TY BOECK Bo Spearman

6-1 5-11

229 224

SR. So.

R

4 24

ROMEO WYKLE Josh Battle

5-11 6-0

204 194

JR. Fr.

CB

15 32

KAM BROWN Hunter Green

5-9 6-0

179 177

JR. Jr.

JORDAN WALKER Zay Brown

6-0 5-10

183 203

FR. Sr.

6-0 5-11

194 204

FR. Jr.

5-10 5-10

191 176

SR. Jr.

5-10 5-10

177 192

JR. Fr.

WR 19 6 - or 14 WR

10 7

72 51

70 78

CATAMOUNTS DEFENSE (4–2–5) DE

6 50

KJ MILNER Jayelin Davis

6-4 6-0

265 230

SR. Jr.

NOSE

90 99

MARLON ALEXANDER Ronald Wilson

6-0 6-3

320 318

JR. R-So.

DT

91 93

JAQUARIUS GUINN Chris Morgan

6-2 6-0

280 285

SO. So.

BNDT

9 94

MICAH NELSON Timothy Jamison

6-3 6-4

255 255

R-SO. Jr.

LB - OR -

53 8

EJ PORTER VA LEALAIMATAFAO

6-1 6-1

245 230

JR. JR.

LB

7 20

HAYWARD McQUEEN III Ed Jones IV

6-1 6-1

195 205

FR. So.

LB - OR -

24 0

SAMAURIE DUKES JAYLEN FLOYD

5-10 5-9

185 180

FR. GR.

CB

2 4

ROD GATTISON C.J. Williams

6-0 5-10

190 170

JR. So.

S

21 3

ANDREAS KEATON Jacob Harris

6-2 6-1

190 195

SO. Jr.

S

5 37

MATEO SUDIPO Lee Campbell

6-1 6-0

205 205

R-SO. Fr.

CB

1 10

CAMERON McCUTCHEON Taurus Dotson Jr.

6-3 5-11

195 200

5TH Sr.

CATAMOUNTS SPECIAL TEAMS

16 |

KO

46 89

PAXTON ROBERTSON Richard McCollum

6-0 5-9

205 175

SO. R-Jr.

PK

89 46

RICHARD MCCOLLUM Paxton Robertson

5-9 6-0

175 205

R-JR. So.

P

38 46

BRANDON DICKERSON Paxton Robertson

5-11 6-0

190 205

SR. So.

H

38 9

BRANDON DICKERSON Cole Gonzales

5-11 6-0

190 190

SR. Fr.

LS

55 64

KEVIN THOMPSON Colby Cross

5-10 5-11

185 220

JR. R-So.

KOR - AND -

6 83

TERRENCE HORNE AJ COLOMBO

5-8 5-8

185 165

JR. FR.

PR

83 8

AJ COLOMBO Jalynn Williams

5-8 5-10

165 205

FR. Jr.

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

MOCS DEFENSE (MULTIPLE) DE

53 95

90 0

SS 28 6 FS

24 4

JOSH BATTLE Romeo Wykle

CB

5 10

CAMIRON SMITH Cardavion Myers

MOCS SPECIAL TEAMS PK

27 47

AARON SEARS Andrew Southard

P - OR -

61 43

GABE BORING JASON PIERCE

5-9 6-2

168 238

SR. SR.

LS

50 49

CODY OLSZEWSKI Jake Hall

5-9 6-1

197 227

JR. Jr..

H

61 43

GABE BORING Jason Pierce

5-9 6-2

168 238

SR. Sr.

KOR 7

13

JAVIN WHATLEY Tyron Arnett

5-9 5-11

164 190

164 Sr.

PR

JAMOI MAYES Sam Phillips

5-11 5-9

200 180

SO. Fr.

2 11

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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WESTERN CAROLINA vs. chattanooga mocs

2022 CHATTANOOGA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS

2022 WESTERN CAROLINA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS RUSHING

Desmond Reid TJ Jones Carlos Davis Jalynn Williams

PASSING

Carlos Davis Cole Gonzales

RECEIVING

GP–GS 9–1 9–9 7–7 9–0

Att 110 77 68 41

Gain 805 390 327 207

GP–GS Effic 7–7 149.60 7–3 153.70

Loss 39 3 106 3

Cmp-Att-Int 148-220-13 78-123-6

Net 766 387 221 204

Avg 7.0 5.0 3.2 5.0

Pct 67.3 63.4

Yds 1,837 1,112 TD 6 1 6 0 5

GP–GS 10–9 9–0 10–2 9–9 10–8

No. 45 31 30 24 20

Yds 630 303 549 149 384

Avg 14.0 9.8 18.3 6.2 19.2

AJ Colombo

No. 13

Yds 124

Avg 9.5

TD 0

Avg 21.6 23.4

TD 0 0

Long 39 35

Raphael Williams Jalynn Willams Censere Lee TJ Jones David White Jr.

PUNT RETURNS KICK RETURNS

No. 16 8

Yds 345 187

PUNTING

No. 25

Yds 1,081

SCORING

TD 0 6 6 5

FGs 16-18 0-0 0-0 0-0

Terrence Horne AJ Colombo

Brandon Dickerson

Avg Long 43.2 61

TB 2

FC 7

Kick 37-38 0-0 0-0 0-0

Rush 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Rcv 0 0 0 0

Pass 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

G 7 7 9

Plays 288 157 110

Rush 221 147 766

Pass 1,837 1,112 0

Total 2,058 1,259 766

Avg/G 294.0 179.9 85.1

ALL PURPOSE

G 9 10 9

Rush 766 0 204

Rec 199 630 303

PR 0 0 11

KOR 0 0 95

IR 0 0 0

Desmond Reid Raphael Williams Jalynn Williams

RUSHING

Lng 75 69

Avg/G 262.4 158.9

PASSING

Avg/G 63.0 33.7 54.9 16.6 38.4

RECEIVING

Long 73 30 72 17 75

TOTAL OFFENSE Carlos Davis Cole Gonzales Desmond Reid

TD 16 9

Long Avg/G 58 85.1 22 43.0 24 31.6 24 22.7

GP 9 10 10 9

Ailym Ford Gino Appleberry Preston Hutchinson Lance Jackson

GP 10 3

Preston Hutchinson Cole Copeland

Jamoi Mayes

Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total – Return Yds Five players tied............................................................................ 1

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

TD 3 2 2 0 1

Yds 511 555 404 263 117

Avg 13.8 15.9 16.8 12.0 9.0

No. 8

Yds 31

Avg 3.9

TD 0

TD 0 0

Long 35 19

Avg Long 41.1 65

PUNTING

No. 18

Yds 740

DXP Saf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Points 85 36 36 30

SCORING

TD 14 6 0 0

FGs 0-0 0-0 7-9 4-9

TB 2

Ailym Ford Preston Hutchinson Aaron Sears Andrew Southard

FC 5

Kick 0-0 0-0 15-15 21-22

Rush 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Rcv 0 0 0 0

Pass 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

G 10 9 10

Plays 327 203 91

Rush 135 1,097 425

Pass 2,400 0 0

Total 2,535 1,097 425

Avg/G 253.5 121.9 42.5

ALL PURPOSE

G 9 10 10

Rush 1,097 4 0

Rec 179 555 511

PR 0 0 31

KOR 0 35 39

IR 0 0 0

Ailym Ford Sam Phillips Jamoi Mayes

TD 13 0

Lng 72 15

Long 34 53 72 24 18

TOTAL OFFENSE Preston Hutchinson Ailym Ford Gino Appleberry

Long Avg/G 86 121.9 41 42.5 20 13.5 12 4.3 Avg/G 240.0 5.0 Avg/G 51.1 55.5 50.5 26.3 14.6

Long 7

I20 7

50+ 2

Blkd 0

DXP Saf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Points 84 36 36 33

Tot 1,276 594 581

Avg/G 141.8 59.4 58.1

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

HEAD–TO–HEAD TEAM COMPARISONS:

Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Va Lealaimatafao..........................................................................2

Yds 2,400 15

Avg 21.7 17.5

WCU Offense UTC 319...............................Scoring.............................291 31.9...................... Points Per Game..................... 29.1 255.......................... First Downs.........................205 5,023..................Total Yards Gained................4,059 502.3....................Yards Per Game...................405.9 1,935.................... Rushing Yardage...................1,644 193.5............Rushing Average per Game..........164.4 3,088................... Passing Yardage...................2,415 308.8...........Passing Average per Game...........241.5 WCU Team Stats UTC 82–880 (88.0)............ Penalties–Yards........... 36–388 (38.8) 54 / 130, 42%...........3rd Down Conversion...........51 / 122, 42% 8 / 19, 42%..............4th Down Conversion..............4 / 9, 44% WCU Defense UTC 322........................Points Allowed.......................195 32.2.............. Points Allowed Per Game..............19.5 3,849.................Total Yards Allowed.................3,210 384.9.............Yards Allowed Per Game.............321.0 1,887............... Rushing Yards Allowed............. 1,096 188.7.............Rushing Average Allowed............109.6 1,962...............Passing Yards Allowed...............2,114 196.2............ Passing Average Allowed............ 211.4

Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Andreas Keaton.................................................................... 2 – 45

Pct 60.9 33.3

Yds 130 35

Gabe Boring

TD 12 3 6 0

No. 34 35 24 22 13

Blkd 1

Avg/G 107.2 63.0 68.1

Avg 5.4 4.7 2.4 3.9

Cmp-Att-Int 165-271-10 1-3-0

50+ 5

Tot 965 630 613

Net 1,097 425 135 39

No. 6 2

Javin Whatley Sam Phillips I20 10

Loss 33 15 100 0

KICK RETURNS

2022 WESTERN CAROLINA DEFENSIVE LEADERS:

Sacks Leaders: Total Yds KJ Milner................................................5.0................................ 30 EJ Porter................................................4.5.................................27 Chris Morgan.........................................4.0................................. 18

Gain 1,130 440 235 39

Effic 143.7 75.3

GP 10 10 8 10 8

Jamoi Mayes Sam Phillips Javin Whatley Tyron Arnett Jay Gibson

Tackles Leaders: GP–GS UA–AA = Total Avg. Andreas Keaton............10–10.................43–24 = 67..................6.7 Hayward McQueen........10–3................. 21–28 = 49..................4.9 Va Lealaimatafao...........10–2.................22–25 = 47.................. 4.7 Mateo Sudipo................10–8................. 25–17 = 42..................4.2 KJ Milner.......................10–10.................. 21–17 = 38..................3.8 Micah Nelson................10–10..................14–19 = 33..................3.3 Jacob Harris................... 8–3...................16–16 = 32................. 4.0 Ed Jones IV....................10–7...................19–12 = 31...................3.1 Cam McCutcheon.........10–10.................20–10 = 30................. 3.0 Rod Gattison..................10–6.................. 17–13 = 30................. 3.0 Samaurie Dukes.............10–3..................19–10 = 29................. 2.9 TFL Leaders: Total Yds EJ Porter................................................6.5................................. 31 KJ Milner................................................6.0................................. 31

Att 203 91 56 10

PUNT RETURNS

Long 39

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

Richard McCollum Censere Lee Raphael Williams David White Jr.

20 |

TD 3 3 0 2

2022 CHATTANOOGA DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Tackles Leaders: GP UA–AA = Total Avg. Ty Boeck..........................10................... 52–34 = 86................. 8.6 Kam Jones.......................10.................... 38–23 = 61...................6.1 Reuben Lowery III............10.................... 38–14 = 52................. 5.2 Jay Person.......................10................... 25–24 = 49..................4.9 Devonnsha Maxwell........10................... 20–23 = 43..................4.3 CaMiron Smith.................10.................... 30–13 = 43..................4.3 Josh Battle.......................10..................... 24–17 = 41...................4.1 Jordan Walker...................9..................... 17–15 = 32................. 3.6 Kameron Brown...............10..................... 23–6 = 29................. 2.9 Ben Brewton....................10......................11–14 = 25................. 2.5 Marlon Taylor...................10......................13–11 = 24..................2.4 TFL Leaders: Total Yds Jay Person............................................ 17.5................................ 85 Devonnsha Maxwell............................. 11.5.................................54 Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Jay Person.............................................8.0................................ 63 Devonnsha Maxwell..............................7.0................................ 36 Ben Brewton..........................................6.5.................................43 Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Kameron Brown.............................................................5 – 110 yds Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Ben Brewton..................................................................................2 Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total Ty Boeck........................................................................................2

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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LOOKING BACK: LAST TIME WE MET #19 CHATTANOOGA 45, WESTERN CAROLINA 17 FINLEY STADIUM – CHATTANOOA, TENN. SAT., OCT. 2, 2021 1ST

2ND

3RD

4TH

FINAL

WESTERN CAROLINA

3

7

0

7

17

CHATTANOOGA

21

3

7

14

45

ATTENDANCE: 8,520

SCORING SUMMARY: QTR 1st

2nd

3rd 4th

TIME 14:04 09:04 06:42 03:32 09:17 00:18 04:40 13:31 12:09 9:06

PLAY WCU – Richard McCollum 22 yd field goal UTC – KeShawn Toney 10 yd pass from Cole Copeland (Sears kick) UTC – Cole Copeland 1 yd run (Sears kick) UTC – Tyrell Price 57 yd run (Sears kick) WCU – Terrence Horne 42 yd pass from Carlos Davis (McCollum kick) UTC – Aaron Sears 24 yd field goal UTC – KeShawn Toney 39 yd pass from Cole Copeland (Sears kick) WCU – Raphael Williams 7 yd pass from Carlos Davis (McCollum kick) UTC – Gino Appleberry 35 yd run (Sears kick) UTC – Ailym Ford 54 yd run (Sears kick)

DRIVE SUMMARY WCU UTC 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:46 3 0 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:00 3 7 3 plays, 31 yards, 1:18 3 14 2 plays, 57 yards, 0:47 3 2 5 plays, 80 yards, 1:30 10 21 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:13 10 24 5 plays, 60 yards, 2:44 10 31 10 plays, 59 yards, 2:54 17 31 3 plays, 50 yards, 1:17 17 38 4 plays, 68 yards, 1:47 17 45

Catamount starting QB ROGAN WELLS struggled against the Mocs, completing just 2-of-11 passes for six yards with a pair of first-quarter interceptions.

Wells was under pressure from the UTC pass rush, but was not sacked. Wells only played in the first quarter of the road loss. No. 19 Chattanooga used big plays and a strong defensive effort that produced three turnovers – two interceptions and a lost fumble – in downing Western Carolina, 45-17.

Catamount backup QB CARLOS DAVIS entered the game in the second quarter, finishing 16-of27 for 225 yards with two touchdown passes, finding TERRENCE HORNE on a 42-yard strike and RAPHAEL WILLIAMS making an acrobatic TD reception in the back of the end zone from seven yards out. Ten different receivers caught passes for the Catamount offense with RB KENNY BENJAMIN leading the squad with five receptions for 29 total yards, adding 27 yards on the ground.

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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

WCU 13 3 9 1 46 25 1.8 0 67 21 231 18-38-3

UTC 21 7 13 1 271 41 6.6 4 282 11 247 18-32-1

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

12.8 2 277 63 4–1 2 11–70 3 24:20 3 of 12 1 of 1 1 for 1

13.7 2 518 73 0–0 1 5–48 1 35:40 8 of 16 0 of 0 1 for 1

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS: PASSING Carlos Davis, WCU Cole Copeland, UTC

16-27-2 17-29-1

RUSHING Kenny Benjamin, WCU TJ Jones, WCU Tyrell Price, UTC Gino Appleberry, UTC

8 carries, 27 yds 6 carries, 18 yds 7 carries, 82 yds, TD 7 carries, 79 yds, TD

RECEIVING Jakobe Quillen, WCU Kenny Benjamin, WCU Jamoi Mayes KeShawn Toney

2 rec.

5 rec.

3 rec.

2 rec.

225 yds, 2 TDs 239 yds, 2 TDs

49 yds 29 yds 58 yds 49 yds, 2 TDs

DEFENSIVE LEADERS:

Defensive back JACOB HARRIS led the Catamount defense with seven total tackles including six solo stops with LB TY HARRIS finishing with six total hits including a sack. CB ROD GATTISON came up with an interception to go along with five tackles, matching defensive linemen MICAH NELSON and CHRIS MORGAN.

22 |

WESTERN CAROLINA

AT #19 CHATTANOOGA

TACKLES Jacob Harris, WCU Ty Harris, WCU Rod Gattison, WCU Jerrell Lawson, UTC Jay Person, UTC Ty Boeck, UTC SACKS Ty Harris Christian Snyder

7 tckls (6ua, 1a) 6 tckls (4ua, 2a, TFL, sack) 5 tckls (4ua, 1a), INT 7 tckls (4ua, 3a), INT 5 tckls (3ua, 2a), FF, PBU 5 tckls (2ua, 3a) 1 sack 1 sack

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DEFENDING CATAMOUNTS

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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2022 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL – SEASON GAME-BY-GAME

26 |

GAME 1 GAME 2 GAME 3 GAME 4 GAME 5

VMI * Saturday, Oct. 1 CULLOWHEE W, 38-17

GAME 6

BIRMINGHAM – Western Carolina amassed 456 yards of total offense including 310 yards through the air and 156 rushing yards but was held out of the endzone in settling for a career-best four Richard McCollum field goals as No. 21/22 Samford handed the Catamounts a league-opening 35-12 setback at Seibert Stadium. Bulldog QB Michael Hiers finished 24-of-30 for 292 passing yards with four touchdown passes to four different receivers while tossing his first interception of the season.

at No. 21/22 Samford * Saturday, Sept. 24 Birmingham, Ala. L, 35-12

at #12/12 Mercer * Saturday, Oct. 8 Macon, Ga. L, 49-6

GAME 7

CULLOWHEE, NC – Western Carolina shook off a sluggish offensive start to match a school-record for points and set a program record with a balanced 766 yards of total offense in cruising to a 77-21 home-opening victory over Presbyterian. Five different quarterbacks orchestrated scoring drives with freshman Cole Gonzales tossing three TD passes and scoring one on the ground with three Catamounts – running backs Desmond Reid and Corey Reddick and wide receiver De'Andre Tamarez – scoring twice, while Reid rushed for 175 yards. WCU had seven sacks defensively.

PRESBYTERIAN Saturday, Sept. 17 CULLOWHEE W, 77-21

at Furman * Saturday, Oct. 15 Greenville, S.C. L, 47-40

GREENVILLE, SC – Dominic Roberto ran for 252 yards and two touchdowns, Tyler Huff threw for three scores and Furman outlasted Western Carolina's fourth-quarter rally to score a 47-40 win at Paladin Stadium. WCU freshman Cole Gonzales came off the bench to complete 12-of-16 passes for 253 yards and two scores. He hit Censere Lee for 42- and 69-yard scores in the final frame, pulling WCU to within 44-40. Furman added a field goal with 1:06 left. Gonzales then found Lee on the final play of the game, but he was tackled at the 5-yard line as time ran out.

GAME 8

ATLANTA – Carlos Davis threw a pair of first quarter touchdowns as Western Carolina jumped out to an early 14-7 lead, but four turnovers proved costly as Georgia Tech used a strong ground attack and four-consecutive touchdowns including a 14-point second quarter to upend the upset-minded Catamounts 35-17 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Western Carolina outgained Georgia Tech 390-to-343 in total offensive yards in the loss, with the Catamounts losing a fumble and tossing three interceptions to thwart the upset bid.

at Georgia Tech Saturday, Sept. 10 Atlanta, Ga. L, 35-17

THE CITADEL * Saturday, Oct. 22 CULLOWHEE L, 34-21

CULLOWHEE, NC – Freshman running back Desmond Reid ran for a team-best 129 yards, and classmate quarterback Cole Gonzales threw for two touchdowns, but Western Carolina was unable to overcome a strong first half

by The Citadel in a 34-21 loss to the Bulldogs. Defensively, Hayward McQueen III made a career-high 12 tackles, seven of which were solo. K.J. Milner, Va Lealaimatafao, and Ed Jones IV each had eight stops with Jones also recording one tackle for loss.

GAME 9

CHARLESTON, SC – Western Carolina raced out to a 31-7 lead over Charleston Southern and held on for its first season-opening road win in 20 years with the 52-38 win at Buccaneer Field. QB Carlos Davis amassed 461 yards of total offense including a career-high 433 passing yards and a school-record six touchdown passes to six different players – 5 receivers, one running back. It was the second career 400-yard passing game for Davis. Dating back to last season, the Catamounts have won five of their last six games overall that includes four-straight road games.

at Charleston Southern Saturday, Sept. 3 Charleston, S.C. W, 52-38

WOFFORD * Saturday, Nov. 5 CULLOWHEE 2:00 pm – Nexstar / ESPN3

Following its bye week, Western Carolina hosts Wofford in Cullowhee on Homecoming, 2022. WCU ended a fourgame series slide against the Terriers with a convincing 41-21 win in Spartanburg, S.C., in 2021. WR Raphael Williams caught a WCU single-game school-record 16 passes for 177 yards and two TDs in the victory. Wofford leads the all-time series, 15-28. The early-November match-up is the first in Cullowhee since 2018 after COVID cancelled the 2020 series meeting.

CULLOWHEE, NC – Carlos Davis threw four touchdown passes and the Western Carolina defense came up with three turnovers for a 38-17 win over VMI. Davis found four different receivers and was 30-of-44 passing for 336 yards with two interceptions. Raphael Williams had six catches for 103 yards, including a 69-yard connection for the final touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Jalynn Williams hauled in 10 passes for 94 yards. The Catamounts hauled down Keydet quarterbacks seven times to go with a pair of interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

GAME 10

at ETSU * Saturday, Nov. 12 Johnson City, Tenn.

1:00 pm – W, 20-17

JOHNSON CITY, TN – Richard McCollum kicked a 33-yard field goal on the final play of the game and Western Carolina rallied for a 20-17 victory over ETSU in the Blue Ridge Border Battle. McCollum's field goal capped a nine-play, 59-yard drive for WCU. Tyler Keltner's 31-yard field goal for ETSU tied the game at 17 with 2:25 remaining. Surprise starter QB Cole Gonzales completed 20-of-38 passes for 268 yards with two interceptions for the Catamounts. Censere Lee finished with nine catches for 107 yards with a TD with Raphael Williams also scoring.

GAME 11

CHATTANOOGA * Saturday, Nov. 19 CULLOWHEE 1:00 pm – Nexstar / E+

Western Carolina concludes the regular-season portion of its 2022 schedule by hosting one of the league’s favorites, Chattanooga, at Whitmire Stadium. The Mocs have won three-straight over WCU with victories in 11 of the past 12 meetings overall. The last two series meetings – 2019 and 2021 – were both played in Chattanooga with the Nov. 19 match-up marking the first in Cullowhee since 2018 after COVID cancelled the 2020 series meeting. UTC seeks a victory to keep its 2022 playoff hopes alive, looking for its first berth since 2016.

POSTSEASON

MACON, GA – No. 12 Mercer scored touchdowns on six of its nine drives in the opening half en route to 49-6 victory over Western Carolina at Five Star Stadium. Fred Payton threw three touchdowns passes and Mercer held the Southern Conference’s top-scoring team to a pair of field goals. Two Catamount quarterbacks – Carlos Davis and Cole Gonzalez – combined for 175 yards passing with four interceptions, two made by the Bears’ Isaac Dowling, while Western Carolina was held to 74 rushing yards on 31 carries.

2022 NCAA FCS PLAYOFFS Saturday, Nov. 26 TBA

Western Carolina looks to halt a 39-year drought of advancing to the NCAA postseason. 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 FIRST SoCon team to play for the national title. The Southern Conference regular season champion will garner the league’s automatic bid into the postseason field.

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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2022 SENIOR DAY

CATAMOUNT CHEERLEADERS

(l-r) Sara-Grace Smith, Olivia Hawkins, Molly McAvoy, Hanna Wing and Sarena Burrell

2022 SENIOR DAY

THE WCU DANCE TEAM

(l-r) Skylar Poulos, Naidelyn Cruz, and Nicole Stauffer

2022 WESTERN CAROLINA SENIOR DAY

“PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS” MARCHING BAND

"PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS" MARCHING BAND – 2022 SENIORS

(Alphabetical): Henry Atkins, Julia Baker, Rey Bridges, Daniel Brodie, Andrew Brown, Shawn Brown, Jordan Chambliss, Skyler Clark, Sara Cline, Katie Cooper, Erin Cummings, Cody Dalton, Justin Davenport, Isaiah Davis, Victoria Deal, Emma Eubanks, Darrell Fisher, Will Flinner, William Frink, Matt Gaddy, Jeremey Gerringer, Jacob Gram, Kaylee Green, Reagan Hall, Kaylin Holliday, Caroline Hufnagle, Nick Hutchens, Druw Jenkins, Eli Kayne, Kevin Kerns, Line Kinsey, Megan Kirby, Edward Lee, Brandon Lee, Trinity Leger, RJ Lewis, Eric Meyer, Megan Newton, Rachel Peterkin, Nicole Petersohn, Malique Pope, Jessica Proper, Jake Pruitt, Jason Puckett, Diana Reaves, Brandon Rice, Gillian Robbins, Finn Roberson, Tanner Robinson, Austin Ross, Hannah Russell, Keaton Shaw, Joshua Starnes, Collin Tastet, Hannah Taylor, Josh Turner, Amy Woods

28 |

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

w 2022 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2022 FOOTBALL SENIOR CLASS

#0 JAYLEN FLOYD

#0 TRAVELL JONES

#55 KEVIN THOMPSON

#1 CAM McCUTCHEON

#67 DALTON TOMLISON

#6 KJ MILNER

#85 TALON JAMES

CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF STUDENT ASSISTANTS (l-r) Jacob Floyd, Dante Johnson, Klein Sawtelle, Dylan Quick, and Ethan Harris

#10 TAURUS DOTSON

#89 RICHARD McCOLLUM

EQUIPMENT STUDENT ASSISTANT Trey Pickard

#38 BRANDON DICKERSON

#94 TIM JAMISON

ATHLETIC TRAINING STUDENT ASSISTANTS Ashlyn Ellenburg and Jordyn Wills Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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

KERWIN BELL >>> second season <<<

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

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

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

Bell entered the 2021 season with 97 career victories between his three coaching stops.

Western Carolina rebounded from a six-game slide to start Bell's first season in Cullowhee in 2021 by winning four of its final five games to finish the Southern Conference slate at 4-4. After being picked ninth in the preseason, the Catamounts finished tied for fourth in the league SoCon standings, defeating both teams amongst the tie including a 43-42 win over Furman in Cullowhee and a 52-24 win over defending conference champion VMI to end the regular-season.

Coach 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 D–II poll.

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

Within Bell’s system, VSU sophomore quarterback Rogan Wells finished as the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented to the Division II Player of the Year, and was named both the Region Two and Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Wells accounted for 50 touchdowns on the year (including one receiving), led the nation in points responsible for (300), was second in passing

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–)

Bell came 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.

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 CoHall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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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.

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.

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.

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

Before taking over the Jacksonville program, Bell led Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla., for six seasons (2001-06), earning a Florida 2B state title in 2005 and 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).

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.

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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Originally from Mayo, Fla., Bell was a quarterback at the University of Florida from 1983-87 where he completed over 57 percent of his 953 pass attempts for 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns. A former walk-on, Bell concluded his collegiate career as the SEC Player of the Year in 1984 after leading Florida to a 9-1-1 record and a conference championship, and both a first-team All-SEC selection and

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

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

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2022 FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF

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KADE BELL

CHAZMON SCALES

CHRIS NORRIS

BRIAN COCHRAN

JEREMY DARVEAU

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR / QBS

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR / SAFETIES

SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR

ASSISTANT COACH / DEFENSIVE LINE

ASSISTANT COACH / OFFENSIVE LINE

CODY EDWARDS

JJ LASTER

LARRY MURPHY

RUDI SMALL

RYLAN WELLS

ASSISTANT COACH / LINEBACKERS

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ASSISTANT COACH / TIGHT ENDS

GREG McGRUDER

DEAIRUS WHITNEY

TODD SHEALY

TRENT TURKNETT

SYDNEY SPEARS

QUALITY CONTROL COACH – OFFENSE

QUALITY CONTROL COACH – DEFENSE

DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL

DIRECTOR OF ON-CAMPUS RECRUITING

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2022 FOOTBALL SUPPORT STAFF

Jeff Burger

Landon Brown

Jacob Floyd

Ethan Harris

Dante Johnson

Dylan Quick

Klein Sawtelle

Volunteer Assistant Coach

Volunteer Assistant Coach

Student Assistant

Student Assistant

Student Assistant

Student Assistant

Student Assistant

MIKE TAYLOR HEAD ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT MANAGER

BEN JACOBS

AUSTIN DAVIS

BAILEY FORST

CONNOR OWENS

DIRECTOR OF SPORTS PERFORMANCE & NUTRITION

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SPORTS PERFORMANCE

ASSISTANT SPORTS PERFORMANCE COACH

ASSISTANT SPORTS PERFORMANCE COACH

WCU ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT STUDENT ASSISTANTS TJ Earle, Eli Lautzenheiser, Josh Martinez, Trey Pickard, Andrue Smith, Cole Watkins

WCU FOOTBALL VIDEO ASSISTANTS

Adam Bobo, Jonathan Daniels, Carter Honeycutt Matthew Horne, Bryson Jusko, Bradley Krpejs, Josh Stapelton

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – SPORTS MEDICINE STAFF

STEVEN HONBARGER

ROB REYBURN

HALEY BENNINGTON

JULIA DANIEL

AURORA GOUJON

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2022 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL

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ALEX GARY

WESTERN CAROLINA DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

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

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

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

Gary was appointed to the 2022-23 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee, officially beginning his appointment on Sept. 1, 2022 with a term running through Aug. 31, 2027. He was also appointed to the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee. His four-year term on that committee also began Sept. 1, 2022, and continues through Aug. 31, 2026.

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

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

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

combined with his personal familiarity with WCU as a former student-athlete make him a perfect fit to take over the helm of the Catamount athletics program, Brown said.

“I asked the search committee to identify an extraordinary leader to guide the Catamount athletics program into the next era and who will provide our coaches and professional staff with the resources necessary to help our student-athletes enjoy the same level of success on the fields and courts of competition that they have had in the classroom in recent years,” she said.

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

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

championship baseball team and participated in the NCAA regionals held in Wilson.

“I have a strong affinity and love for WCU. Three groomsmen in my wedding came from my time in Cullowhee as a three-year student athlete. WCU had an immeasurable impact on my life, and I welcome the opportunity to come back in a leadership capacity,” Gary said.

“My personal experience as a former student-athlete at WCU deepens my understanding of this institution and what is needed to advance Catamount Athletics.

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

At Oregon State, he has been a member of the executive leadership team responsible for the athletics department’s $85 million budget, 150 employees and more than 500 student-athletes. He oversees the 16-member athletics development team, which raised nearly $26 million in 2019, a record for the Beavers’ athletics program.

That fundraising effort included a $3.5 million sports performance center renovation, $2.3 million women’s locker room renovation, and $2.6 million baseball stadium expansion.

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

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

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

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

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

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master’s degree in business administration at UNC Charlotte in 2009.

Gary was selected from a slate of more than 40 qualified candidates for the position after an initial narrowing of a larger list of possibilities, said Ivy Gibson, WCU associate general counsel and chair of the athletics director search committee. Six candidates were interviewed by the search committee off-site in Charlotte.

“We had a very strong pool of candidates with a vast array of professional and personal experiences in the profession of athletics administration,” Gibson said. “I think that Alex Gary’s track record in athletics fundraising in particular will be a tremendous asset as the university begins to work toward implementation of some of the construction and renovation projects proposed in the recent athletics facilities master planning process.”

Brown appointed the search committee on Dec. 18 and set an ambitious and accelerated timetable to find a permanent successor for Randy Eaton, who served as WCU’s athletics director from Dec. 14, 2011, until Dec. 10, 2019. Mike Byers, WCU vice chancellor of administration and finance, managed the athletics department until Gary officially took over the helm in May 2020.

Gary and the former Katie Mavis of Saint Joseph, Mich., were married in a mountain-top ceremony in Oregon on Aug. 28, 2020. The couple has one daughter, Gianna.

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – ATHLETICS SENIOR STAFF

ALEX GARY

KYLE PIFER

ASHLEIGH SIMMONS

CHAD GERRETY

JULIE MILLER

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

DEPUTY ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

ASSOC. AD FOR STUDENT SUCCESS / SWA

ASSOC. AD FOR EXTERNAL OPERATIONS

ASSOC. AD FOR DEVELOPMENT / CATAMOUNT CLUB

TRAVIS CHANDLER

DANIEL HOOKER

AMANDA MURCHIE

DR. ALEXANDER MACAULAY

ASSISTANT AD FOR COMPLIANCE

ASSISTANT AD FOR MEDIA RELATIONS

ASSISTANT AD FOR BUSINESS OPERATIONS

WCU FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT STAFF

Denise Gideon Director of Media Relations

Michael Gilbert

Athletics Ticketing and Marketing Assistant

Steven Grandy

Evan Ellis

Director of Media Relations

Director of Video Operations

Rory Jimerson

Mark Conlin

Director of Game Operations & Facilities

Director of Athletic Facilities

Patrick Mullaney Assistant Director of Video Operations

Trey Fisher

Assistant Director of Game Operations & Facilities

Greg Camillone Director of Creative Media

Kim Jamison

Athletic Department Administrative Assistant

Tyler Pope

Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement

Arman Jones

Assistant Director of Academics for Football

Ric Sisler

Jonathan Sessoms

Haley Mitchell

Isaiah Lunsford

Director of Corporate Sponsorship

Assistant Director of Academic Support

Director of Athletics Ticketing

Academic Support Assistant

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – CATAMOUNT CLUB / DEVELOPMENT STAFF

JULIE MILLER

MARK WARREN

LAUREN RHYNE

JP HILL

TAYLOR HOLMAN

ASSOCIATE AD FOR DEVELOPMENT / DIRECTOR OF THE CATAMOUNT CLUB

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, EVENTS, AND STEWARDSHIP

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – COACHING STAFF

Alan Beck

Derek Beasley

JD Mundy

Assistant Coach Baseball

Volunteer Assistant Coach Baseball

Jaylen Gore

Molly Bachand

Assistant Coach Baseball

Zack Freesman

Ryne Lightfoot

Megan Brown

Eileen Van Horn Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Director of Women's Basketball Operations

Tim Eckberg

Courtney Gunter Head Coach Women’s Golf

Chad Miller

Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Associate Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Bret Beaver

Jesse Norman

Daniel Haakenson

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Head Coach Men’s Golf

Head Coach Women's Tennis

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Jeff Korte

Head Coach Baseball

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Head Coach Cross Country / Track & Field

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

Seth Graves

Director of Player Development – Baseball

Jayson Gee

Head Coach Men’s Basketball

Associate Head Coach Men’s Basketball

Graduate Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Director of Men's Basketball Operations

Video Coordinator Men’s Basketball

Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Kiley Hill

Kendra Samuels-Eaton

Jordan Worrell

Madison Pack

Caitlyn Davis

Lauren Brooks

Hailey Schenk

Nick Whiting

Maryanne Kilgore Assistant Coach Women’s Soccer

Head Coach Softball

Jim Clift

Madison Armstrong

Gillian Urycki

Karen Glover

Taylor Svehla

Ashley Gasaway

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Video Coordinator Women's Basketball

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Cody Cohen

Justin Gray

Head Coach Cheerleading

Head Coach Volleyball

Assistant Coach Cheerleading

Assistant Coach Volleyball

Associate Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Cheerleading

Assistant Coach Softball

Assistant Coach Volleyball

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MEET THE 2022 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

0

0 Jaylen Floyd

S – 5-9 – 180 – Gr. Miramar, Fla.

Jacob Harris

S – 6-1 – 195 – Jr. Greer, S.C.

6

Calvin Jones

WR – 5-10 – 190 – So. Forest City, N.C.

6 KJ Milner

DE – 6-4 – 265 – Sr. Hinesville, Ga.

9 Micah Nelson

DE – 6-3 – 255 – So. Murphy, N.C.

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TJ Jones

RB – 5-11 – 205 – Sr. Lakeland, Fla.

3

3

1

1 Cameron McCutcheon CB – 6-3 – 200 – 5th Seneca, S.C.

CJ Williams

CB – 5-10 – 170 – So. Gallion, Ala.

7 Hayward McQueen III

9

10

Cole Gonzales

QB – 6-0 – 190 – Fr. Ocala, Fla.

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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

4

4

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

Desmond Reid

LB – 6-1 – 195 – Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Taurus Dotson Jr. CB – 5-11 – 200 – Sr. Miami, Fla.

Kason Lincke

QB – 6-0 – 200 – R-Fr. Mobile, Ala.

7 David White Jr.

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

10 Censere Lee

WR – 5-11 – 160 – Fr. Clearwater, Fla.

2 Rod Gattison

CB – 6-0 – 190 – Jr. Hartsville, S.C.

5 Mateo Sudipo

S – 6-1 – 205 – R-So. Wake Forest, N.C.

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

11 Caleb Fisher

DE – 6-3 – 235 – So. Decatur, Ga.

2 Raphael Williams

WR – 5-10 – 165 – R-So. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

5 Carlos Davis

QB – 6-3 – 225 – Jr. Baltimore, Md.

8 Jalynn Williams RB – 5-10 – 205 – Jr. St. Petersburg, Fla.

11 Ajay Belanger

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

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MEET THE 2022 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

12 Ken Moore Jr.

CB – 5-10 – 155 – Jr. Harrisburg, Pa.

15 Ja'Morri Downing S – 6-0 – 190 – Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

19 Toler Keigley

WR – 6-1 – 190 – R-Fr. Pensacola, Fla.

26 Jeremiah Noel S – 6-0 – 185 – Fr. Opa-Locka, Fla.

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12 Brody Palhegyi

QB – 5-10 – 180 – R-Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

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

20 Ed Jones IV

LB – 6-1 – 205 – So. Arlington, Texas

27 Skylin Thomas

LB – 5-10 – 205 – R-So. Lenoir, N.C.

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

13 Tanner Cromer

DL – 6-4 – 250 – So. Reading, Ohio

16 Marquis Lymon S – 5-10 – 205 – Fr. Delray Beach, Fla.

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

28 Jordy Lowery

CB – 5-11 – 190 – Fr. Bartow, Fla.

13 Jaylin Terzado

WR – 6-0 – 170 – Fr. Overtown, Fla.

16 Parish Metzger

QB – 6-0 – 200 – R-Fr. Matthews, N.C.

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

29 Jhamari Pierre-Louis S – 5-11 – 185 – Fr. Delray Beach, Fla.

14 Nick Louis

S – 6-2 – 200 – Jr. Miami, Fla.

17 Samuel Cornett QB – 6-6 – 225 – Fr. Woodstock, Ga.

24 Samaurie Dukes CB – 5-10 – 185 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

30 Justin McMullen CB – 5-10 – 170 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

14 De'Andre Tamarez WR – 5-11 – 165 – Fr. Overtown, Fla.

18 Malik Knight

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

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

31 Joshua McMullen CB – 5-10 – 170 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

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Available free throughout WNC or read online at smokymountainnews.com Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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MEET THE 2022 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

32 Malik Richardson DE – 6-4 – 225 – R-So. Sumter, S.C.

38 Brandon Dickerson P – 5-11 – 190 – Sr. Indian Land, S.C.

44 Antarron Turner LB – 6-2 – 245 – Fr. Ocala, Fla.

49 Payton McCracken WR – 6-0 – 170 – Fr. Murphy, N.C.

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33 Jaiden Bond

RB – 5-9 – 185 – So. Boone, N.C.

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

45 Justin Wallace

DL – 6-3 – 235 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

50 Jayelin Davis

LB – 6-0 – 230 – Jr. North Augusta, S.C.

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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

40 Cory Hennings S – 6-1 – 210 – R-Fr. Matthews, N.C.

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

51 Aaron Sanez

OL – 6-2 – 295 – Fr. Clearwater, Fla.

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

41 Caleb Scott

LB – 6-2 – 240 – So. Black Mountain, N.C.

47 Blue Monroe

LB – 6-1 – 235 – Fr. Concord, N.C.

52 Antwann Fann

OL – 6-3 – 320 – R-So. Perry, Ga.

36 Brandon Benjamin RB – 5-9 – 220 – So. Fort Myers, Fla.

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

48 Brady Elms

P – 6-4 – 175 – R-Fr. Raleigh, N.C.

53 Ed Porter

LB – 6-1 – 245 – Jr. Atlantic Beach, Fla.

37 Lee Campbell

S – 6-0 – 205 – Fr. Charlotte, N.C.

43 Camury Reid

RB – 5-11 – 185 – Fr. Gastonia, N.C.

49 Corbin Shirley

PK – 5-10 – 155 – Fr. Seneca, S.C.

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

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MEET THE 2022 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

56 Richard Garrett DL – 6-4 – 230 – Fr. Jacksonville, Fla.

63 Peyton Davis

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

72 Blake Whitmore

OL – 6-2 – 295 – R-So. Raleigh, N.C.

78 Evan Carney

OL – 6-3 – 290 – Fr. Nashville, Tenn.

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57 Tyler Anderson

LB – 6-0 – 225 – R-Fr. Greensboro, N.C.

64 Colby Cross

LS – 6-0 – 220 – R-So. Mooresville, N.C.

73 Samari Saddler OL – 6-2 – 320 – Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio

79 Aidan Alston

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

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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

66 Derek Simmons OL – 6-6 – 320 – So. Jacksonville, Fla.

74 Tyler Smith

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

80 Ryan Sims

WR – 5-8 – 160 – Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

59 Anthony Joseph LB – 6-1 – 180 – Fr. Copperhill, Tenn.

67 Dalton Tomlison OL – 6-4 – 325 – 5th Beaver, Ohio

75 Caleb Carter

OL – 6-3 – 295 – So. Jacksonville, N.C.

81 Ca'Lique Cunningham WR – 5-9 – 180 – Fr. Rock Hill, S.C.

60 Joaquin Layno

DL – 5-10 – 295 – R-So. Cherokee, N.C.

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

76 Nathan Linkous

OL – 6-5 – 295 – R-Fr. Cramerton, N.C.

82 Nate Abraham

WR – 5-9 – 160 – Fr. Charlotte, N.C.

61 Hudson Jones

OL – 6-2 – 280 – Fr. Matthews, N.C.

71 Cade McClellan OL – 6-3 – 295 – Fr. Plant City, Fla.

77 Neyland Walker

OL – 6-5 – 305 – R-Fr. Canton, N.C.

83 AJ Colombo

WR – 5-8 – 165 – Fr. Waxhaw, N.C.

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MEET THE 2022 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

84 Bryce Yaggi

WR – 6-0 – 195 – R-Fr. Waxhaw, N.C.

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

96 Isaac McLellan

Talon James

TE – 6-4 – 235 – R-Jr. Fairview, N.C.

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

97 Caleb Bradford

DL – 6-2 – 220 – Fr. Rock Hill, S.C.

DL – 6-1 – 280 – R-Fr. Canton, N.C.

Bryson Grabowski

Don Robinson III

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

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85

CB – 5-10 – 170 – Fr. Winston-Salem, N.C.

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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

92 Brandon Smiley DL – 6-2 – 300 – Fr. Durham, N.C.

98 Wisdom Simms

87 Cade Snotherly

WR – 6-0 – 195 – R-Fr. Ramseur, N.C.

93 Chris Morgan

DL – 6-0 – 285 – So. Maiden, N.C.

Antoine Bell

WR – 6-4 – 215 – Fr. Charlotte, N.C.

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

95

Timothy Jamison

Desmond Barkley

Juan Allen

Anthony Badgett

DL – 6-4 – 255 – Sr. Lexington, S.C.

DL – 6-2 – 345 – So. Stockbridge, Ga.

99 Ronald Wilson

DL – 6-3 – 310 – Fr. China Grove, N.C.

DL – 6-3 – 318 – R-So. Mocksville, N.C.

Cam Rog

Chris Van Kleeck

WR – 6-4 – 190 – Fr. Wake Forest, N.C.

88

LB – 6-0 – 200 – Fr. Winston-Salem, N.C.

WR – 5-10 – 140 – Fr. Murphy, N.C.

CB – 5-9 – 190 – Jr. Greensboro, N.C.

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WESTERN CAROLINA ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME – INDUCTION CLASS OF 2022

SKIP NELLOMS BASEBALL (1985 – 88)

Nelloms then batted .358 as a junior with 73 base knocks, legging out a career-high 16 doubles with a triple and 13 home runs in 1987. He went on to earn NCAA Mid-East Regional All-Tournament team accolades in Starkville, Miss., after batting .500 over the four games that included wins over Purdue and Mississippi State.

As a senior, Nelloms shared the title of male athlete of the year at WCU with Earl Bates in 1988. He hit .355 with a career-best 81 hits that included a career-high 22 home runs, the fourth-most by a Catamount baseball player all time. During his final collegiate season, he was recognized nationally during a 15-game stretch where he slugged 12 home runs including three against nationally ranked Clemson and a pair against a ranked South Carolina squad. During his mid-season tear, he drove in 23 RBI on a .467 batting average.

Sylvester “Skip” Nelloms was a three-time, first-team All-Southern Conference

selection on the baseball diamond for the Catamounts in the mid-1980s, earning all-conference plaudits as a designated hitter in 1985 and as an outfielder in 1987 and 1988. He was a part of four-consecutive Southern Conference championship squads, twice leading the SoCon in runs batted in. Nelloms delivered 70 in 1987 – a mark that continues to rank 10th in the school’s single-season record books – and posted 69 RBI in 1988, tied for the 11th most at WCU in a year.

Nelloms played in 214 career games for the Purple & Gold, finishing with a career batting average of .346, tied for 26th in school history. Among his 264 career hits, which continues to rank him tied for 13th in WCU’s record books, were 46 doubles (t-19th), nine triples (t-6th), and 47 home runs, tied for the fifth-most by a Catamount all-time. He scored 192 career runs, the 11th-most in program history while plating 212 to also rank fifth in program history in RBI. Nelloms batted a career-best .367 during the 1986 season, posting 76 hits including 13 doubles, three triples, and 11 home runs including a school single-game record four home runs against mountain-rival UNC Asheville. He finished with a program-best 17 total bases in the win over the Bulldogs.

STEVE LOTT

WOMEN’S GOLF COACH (1998 – 2010)

Following his collegiate playing career, Nelloms was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 22nd round of the 1988 MLB First-Year Player Draft. That same year, he was instrumental in winning the Penn League championship in his first year as a Yankee. He spent three years in the Yankees’ farm system, playing for the Oneonta (N.Y.) Yankees in the New York-Penn League and two seasons in 1989 and 1990 with the Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Yankees of the Florida State League. Over a combined 274 career professional games, Nelloms recorded 217 hits including 34 doubles, 11 triples, and nine home runs as a part of a .238 career batting average, scoring 115 runs while driving in 114.

Nelloms was among seven Catamount baseball players to be selected to the Southern Conference’s 100th Anniversary team in 2021. Among the most ebullient sentiments in favor of Nelloms’ selection to WCU’s Athletics Hall of Fame came from his former head coach – and fellow Hall of Famer – Jack Leggett who stated, “Of all the great players I’ve coached, Skip (Nelloms) stands out. There is no doubt in my mind that he belongs [in the Hall of Fame], and I only wish that this had happened sooner.”

Originally from Decatur, Ga., Nelloms believed in being a true student-athlete during his time at WCU. He was the president of the “W” Club, an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., which sole purpose is “Achievement in every field of human endeavor” and he received academic honors, such as the Ronnie G. Childress award for academic achievement. Upon his retirement from the diamond, Nelloms enjoyed a career in public education that spanned 30 years as an educator and administrator in the DeKalb Public School System.

He is currently married to his beautiful wife Dr. Sheila Nelloms, and they have three children Kalela, Sydney, and Myles.

and the program’s only two berths into the NCAA women’s golf regional field.

Including the two conference titles, Lott guided the Catamount women’s golf program to 22 of its current 28 team championships between 2000 and 2010.

Lott recruited and coached WCU’s three SoCon Freshman of the Year selections – Line Cordes (2003), Brandy Andersen (2004), and Desiree Karlsson (2007) – with 10 of his women’s golfers combining to collect a combined 22 All-Southern Conference and SoCon All-Freshman plaudits during their WCU careers. Under his tutelage, five golfers earned SoCon Women’s Golfer of the Week honors a total of eight times with five also collecting SoCon Golfer of the Month accolades a combined nine times between 2003 and 2009.

Additionally, a total of 14 of his golfers combined to earn Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholars recognition.

Lott was a three-time SoCon Women’s Golf Coach of the Year, collecting plaudits from his peers in 2002, 2003, and 2006. He was previously enshrined in the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame as the coach of the 2002-03 Catamount Women’s Golf team that was inducted back in 2014.

Steve Lott served as the head women’s golf coach from 1998 through 2010, adding

the title of Director of Golf to his ledger in January of 2004. He guided WCU women’s golf to a pair of Southern Conference Women’s Golf Championships in both 2003 and 2007, advancing the program from the bottom of the conference to the league title

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Since retiring from the full-time coaching role in 2010, Lott has remained active with the women’s golf community, serving as the tournament director for the Southern Conference as well as assisting both WCU and league members Wofford and The Citadel with hosting home women’s golf tournaments.

Originally from Blackville, S.C., Lott is married to Dr. Mickey Randolph.

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WESTERN CAROLINA ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME – INDUCTION CLASS OF 2022

1995-96 CATAMOUNT MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM The 1995-96 Western Carolina men’s basketball team remains the only team to have won a Southern Conference tournament title and advance to the NCAA postseason tournament. The Catamounts claimed the 1996 SoCon South Divisional title and then won three games over three days in Greensboro to dethrone league-favorite Davidson to claim WCU’s first men’s basketball title.

Selected as the No. 16 seed in the West Region, the Catamounts drew three-time Big Ten champion and No. 4 overall tournament seed Purdue at “The Pit” in Albuquerque, N.M. Despite a herculean effort and a purple-skewed crowd that was witnessing history in the making – dubbed as “Ramsey Center West” by former Asheville Citizen-Times sports editor Doug Mead – the Boilermakers edged the upset-minded Catamounts, 73-71.

After being edged by just two points in the championship game of the 1995 SoCon Men’s Basketball Championship, expectations were high entering the 1995-96 season.

However, the year did not get off to a great start a WCU dropped its first five games – including two in of all places, Albuquerque, N. M., where fate would later see the Catamounts flirt with destiny.

The Catamounts caught fire at the end of January starting with a road win at Georgia Southern on Jan. 22. WCU won 11 of its final 13 regular-season games including a stretch-run of winning eight of its last nine, clinching the SoCon’s South Division Championship with a convincing 19-point win over Appalachian State on the final Monday of the regular season and capping the best second half of a hoops season in over two decades.

The Catamounts drew the Mountaineers in the opening round of the SoCon tournament in its first year in Greensboro, N.C., advancing with a 74-66 win over Appalachian State. Shooting woes were not a problem in the semifinal match-up against VMI as the Catamounts scorched the nets for a season-best 57.1-percent shooting and Anquell McCollum scored 40 points in the 97-93 victory over the Keydets to propel WCU into the title game for a second-straight season, earning a date with the 25-4 Davidson Wildcats and their 19-game winning streak.

Rallying from a seven-point deficit midway through the second half, the otherwise see-saw affair stood tied 71-71 with less than three minutes remaining in regulation after a McCollum 3-pointer. The Boilermakers’ Brandon Brantley scored the game’s final basket inside the final 90 seconds to play on an offensive rebound stick-back and WCU’s final attempts in the waning seconds both fell short. A blocked shot with 13 seconds remaining and a pair of missed shots in the final 11 seconds is all that stood between WCU and college basketball history. Guard Joel Fleming teed up a would-be game-winning 3-pointer from the top of the key that rebounded long where Joe Stafford corralled the ball and his 12-foot attempt at the buzzer just missed.

Western Carolina went on to defeat heavily favored Davidson, 69-60, despite shooting just 36 percent from the field and committing 24 turnovers. The Catamounts crashed the glass, earning a 51-to-39 edge in rebounds, and made eight of 12 free throws down the stretch to set off a party that spanned Interstate 40 from the Piedmont Triad to the mountains.

The roster of the 1996 Catamounts included 2010 WCU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Anquell McCollum, who collected both SoCon Player of the Year and the SoCon Tournament Most Valuable Player honors on the way to the title. He was among two seniors on the roster along with forward Kevin Kullum. Six juniors included forward Lazarus Channault, guard Ken Gibson, guard Larry Mayo, forward Scott Scholtz, guard Joe Stafford, and center Kerry Wright. Stafford received the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Edward S. Steitz Award that season. The sophomores were guard Joel Fleming and forward Jarvis Graham, with freshman Joey Bryson.

Earning a No. 16 seed on Selection Sunday, the Catamounts returned to where the season had begun – “The Pit” in New Mexico, site of NC State’s historical national title victory in 1983 – to face No. 1 seed, Purdue in the NCAA West Region. The Pit nearly saw another bout of history.

WCU’s 1995-96 men’s basketball team was led by head coach Phil Hopkins in his first season. His assistant coaches were Thad Matta, Orlando Early, and Brett Lamb.

The support staff for the 1995-96 squad included Mike Hooper, Kirk Macemore, Alex Smith, and Martin Unger.

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w 2022 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w Western Carolina University’s Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1990 to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of former student-athletes, coaches and administrators. Inductees are selected by a 15-member committee that includes 12 voting members composed of representatives from the University’s alumni association, Hall of Fame members, faculty athletics committee, administration, athletics department, and a Catamount Club representative.

NAME (INDUCTED) YEARS AT WCU ARDREY, Sam (1997).................................1937-40 ....................Baseball, Men’s Basketball, Football

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

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

NAME (INDUCTED) YEARS AT WCU SCOTT, George “Ronnie” (2013)...............1964-66 .................................................................Football

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

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

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

SEAL, Gaston (2010).................................1959-63 .................................................. Men’s Basketball

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LIPFORD, Darrell (2004)............................1974-77 .................................................................Football LIVESAY, Robyn Keeler (1995)..................1980-84 ..............................................Softball & Volleyball

PEELE, Betty (1997)...................................1963-96 ..........................................Coach & Administrator PERSONS, Susan (2005)..........................1969-75 ....................................................................Coach PETERSON, Bruce (2001)..........................1960-64 .......... Football, Men’s Basketball & Men’s Tennis POINDEXTER, C.C. (1991)..........................1930-35 ..................................... Athletic Director & Coach POWERS, Don (2017)................1964-83; 2006-07 .................................................................Football PRYOR, Harris (1994)................................1956-59 ...................................Men’s Basketball, Baseball RALEIGH, Matt (2004)..............................1989-92 ................................................................ Baseball RASHEED, Eric (2000)...............................1981-84 .................................................................Football RATCLIFFE, Carl (1992).............................1933-36 .................................................................Football

WIKE, Johnny (2009)........................... 1964-2004 ................Football, Men’s & Women’s Golf Coach WILLIAMS, Denny (2004)......................... 1955-60 .................................................................Football WILLIAMS, Jim (1992)...............................1964-66 .................................................................Football WILLIAMS, Steve (1996).............................1968-71 .................................................................Football WILLIAMS, Willie (2006).......................... 1990-92 .................................................................Football WILSON, Thomas “Bubba” (2002)........... 1975-78 .................................................. Men’s Basketball WITTMAN, Greg (1996).............................1966-69 .................................................. Men’s Basketball WHITE, Steve (1999).................................1970-98 ........................................................ Administrator YATES, Steve (2009).................................. 1971-74 .................................................................Football

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

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

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

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

REED, Jerry (1994).....................................1974-77 ................................................................ Baseball ROACH, Kirk (1996)................................... 1984-87 .................................................................Football ROBINSON, Dan (1990)............................1946-68 ....................................................Athlete & Coach ROGERS, Ronald (1990)...........................1950-53 .................................................. Men’s Basketball ROSS, Devondia (2005)...........................1990-93 ......................................... Women’s Track & Field RUTA, John (2008)..................................1962-65 .................................................................Football

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

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

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

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

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

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

PAT R O N A W A R D

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

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

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

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Article originally ran on CatamountSports.com on May 17, 2022 A three-time NCAA All-America selection and one of only three players in conference history to earn All-Southern Conference plaudits all four years, Western Carolina's Kirk Roach was announced as the second member of the Southern Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2022, he ninth to be inducted into the SoCon Hall of Fame.

Roach is the second inductee in this year's class unveiled by the SoCon as a part of its Hall of Fame week as the league will announce one member of the 2022 induction class each day from May 16-20. Roach joined former ETSU women's basketball player DeShawne Blocker (1991-95) who was announced on Monday afternoon.

One of the most honored players in Western Carolina's football history Roach collected All-SoCon plaudits four times from 1984 through 1987 – the first player in league history to do so – and was also the SoCon's first three-time All-America selection from the Associated Press in 1984, 1986, and 1987. He was dubbed the SoCon Freshman of the Year in 1984 by the league's media and earned SoCon Player of the Week honors in November of 1986.

Roach connected on 71 career field goals including 11 of more than 50 yards and missed just one career extra-point attempt (89-of-90) for a school-record 302 career points, which was the SoCon record when his career ended and now ranks seventh in league records. His school and SoCon record 71 career field goals made rank him fourth all-time in NCAA I-AA – now NCAA FCS – history, while his 102 career attempts rank third in the FCS record books. Roach additionally holds the conference benchmark for field goals in a season with 24 in 1986, finishing that season as NCAA statistical champion for field goals made per game (2.16) Roach holds the WCU record for longest made field goal, twice splitting the uprights from 57 yards away, doing so against both Appalachian State (11/21/87) and North Carolina A&T (11/17/87).

Those 57-yard boots are also tied for the longest made field goals in SoCon history, accomplished seven total times. All told, he holds eight of the top 10 longest field goals in WCU program history – and three of the top 13 in SoCon. Roach and one other continue to hold the NCAA FCS record for most field goals of 50-yards or more made both in a season (seven in 1987) and in a career (11, 1984-87), and he is tied with two others for the highest percentage of field goals made under 40 yards, finishing 17-for-17 in 1986.

Roach stands alone in continuing to hold the benchmark for most times kicking two-or-more field goals in a game over a career with 25. His career average FG distance was 40.5 yards over 102 attempts is also an NCAA FCS record.

Originally from Doraville, Ga., Roach also owns the distinction of being WCU's highest NFL draft pick when was taken in the fifth round with the 135th overall selection by the Buffalo Bills back in 1987.

A 1996 inductee into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame, Roach was also a member of the SoCon's 75th Anniversary football team and in 2021, was included on the SoCon's 100th Anniversary Football Team. In 2006, he had his No. 14 jersey number honored by Western Carolina in a special on-field ceremony in Cullowhee. His name has also appeared on the National Football Foundation (NFF) College Football Hall of Fame divisional ballot multiple times beginning in 2019.

Roach remains active within WCU's Catamount Club and has also served on WCU's Athletics Hall of Fame committee.

Roach is a third Catamount to be enshrined into the Southern Conference Hall of Fame, joining former two-sport standout Wayne Tolleson (football, baseball) inducted in 2020 and Susan Gardner Mayhorn (cross country/track & field) was in the Class of 2018.

The Executive Committee of the Southern Conference approved the creation of a Hall of Fame in May 2008 with the initial nominees sought from all 12 then-current member institutions, as well as the 31 athletic programs that were once SoCon members. The first induction ceremony was held on May 4, 2009, at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg.

Student-athletes who competed for a minimum of two seasons in the Southern Conference were eligible for consideration, along with coaches and administrators who spent at least five years in the league. A pool of more than 200 candidates from the conference's current and former member institutions was nominated for consideration. The pool of former student-athletes, coaches, and administrators was cut down to 40 individuals who comprised the final ballot. A voting panel of 20 media members and league administrators made the selection of the induction class.

For more information on the SoCon Hall of Fame, visit SoConSports.com.

2022 SoCon Hall of Fame Induction Class:

DeShawne Blocker, ETSU, Women's Basketball ... Kirk Roach, Western Carolina, Football Anita Buggins, Georgia Southern, Women's Tennis ... Michelle Fuzzard LaCourse, UTC, Softball ...

Clyde Mayes, Furman, Men's Basketball

Thoughts of Kirk Roach on his Induction into the SoCon Hall of Fame:

"Wow – getting the phone call from Commissioner (Jim) Schaus was incredibly exciting and humbling – and as you can imagine, quite emotional. I am so overwhelmed and appreciative of the Southern Conference for allowing me to be a part of the prestigious Hall of Fame.

First, let me say thank you to Jesus for giving himself for me, and showing me how to love and serve others. Likewise, I must give praise to my family and friends for their continuous support throughout my life. Specifically, my wife, Carrie, who has been by my side for the last 40 years.

Nothing would be possible without her support, encouragement, and love. And, to my amazing kids, you are the true heroes in my life. The joy, wonder, and pleasure you have brought are unmatched, and collectively you make me the wealthiest man in the world.

Undoubtedly, I know my parents would have been both thrilled and proud of this moment, and in many ways, this is their award. Additionally, a special thanks to my brothers for instilling the values of effort & attitude and for reminding me that you will no longer be good, once you stop becoming better!

Furthermore, I would like to thank Western Carolina University for providing me with the opportunity to play college football. I was beyond blessed with great coaches, incredible teammates (my brothers for life), and countless supportive individuals throughout the Athletic Department.

Playing for WCU and being a part of the family created by coach Bob Waters was a true honor. I learned so many lessons that have positively impacted my life and I still love going back to Cullowhee in the fall, to experience the best game day atmosphere in the Southern Conference!

Indeed, this is an honor that the Roach family will genuinely cherish. Thank you, Southern Conference, I am forever grateful!"

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2022 "PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS" MARCHING BAND

The students and staff of the 2022 "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band are proud to present our 2022 production entitled, “Let It Burn” 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.

The "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band is poised to set new performance standards in 2022, 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, and build a stronger body. We look forward to a long relationship with Dr. Elliot Cleveland, founder of Marching Health and feel confident that this program will build longevity to our students’ physical health while teaching best practices for life long wellness.

This fall promises to again be one of the busiest on record with regard to recruitment performances. Beginning Saturday, September 24th, the band will perform for over 3,000 spectators in exhibition at the J.F. Byrnes High School, SC competition which showcases 30 of the upstate’s top high school bands. The 21st annual Western Carolina University Tournament of Champions takes place on Saturday, October 15th, when we welcome 27 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.

We are also very pleased to announce that the "Pride of the Mountains" has been asked to perform in exhibition at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. This is the most elite high school marching band competition in the world, and we feel honored to be invited to share our talents at such an esteemed venue. Lucas Oil Stadium will play host to this world class showcase of elite bands, and we cannot wait to participate in this celebration of the pageantry arts!

About our 2022 production… ”LET IT BURN”

Part 1 – JOY “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” – Henri Nouwen We begin our show with a testament to living our lives with Joy in our heart, and in our daily lives. “Firework” by Katy Perry gives us a reminder that life is a gift, and should be celebrated every day. Living each day with Joy is a choice. We have to make that choice, and try to envision ourselves as being the hero of our own life story. Who do we want to be? How can we get there? It begins with Joy, and knowing that our internal flame must be fanned by our own positive choices. “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven symbolically states this idea of the power of positivity. “The Heat Is On” by Glenn Frey, and “This Girl is On Fire” by Alicia Keys are spirited songs that help fuel our flame, and gives focus as to why we should all make Joy a part of our lives, every single day.

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Part 2 – LOVE & PASSION “Northing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.” – Georg W.F. Hegel It is so very important to begin with loving oneself, then focusing on what we can be passionate about in our lives. “Believe” by Cher is set in a ballad style that swells to an intense crescendo and encourages us to believe in ourselves. Our outstanding student vocalist, Ms. Kennedy Cox, will be featured and will certainly inspire you! “Love on Top”

by Beyonce’ pushes us forward and really let’s Kennedy shine with her amazing talent.

We must make ourself important, we must make our life passions a priority, and true happiness and fulfillment will follow.

Part 3 – ADVERSITY “We don’t develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.”

– Barbara De Angelis The pursuit of our purpose as people is always a challenging one. It is a difficult journey that is worth every step, because each step defines who we are. “Play with Fire” by Sam Tinnesz sets the tone as our percussion section is featured. Pushing our personal limits, and not being afraid to take chances along the way will help us to grow, but we will most certainly be faced with adversity. Our Gold Drumline and our Purple Drumline will demonstrate a musical and visual drum battle that represents the turmoil that we face, the conflicts we will deal with, and the coming to terms of moving through these difficult times, to be stronger in the end for it, and hopefully arriving with our own purpose defined.

Part 4 – PURPOSE “Let your passion burn brighter than your fears.” – Mark Anthony “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele begins the final part of our show. It will once again feature Ms. Kennedy Cox, and will help to focus what we have learned. Living our life with Joy each day, loving ourselves and embracing our passion, and not being afraid to go through and grow from adversity in our life journey, will ultimately help us to arrive at our focused life purpose. As Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in our life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why.”

Once you find that purpose, fan that flame, fuel that fire, and set your heart and soul ablaze with meaning and Joy. Once you find it – “LET IT BURN!”

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

Dr. Jack Eaddy Matt Henley Trevor Bailey Doug Thrower Matt Henley Jon Henson

Jamey Thompson Bob Buckner Emily Lawson Katie Pacifico Billy Pacifico Ian Lewis Kris Harris Adrian Galvin Rebekah Chadderdon Bobby Richardson Matt Henley Tucker McGrew

Director of Athletic Bands Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Music Arranger Gold Drumline Director / Arranger Front Ensemble, Rhythm Section and Sound Design/Arranger Drill Designer Pregame Drill Designer Director of the Colorguard Colorguard Director Colorguard Choreographer Colorguard Choreographer Colorguard Choreographer Colorguard Choreographer Colorguard Instructor Colorguard Instructor Purple Drumline Director / Arranger Front Ensemble Director

WESTERN CAROLINA FIGHT SONG

WESTERN CAROLINA ALMA MATER

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

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

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

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

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

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

Western, Western, Go–Western!

Go—Cats!

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

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

Mr. Dick Trevarthen.

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

Heath Ballard Audio Production Director

STAFF COORDINATORS:

Jude Hahn, Brandon Rice, Keaton Shaw

2022 DRUM MAJORS:

Megan Newton (Head), Samantha Cannon, Cody Dalton, McKenzie Yazan

CAPTION COORDINATORS:

Andrew Brown, William Finigan, Gillian Robbins, Hannah Taylor, Katie Whitehouse

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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.

Since her arrival at WCU, Chancellor Brown has highlighted several priorities that continue to enrich Western Carolina University’s profile and reputation: an institutional emphasis on quality and excellence; a commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence; and a focus on the university’s role as an engine of economic development for its communities. Under Chancellor Brown’s stewardship, WCU will continue to capitalize on the opportunity to be a thought leader in regards to how regionally engaged universities can maintain a student-centered focus, with high

levels of teaching innovation.

Chancellor Brown has received awards for her leadership. She is the former editor of the Journal of School Health and has served on five other editorial boards, including as an inaugural member of the Pedagogy in Health Promotion: The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning editorial board.

A published and funded author, she has written extensively on school and community partnerships, school health, and the use of community-based prevention marketing.

Chancellor Brown earned her doctorate in education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; a master of science and education in public health degree and bachelor of science degree in public health services, both from the University of Toledo; and an associate in applied sciences degree in dental hygiene from Michael J. Owens Technical College in Toledo, Ohio.

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

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Your Asheville Sports Leader Two Pros & A Cup of Joe 6-9am The Dan Patrick Show 9am - Noon The Herd with Colin Cowherd Noon - 3pm The WISE Guys with Pat Ryan 3 - 6pm

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wisesportsradio.com

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2022 CATAMOUNT CHEERLEADERS FRONT ROW (L-R): Hannah Wing, Airica Anderson, Caroline Lopp, Molly McAvoy, Sara, Grace Smith, Olivia Hawkins and Sarena Burrell MIDDLE ROW (L-R): Riley Ledford, Lindsey Mendzoa, Emma Shue, Kate Ammend, Marissa Clontz, Becca Kilpatrick, Kamdyn Anderson, Scotting Branning and Tiana Scarchilli BACK ROW (L-R): Isabella Fazio, Savannah Jones, Catie Osborne, Nathan Campbell, Riley Sanz, Kasi Jones and Makenna Shipley

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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.

Friends.

Family.

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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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State Farm, Bloomington, IL

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2022-23 DANCE TEAM FRONT ROW (L-R): Skylar Poulos, Naidelyn Cruz and Nicole Stauffer MIDDLE ROW (L-R): Matigan Rowe, Alex Henry, Kenzie Davis, Kimberly Hydrick, Alyssa Malgrat and Megan Normandin BACK ROW (L-R): Liv Wiesenhart, Samantha Harp, Bailey Burk, Julia Gerrer, Ashley Avant, Michelle Davis and Madison Tadlock

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BOB WATERS FIELD AT E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM

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Construction Completed: June, 1974 West Side Stands Completed: August, 2003 Current Seating Capacity: 13,790 Playing Field: Bob Waters Field, Artificial Turf (IRONTURF) First game: Sept. 14, 1974 vs. Murray State (WCU lost 10-3) Dedicated: Oct. 5, 1974 vs. Morehead State (WCU won 31-12) Largest Attendance: 15,247 on Nov. 12, 1994 vs. Appalachian State

BOB WATERS

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 101st year in 2022, is a national leader in emphasizing the development of the studentathlete and in helping to build lifelong leaders and role models.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2022 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS C / S Team

9 / 9 Samford 13 / 12 Furman 17 / 15 Chattanooga 16 / 19 Mercer Western Carolina Wofford The Citadel ETSU VMI

W 7 6 5 5 3 3 2 1 0

L

0 1 2 2 4 4 5 7 7

SOCON Pct Pts Opp 1.000 .857 .714 .714 .429 .429 .286 .125 .000

259 210 212 252 173 163 104 227 99

140 134 130 124 228 210 176 270 287

W 9 8 7 7 5 3 3 3 1

L

1 2 3 3 5 7 7 7 9

OVERALL Pct Pts Opp .900 .800 .700 .700 .500 .300 .300 .300 .100

319 298 291 376 319 192 180 316 155

218 188 195 193 322 287 254 280 373

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

at Charleston Southern Sept. 3 – W, 31-28

at Campbell Sept. 1 – L, 29-10

MARS HILL Sept. 1 – W, 44-7

NORTH GREENVILLE Sept. 1 – W, 52-0

MOREHEAD STATE Aug. 27 – W, 63-13

#8 KENNESAW ST Sept. 1 – W, 27-17

WOFFORD * Sept. 3 – W, 31-0

at #22/19 Wake Forest Sept. 1 – L, 44-10

at Chattanooga * Sept. 3 – L, 31-0

at Georgia Tech Sept. 10 – L, 35-17

#8/9 ETSU Sept. 10 – W, 20-17

at The Citadel * Sept. 10 – L, 20-17

at Clemson Sept. 10 – L, 35-12

at Auburn Sept. 3 – L, 42-16

at #2 GEORGIA Sept. 10 – L, 33-0

at Eastern Illinois Sept. 10 – W, 38-20

BUCKNELL Sept. 10 – W, 24-14

ELON Sept. 10 – L, 26-0

PRESBYTERIAN Sept. 17 – W, 77-21

at #20 Mercer * Sept. 17 – L, 17-0

FURMAN * Sept. 17 – L, 27-14

at #18 ETSU * Sept. 17 – W, 27-14

THE CITADEL * Sept. 17 – W, 17-0

at Tennessee Tech Sept. 17 – W, 33-28

NORTH ALABAMA Sept. 17 – W, 41-14

CORNELL Sept. 17 – L, 28-22

at Virginia Tech Sept. 17 – L, 27-7

at #21 Samford * Sept. 24 – L, 35-12

at App State Oct. 1 – L, 49-0

at Robert Morris Sept. 24 – W, 45-3

at Charleston Southern Sept. 24 – W, 24-19

at Gardner-Webb Sept. 24 – W, 45-14

WESTERN CAROLINA * Sept. 24 – W, 35-12

at Illinois Sept. 22 – L, 31-0

at Western Carolina * Oct. 1 – L, 38-17

at Kennesaw State Sept. 24 – L, 24-22

VMI * Oct. 1 – W, 38-17

FURMAN * Oct. 8 – L, 21-10

#10 CHATTANOOGA * Oct. 1 – L, 24-16

#16 SAMFORD * Oct. 1 – L, 34-27

at Wofford * Oct. 1 – W, 42-7

at Furman * Oct. 1 – W, 34-27

at ETSU Oct. 1 – W, 24-16

ETSU * Oct. 8 – L, 44-21

#13 MERCER * Oct. 1 – L, 42-7

at #12 Mercer * Oct. 8 – L, 49-6

at Wofford * Oct. 15 – L, 31-16

at VMI * Oct. 8 – W, 44-21

at The Citadel * Oct. 8 – W, 21-10

WESTERN CAROLINA * Oct. 8 – W, 49-6

WOFFORD * Oct. 8 – W, 28-14

VMI * Oct. 15 – W, 41-13

at #9 Chattanooga * Oct. 15 – L, 41-13

at #13 Samford * Oct. 8 – L, 28-14

at Furman * Oct. 15 – L, 47-40

at Western Carolina * Oct. 22 – W, 34-21

at #11 Mercer * Oct. 15 – L, 55-33

WESTERN CAROLINA * Oct. 15 – W, 47-40

ETSU * Oct. 15 – W, 55-33

at ETSU * Oct. 22 – W, 55-45

#11 MERCER * Oct. 22 – W, 41-21

FURMAN * Oct. 22 – L, 41-3

THE CITADEL * Oct. 15 – W, 31-16

THE CITADEL * Oct. 22 – L, 34-21

SAMFORD * Oct. 29 – L, 38-3

#15 SAMFORD * Oct. 22 – L, 55-45

at VMI * Oct. 22 – W, 41-3

at #9 Chattanooga * Oct. 22 – L, 41-21

at The Citadel * Oct. 29 – W, 38-3

at #24 Furman * Oct. 29 – L, 24-20

#16 MERCER * Oct. 29 – L, 55-14

ETSU * Oct. 29 – W, 48-41

WOFFORD * Nov. 5 – W, 36-29

#11 CHATTANOOGA * Nov. 5 – L, 31-21

at Wofford * Oct. 29 – L, 48-41

#6 CHATTANOOGA * Oct. 29 – W, 24-20

at VMI * Oct. 29 – W, 55-14

VMI * Nov. 5 – W, 35-24

at The Citadel * Nov. 5 – W, 31-21

at #10/10 Samford * Nov. 5 – L, 34-15

at Western Carolina * Nov. 5 – L, 36-29

at ETSU * Nov. 12 – W, 20-17

VA. UNIV. LYNCHBURG Nov. 12 – W, 66-0

WESTERN CAROLINA * Nov. 12 – L, 20-17

at #11 Mercer * Nov. 12 – W, 23-13

#16 FURMAN * Nov. 12 – L, 23-13

at #11 Chattanooga * Nov. 12 – W, 35-24

#10 SAMFORD * Nov. 12 – L, 35-24

at Wofford * Nov. 12 – L, 34-16

VMI * Nov. 12 – W, 34-16

#17/15 CHATTANOOGA * Nov. 19 – 1 pm

at VMI * Nov. 19 – Noon

at Mississippi State Nov. 19 – Noon ET

WOFFORD * Nov. 19 – 1 pm

at #9 Samford * Nov. 19 – 1 pm

#16/19 MERCER * Nov. 19 – 1 pm ET

at Western Carolina * Nov. 19 – 1 pm

THE CITADEL * Nov. 19 – Noon

at #13/12 Furman * Nov. 19 – 1 pm

Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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WESTERN CAROLINA – HONORED FOOTBALL NUMBERS #14 • KIRK ROACH – (1984-87) Kirk 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-

#23 • JERRY GAINES (1970-75) Jerry Gaines was an Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association All-America selection in 1974 ... Also earned All-America honors

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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

in baseball and track & field while at WCU ... Set WCU records with 3,449 career receiving yards,

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

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

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

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

Inducted into the WCU Hall of Fame in 1996; his jersey

was honored at WCU in 2006 and he was inducted into the Southern Conference Hall of Fame in 2021.

#41 • BRAD HOOVER (1996-99)

#54 • ART BYRD (1946-49)

Brad Hoover starred at tailback for the Catamounts from 1996 through 1999 before playing 10 seasons for the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League. Affectionally known as "Hoov," Hoover ranks third in Western Carolina football history with 3,616 career rushing yards, trailing just secondplace Detrez Newsome (3,728 yards from 2014-17) and all-time leader Darrell Lipford, (4,089 yards from 1974-77). His career tally includes a WCU single-season record of 1,663 rushing yards in 1998 which came on a single-season best 331 carries.

Hoover's 708 career rushes additionally rank him third in program history, finishing fourth with a 5.10 career rushing average and tied for eighth with 23 scores on the ground. During his recordsetting 1998 season, Hoover keyed an upset of archrival Appalachian State by rushing for 195 yards on a school single-game record 49 carries. WCU upended the second-ranked Mountaineers 23-6 in Cullowhee, returning the "Old Mountain Jug" to Cullowhee. Hoover was a 2008 inductee into Western Carolina's Athletics Hall of Fame and a two-time All-SoCon selection at running back.

Art Byrd was the first football All-America selection at Western Carolina, playing guard on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball ...

41 54

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Hall of Fame Game – vs. Chattanooga

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

distinction of being WCU’s first team to earn a

postseason bid, playing in the Smoky Mountain Bowl (Bristol, Va.) ... Byrd sas the first Western Carolina student-athlete to have a jersey and number retired.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Official Football Signals

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Igniting Dreams There’s no such thing as a small dream. And the more support our students have, the bigger they can dream, and the brighter everyone’s future becomes. Which is why the North Carolina Education Lottery is proud to have provided more than $602 million in funding for scholarships and grants to help make college opportunities a reality. Because we believe every student deserves the chance to see their dreams come true.

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