GAME TIMES:
E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM POLICIES AND INFORMATION
All game times are subject to change. WCU will publicize any game time changes through its social media channels (TwitterX: @ Catamounts, @CatamountsFB; Facebook: FB.com/catamountsports) and website, CatamountSports.com. Tickets and game day parking refunds will NOT be made because of a change in kickoff times
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES:
Outside alcohol and alcoholic beverages ARE PROHIBITED in E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Also, containers and/or coolers are also prohibited inside the stadium. Alcoholic beverages are being sold within Whitmire Stadium with points of sale on either side of the stadium and a point of sale on Paws Porch and Catamount Corner Patrons must be 21 years of age and present valid ID at the time of purchase and may only purchase TWO (2) alcoholic beverages 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 Please drink responsibly.
GATE INSPECTION / CLEAR BAG POLICY:
Western Carolina University abides by 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.
UMBRELLAS:
Umbrellas ARE NOT PERMITTED in the seating area of Whitmire Stadium. No umbrellas will be allowed through the stadium gates. Patrons may either leave their umbrella at the gate or return it to their vehicle prior to entering the stadium.
STADIUM RE-ADMITTANCE:
There is a no re-admittance policy at E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Once you enter the stadium, you must purchase another ticket to re-enter.
ARTIFICIAL NOISEMAKERS:
Unapproved and unsanctioned artificial noisemakers (ie., air horns, cowbells, clappers, 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 only when part of a game day promotion. Fans are asked to be considerate and allow your neighbor to enjoy the game. Please keep portable radios at a low volume.
CONCESSION STANDS:
Concession stands by Catamount Dining are located on the main concourse on both the East and West sides of the stadium serving a variety of soft drinks from Pepsi including bottled water and Gatorade. Concession stands do accept credit cards, and there are also cash-only drink and snack lines available. Other concession options include: Betty's Funnel Cakes, Bojangles Famous Sweet Tea, Farm House Lemonade, Kona Ice, Sunset Slush and Tubby's Popcorn and More.
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.
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 levels on either side of the stadium.
LOST AND FOUND:
If you find an item, please return it to an AXIS game day 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 and online at www.bookstore.wcu.edu. Merchandise is also available anytime at CatamountSports.com through CatamountFanShop, or also at the WCU Bookstore located near the center of the WCU campus.
CHANCELLOR'S BOX, PRESS BOX & CAMERA DECKS:
No one is allowed in the Chancellor's Box, the working press box, camera decks, Paws Porch, Catamount Corner, or onto the field without proper credentials (Zone 1 & 2). Those not adhering to this policy will be escorted out of the stadium.
REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE:
Requests for assistance should be directed to AXIS stadium ushers, located at every ramp throughout the stadium.
PREGAME TAILGATING:
Tailgating is only allowed in permissible lots. There are no grills or tents allowed in the North Baseball Parking Deck. NO GLASS is permitted in on-campus tailgating on football game days. Also, policy states that there is NO POSTGAME TAILGATING ALLOWED
TICKETS FOR CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL:
Tickets sales for Western Carolina Catamount football games can be purchased at the WCU Athletics Ticket Office Monday thru Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm or by phone at (828) 227-2401. Tickets can be purchased on game day beginning at 9:00 am at the Northwest ticket booth near the main entrance – or Gate 1. Avoid the line and buy online anytime at CatamountSports.com.
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.
We expect good sportsmanship from players and coaches. They have a right to expect the same from spectators.
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.
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.
SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA
u WESTERN CAROLINA enters the week having fallen out of both of the national rankings after opening the year ranked in three preseason polls – the Stats Perform FCS Top 25, the AFCA Coaches poll, and the FCS Nation Radio tabulation WCU is still receiving votes in both of the national tabulations the Catamounts look to "White Out Whitmire" with fans wearing white WCU gear to match the football team that will wear its typical road attire for the home date against Elon;
u FRESHMEN RUN TAKES CENTER STAGE: In one of the most unique traditions in NCAA FCS football, members of Western Carolina's freshman class will cascade through the "Pride of the Mountains" marching band pregame tunnel just before the football team takes to the field ahead of Saturday afternoon's home game against Elon the tradition was started by the late Dr David Belcher in 2011, this marks the 14th year for the pregame freshman tradition;
u WELCOME HOME TO CATAMOUNT COUNTRY: Western Carolina's Alumni Engagement is sponsoring a WCU football alumni reunion as part of Saturday's game day promotion Be on the lookout for former Catamounts "on the prowl" during the game;
u GET A LOAD OF ME!: Two groups are taking in the best game day atmosphere in the Southern Confernce in #CatamountCountry The "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band welcomes in high school band students, while WCU's Office of Admissions is holding its inaugural Paws Game Day Experience for future students and school counselors
u OPENERS UNDER BELL: Western Carolina fell to 1-4 in the five-year tenure of head coach Kerwin Bell in season-opening games WCU's lone victory to open a season came at Charleston Southern back in 2022 – a 52-38 victory the Catamounts have started the season 0-2 under Bell now THREE times dating back to 2021 – 0-6 start in 2021, 1-3 in 2024, and 0-2 in 2025;
u WESTERN CAROLINA and ELON meet for the 45th time on the gridiron with the Catamounts trailing in the all-time series, 18-24-2 WCU holds a 12-9-1 record against the Phoenix in Cullowhee, last playing in western North Carolina in 2013 – a 27-24 overtime victory that halted a 33 game NCAA D-I winless drought and a 26 game slide in SoCon play for WCU the Catamounts have won back-to-back meetings, upsetting the nationally-ranked Phoenix last year in Elon to snap a seven-game series losing skid;
u THREE of the last FOUR series meetings have been decided in one-possession games;
u The instate series began in 1933 and has spanned multiple conference affiliations and iterations including the North State Intercollegiate Conference – or Old North State Conference – and the Carolinas Conference before most recently sharing membership in the Southern Conference from 2003-2013;
u Saturday's meeting is the first between WCU and Elon in Cullowhee since 2013 the Catamounts used a Troy Mitchell to Karnorris Benson TD pass inside the final 10 seconds of regulation to tie the game before Richard Sigmon split the sticks with the game-winning field goal in overtime, 27-24;
u Western Carolina has only played FOUR of the current 14 members of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), posting a 21-29-2 – with only two of the meetings occurring with the opponents actually under the CAA banner: Campbell (0-3), Elon (18-24-2), Maine (1-0), and North Carolina A&T (2-2); u CATAMOUNT IMPACT PLAYER NOTES:
u RB PAT BOYD JR leads a loaded running backs room, converting from wide receiver late last season After rushing for just 201 yards in five games in 2024, he ran for a career-high 142 yards in the opener against Gardner-Webb, ripping off a career-long 70 yard rush and scoring a touchdown to give him two in his career;
u LB JORDAN THOMPSON transferred mid-year from Middle Tennessee and has been key for the Catamount defense through the early part of the season He has nine stops through two games, including six solo tackles including 1 5 tackle for loss with a sack Thompson also recovered a fumble at FBS-foe Wake Forest last weekend
Western Carolina / Elon INSIDE THE ALL-TIME SERIES
ALL-TIME SERIES WCU TRAILS 18-24-2
In Cullowhee WCU leads, 12-9-1
In Elon, N C WCU trails, 6-15-1
Current Streak WCU, W–2
Longest WCU Win Streak: 5 gms (1996-2005)
Largest Margin of Victory 35 pts (41-6, 1960)
Longest WCU Losing Skid: 8 gms (1933-1953)
LAST 15 SERIES MEETINGS (7-8):
Sept 14, 2024 Elon, NC W, 24-17
Oct 26, 2013 Cullowhee W, 27-24 (OT)
Oct 20, 2012 Elon, NC L, 42-31
Oct 8, 2011 Cullowhee L, 38-31
Nov 20, 2010 Elon, NC L, 45-14
Nov 7, 2009 Cullowhee L, 42-17
Nov 8, 2008 Elon, NC L, 33-14
Oct 6, 2007 Cullowhee L, 38-36
Oct 7, 2006 Elon, NC L, 37-19
Oct 29, 2005 Cullowhee W, 31-26
Oct 30, 2004 Elon, NC W, 28-7
Nov 1, 2003 Cullowhee W, 26-3
Nov 7, 1998 Cullowhee W, 10-7
Nov 8, 1997 Elon, NC L, 17-16
Nov 9, 1996 Cullowhee W, 45-28
R-S0. RB #1 PATRICK BOYD JR.
R-SO. LB #4 JORDAN THOMPSON
WCU HEAD COACH KERWIN BELL
WESTERN CAROLINA – 2025 IN PICTURES
White Out Whitmire / Freshmen Run
Photos by: Charlie Bulla, Mark Haskett, and Samuel Wallace
A LOOK AT TODAY’S OPPONENT: ELON UNIVERSITY
u ELON enters 2025 after finishing last season at 6-6, including a 5-3 record in CAA play the Phoenix went 2-4 at home last season, doubling their win total in road games This season, Elon was picked to finish eighth in the 14 team CAA ;
u Both Elon and Western Carolina have TWO games apiece against members of the opposing conferences WCU faces Elon and Campbell (Sept 27) the Phoenix visit both Western Carolina and ETSU (Sept 20) out of the SoCon;
u Elon was a member of the Southern Conference from 2003 through 2013 During that time, the Phoenix were 53-72 overall and 32-52 in league play;
u Elon punter JEFF YURK was named to the 2025 Preseason All-CAA team released by the conference . . . Yurk earns the selection after being named a first-team All-American by four different publications last season following a stellar season Both DYLAN MAGAZU and KAHMARI BROWN were named to the Honorable Mention list by the CAA head coaches;
u Elon redshirt freshman QB LANDEN CLARK was honored as the CAA Rookie of the Week following the Phoenix's home-opening 55-7 win against Davidson In just one half of play, Clark compiled 284 yards of offense and four touchdowns as the Phoenix piled up 41 first-half points and 31 points in the second quarter alone to pull away from the Wildcats Clark finished with a career-high 247 yards through the air and three passing touchdowns, each coming in the second quarter, including a pair to LANDYN BACKEY and one to ISAIAH FUHRMANN;
u Clark was also productive on the ground, capping the Phoenix's first drive of the night with a rushing touchdown from one yard out to take an early advantage It's Clark's first weekly conference award He is Elon's first freshman quarterback to be awarded the CAA Rookie of the Week honor since Davis Cheek in 2017
u PHOENIX IMPACT PLAYER NOTES:
u QB LANDEN CLARK – Just the fourth freshman QB1 at Elon in last 20 years Against Davidson, Clark accounted for over 280 yards of total offense with four total touchdowns In just one half of play, he completed 62 5% of his passes and led the Phoenix to a 41-0 halftime lead;
u Against Duke, Clark became the first Elon quarterback to lead the team in rushing in a game since Matthew McKay did so in the first round of the 2022 FCS Playoffs against Furman;
u Clark was one of the most prolific high school QBs in Southwestern Virginia, leading Radford HS to a 15-0 record and the school's first state title in 51 years in 2023 Clark amassed more than 4,300 total yards and 71 touchdowns as a senior in addition to playing free safety and punting;
u LB BRODIE CARROLL – Is the team's second leading tackler after two games with 12 0 stops;
u He leads the team in TFL’s with 3 5 and added his first sack against Davidson Carroll has forced a fumble in both games so far this season and leads the CAA in forced fumbles
u Earned Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division Freshman Player of the Year honors after ranking fourth on the team with 52 tackles, adding 7 0 tackles for loss and 2 0 sacks Also had a pass break-up and a fumble recovery
u FAMILIAR FACE: Former Western Carolina running back NATE HARRIS is in his third season on the Elon coaching staff, joining Trisciani in 2022 as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Harris played in 30 games for the Catamounts from 2008-11, progressing from a walk-on to earn an athletic scholarship A two-year captain, Harris amassed nearly 2,000 all-purpose yards;
u ABOUT ELON HEAD COACH TONY TRISCIANI: Trisciani is in his seventh season as Elon head coach after spending two years (2017-18) as the program's defensive coordinator under current Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti Trisciani also spent the 2006 season at Elon as the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator;
u Trisciani has led the Phoenix to a 500 or better record in the CAA each of the last four years;
u Was a four-year starter and two-year captain at Springfield college where he was the 1992 New England Rookie of the Year and 1995 Springfield College Athlete of the Year
ABOUT ELON SCOUTING THE PHOENIX
QUICK FACTS: Location: Elon, N.C.
1889 Enrollment: 7,289 Colors: Maroon & Gold Conference: Coastal Athletic Association Facility (Capacity): ......Rhodes Stadium (14,000)
President: Dr. Connie Ledoux Book
Athletics Director: Jennifer Strawley
Head Coach: Tony Trisciani Record at Elon: 32-32 (7th yr) Overall Record: same
R-SO. LB #33 BRODIE CARROLL
R-FR. QB #11 LANDEN CLARK
HEAD COACH TONY TRISCIANI
WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS – 2025 NUMERICAL ROSTER
NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)
0 AJ Colombo WR 5-8 170 Sr. Waxhaw, N.C. (Cuthbertson HS)
0 Ken Moore Jr. N 5-10 160 R-Jr. Miami, Fla. (Christopher Columbus HS)
1 Patrick Boyd Jr. RB 5-10 170 R-So. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale HS)
1 Caleb Fisher DE 6-3 240 R-Sr. Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)
2 Branson Adams RB 5-9 190 5th Greensboro, N.C. (Dudley HS)
2 Micah Nelson DE 6-3 265 5th Murphy, N.C. (Murphy HS)
3 Kha’leal Sterling WR 5-9 170 Fr. Miami, Fla. (Miami Central HS)
3 Samaurie Dukes CB 5-11 185 Sr. Miami, Fla. (Miami HS)
4 Dominic Dutton WR 5-10 175 Jr. Glen Allen, Va. (ODU / South Carolina / Glen Allen HS)
4 Jordan Thompson LB 5-11 220 R-So. Charlotte, N.C. (Middle Tennessee / Julius Chambers HS)
5 Taron Dickens QB 5-11 180 R-So. Miami, Fla. (Northwestern HS)
5 Hayward McQueen Jr. LB 6-1 215 Sr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (TRU Prep Academy)
6 Marcus Striggles WR 5-9 180 So. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Concord Univ. / Dillard HS)
6 Bo Simpson-Nealy S 5-10 185 R-So. Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Seminole HS)
7 Malik Knight WR 6-2 185 R-Jr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale HS)
7 Ed Jones IV S 6-1 205 R-Sr. Arlington, Texas (Cisco College / Martin HS)
8 Painter Richards-Baker WR 6-2 185 5th Hillsborough, N.C. (Dartmouth College / Christ School)
8 Jahleel Anderson DT 6-4 320 Sr. Statesboro, Ga. (Alcorn State / Highland CC / Statesboro HS)
8 Ian Grissom QB 6-1 165 Fr. Rock Hill, S.C. (Rock Hill HS)
9 Jaylin Terzado WR 6-0 180 R-Jr. Liberty City, Fla. (Champagnat Catholic HS)
9 Darian Anderson Jr. CB 5-10 160 R-So. Miami, Fla. (Dade Christian School)
10 Michael Rossin WR 6-0 195 Fr. Suwanee, Fla. (Suwannee HS)
10 Justin Wallace DE 6-2 250 R-Jr. West Palm Beach, Fla. (Killian HS)
11 Isaac Lee QB 6-3 190 R-Fr. Concord, N.C. (Jay M. Robinson HS)
11 Kenyon Partridge DE 6-3 250 R-So. Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)
12 Jack Benson QB 6-4 195 Jr. Eagle, Idaho (Boise State / Mt. SAC / Citrus College Eagle HS)
12 Hasaan Sykes CB 6-0 185 So. Tucker, Ga. (Tucker HS)
13 Richard Hollis WR 5-8 160 Fr. Pompano Beach, Fla. (Blanche Ely HS)
13 Marseille Taylor CB 6-2 185 Jr. Sanford, Fla. (SFA / USF / Riverside City / Seminole HS)
14 Josiah Thomas TE 6-2 215 Fr. Austin, Texas (Lake Travis HS)
14 Vanier Baptiste III DT 6-3 280 R-Fr. Fort Myers, Fla. (Dunbar HS)
15 Jai Boyd WR 6-2 175 R-So. Winnsboro, S.C. (Fairfield Central HS)
15 Gavin Rowell DE 6-3 255 Jr. Melbourne, Fla. (Tusculum / Melbourne HS)
16 James Tyre WR 5-10 175 R-So. Suwanee, Ga. (Lambert HS)
16 Jhamari Pierre-Louis S 5-11 180 R-Jr. Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)
17 Bennett Judy QB 6-3 200 R-So. Simpsonville, S.C. (Hillcrest HS)
17 Armond Anderson LB 6-2 215 Sr. Lithonia, Ga. (St. Thomas Univ. / South Gwinnett HS)
18 Jordan Martin-Durham QB 6-3 240 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. (Zarephath Academy)
18 Ryan McKinnis LB 6-2 220 R-So. Buford, Ga. (Appalachian State / Buford HS)
19 Bode Burns TE 6-4 230 R-Fr. Dunnellon, Fla. (Dunnellon HS)
19 Cam Smith CB 6-0 185 R-So. New London, N.C. (North Stanly HS)
20 Camury Reid RB 5-11 200 R-Jr. Gastonia, N.C. (Forestview HS)
20 Na’Koma Simpson-Nealy S 5-10 170 R-Fr. Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Seminole HS)
21 Jaiden Bond RB 5-9 185 R-Sr. Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)
21 Cam’Ron Dabney CB 5-11 185 5th Atlanta, Ga. (Northern Illinois / Kansas / Cherokee Bluff HS)
22 Josh Perry RB 6-0 200 Fr. Orlando, Fla. (Edgewater HS)
22 Jeno Junius Jr. N 6-0 200 R-So. Hollywood, Fla. (Chaminade-Madonna HS)
24 Anthony Benjamin RB 5-10 165 R-So. Fort Myers, Fla. (Jacksonville State / Dunbar HS)
24 Zayveon Wells S 5-10 190 R-So. Sumter, S.C. (Palmetto Prep Academy / Lakewood HS)
25 Noah Best RB 5-11 190 Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Corvian Community HS)
25 Nassor Ashenafi N 5-9 170 Fr. Washington, D.C. (Mallard Creek (N.C.) HS)
26 Devin Brown N 5-10 170 Fr. Miami, Fla. (Northwestern HS)
27 Jayden Cornelius CB 5-10 160 Fr. Plant City, Fla. (Durant HS)
28 Markel Townsend RB 5-8 185 R-Fr. Columbia, S.C. (A.C. Flora HS)
29 Christian Robbins CB 6-1 190 Fr. Orlando, Fla. (Jones HS)
30 Richard Garrett DE 6-5 245 R-Jr. Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson HS)
31 Don Robinson III CB 5-9 175 R-Jr. Winston-Salem, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)
32 AJ Mintze S 6-0 185 Fr. Delray Beach, Fla. (Miami Norland HS)
33 Lee Campbell S 6-1
34
(PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)
35 Trey Berry III LB 6-1 215 Fr. Bartow, Fla. (Lakeland Christian HS)
36 Ja’morri Downing N 6-1 195 R-Jr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Stranahan HS)
37 Christopher Hobbs
38 Canden
39
Rabun, N.C. (Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School)
Shelby, N.C. (Shelby HS)
R-Fr. St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine HS)
40 Cain Jefferson DE 6-3 220 Fr. Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)
41 Beady Waddell V LB 6-0 215 R-Fr. Summerville, S.C. (West Mecklenburg (N.C.) HS)
42 Hank Bodine
43 Braeden Barger
44 Isaac McLellan
6-2
45 Sean Morris DT 6-1
46 Nolan McClanahan
47
49 Bryce Hart
6-2
51 Aaron Sanez OL 6-2
Velva, N.D. (Velva DAG HS)
Weddington, N.C. (Weddington HS)
R-So. Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)
Sr. Lansdowne, Pa. (UAlbany / Morgan State / St. Joseph’s Prep)
N.C. (Tarboro HS)
Fr. Ringgold, Ga. (Ringgold HS)
R-So. Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater HS)
52 Manasseh Ripert OL 6-4 300 R-Jr. Lakeland, Fla. (Dodge City / Kentucky Christian / Lakeland HS)
53 Zach Watson OL 6-1
R-So. Waycross, Ga. (Ware County HS)
55 Secrea Algie OL 6-5 310 R-Fr. Snellville, Ga. (Brookwood HS)
56 Mabry Bumgarner LS 5-9 200 R-Fr. Sylva, N.C. (Smoky Mountain HS)
57 Jeremy Johnson DT 5-10 300 R-Fr. Lilburn, Ga. (Concord Univ. / Parkview HS)
58 Brett Gray OL 6-4 300 Sr. Vancouver, Wash. (Valparaiso / Skyview HS)
59 J’evon Bush DT 6-5 330 Fr. Orlando, Fla. (Jones HS)
60 Marcus Trout K 5-11 180 Fr. Cocoa, Fla. (Cocoa HS)
61 Bryan McCollum K 5-8 165 Fr. Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee HS)
62 Emmett Rhoades OL 5-10 225 R-So. Chicago, Ill. (Akron / Florida A&M / Saint Ignatius College Prep)
63 Thomas Guerrero OL 5-9 160 Fr. Greenville, S.C. (Greenville HS)
64 Konrad Henderson OL 6-3 320 R-Fr. Alpharetta, Ga. (Chattahoochee HS)
65 Nicholas Foster OL 6-1 290 Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Indiana Land HS)
66 John Hammond OL 6-5 295 Fr. Spartanburg, S.C. (Spartanburg HS)
67 Steven Hamby OL 6-5 320 R-So. Statesville, N.C. (Statesville HS)
68 Aiden Cooper OL 6-4 285 Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Butler HS)
69 Cole Cooke OL 6-8 325 Fr. Fort Myers, Fla. (Riverdale HS)
70 Dale Greene OL 6-3 300 R-Fr. Buford, Ga. (Buford HS)
74 Elijah Collins OL 6-5 305 So. Lehigh Acres, Fla. (West Virginia Wesleyan / East Lee County HS)
75 Renard Smith OL 6-4 310 R-So. Dallas, Ga. (Univ. of Pikeville / East Paulding HS)
77 Ilija Krajnovic OL 6-8 340 R-Sr. Zrenjanin, Serbia (Boston College / IMG Academy)
78 Evan Carney OL 6-3 305 R-So. Nashville, Tenn. (Christ Presbyterian Academy)
79 Vito Moriana-Sigel OL 6-5 315 Jr. Estepona, Spain (Miss. Valley State / Trinity Valley CC / Kiski School)
80 Trey Walker WR 5-10 175 Fr. Hoschton, Ga. (Mill Creek HS)
81 Ca’Lique Cunningham WR 5-9 185 R-So. Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)
82 Matthew Keener WR 6-2 200 R-Fr. Pilot Mountain, N.C. (East Surry HS)
83 Austin Cunningham WR 6-0 185 R-Fr. West Columbia, S.C. (White Knoll HS)
85 David Hulbert TE 6-4 250 R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Christian School)
86 Brayden Blackmon TE 6-3 250 R-Sr. Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)
87 Eli Griffin WR 6-1 160 Fr. Brevard, N.C. (Brevard HS)
88 Jemarious Reaves WR 6-1 185 R-Fr. Hopkins, S.C. (Lower Richland HS)
89 Ellis Chappell WR 6-0 180 Fr. Hickory, N.C. (Hickory HS)
90 Jamichael Wilson DT 6-3 330 Gr. Chattanooga, Tenn. (Tusculum / Brainerd HS)
91 Jackson Banks DT 6-2 295 R-So. Broxton, Ga. (Mississippi Gulf Coast / Old Dominion / Coffee HS)
92 Brandon Joseph II
93 Adrian Stone
94 Jaden Meeks DT 6-2
95 Stephen Brantley P 6-2
96 Christian Lowery K 5-11
97 Caleb Bradford
98 Jackson Hensley
99 Jordan Cardentey DE 6-0
(St. Thomas Aquinas HS)
R-Fr. Fort Myers, Fla. (North Fort Myers HS)
R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Julius L. Chambers HS)
Jr. Pilot Mountain, N.C. (East Surry HS)
Sr. Acworth, Ga. (Cincinnati / Harrison HS)
R-Sr. Canton, N.C. (Pisgah HS)
So. Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)
R-Fr. Atlanta, Ga. (Creekside HS) Marlin Cochran RB 5-11
R-So. Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern HS) Trevaughn Martinez DB 5-10
R-Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard HS)
ELON UNIVERSITY PHOENIX – 2025 NUMERICAL ROSTER
NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)
0 Tony Hart III DB 6-2 206 R-So. Baltimore, Md. ( Dunbar HS)
0 Zimere Winston WR 5-11 162 R-So. Raleigh, N.C. ( South Garner HS)
1 Jamarien Dalton WR 6-2 187 R-Sr. Lexington, N.C. ( North Davidson HS)
1 Jesse Powell II DB 6-4 215 R-Jr. Cary, N.C. ( Panther Creek HS)
2 Senquavious Alsobrooks DB 6-0 168 R-Jr. Griffin, Ga. ( Spalding HS)
2 Dan Frederick RB 6-2 204 Jr. Pikeville, N.C. (Charles B. Aycock HS)
3 Landyn Backey WR 5-10 184 R-Jr. Monroe, N.C. ( Weddington HS)
3 Kahmari Brown DL 6-2 220 So. Jacksonville, N.C. ( White Oak HS)
4 Parris Lowery DL 6-1 245 R-Sr. Lynchburg, S.C. (Crestwood HS)
4 Josiah Robinson RB 5-8 195 Fr. Clinton, N.C. ( Marlboro County HS)
5 Ishmel Atkins DB 6-3 194 R-Jr. Greensboro, N.C. ( Northern Guilford HS)
5 TJ Thomas Jr. RB 5-8 190 So. Thomasville, Ga. ( Brookwood HS)
6 Asher Cunningham LB 6-2 236 R-So. Asheville, N.C. ( A.C. Reynolds HS)
6 TyQuan Harney WR 5-9 192 R-Fr. Elizabeth City, N.C. ( Northeastern HS)
7 William Lankford WR 6-3 203 R-Jr. Pelham, Ala. ( Pelham HS)
8 DJ James-Hamilton DB 5-11 170 Jr. Charlotte, N.C. ( Mallard Creek HS)
8 Ben Kirsch WR 6-3 190 Fr. Charlotte, N.C. ( Ardrey Kell HS)
9 Kenaz McMillian WR 6-0 161 R-So. Winston-Salem, N.C. ( RJ Reynolds HS)
9 Brycen Scott DB 5-11 183 So. Florence, S.C. ( Wilson HS)
10 Gavin Brandwood LB 6-0 220 R-Fr. Fort Mill, S.C. ( Fort Mill HS)
10 Marco Lainez QB 6-2 225 R-So. Belle Mead, N.J. ( Iowa / The Hun School)
11 Landen Clark QB 6-0 186 R-Fr. Radford, Va. ( Radford HS)
11 Anthony Martin DB 6-0 214 R-Jr. Washington, D.C. ( Bullis HS)
12 TJ Crews IV QB 6-0 205 R-So. Lenexa, Kan. ( Kansas / Christ Prep Academy)
12 Eric Jones DB 6-1 172 R-So. Gwinnett County, Ga. ( Mountain View HS)
13 Isaiah Fuhrmann WR 6-4 192 So. Norfolk, Va. ( Nansemond-Suffolk Academy)
13 Ethan Grace DL 6-2 233 R-Jr. Wake Forest, N.C. (Cardinal Gibbons HS)
14 Elijah Guttman QB 6-2 193 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio (Cincinnati Country Day School)
14 Ross Smith DB 5-11 190 R-Fr. Marshville, N.C. ( Forest Hills HS)
15 Davis LeDoyen TE 6-3 230 R-Sr. Dunwoody, Ga. ( Dunwoody HS)
15 Marcus Mauney DL 6-2 290 R-Sr. Gastonia, N.C. ( Yale / Norfolk State / Hunter Huss HS)
17 Jaedon Alford WR 5-11 190 Fr. Rolesville, N.C. ( Rolesville HS)
18 Landon Herzberg DB 6-1 185 R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Catholic HS)
20 Jayson Singer LB 6-1 225 Gr. Syosset, N.Y. (Cornell / Syosset HS)
21 Brock Foster DB 6-1 195 R-So. Austin, Texas ( SMU / Del Valle HS)
22 Jake Marion K 5-11 185 R-Sr. Winston-Salem, N.C. (Georgia State / North Davidson HS)
23 CJ Hector DB 5-11 175 Fr. Suwanee, Ga. (Collins Hill HS)
24 Tyler Hart DB 6-1 180 Fr. Baltimore, Md. ( Dunbar HS)
26 Jimmyll Williams RB 5-9 204 Jr. Durham, N.C. ( Virginia State / Hillside HS)
27 Brennan Davis DB 6-3 198 R-So. Raleigh, N.C. ( Wakefield HS)
28 Sincere Cyrill DB 6-2 180 Fr. Kennesaw, Ga. ( North Cobb HS)
29 Adam Velasquez DB 6-0 180 Fr. Centreville, Va. ( Episcopal HS)
30 Jordan Glover DB 6-1 175 R-Fr. Durham, N.C. ( Southern Durham HS)
31 Codey Larkins DB 5-11 163 Fr. Knightdale, N.C. (Clayton HS)
32 Ryder Duffy LB 6-0 210 Fr. Roswell, Ga. ( Roswell HS)
33 Brodie Carroll LB 6-1 240 R-So. Gainesville, Va. ( Shepherd HS)
33 Marcus McFarlane RB 5-11 201 R-Jr. Suwanee, Ga. ( North Gwinnett HS)
34 Dylan Magazu TE 6-2 236 R-So. Newtown, Conn. ( Newtown HS)
35 Owen Moreland LB 6-0 220 Fr. Beverly, Mass. ( Avon Old Farms)
36 Gavin Powell WR 6-0 180 R-Fr. Concord, N.C. (Cannon School)
YR. HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)
37 Dino McRae RB 5-10 225 R-Fr. Marion, S.C. ( South Florence HS)
38 Jevean Brown
39 Cole Clark
6-1
5-11
Gr. Columbia, Mo. (Central Missouri / Columbia Hickman HS)
R-Fr. Washington, D.C. ( Flint Hill HS)
40 Will Rhodes LB 6-2 237 R-So. Burlington, N.C. ( Williams HS)
41 Gary Jones Jr. LB 5-10 203 R-Fr. Washington, D.C. ( Marshall / Flint Hill School )
42 Dillon Pardue DL 6-1 240 R-Jr. Clayton, N.C. (Cleveland HS)
43 Doug Quarles
45
47 Tommy Kane
6-2
Charlotte, N.C. (Corvian Community HS)
Old Greenwich, Conn. (Greenwich HS)
Alexandria, Va. ( St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes HS)
R-So. Westwood, Mass. ( Westwood HS)
50 Nhycer Kelly DL 6-3 275 R-So. Reidsville, N.C. ( Hampton HS)
52
53 Wade Gullickson
221 R-Jr. Charlotte, N.C. ( Miami / Charlotte Christian School)
54 Thomas Robideau OL 6-3 300 Fr. Lynn Haven, Fla. ( North Bay Haven HS)
55 Emerson Baker OL 6-3 309 R-Jr. Concord, N.C. (Central Cabarrus HS)
55 Jake Louro
56 Carter Wyatt LB 6-1
( Red Bank Catholic HS)
Gr. Shallotte, N.C. ( Duke / West Brunswick HS)
57 Demari Lassiter OL 6-2 290 Fr. Ahoskie, N.C. ( Highland Springs HS)
58 Billy O’Byrne DL 6-6 240 R-Fr. Medford, N.J. ( Shawnee HS)
59 Michael Muldrow Jr. OL 6-3 275 R-So. Tyrone, Ga. ( Sandy Creek HS)
60 Leighton Lee V OL 6-1 263 R-Jr. Suffield, Conn. ( Suffield Academy)
62 Ahmarion McLeod OL 6-3 309 R-Jr. Fort Mill, S.C. ( Indian Land HS)
65 Timothy Hogan OL 6-5 293 R-Jr. Raleigh, N.C. ( Leesville Road HS)
66 Luke Duska OL 6-5 303 R-Sr. Philadelphia, Pa. ( Roman Catholic HS)
68 Sean Tanner OL 6-7 309 Fr. Red Lion, Pa. ( Red Lion Area HS)
69 Brayden Walker OL 6-2 297 R-So. Culpeper, Va. ( Eastern View HS)
70 Andrew Hancock OL 6-5 300 R-Fr. Youngsville, N.C. ( Home School)
71 Frank Geosits OL 6-3 300 R-So. Weddington, N.C. (Charlotte / Weddington HS)
72 James Shaffer OL 6-5 282 R-Fr. Naples, Fla. (Community School of Naples)
73 Jake Clemmons OL 6-6 300 R-Fr. Laurinburg, N.C. ( Scotland County HS)
74 Webb Robertson OL 6-6 275 Fr. Richmond, Va. ( Douglas Freeman HS)
75 Evan Safreed OL 6-4 290 R-So. Woodbridge, Va. ( Bishop Ireton HS)
76 Nolan Irwin OL 6-6
80 Jack O’Connell
81
82
83
87
N.C. ( Northwest Cabarrus HS)
Forest, N.C. ( Heritage HS)
(
WESTERN CAROLINA – DEPTH CHART
ELON – DEPTH CHART
DEFENSE (MULTIPLE 4–2–5)
PHOENIX
WESTERN CAROLINA vs. elon phoenix
2025
WESTERN CAROLINA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS
2025 ELON INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS
LOOKING BACK: LAST TIME WE MET
WESTERN CAROLINA 24, ELON 17
RHODES STADIUM – ELON, NC
SATURDAY, SEPT. 14, 2024
SCORING SUMMARY:
QTR TIME PLAY
1st 9:49 ELON – Chandler Brayboy 58 yd pass from Matthew Downing (Berkowitz kick) 3 plays, 76 yards, 1:22 0 7
2nd 10:25 WCU – Christian Lowery 20 yd field goal 13 plays,
3rd 13:29 ELON – TJ Thomas Jr. 60 yd run (Jack Berkowitz kick)
8:00 WCU – Branson Adams 1 yd run (Christian Lowery kick) 2
4th 03:48 WCU – Cole Gonzales 6 yd run (Christian Lowery kick)
1:15 WCU – Jordy Lowery 55 yd blocked field goal return (Christian
ELON, N.C. – Cole Gonzales plunged into the end zone from six yards out to give Western Carolina its first lead of the day inside the final four minutes of regulation and Jordy Lowery provided some distance with a scoop-and-score on a blocked field goal as the Catamounts rallied from a 14-3 third-quarter deficit to upset 22nd-ranked Elon 24-17 at Rhodes Stadium.
Gonzales tallied just 14 yards on the ground, but his final six proved to be the most important as he weaved through traffic and dove head-first amidst contact across the goal line with what proved to be the gamewinning touchdown. With Elon looking for the equalizing score, the Phoenix drove into scoring position on the ensuing possession. But the Catamount defense stiffened to force a long field goal attempt.
On the three-point try, KEN MOORE JR. flashed around the right end of the line and squarely batted the line-drive kick attempt, sending the football bounding behind the line of scrimmage. Lowery then wisely scooped the ball and raced untouched to the end zone for the insurance score.
Elon tacked on a field goal inside the final 20 seconds to set up an onside kick attempt. But Mateo Sudipo, who sparked WCU in the first half with a score-preventing interception in the end zone, corralled the football to set up the victory formation.
Gonzales finished 23-of-36 for 254 yards, completing a teambest six passes to Calvin Jones for 98 yards while AJ COLOMBO caught five for 51 yards and Jake Young had three receptions for 31 yards. BRANSON ADAMS rushed 14 times for 81 yards and a oneyard touchdown in the third quarter to bookend seven consecutive quarters without an offensive touchdown, dating back to his fourthquarter score in the opener at NC State.
CHRISTIAN LOWERY scored six points with a 20-yard field goal and a trio of PATs in the winning effort.
Defensively for the Catamounts, Sudipo, and BO SIMPSON-NEALY both finished with a team-high seven tackles apiece as WCU played without leading tackler SAMAURIE DUKES. Sudipo and Simpson-Nealy combined for two of WCU's takeaways with an interception and a fumble recovery, respectively. KEN MOORE JR. was credited with three tackles including one for loss, the blocked field goal, and thwarting an Elon drive by forcing a fumble in the latter stages of the game.
Elon's Matthew Downing finished 19-for-30 for 285 yards with a 58yard first-quarter touchdown and one interception. Freshman tailback TJ THOMAS eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the second-straight game with 101 yards on 14 touches to lead the Phoenix. WR Chandler Brayboy caught three passes for 79 yards with a TD. WESTERN CAROLINA
RUSHING
Branson Adams, WCU 14 carries, 81 yds, TD Cole Gonzales, WCU 14 carries, 14 yds, TD
TJ Thomas Jr., Elon 14 carries, 101 yds, TD Chandler Brayboy, Elon 2 carriest, 51 yds
RECEIVING
Calvin Jones, WCU 6 rec., 98 yds AJ Colombo, WCU 5 rec., 51 yd Chandler Brayboy, Elon 3 rec., 79 yds, TD Onuma Dieke, Elon 5 rec., 75 yds
DEFENSIVE LEADERS:
TACKLES
Mateo Sudipo, WCU 8 tckls (2 ua), INT Bo Simpson-Nealy, WCU 7 tckls (6 ua), FR Jordy Lowery, WCU 6 tckls (5 ua)
Caleb Curtain, Elon 8 tckls (5 ua)
Marco Patierno, Elon
Ishmel Atkins, Elon 8 tckls (5 ua)
SACKS
Caleb Fisher, WCU 2 sacks, 15 yds Kahmari Brown, Elon 2 sacks, 16 yds
2025 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL – SEASON GAME-BY-GAME PREVIEW IN BRIEF
GARDNER-WEBB
Saturday, Aug. 30
CULLOWHEE L, 52-45
at Wake Forest
Saturday, Sept. 6 Winston-Salem, N.C. L, 42-10
ELON
Saturday, Sept. 13
CULLOWHEE 2:30 pm
SAMFORD *
Saturday, Sept. 20
CULLOWHEE 2:30 pm
at Campbell Saturday, Sept. 27
Buies Creek, N.C. 3:30 pm
at Wofford * Saturday, Oct. 4 Spartanburg, S.C. 1:30 pm
FURMAN *
Saturday, Oct. 11 CULLOWHEE 2:30 pm
at The Citadel * Saturday, Oct. 18 Charleston, S.C. 2 pm
at Chattanooga * Saturday, Nov. 1 Chattanooga, Tenn. 4 pm
MERCER * Saturday, Nov. 8 CULLOWHEE 2:30 pm
ETSU * Saturday, Nov. 15
CULLOWHEE Noon
at VMI * Saturday, Nov. 22 Lexington, Va. Noon
CULLOWHEE — Josiah Harris pulled down a game-sealing interception and Nate Hampton ran for a 26-yard score to pull away late as Gardner Webb stormed back to beat Western Carolina 52-45. The Runnin’ Bulldogs were down 35-7 after WCU scored 35 unanswered points, rallying down the stretch to upset FCS No. 19 WCU. In his first start, Bennett Judy finished 15-of-27 with 151 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for WCU. Hampton was 12-of-30 with two scores, adding 130 and four rushing TDs. It was the third-straight series win for GWU.
WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Demond Claiborne scored on three touchdown runs as Wake Forest beat Western Carolina 42-10 in a weather-hampered game. Claiborne, who suffered a rib injury in the opener, finished with 193 yards on 10 carries with two first-quarter TD runs. QB Robby Ashford was 13 for 22 for 227 yards with a 64-yard strike to Sterling Berkhalter in the third. Western Carolina scored on a Christian Lowery 23-yard field goal, and got into the end zone with less than seven minutes left on Markel Townsend’s 1-yard TD run.
WCU looks to “White Out Whitmire” as it rekindles an old SoCon, instate rivalry with the Elon Phoenix with the first series meeting between the two in Cullowhee since 2013 – a 27-24 Catamount win in overtime that snapped a seven-game series drought. Last year, WCU halted a four-game road slide in the series, downing No. 22 Elon 24-17 in Elon, N.C., pulling ahead inside the game’s final four minutes to win the first meeting in 11 years. The two shared SoCon membership from 2003 thru 2014. Elon represents WCU’s third-straight in-state opponent to start the year.
The Catamounts open their Southern Conference schedule on Sept. 20, hosting the Samford Bulldogs on Family Weekend in Cullowhee. WCU has won two straight in the head-to-head series, including an exciting 47-42 road win in last year’s season finale and a dominating 30-7 home victory back in 2023. Last year’s road win was WCU’s first for the Catamounts in Birmingham, Ala., since 1969, halting a 10-game road losing skid against the ‘Dogs. The Catamounts have won back-to-back SoCon openers after dropping four-straight from 2019-22.
Western Carolina makes its first-ever trip to Buies Creek, N.C., in search of its first-ever victory against Campbell on the final weekend of September. The Camels claimed their program’s first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent in last year’s 24-16 upset over the Catamounts in Cullowhee. WCU was held without an offensive touchdown against NCAA FCS competition for just the third time under head coach Kerwin Bell in the loss. Campbell revived football in 2008 after originally playing from 1925-50 as a junior college.
October opens with a short road trip to the South Carolina Upstate to face the Wofford Terriers at Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg. The Catamounts have won four-straight in the head-to-head series with Wofford, though the last three meetings have been decided in one-possession games and a combined 14 points. Last year, WCU hosted Wofford without fans in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Jalynn Williams scored a late third-quarter TD that provided the final score after a scoreless fourth. WCU trails in the all-time series, 18-28, with just six of the wins coming on the road.
Western Carolina hosts chromatic rival Furman in mid-October in the “Battle for Purple Supremacy” in the Southern Conference on Heores Day in Cullowhee. Last year, Cole Gonzales threw for 620 yards as part of WCU racking up 801 yards of total offense in the 32-point, 52-20 win. It was the third-largest setback suffered by a Clay Hendrix-led Paladin team and Furman’s second-largest in stadium history. Despite the win last season, Furman has won seven of the last nine series meetings. WCU trails in the series, 14-36-2, includnig a 7-17-1 mark in Cullowhee.
The Catamounts head down I-26 to the South Carolina Lowcountry and Johnson Hagood Stadium for the 50th all-time in series meeting with The Citadel in mid-October. WCU has won four of the last five series meetings, and two-straight in Charleston. Last year, a pair of red-zone interceptions by QB Jonathan Bennett stalled the Bulldogs, while Jalynn Williams scored three rushing TDs – two coming on WCU’s five first-half possessions. In the last meeting in Charleston, WCU throttled The Citadel with five Desmond Reid first-half rushing TDs en route to a 49-14 victory.
Coming off the bye week (Oct. 25), the Catamounts remain on the road as they travel to the Scenic City to face the Chattanooga Mocs. The last three series meetings – each WCU victories – have been decided by four points or fewer and nine combined points. In 2022, WCU scored the game-winning TD in the final minute (32-29. Richard McCollum nailed a walk-off 32-yard field goal to cap an instant classic between two ranked teams in WCU’s 52-50 win in 2023. Last year, Ken Moore intercepted a pass at the 12 with 0:33 remaining to preserve the 38-34 win. WCU is 15-6 after the bye week under Kerwin Bell.
Western Carolina faces a tough challenge on Homecoming 2025 as the Catamounts look to put the clamps on a nine-game losing skid in the series when it hosts defending SoCon champion, Mercer. After winning the first two meetings in 2014 and 2015, WCU has been unable to solve the Bears, trailing 2-9 in the series. Last year in Macon, WCU twice rallied to within three in the fourth quarter, but could not find the subsequent stop. Paxton Robertson hit a 44-yard FG with five and a half minutes to play, but the Bears drove 77 yards in six plays to put the game on ice.
Mountain-rivals Western Carolina and ETSU meet in “Blue Ridge Border Battle” in Cullowhee. The Bucs took back the traveling trophy, “the Rock” with last year’s 24-21 win in Johnson City. The Catamounts carried a 21-17 lead into the fourth quarter and ETSU scored the game-winner with six minutes to play and managed to run out the clock. WCU amassed 687 yards of offense in dominating the most recent Cullowhee meeting, 58-7. WCU leads the series 27-26-1 with five of the last seven series meetings decided in one-possession games, including a pair in overtime.
Western Carolina closes the regular season in northern Virginia, visiting the VMI Keydets at Foster Stadium. The Catamounts hold a commanding 26-5 lead in the all-time series with 11 wins in games played in Lexington. But the Keydets won the most recent meeting on post with a 27-24 home victory over WCU in 2023 that thwarted WCU’s bid for the NCAA FCS playoffs. Last year, the Catamounts exploded for 35 points in a decisive second quarter, including three scores inside the final three minutes of the second frame to lead 41-7 at half in the 58-28 victory.
head coach >>>>>>>>>>>> KERWIN BELL
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 on April 27, 2021, coaching his first year in Cullowhee that fall.
Bell enters 2025 with 117 career victories between his three coaching stops, eclipsing the 100-win benchmark in the 2022 season with a home win over VMI in Cullowhee.
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.
In his encore season in 2022, Bell guided WCU to its best regular-season finish since 2017, finishing 6-5 overall after closing the year with three consecutive victories – scoring home wins over Wofford and nationally-ranked Chattanooga and a road victory at ETSU to reclaim the traveling rivalry trophy. The win over UTC also halted an eight-game slide against nationally-ranked NCAA FCS teams.
The Catamounts closed 2022 with a 4-4 mark in the SoCon for the second-straight season marking the first consecutive .500-or-better league finishes since the 2014 and 2015 campaigns.
Over the past four seasons under Bell, Western Carolina has eclipsed 5,000 yards of total offense each season, establishing and breaking program records. In 2024, WCU broke the year-old benchmark with 5,665 total yards to edge the 2023 (5,545), 2022 (5,339), and 1983 teams (5,333). WCU’s offensive has surpassed the 3,000 passing yard mark for just the fifth time in program history in 2024,
throwing for a school-record 4,029 yards. WCU passed for a school-record 33 TDs in 2023, amassing 24-or-more aerial scores in each of Bell's first four seasons. The Catamounts led the NCAA FCS in total offense in 2023, the only program to average over 500 yards per game at the season's end, and paced the nation as the statistcal champion in passing offense in 2024.
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
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
BORN: June 15, 1965
HOMETOWN: Mayo, Fla.
ALMA MATER: Florida, 1987
FAMILY: Wife, Cosette Odom; Three children; Kade, Kolton, and Kenzley; and a grand daughter, Palmer
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
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 Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year (2018)
u Don Hansen NCAA Division II Co-Coach of the Year (2018)
u NCAA Division II National Champion (2018)
UNIV. OF SOUTH FLORIDA, offensive coordinator (2019)
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIV., head coach (2021–)
to a 27-7 record during his tenure including a school-record 15 straight victories, two Division II playoff appearances, and won both a conference and a national championship in 2018. He was named the 2018 Don Hansen NCAA Division II Co-Coach of the Year and the Gulf South Conference CoCoach of the Year after leading VSU to a 14-0 record – the first unbeaten season in program history that included a thrilling 49-47 victory over Ferris State in the D-II National Championship game. Picked fifth in their conference in the preseason and the No. 3 seed entering the playoffs, the Blazers finished No. 1 nationally in the final AFCA D–II poll.
Bell’s 2018 offense led the nation in scoring (52.0 ppg), ranked second in first downs (341), and was fourth in total offense (523.9 ypg), red-zone offense (.901), and pass efficiency (167.37). The Blazers scored 728 points on the year, the most in NCAA Division II history, as they posted 7,334 yards (3,676 rushing/3,658 passing) and 7.9 yards per play on the year.
Within Bell’s system, VSU sophomore quarterback Rogan Wells finished as the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented to the Division II Player of the Year, and was
named both the Region Two and Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
Wells accounted for 50 touchdowns on the year (including one receiving), led the nation in points responsible for (300), was second in passing touchdowns (38) and points responsible for per game (21.4 ppg), 10th in passing yards (3,075), 12th in passing efficiency (160.6) and 25th in total offense (271.9 ypg). He finished second on the team with 732 yards rushing and led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns.
Additionally, senior offensive linemen Jeremy King was the runner-up for the Gene Upshaw Award presented to the most outstanding Division II lineman.
Bell led VSU to runner-up conference finishes in his first two years guiding the program and went 8-3 with a playoff appearance in his first season at the helm in 2016 as the Blazers led the nation with 27 interceptions on defense.
Prior to Valdosta, Bell led Jacksonville University for nine seasons, guiding the NCAA FCS program to a 66-35 record and three Pioneer Football League (PFL) championships.
Serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach as well as head coach, Bell was named the 2008 PFL Coach
of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award after leading the Dolphins to a 9-4 seasonal record and conference title.
He also led Jacksonville to a school-best 10-1 record and conference championship in 2010 as the Dolphins led the nation in total (486 ypg) and scoring (42.2 ppg) offense. JU also posted a 9-2 overall mark and won a conference title in 2014.
Before taking over the Jacksonville program, Bell led Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla., for six seasons (2001-06), earning a Florida 2B state title in 2005 and runner-up finish in 2006. His coaching career began in earnest at the end of his professional playing career as he served as the offensive coordinator for two seasons while still a player for the Toronto Argonauts (2000-01).
Originally from Mayo, Fla., Bell was a quarterback at the University of Florida from 1983-87 where he completed over 57 percent of his 953 pass attempts for 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns. A former walk-on, Bell concluded his collegiate career as the SEC Player of the Year in 1984 after leading Florida to a 9-1-1 record and a conference championship, and both a first-team All-SEC selection and All-America honorable mention in 1985, a season that saw the Gators earn the programs first-ever No. 1 national ranking in the Associated Press poll.
Garnering a second honorable mention All-America honor in 1986, Bell was a 1987 team captain and earned the program’s Fergie Ferguson Award.
Bell was ranked the No. 26 Greatest Gator of all-time from the first 100 years of football at Florida in 2006 by The Gainesville Sun. Bell later served as a graduate assistant for the 1990 season under Steve Spurrier at Florida after earning a degree in psychology in 1987.
He was selected in the seventh round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, beginning his 13-year professional career that saw stops with the NFL teams in Miami, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Indianapolis as well as stops in the Canadian Football League, where he passed for 19,538 yards and 101 touchdowns in nine seasons, and the World League of American Football (WLAF).
Married in 1986 while both students at Florida, Bell and his wife, Cosette, have three children: sons Kade and Kolton, and a daughter, Kenzley, and a grand daughter, Palmer.
DANIEL HOOKER JEFF BRYSON
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2025 FOOTBALL COACHES & STAFF
PARISH
MALIK
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2025 FOOTBALL SUPPORT STAFF
Steven Honbarger
Wolchesky
McDowell, Adam Bobo (Director), Lane Stroup, Tate Hodgin, Nate Wallace, and Sean Luckman (not pictured: Bradley Krpejs, Director)
KYLE PIFER
WESTERN CAROLINA DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
On Monday, May 19, 2025, Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown announced the selection of KYLE PIFER to serve as the director of athletics following approval of his contract by the university’s Board of Trustees during a special-called meeting earlier in the day.
Pifer (pronounced PIE-furr) has served as the deputy athletics director and chief operating officer for WCU Athletics since November 2020 and, most recently, as the interim director of athletics following the departure of Alex Gary.
The appointment, effective immediately, follows a national search conducted by a 13-member committee, chaired by WCU Provost Richard Starnes. The North Carolinabased executive search consulting firm CSA assisted the search committee.
Pifer has served as a WCU Athletics senior staff member and second in command within the department for the past four years, managing all internal functions for the Catamounts, including budget and finance, capital projects, sport administration, event and facility operations, and human resources.
A skilled administrator, Pifer has spent the past 23 years of his professional career working in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. He served previously as the senior associate athletics director for compliance at Oregon State in Corvallis, Oregon, from 2013 until 2020, when he came to Cullowhee. He also held an associate athletic director position at the University of Washington in Seattle from 2009 until 2013 and worked in NCAA compliance positions at Oregon State and Gonzaga.
Pifer’s professional experience in major collegiate athletic conferences, such as the Pac-12, combined with his strong relationships on campus, in the community, with regional leaders, and within the Southern Conference, make him a good fit to lead the Catamount athletics program.
“After a comprehensive national search for WCU’s next Director of Athletics, I’m incredibly pleased that the best candidate was already a member of our Catamount family. Mr. Kyle Pifer is an outstanding choice to lead Catamount Nation into its next era,” said Brown. “In the short amount of time that Kyle has served as interim AD, he has distinguished himself as a collaborative and strategic university leader with a commanding grasp of the landscape of intercollegiate athletics. Catamount Athletics is in good hands with Kyle at the helm, and I am confident and excited about the future for our amazing student-athletes.”
Over the last four years in Cullowhee, Pifer has spearheaded the formation of the sport administrator committee and the student-athlete well-being committee, both aimed at the better management of the teams and to evaluate the student-athlete experience at Western Carolina. He has also served on numerous campus committees, including the institutional planning, well-being, health and safety, and emergency crisis management teams.
Pifer began his professional career as an NCAA compliance officer in 2003 at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. In 2007, Pifer departed for the first of his two stints at Oregon State, beginning as an assistant director of compliance. He then took on the role of the director of compliance at the University of Washington in Seattle, advancing rapidly and earning four promotions in under five years, working his way to an associate athletics director position. He was a member of the UW Athletics department senior staff.
As the senior associate athletics director for compliance at Oregon State, Pifer has experience within oncampus and department operations, including a wealth of knowledge on NCAA compliance within the changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics. As a part of the OSU athletics executive staff, he was the sport supervisor for the Beavers’ men’s golf and the women’s cross country/track and field teams. He was also particularly influential in the development of the Oregon State track and field program, rekindling the program after a nearly 20-year hiatus from the sport sponsorship.
During his eight-plus years at OSU, concluding as the senior compliance administrator, Pifer served on a variety of campus committees, including the Enrollment Management Leadership Team, the High Incident and Event Group, and the Criminal History Attendance and Participation Committee.
Pifer was selected from an exceptionally competitive and well-qualified pool of candidates. The search committee identified three finalists who participated in on-campus interviews in Cullowhee.
“Kyle Pifer has the experience, vision, and energy to build on the great momentum Catamount athletics has experienced in recent years to take us to the next level,” Starnes said. “He is deeply committed to the success of our student-athletes in competition, in the classroom, and their lives after graduation.”
A native of Frankfort, Indiana, Pifer is a former intercollegiate student-athlete at Francis Marion University, where he was a four-year track and field letter winner and earned academic all-district honors. He possesses a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Francis Marion where he was a member of the Francis Marion Honor Society and graduated summa cum laude in 1999. He earned his master’s degree in sport and athletic administration from Gonzaga in 2021.
Pifer and his wife, Sydney, have three daughters: Reese, Delaney, and Ellis.
WESTERN
White Out Whitmire / Freshmen Run –
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – COACHING STAFF
CATAMOUNT CLUB DONOR OF THE GAME
Matt Magnus, WCU 2004
Matt Magnus is a 2004 graduate of Western Carolina University, earning his undergraduate degree in Construction Management. After spending years working for his family’s business, Matt parlayed his degree into starting Lanier HVAC services, located in Gainesville, Ga.
A member of the Catamount Club, Matt was a classmate of Catamount baseball head coach Alan Beck, which has prompted major sport-specific gifts to the 1,002 Club to support the Catamount baseball program. During his time as a student, Matt was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.
Matt and his wife Bethany have been married since 2008 and have two children, Mary Beth and Mark, who has attended basketball camp at Western Carolina in the past. Matt’s wife, Bethany Sauls Magnus, is an attorney holding an undergraduate degree from Mississippi College and a JD from the University of Mississippi School of Law.
Jahleel Anderson
Micah Nelson
Murphy, N.C.
Hayward McQueen Jr.
DEFENDING CATAMOUNTS
THE 2025 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS FOOTBALL TEAM
2025 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL COACHING AND SUPPORT STAFF
2025 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL SENIOR CLASS
2025 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL TEAM
2025 "PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS" – MARCHING BAND
The students and staff of the 2025 “The Pride of the Mountains,” Marching Band are proud to present our 2025 production entitled, “CONNECT.” 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 2025, while continuing to push boundaries of design innovation and entertainment at the collegiate level.
B.H. Graning Landscapes and Supply, Inc. is making possible the opportunity for The Pride of the Mountains to be a member of the Forte Athletics team. Forte Athletics 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 Daniel Recoder, founder of Forte Athletics and feel confident that this program will build longevity to our students’ physical health while teaching best practices for lifelong wellness.
This fall promises to again be one of the busiest on record regarding recruitment performances. For the first time in our history the band will be traveling off campus four times to four different states. Beginning Saturday, Sept. 27, the band will perform for over 3,000 spectators in exhibition at the 51st annual Enka High School “Land of the Sky” Marching Band competition, which showcases 30 of the top high school bands in the area. On October 6, the band will travel to Gwinnett County, Ga. to share their love of the pageantry arts with some of the best bands in the Southeast at their annual Gwinnett County Exhibition. The 24th annual Western Carolina University Tournament of Champions takes place on Saturday, Oct. 18, when The Pride welcomes 21 high school bands from around the Southeast to our campus, as well as our worldclass 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 also been asked to perform in exhibition at the Tarpon Springs Outdoor Music Festival on October 25, in Tarpon Springs, Fla. This is an event filled with elite high school bands, and we feel honored to be invited to share our talents at such an esteemed venue. The PotM concludes its exhibition season in Spartanburg, S.C. on November 1 at the South Carolina 6A State Championships.
And now, about our 2025 production . . . “CONNECT”
Part I: CONNECT with Humanity
Life is filled with people who come and go, but each leaves behind a mark that strengthens us. This movement explores how we are always stronger together, celebrating the bonds we create throughout our journey. Musical selections include In My Life (The Beatles), Seasons of Love (Rent), Stronger
(Kelly Clarkson), and Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey). Interwoven throughout are musical quotes from past Pride of the Mountains productions, blending our history with new music and arrangements — a reminder that our alumni remain with us every step of the way.
Part II: CONNECT with Community
Last fall, when Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina, our region was tested in profound ways. During that time, we learned the true meaning of resilience and community. This movement is dedicated to those bonds of compassion and strength, brought to life through Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel). It is a tribute to these mountains, our people, and the spirit that carries us forward together.
Part III: CONNECT the Dots
Large dots on the field become symbols of the milestones in our life journey — the moments and decisions that shape who we are. This high-energy percussion feature uses Daft Punk’s Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger to drive the narrative, piecing together the story of how every connection and experience leads us to our future selves.
Part IV: CONNECT with Alumni
The Long Purple Line is alive and strong. This movement celebrates our alumni — the giants on whose shoulders we proudly stand. With You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban), we honor their sacrifices, their passion, and their commitment to building this band into what it is today. The production closes with Defying Gravity (Wicked), symbolizing our collective responsibility to carry the Pride of the Mountains into new heights. Past, present, and future unite as we spread our wings and step boldly into what lies ahead.
Honoring Our Legacy:
This season, we also celebrate the roots of the WCU Marching Band. Our program features a replica of the very first WCU marching band uniform from 1941. Audiences will see a tribute to Joe Hedden — the student who began the marching band as a club activity, taught every section, and became WCU’s first music major and graduate. His vision and dedication sparked a tradition that has grown into the Pride of the Mountains we know today.
From Joe Hedden’s single step in 1941 to the thousands of steps taken on this field each season, the Long Purple Line continues — carried with honor, pride, and an unwavering connection to one another.
This is our story. This is our legacy. CONNECT!
"Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band Instructional Staff
and Design Team
Matt Henley Director of Athletic Bands Percussion Arranger
Dillon Ingle Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Front Ensemble, Rhythm Section & Sound Design / Arranger
Jeremy Loui Assistant Director of Athletic Bands
Jayda Copeland Administrative Assistant
Doug Thrower Wind Music Arranger
Daniel Brodie Sound Design
Jamey Thompson Visual Designer
Bob Buckner Pregame Visual Designer
Katie Pacifico Color Guard Director
Billy Pacifico Color Guard Choreographer
Anne (AJ) Junttila Color Guard Instructor
Shaun Brown Director of Audio Production
Collin Tastet Director of Front Ensemble
Line Kinsey Purple Drum Line Instructor
Seaon Carter Cymbal Instructor
STAFF COORDINATORS:
Emilia Sepulveda and Davis Weaver
2025 DRUM MAJORS:
Joely Martin (Head), Mariana Hernandez and Kadence Watford
CAPTION COORDINATORS:
Elizabeth Bargher, Bryan Clingerman, Noah Cox, Eli Henry, Katy Riggs, Katie Sammons, Erik Stauffer, Austin Williams
SERVICE STAFF CHIEFS:
Rachel Walker, Katy Riggs, Rayne Woods, Ainsley Briggs, Payton Ledford, Skylar Wheeler, Gwen Muchmore, Atticus Boersma
WESTERN CAROLINA FIGHT SONG
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!
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
WESTERN CAROLINA ALMA MATER
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 –
DR. KELLI BROWN
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR
R. Brown, Ph.D., is the 12th Chancellor of Western Carolina University, a regional comprehensive university that serves over 11,000 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. She became the University’s first permanent woman chancellor when she took office in July 2019.
Since her arrival, Chancellor Brown has highlighted several priorities: an comprehensive regional institution emphasizing quality and excellence; a commitment to access, affordability, inclusive excellence and student success; and a focus on the University’s role as an engine of economic development for its communities.
Under Chancellor Brown’s leadership, WCU has continued to capitalize on the opportunity to be a thought leader regarding how regionally engaged universities can be student focused, with a high level of teaching innovation and a large connection with the surrounding region. Business North Carolina magazine has seen the impact
has
Throughout her time at Western Carolina, Chancellor Brown has spearheaded several major capital projects on campus. In 2021, the state-of-the art, Apodaca Science Building, was completed to replace the university’s 1970-era Natural Science Building. The following year in 2022, “The Rocks”, a collection of three freshman residence halls were opened with an emphasis on building student community. Later that year, WCU completed its new energy production facility, replacing the campus’ century-old steam plant. Additionally, she has overseen the implementation of the highly successful NC Promise tuition reduction program and the innovative Catamount Commitment financial aid program. Each program has had a tangible impact on the reduction of student debt.
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. Mike Byers, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance
Mr. Kyle Pifer, Director of Athletics
Mr. Chris Williams, Chief Information Officer
Mr. Ben Pendry, Vice Chancellor for Advancement
Dr. Sam Miller, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Mr. Shea Browning, General Counsel
Dr. Melissa Wargo, Chief of Staff
Dr. William Moultrie, Vice Chancellor of Enrollment & Student Success
Ms. Jessica Woods, Assistant to the Chancellor
She has also helped champion the University's comprehensive fundraising campaign for Athletics, "Fill the Western Sky," as she and husband Dennis made an estate gift of $4 million that will benefit 11 university funds.
Chancellor Brown serves on numerous regional boards including Harris Regional Hospital/Swain Community Hospital, NC Arboretum, Givens Estates, Asheville Chamber of Commerce, and is Chair of North Carolina Campus Compact — a collaborative network of colleges and
universities committed to educating students for civic and social responsibility, partnering with communities for positive change, and strengthening democracy. Nationally, she is a member of ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge President’s Council (nonpartisan mission is student registration and turnout) and a member of ACE Women’s Network Executive Council.
Before coming to WCU, Brown served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Georgia College & State University. In July 2016, she 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. 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.
Chancellor Brown earned her doctorate in education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; a master’s and baccalaureate degree in public health from the University of Toledo; and an associate in applied sciences degree in dental hygiene from Michael J. Owens Technical College in Toledo, Ohio.
Chancellor Brown is originally from the Midwest, and she and her husband of 35 years, Dennis, live in
Kelli
included her on their Power List of the state’s most influential leaders four separate times.
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2025 CATAMOUNT CHEERLEADERS
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2025-26 WCU DANCE TEAM
White Out Whitmire
Freshmen
WESTERN CAROLINA’S POSTSEASON TEAMS
• 1949 • North State Conference Champions
Western Carolina had struggled through its first 15 seasons of football with only two winning seasons in two decades, but all that frustration was forgotten in 1949 when Coach Tom Young completed a four-year, post-World War II building program with an 8-2 regular season and the school’s first North State Conference championship and first postseason appearance.
The Cats, led by a stingy defense, won its first five games and allowed only two touchdowns in those victories. The only blemishes on the season were non-conference losses to Maryville (20-13) and Emory & Henry (27-26) as Western finished unbeaten in conference play.
The team was rewarded by a bid to play in the Smoky Mountain Bowl in Bristol, Va., where the Cats lost to West Liberty State.
Art Byrd, a 165-pound guard, was named to the Associated Press Little All-America Team, Western’s first AllAmerica selection. Linemen Buffalo Humphries and Hugh Constance along with backs Hugh “Pee Wee” Hamilton and Ralph McConnell joined Byrd on the All-North State Conference Team.
• 1974 •
NCAA Division II Playoffs
Coach Bob Waters, who saw a perfect season and a trip to the NAIA playoffs denied by a loss in the final game of the 1969 season, led WCU to its first NCAA postseason appearance the hard way five years later.
The 1974 Catamounts, playing in a sparkling new stadium, lost their season and stadium opener to visiting Murray State and struggled the next two weeks before establishing themselves as one of the nation’s top NCAA Division II teams.
After the season-opening loss, The Cats continued to struggle offensively for the next two weeks but did manage wins over Tennessee Tech (9-7) and Appalachian State (21-14) with outstanding defense. The offense, behind the running of freshman Darrell Lipford and passing of quarterback Jeff Walker to Jerry Gaines and Eagle Moss, found the right gear and the defense continued its great play. In the process, the Catamounts won nine in a row—including victories over top 10 teams Indiana State and Western Kentucky—and won a bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs where they lost a heartbreaker to No. 1 ranked Louisiana Tech, 10-7.
The 1974 Catamounts finished the season ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press College Division poll and their defense established team records that still stand to this day. Most significant was allowing a mere NINE total touchdowns on the season (eight rushing and one passing) and only three over the last six games. WCU held four opponents out of the endzone and intercepted a combined 21 passes.
JERRY GAINES and linebacker STEVE YATES were first-team All-America selections.
• 1983 • NCAA Division I-AA National Finalist
Like the 1974 team, the 1983 Catamounts got off to a slow start by losing its first two games to Clemson and Wake Forest. After the two setbacks, WCU would go through the next 12 Saturdays unbeaten en route to the NCAA Division I-AA championship game – the first by a Southern Conference school.
The winning streak started in the third week of the season when WCU rallied from a 10-point deficit in the closing two minutes to defeat East Tennessee State, 17-16, and ended with a loss to Southern Illinois in the national championship game in Charleston, S.C.
Despite the strong comeback in regular season play that produced an 8-2-1 record and No. 9 national ranking, Waters’ Cats barely made it into the I-AA playoffs. They proved their worthiness the next three weeks with comefrom-behind, heart-stopping wins over Colgate (24-23), Holy Cross (28-21) and Furman (14-7). The win over Furman was particularly pleasing as the teams had tied, 17-17, in the regular season, and allowed the Paladins to win the SoCon title as they had played and won one more league game due to a scheduling quirk. Over 5,000 WCU fans traveled to Greenville, S.C., for the rematch which was aired by CBS-TV.
On the 1983 team, WCU had EIGHT players named AllSoCon with head coach Bob Waters named Coach of the Year. Wide receiver ERIC RASHEED and defensive back TIGER GREENE selected All-America. Seven members of the ‘83 squad went on to play in the NFL and the team set an NCAA record for the most games played (15) in a season.
ART BYRD, a 165-pound two-way guard for the 1949 North State Conference championship team, was Western Carolina’s first All-America selection.
Linebacker STEVE YATES was leader and first team All-American on the 1974 team, which was WCU’s first to reach the NCAA playoffs, doing so at the NCAA Division II level.
The 1983 Catamounts advanced to the NCAA I-AA championship game after its 14-7 upset at Furman. WCU was the first Southern Conference team to play for the national title.
is a proud sponsor of Western Carolina University
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
The Southern Conference, which celebrates its 104th year in 2025, 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 impossible to play every school at least once during the regular
GARDNER-WEBB L, 45-52 at Wake Forest L, 42-10
ELON Sept. 13 – 2:30 pm
SAMFORD * Sept. 20 – 2:30 pm at Campbell Sept. 27 – 3:30 pm at Wofford * Oct. 4 – 1:30 pm
FURMAN * Oct. 11 – 2:30 pm at The Citadel * Oct. 18 – 2:00 pm at Chattanooga * Nov. 1 – 4:00 pm
MERCER * Nov. 8 – 2:30 pm
ETSU * Nov. 15 – 12 pm at VMI * Nov. 22 – 12 pm
CURRENT 2025 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS
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. In the summer of 2025, the SoCon announced that Tennessee Tech will join as a full member in the summer of 2026, bringing the league's active full-time membership to 11 schools.
#1 NORTH DAKOTA ST L, 38-0 at Samford * W, 40-13 at Gardner-Webb Sept. 13 – 7:00 pm
MERCER * Sept. 20 – 2:00 pm at Chattanooga * Sept. 27 – 6:00 pm
VALDOSTA STATE Oct. 11 – 2:00 pm
WESTERN CAROLINA * Oct. 18 – 2:00 pm at Furman * Oct. 25 – 2:00 pm VMI * Nov. 1 – 2:00 pm at Ole Miss Nov. 8 – 1:00 pm
WOFFORD * Nov. 15 – 2:00 pm at ETSU * Nov. 22 – 1:00 pm
MURRAY STATE W, 45-17 at #22 Tennessee L, 72-17 at West Georgia Sept. 13 – 6:00 pm ELON Sept. 20 – 5:30 pm MERCER * Sept. 27 – 5:30 pm at Furman * Oct. 4 – 2:00 pm
VMI * Oct. 11 – 3:30 pm at Chattanooga * Oct. 18 – 1:30 pm
WOFFORD * Oct. 25 – 3:30 pm at Samford * Nov. 8 – 3:30 pm ET at W. CAROLINA * Nov. 15 – 12:00 pm THE CITADEL * Nov. 22 – 1:00 pm
WILLIAM & MARY W, 23-21
PRESBYTERIAN L, 39-38 (OT) at Campbell Sept. 13 – 3:30 pm at Samford * Sept. 27 – 3:30 pm
ETSU * Oct. 4 – 2:00 pm at W. CAROLINA * Oct. 11 – 2:30 pm at Wofford * Oct. 18 – 12:00 pm THE CITADEL * Oct. 25 – 2:00 pm
MERCER * Nov. 1 – 2:00 pm at Chattanooga * Nov. 8 – 1:30 pm
VMI * Nov. 15 – 1:00 pm at Clemson * Nov. 22 – TBA vs #7 UC Davis No Contest
WEST GEORGIA L, 34-3
PRESBYTERIAN L, 15-10
WOFFORD * Sept. 13 – 6:00 pm at The Citadel * Sept. 20 – 2:00 pm at ETSU * Sept. 27 – 5:30 pm
SAMFORD * Oct. 4 – 4:00 pm at Princeton * Oct. 11 – 12:00 pm
VMI * Oct. 25 – 3:00 pm at Furman * Nov. 1 – 2:00 pm at Western Carolina * Nov. 2 – 2:30 pm
CHATTANOOGA * Nov. 16 – 3:00 pm at Auburn Nov. 22 – 2 pm
THE CITADEL * L, 40-13 at Baylor Sept. 13 – 12:00 pm at Western Carolina * Sept. 20 – 2:30 pm
FURMAN * Sept. 27 – 3:30 pm at Mercer * Oct. 4 – 4:00 pm at VMI * Oct. 18 – 1:30 pm
CHATTANOOGA * Oct. 25 – 3:30 pm at Wofford * Nov. 1 – 1:30 pm
STETSON * Sept. 13 – 6:00 pm at Tarleton State Sept. 20 – 7:00 pm
THE CITADEL * Sept. 27 – 6:00 pm at VMI * Oct. 4 – 1:30 pm
ETSU * Oct. 18 – 1:30 pm at Samford * Oct. 25 – 3:30 pm
W. CAROLINA * Nov. 1 – 4:00 pm
FURMAN * Nov. 8 – 12:00 pm at Mercer * Nov. 15 – 3:00 pm at Wofford * Nov. 22 – 1:30 pm
ETSU * Nov. 8 – 3:30 pm at Austin Peay Nov. 15 – 2:00 pm at Texas A&M Nov. 22 – 12:00 pm at Memphis L, 45-10 at Tennessee Tech L, 45-17
at (RV) Navy L, 52-7
FERRUM W, 42-7 at Bucknell Sept. 13 – 3:30 pm at Richmond Sept. 20 – 2:00 pm
CHATTANOOGA * Oct. 4 – 1:30 pm at ETSU * Oct. 11 – 3:30 pm
SAMFORD * Oct. 18 – 1:30 pm at Mercer * Oct. 25 – 3:00 pm at The Citadel * Nov. 1 – 2:00 pm
WOFFORD * Nov. 8 – 1:30 pm at Furman * Nov. 15 – 1:00 pm W. CAROLINA * Nov. 22 – 12:00 pm
at S.C. State L, 16-15
RICHMOND L, 14-10 at Mercer * Sept. 13 – 6:00 pm at Virginia Tech Sept. 20 – TBA W. CAROLINA * Oct. 4 – 1:30 pm
NORFOLK STATE Oct. 11 – 1:30 pm
FURMAN * Oct. 18 – 12:00 pm at ETSU * Oct. 25 – 3:30 pm
SAMFORD * Nov. 1 – 1:30 pm at VMI * Nov. 8 – 1:30 pm at The Citadel * Nov. 15 – 2:00 pm CHATTANOOGA * Nov. 22 – 1:30 pm
W CAROLINA
CHATTANOOGA
THE CITADEL
MERCER
FURMAN ETSU VMI SAMFORD WOFFORD
E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM / BOB WATERS FIELD
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 Western Carolina University's Cullowhee 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 Sept. 14, 1974. That 1974 team went on to win nine-straight games and qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs, boasting one of the program's greatest defenses.
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 thanks to five interceptions, a win over No. 2 Furman, 41-21, in 2005.
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, comefrom-behind win over the Apps, and the goalposts fell once again in what was the program’s 100th victory at Whitmire Stadium.
In 2006, Western Carolina’s defense recorded five interceptions and Darius Fudge rushed for 133 yards on offense to lead the Catamounts to a 41-21 victory over second-ranked Furman, setting the stage for another goalpost celebration.
The stadium has also hosted numerous television games over the years. One of the earliest came in 1978 as ABC showcased the Catamounts and Mountaineers from Cullowhee. Other broadcasts include ESPNU, SportSouth, Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS-TV) and most recently, the combined efforts of WLOS-TV and WMYA-TV in Asheville, as well as through the Nexstar Network / SoCon Games of the Week airing on The CW62 locally.
Currently with 13,790 seats, the football facility is located on the south end of the WCU campus and is bordered by the picturesque Cullowhee Creek on the west side; Jordan-Phillips Field House and WCU Weight Room on its north end; and the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center, which in addition to serving as the home venue for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball also features the Dale and Diane Hollifield Football Locker Room, WCU Football Offices and Team Room as well as the athletic training / sports medicine facilities.
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 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 Sept., 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. It marked the first true video board at the stadium, though the scoreboard
when it was in the northwest corner of the endzone had a digital message board. Nicknamed "PurpleVision" at its inception, the 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 and controlled through wireless communication.
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. His construction company prepared most of the stadium site gratis. He was granted the Patron Award in the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.
In 1988, the playing surface where ROBERT LEE "BOB" 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.
E.J. WHITMIRE BOB WATERS
Official Football Signals
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 fourtime, first team All-SoCon selection (1984-87), an accomplishment which has since been duplicated just three other times ... Continues to rank as Western Carolina’s all-time scoring leader with 302 points ... He connected on 71-of-101 (70.3-percent) field goals in his career and only missed one extra point, making 89-of-90 (98.9-percent) .... Roach also still holds the distinction of being the highest Catamount taken in 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.
#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 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.
HISTORY OF THE VICTORY BELL
#41 • BRAD HOOVER (1996-99)
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.
#54 • ART BYRD (1946-49)
Art Byrd was the first football All-America selection at Western Carolina, playing guard on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball ... Helped the Catamounts to an 8-2 regular-season mark in 1949 and their first North State Conference title ... That team additionally holds the distinction of being WCU’s first team to earn a postseason bid, playing in the Smoky Mountain Bowl (Bristol, Va.) ... Byrd was the first Western Carolina student-athlete to have a jersey and number retired. Inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.
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. 54 41 14 23
65TH NFF ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER PRESENTED BY LAS VEGASHeld on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the ARIA Resort & Casino is “THE place to connect for the college community.” Hosts the induction of the College Football Hall of Fame Class, the recognition of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments, and the announcement of the William V. Campbell Trophy® recipient.
NFF COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME - Inducting the greatest players and coaches in the history of college football.
NFF WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY® AND NATIONAL SCHOLARATHLETE AWARDS - Awarding the William V. Campbell Trophy® to college football’s top scholar-athlete. Honoring the NFF National ScholarAthlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments. Bestowing postgraduate scholarships. Recognizing Faculty Athletics Representatives.
NFF FUTURE FOR FOOTBALL - Celebrating the positive impact the game has made on millions of players, coaches, administrators, volunteers and fans nationwide.
NFF CHAPTER NETWORK - Distributing $1 million in scholarships annually and holding local events to promote amateur football through 120 chapters in 47 states.
NFF NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS AND HATCHELL CUP - Recognizing the nation’s top high school football programs for their efforts in the classroom, on the field and in the community via the National High School Academic Excellence Awards, presented by Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, and the Hatchell Cup, presented by “The Original” Bob’s Steak & Chop House, which is awarded to the best team in the nation.
