w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 1
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
2 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 3
IN MEMORY OF
GAME 1 vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
VS
SAT., AUG. 29, 2026 UT BLACKIO E M WH T IR
postgame drone light show presented by
INSIDE
Stadium Game Day Info / Clear Bag Policy..................... 6-7 Scouting Western Carolina..............................................10 Depot Pizza – Catamount Photos......................................11 Western Carolina Numerical Roster................................13 A Look at Today’s Opponent: EKU....................................16 EKU Numerical Roster.......................................................19 Western Carolina vs. EKU – Depth Chart.......................20 Western Carolina vs. EKU – 2025 Statistics.................. 25 Looking Back: Last Time We Met – WCU at EKU............ 26 WCU 2026 Season Game-by-Game................................. 28 WCU Head Football Coach, Kerwin Bell.................... 31-32 WCU Football Coaching Staff........................................... 34 WCU Football Support Staff............................................. 36 Fill the Western Sky / Western Skybox........................38-43 WCU Athletics Director, Kyle Pifer..............................44-45 WCU Athletics Department Staff...................................... 46 WCU Athletics Coaching Staff.......................................... 48
4 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Western Carolina looks to "BLACKOUT WHITMIRE" on Saturday as part of a celebration that includes the football team debuting its "Night Cat," black Nike uniforms seen above. WCU also unveils its $40 million shared renovations with the opening of the Western Skybox, new field turf, new lighting system, and an updated video board. The Western Skybox is a shared investment in WCU's students, campus community, and region. Its successful completion reflects the combined commitment of students, private donors, and the State of North Carolina to WCU's long-term success and service mission. Photo by Mark Haskett
Champion Credit Union Catamount Club Donor of the Game........50 Catamount Club Membership List............................... 52-56 Meet the 2026 Catamounts......................................59-66 2026 WCU Football Team Photo.................................... 67 "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band.................69-70 Dr. Kelli R. Brown, WCU Chancellor................................ 73 Catamount Cheerleaders............................................... 74 Catamount Football – Postseason Teams...................... 78 The Southern Conference and WCU Champions..... 80-81 SoCon Football Composite Schedule.............................. 82 NCAA Officials Signals...................................................... 83 Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium...................... 85 WCU Football Honored Numbers................................... 87
EXTRA POINTS, the official game day program and online
digital guide for Western Carolina Catamount Football, is a publication of the WCU Athletics Media Relations Office. Editorial content, layout and design has been provided by Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations, Daniel Hooker (Western Carolina, 2001) with editorial assistance from Directors of Media Relations Greg Hartlage and Josh Ragsdale. Ragsdale. Special thanks to the previous staffs of WCU Athletics Media Relations and designer Todd Charles. Photography provided by Ashley Evans, Charlie Bulla, Samuel Wallace and various student assistants in WCU's Marketing & Communications; WCU retired University Photographer, Mark Haskett; Andy Padyk; Jason Hall of Valleytown Photo; additional photos from Phil Polito, Paul Setliff, Marlon Howard and Ava Schmitt. Printing is by the on-campus WCU Print Shop. Advertising sales for EXTRA POINTS are administered by Chad Gerrety and Michaela Watkins. To advertise with or sponsor the Catamounts, call (828) 227-2767 or (828) 227-2038.
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 5
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM POLICIES AND INFORMATION GAME TIMES:
All game times are subject to change. Any updates to kickoff times will be announced through official Western Carolina Athletics communication channels: • X (formerly Twitter): @Catamounts and @CatamountsFB • Facebook: Facebook.com/CatamountSports • Website: CatamountSports.com Please note that ticket and game day parking purchases are nonrefundable in the event of a kickoff time change.
ON-CAMPUS TAILGATING:
Pregame tailgating is permitted only in designated parking areas. • The use of tailgating tents and grills is not allowed in the North Baseball Parking Deck. • Glass containers are prohibited in all on-campus tailgating areas on football game days. • Postgame tailgating is not permitted.
STADIUM RE-ENTRY
E.J. Whitmire Stadium has a NO RE-ENTRY POLICY. Once you exit the stadium, a new ticket is required for admission.
CLEAR BAG POLICY & SECURITY SCREENING:
For the safety of all guests, Western Carolina Athletics enforces a Clear Bag Policy. All bags and personal items are subject to inspection upon entry. Prohibited items include: • Outside food and beverages • Alcoholic beverages • Other restricted items identified by event staff Fans may bring one empty clear plastic water bottle into the stadium for use at water-filling stations and fountains. See the Clear Bag Policy section for complete guidelines.
STADIUM SEAT CUSHIONS AND CHAIRBACKS:
Seat cushions and chairback seats are permitted but must not exceed 18 inches in width to fit within standard stadium seating.
UMBRELLAS:
Umbrellas ARE NOT PERMITTED inside E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Guests should leave umbrellas in their vehicles before entering. Any umbrellas brought to the gates must be left outside the stadium.
ARTIFICIAL NOISEMAKERS:
In accordance with Southern Conference regulations, unsanctioned artificial noisemakers are not permitted, including: • Air horns • Cowbells • Hand clappers or similar devices Approved promotional items, such as Thunder Sticks, may be used when distributed by the University. Fans are asked to be considerate and allow your neighbor to enjoy the game. Fans are also encouraged to keep portable radios at a respectful volume.
ALCOHOL POLICY:
Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited inside E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Coolers and beverage containers are also not permitted. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at points of sale throughout the stadium, including: • East and West concourse locations • Paws Porch • Champion Credit Union Corner (by credential only) • End Zone Suites (by credential only) • Chancellor's Club (by credential only) Alcohol sales begin when gates open (90 minutes before kickoff) and conclude at the end of the third quarter. • Must be 21 years of age or older • Valid photo ID required • A maximum purchase of two (2) alcoholic beverages per individual per transaction • ID holder must be present at the time of purchase PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
CONCESSIONS:
Food and beverage options are available throughout the east and west concourses and are operated by Catamount Dining. Concession locations offer: • Pepsi products and Gatorade • Aquafina bottled and Cherokee Water • Snacks and game day favorites Most concession stands accept credit cards and WCU Students may use their declining balance off their CatCard at Catamount Dining stands (not available at the various food truck vendors; no alcohol sales). Select express lines may be cash-only. Additional vendors may include (subject to change): East Side: Wood Fire Grill, Zaxby’s, Chubby Chicks, Appalachian Snow, Sunset Slush, Farmhouse Lemonade West Side: Bens Backdraft BBQ, J&K Lemonade, Kona Ice, Bojangles, Glazed & Infused, Dragon Pit BBQ
PHILLIPS FOOTBALL CENTER:
Access to the following areas requires proper credentials: • Western Skybox Chancellor's Club • Steve White Media Center Guests without the appropriate credentials will be asked to leave these restricted areas.
FIELD ACCESS:
Access to the playing field and sidelines is restricted to properly credentialed individuals. Guests entering the field without authorization or throwing objects onto the field or into the stands are subject to ejection from the stadium.
LOST AND FOUND:
Found items should be turned in to an AXIS Stadium Usher. To claim a lost item, visit the Lost & Found location near the main entrance gates on either side of the stadium. Identification may be required to verify ownership.
NEED ASSISTANCE?:
Game day assistance is available from AXIS Stadium Ushers, located throughout the stadium near ramps and concourse access points.
FIRST AID & EMERGENCY SERVICES:
First aid stations are available on both sides of the stadium concourse. Emergency medical personnel and local physicians are on-site for all home football games. Medical assistance can also be requested through any stadium staff member. An oxygen-equipped ambulance is stationed at the stadium during games. During hot-weather events, cooling and misting stations may be available throughout the concourse.
CATAMOUNT MERCHANDISE:
Official Western Carolina apparel and merchandise are available: Inside the Stadium • Near Gate 1 • Near Gate 4 Outside the Stadium (pregame) • Near Gate 6 The Catamount Store is open on home football game days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shop anytime online at books.wcu.edu or visit CatamountSports.com (Catamount Fan Shop)
TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets for Catamount Football will be delivered electronically and may be purchased: Purchase In Advance: • WCU Athletics Ticket Office, first-floor of the Ramsey Center • Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Phone: (828) 227-2401 Purchase on Catamount Game Day: • Grattan Family Gate Ticket Booth • Opens at 10 a.m. Skip the line and purchase tickets anytime at CatamountSports.com. • Tickets and game day parking cannot be resold at the stadium • There is a "no refund" policy in effect on all tickets. • Photo identification is required to pick up tickets left at Will Call.
6 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 7
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
8 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
FOOD TRUCK ON LOCATION
MONDAY EVENING DURING FOOTBALL SEASON 114 Market St., Cullowhee
NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION (FCS) NATIONAL PRESEASON POLLS
AFCA FCS Coaches Poll – Preseason 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Montana State (25) Montana South Dakota State (1) Illinois State Tarleton State UC Davis Villanova Rhode Island Youngstown State North Dakota Lehigh South Dakota Stephen F. Austin Abilene Christian Tennessee Tech Southern Illinois Mercer Austin Peay Yale Southeastern Louisana Lamar UT Martin Monmouth Northern Arizona South Carolina State
14-2 13-2 9-5 12-5 12-2 9-4 12-3 11-3 8-5 8-6 12-1 10-5 11-3 9-5 11-2 7-5 9-3 7-5 9-3 9-4 8-5 6-6 6-6 7-5 10-3
649 1 6-5 3 591 14 553 2 527 6 498 8 448 4 434 10 428 17 396 16 359 9 347 11 313 7 295 12 294 15 231 NR 189 18 186 NR 164 13 160 19 133 21 123 NR 105 20 67 NR 63 25
Stats Perform FCS Top 25 – Preseason
FCS Nation Radio Top 25 – Preseason
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Montana State (57) Montana South Dakota State Illinois State Tarleton State UC Davis Rhode Island Villanova Youngstown State North Dakota Lehigh South Dakota Stephen F. Austin Tennessee Tech Abilene Christian Southern Illinois Austin Peay Yale Southeastern Louisiana Lamar Mercer Monmouth UT Martin South Carolina State Northern Arizona
14-2 13-2 9-5 12-5 12-2 9-4 11-3 12-3 8-5 8-6 12-1 10-5 11-3 11-2 9-5 7-5 7-5 9-3 9-4 8-5 11-3 9-3 6-6 10-3 7-5
1,425 1,328 1,266 1,231 1,100 1,063 1,048 1,008 946 945 826 783 773 594 579 509 440 418 392 380 306 200 144 107 103
1 3 13 2 6 8 11 T4 18 14 10 9 7 16 12 25 NR 15 19 24 17 22 NR 21 NR
Montana State South Dakota State Montana Tarleton State UC Davis North Dakota Youngstown State Illinois State Lehigh Rhode Island Southern Illinois Tennessee Tech Villanova Austin Peay State Yale South Dakota Stephen F. Austin Abeliene Christian Idaho State South Carolina State Lamar Tennessee-Martin East Tennessee State Southeastern Louisiana Alabama State 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 9
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA
WESTERN CAROLINA / EKU
u WESTERN CAROLINA opens 2026 at home in Week Zero as the Catamounts look to 'Black Out
Whitmire’ when they host EASTERN KENTUCKY out of the United Athletic Conference (UAC). WCU will showcase its nearly $40 million renovations, including the Western Skybox press and hospitality facility, new LED lights, upgraded video board, and a new artificial playing surface. u KEEP ON, KEEPING ON: WCU is riding the momentum of its fourth-consecutive winning season – (6-5 in 2023; 7-4 in 2024; 7-5 in 2024; 7-5 in 2025) – matching the program’s longest string since 1976-79 (6-4 in 1976; 6-4-1 in 1977; 6-5 in 1978; 6-5 in 1979); u The past four seasons have been the BEST FOUR-YEAR STRETCH in Western Carolina football history, as the Catamounts have won 27 games since 2022, usurping the 24 wins from 1976-79;
INSIDE THE ALL-TIME SERIES ALL-TIME SERIES. . . . . . . WCU TRAILS, 3-5 (W–1) First Meeting. . . . . . . Oct. 22, 1988 – EKU, 32-14 In Cullowhee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU trails, 1-2 (L–1) In Richmond, Ky.. . . . . . . . . WCU trails, 2-3( W–1) Current Streak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU, W–1 WCU Most Points Scored. . . . . . . . . . . . 28 (2021) WCU Average Points Scored. . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.5
u WESTERN CAROLINA and EKU meet for the eighth time on the gridiron with the competitive head-
to-head series, trailing overall 3-5 ... the two teams meet for the fourth time in Cullowhee on Saturday with WCU trailing, 1-2; u Saturday’s opener marks the first head-to-head battle in Cullowhee since Sept. 4, 2021, during Kerwin Bell's first season in Cullowhee ... EKU squeaked out a 31-28 victory as a would-be gametying 56-yard field goal fell just short ... the teams combined for 860 yards of total offense. u WCU's only home victory in the all-time series came against then 19th-ranked EKU on Sept. 16, 2006 ... the Catamounts only had 12 offensive plays and 19 total yards in the first half, while the Colonels had 315 yards of offense on 44 plays ... In the second half, however, the Catamounts out-gained the Colonels 219-to-77, rallying from a 17-7 halftime deficit to earn the 20-17 victory; u The Catamounts earned a tight 27-24 decision in the last head-to-head battle in 2023, as QB Cole Gonzales hooked up for an eight-yard pitch and catch with Branson Adams in the final minute to push WCU in front. A last-second EKU field goal missed to give WCU the three-point win; u THREE of the EIGHT all-time series meetings have been decided by a field goal, including the last two – a 31-28 EKU victory in 2021 and a 27-24 WCU victory in 2023.
EKU Most Points Scored. . . . . . . . . . . . 49 (2020) EKU Average Points Scored . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29.5 Longest WCU Win Streak:. . . . 1 gms (three times) Largest Margin of Victory. . . . 17 pts (24-7, 2009) Longest WCU Losing Skid:. . . . . . . . .2 gms (twice)
u CATAMOUNTS AGAINST THE UAC: Western Carolina has only played TWO teams currently in the
United Athletic Conference, which officially started play in 2023 as a football-only partnership between the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN); u WCU has the eight meetings all-time against Eastern Kentucky (3-5) and one meeting against North Alabama, a NAIA Division I member in the Gulf South Conference after transitioning from Florence State University earlier that year.
Largest Margin of Defeat. . 32 pts (49-17, 2020)
ALL-TIME SERIES MEETINGS (3-5): Sept. 16, 2023
Richmond, Ky.
W, 27-24
Sept. 4, 2021
Cullowhee
L, 31-28
Nov. 21, 2020
Richmond, Ky.
L, 49-17
Nov. 14, 2009
Richmond, Ky.
W, 24-7
Sept. 8, 2007
Richmond, Ky.
L, 45-21
Sept. 16, 2006
Cullowhee
W, 20-17
Sept. 2, 1989
Richmond, Ky.
L, 31-13
Oct. 22, 1988
Cullowhee
L, 32-14
u CATAMOUNT IMPACT PLAYER NOTES – PRESEASON ALL-SOCON:
WR AJ COLOMBO returns off of an injury that cost him his 2025 season and looks to finish his time in the Purple & Gold on a high note ... the last time Colombo was on the field, he led the SoCon with 61 receptions for 590 receiving yards that ranked eighth in the league ... Colombo had five receiving scores in 2024, giving him 10 career TDs ... the second-team preseason selection has also been a mainstay on special teams with 22 punt returns and a pair of kick returns in 2024. In his last on-field action, Colombo posted his first career 100-yard receiving game with nine catches for 116 yards and a first-half score in a thrilling 47-42 regular season finale victory at Samford. u SPUR KEN MOORE JR. enters 2026 with strong preseason accolades as the Miami, Fla. native earned first-team all-league honors ... He also earned first-team Preseason All-America honors from FCS Football Central and was named second-team by both Stats Perform and Phil Steele ... Moore appeared on the 2026 preseason Watch List for the Buck Buchanan Award ... He finished with 43 total tackles including 28 solo stops with 5.5 tackles for a loss with a sack in 2025, and was tied for third in the league with three interceptions, adding a team-best with seven pass breakups; u OL ZACH WATSON garnered a preseason All-SoCon selection for the second straight season, coming on the heels of a second-team All-SoCon postseason nod in 2025 ... He started all 12 games along the offensive line a year ago between the center and guard positions, logging around 757 combined snaps ... The Waycross, Ga., product helped the Catamount offense rank second nationally in total offense with 5,920 yards, averaging 493.3 yards per game, and led the nation in passing offense at 355.7 yards per game with 44 touchdowns. u
5TH YEAR WR #0 AJ COLOMBO AND 5TH YEAR SPUR #1 KEN MOORE JR.
10 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
SENIOR OL #53 ZACH WATSON
WCU HEAD COACH KERWIN BELL
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
WESTERN CAROLINA – WESTERN SKYBOX CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 11
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
12 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS – 2026 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO.
NAME
POS. HT.
WT.
YR.
HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)
NO.
NAME
POS. HT.
WT.
YR.
HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)
0
AJ Colombo
WR
5-8
170
5th
Waxhaw, N.C. (Cuthbertson HS)
34
Jordan Martin-Durham
BAN
6-3
260
So.
Jacksonville, Fla. (Zarephath Academy)
0
Blue Monroe
LB
6-1
225
5th
Concord, N.C. (Jay M. Robinson HS)
35
Trey Berry III
LB
6-1
220
So.
Bartow, Fla. (Lakeland Christian HS)
1
Jai Boyd
WR
6-2
180
Sr.
Ridgeway, S.C. (Fairfield Central HS)
37
Devon Wilson Jr.
CB
5-11
190
Fr.
Mauldin, S.C. (Mauldin HS)
1
Ken Moore Jr.
SPUR 5-10 165
5th
Miami, Fla. (Christopher Columbus HS)
38
Jayden Joselin
S
6-0
185
Fr.
North Lauderdale, Fla. (Monarch HS)
2
Lex Thomas
QB
5-11 205
Jr.
Raleigh, N.C. (NC State / Heritage HS)
39
Jonathan Powell-Battle
DB
5-10 170
Fr.
Wilson, N.C. (Wilson Prep Academy)
2
Na’Koma Simpson-Nealy
S
5-10 175
Jr.
Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Seminole HS)
40
Landon Pope
RB
5-10 225
Fr.
Canton, N.C. (Pisgah HS)
3
Josh Perry
RB
6-0
205
So.
Orlando, Fla. (Edgewater HS)
41
Beady Waddell V
LB
6-0
220
Jr.
Summerville, S.C. (West Mecklenburg (N.C.) HS)
3
Joshua Collins
LB
6-1
225
Jr.
Bryson City, N.C. (Swain County HS)
42
Luke Waters
K/P
6-2
205
Fr.
Toccoa, Ga. (Stephens County HS)
4
Kha’leal Sterling
WR
5-9
170
So.
Miami, Fla. (Miami Central HS)
43
Braeden Barger
LB
6-1
230
So.
Weddington, N.C. (Weddington HS) Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)
4
Andre Jackson Jr.
CB
5-10 180
So.
Charlotte, N.C. (Hampton / Corvian Community School)
44
Isaac McLellan
TE
6-2
240
5th
5
Michael Rossin
WR
6-0
200
So.
Live Oak, Fla. (Suwannee HS)
45
Honor Paxton
LB
6-3
215
Fr.
Apex, N.C. (Middle Creek HS)
5
Braylon Jones
S
6-1
205
Sr.
Rockmart, Ga. (Reinhardt Univ. / Rockmart HS)
46
Nolan McClanahan
LB
6-1
220
So.
Lake Mary, Fla. (Lake Mary HS)
6
Marcus Striggles
WR
5-9
180
Jr.
North Lauderdale, Fla. (Concord Univ. / Dillard HS)
47
Dylan Harris
DL
6-5
245
Fr.
Ocala, Fla. (Vanguard HS)
6
Jayden Cornelius
CB
5-10 175
So.
Fort Meade, Fla. (Durant HS)
48
Roman Jones
TE
6-3
230
Fr.
Robbinsville, N.C. (Robbinsville HS)
7
Trey Walker
WR
5-10 175
So.
Hoschton, Ga. (Mill Creek HS)
49
Bryce Hart
LB
6-2
220
So.
Ringgold, Ga. (Ringgold HS)
7
Marseille Taylor
CB
6-2
190
5th
Sanford, Fla. (Stephen F. Austin / USF / Riverside City / Seminole HS)
50
Xavier Nocco
LS
6-1
200
Fr.
Tampa, Fla. (Jesuit HS)
8
Marlin Cochran
RB
6-0
200
Sr.
Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern HS)
51
Aaron Sanez
OL
6-2
295
5th
Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater HS)
8
Ryan McKinnis
LB
6-2
220
Sr.
Buford, Ga. (Appalachian State / Buford HS)
52
Brayson McIver
OL
6-2
280
Jr.
Charlotte, N.C. (Coastal Carolina / Butler HS)
8
Ian Grissom
QB
6-1
170
So.
Rock Hill, S.C. (Rock Hill HS)
53
Zach Watson
OL
6-1
295
Sr.
Waycross, Ga. (Ware County HS)
9
Bode Burns
TE
6-5
245
Jr.
Dunnellon, Fla. (Dunnellon HS)
55
Secrea Algie
OL
6-5
320
Jr.
Snellville, Ga. (Brookwood HS)
9
Eldrick Robinson II
LB
6-0
230
5th
Pensacola, Fla. (RMU / Wake / Ga. Southern / Washington HS)
56
Aaron McIver
OL
6-2
305
5th
Charlotte, N.C. (Gardner-Webb / Butler HS)
10
Santana Carlos
WR
5-11
175
Fr.
Hollywood, Fla. (Flanagan HS)
57
Kaden Powell
LS
6-8
270
So.
Woodstock, Ga. (Brevard College / Etowah HS)
10
Jabari McWilliams
DL
6-0
270
Jr.
Picayune, Miss. (Mississippi Gulf Coast / Picayune HS)
58
Isaac Boulger
OL
6-2
295
Jr.
Northport, Ala. (Auburn / Tuscaloosa County HS)
11
Isaac Lee
QB
6-4
190
Jr.
Concord, N.C. (Jay M. Robinson HS)
60
Bryan McCollum
K
5-8
165
So.
Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee HS)
11
Marco Patierno
LB
6-1
230
5th
Wake Forest, N.C. (Eastern Michigan / Elon / Heritage HS)
61
Marcus Trout
K
5-11
175
So.
Cocoa, Fla. (Cocoa HS)
12
Jake Morrow
QB
6-0
195
Fr.
Grand Blanc, Mich. (Grand Blanc Community School)
62
Brian Wheat
OL
6-3
285
Fr.
Callahan, Fla. (West Nassau HS)
12
Julian Quintero
S
6-0
200
Jr.
St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine HS)
63
Thomas Guerrero
P
5-9
160
Jr.
Greenville, S.C. (Greenville HS)
13
Richard Hollis
WR
5-8
170
So.
Pompano Beach, Fla. (Blanche Ely HS)
64
Konrad Henderson
OL
6-3
305
Sr.
Alpharetta, Ga. (Chattahoochee HS)
13
Caleb Turner-Allen
BAN
6-2
250
Jr.
Miami, Fla. (Dr. Michael M. Krop HS)
65
Nicholas Foster
OL
6-1
295
So.
Charlotte, N.C. (Indiana Land HS)
14
Kale Woodburn
WR
5-8
170
Jr.
Warner Robins, Ga. (Cincinnati / Houston County HS)
67
Steven Hamby
OL
6-5
325
Sr.
Statesville, N.C. (Statesville HS)
14
Vanier Baptiste III
DT
6-3
280
Jr.
Fort Myers, Fla. (Dunbar HS)
68
Aidan Cooper
OL
6-4
305
So.
Charlotte, N.C. (Butler HS)
15
Michael Davis Jr.
WR
6-0
170
Fr.
Leesville, La. (Leesville HS)
69
Cole Cooke
OL
6-8
330
So.
Fort Myers, Fla. (Riverdale HS)
15
Hank Bodine
LB
6-0
230
So.
Velva, N.D. (Velva DAG HS)
71
Sawyer Nelson
OL
6-3
280
Fr.
Lenoir, N.C. (Hibriten HS)
16
Caleb Tucker
QB
6-2
200
Fr.
Woodbridge, Va. (Woodbridge HS)
72
Andrew Threatt
OL
6-6
285
5th
Charlotte, N.C. (Gardner-Webb / Metrolina Christian Academy)
16
Chase Kerns
DL
6-1
280
Jr.
Decatur, Ga. (Georgia Military / Iowa Western CC / Cedar Grove HS)
73
Colin McClellan
OL
6-3
265
Fr.
Plant City, Fla. (Durant HS)
17
Patrick Harding
QB
6-3
190
Fr.
Zephyrhills, Fla. (Zephyrhills HS)
75
Renard Smith
OL
6-4
325
5th
Dallas, Ga. (University of Pikeville / East Paulding HS)
17
Ja’Torian “Duke” Mack
S
5-11
185
So.
Eatonville, Fla. (Appalachian State / Edgewater HS)
77
John Hammond
OL
6-5
320
So.
Spartanburg, S.C. (Spartanburg HS)
18
Matthew Keener
WR
6-2
200
Jr.
Pilot Mountain, N.C. (East Surry HS)
78
J’veon Bush
OL
6-5
320
So.
Orlando, Fla. (Jones HS)
18
Trystan Anderson
DL
6-4
255
5th
Buffalo Grove, Ill. (Drake / Buffalo Grove HS)
79
Vito Moriana-Sigel
OL
6-5
315
5th Estepona, Spain (Miss. Valley State / Trinity Valley CC / Kiski School)
19
Mouhamadou Mane
WR
6-2
180
Fr.
Kathleen, Ga. (Veterans HS)
80
Corey Swint
WR
6-0
170
Fr.
Miami, Fla. (Killian HS)
19
Cain Jefferson
BAN
6-3
225
So.
Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)
81
Emanuel Palmer
WR
5-8
160
Fr.
Collierville, Tenn. (Collierville HS)
20
Jadarius Dobie
RB
5-8
170
Fr.
Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland HS)
82
Davon Washington
WR
5-8
160
Fr.
Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Lake Brantley HS)
21
Joshua Balloon Jr.
RB
5-9
170
Fr.
Tampa, Fla. (Gaither HS)
83
Austin Cunningham
WR
6-0
185
Jr.
Columbia, S.C. (White Knoll HS)
21
Nassor Ashenafi
SPUR 5-9
170
So.
Washington, D.C. (Mallard Creek (N.C.) HS)
84
Jemarious Reaves
WR
6-1
190
Jr.
Hopkins, S.C. (Lower Richland HS)
22
Derrick Davis Jr.
RB
6-1
210
5th
Pittsburgh, Pa. (Pittsburgh / LSU / Gateway HS)
85
Paul Hartman III
TE
6-5
240
Jr.
Springfield, Ill. (Coastal Carolina / Springfield HS)
22
Quency Grant III
CB
5-10 170
Fr.
Columbia, S.C. (Ridge View HS)
86
Davis Waddell
TE
6-5
220
Fr.
Cartersville, Ga. (Cartersville HS)
24
Anthony Benjamin
RB
5-10 170
Sr.
Fort Myers, Fla. (Jacksonville State / Dunbar HS)
87
Jake Young
TE
6-3
245
5th
Waxhaw, N.C. (Charlotte / Marvin Ridge HS) Tarboro, N.C. (Tarboro HS)
24
Terrell Poyser
CB
6-3
170
Fr.
Wildwood, Fla. (South Sumter HS)
88
Cole Craddock
TE
6-4
245
So.
25
Noah Best
RB
5-11
195
So.
Charlotte, N.C. (Corvian Community HS)
89
Ellis Chappell
WR
6-0
185
So.
Hickory, N.C. (Hickory HS)
25
Caleb Young Jr.
S
6-0
210
Fr.
Gainesville, Fla. (Buchholz HS)
90
Da’Shawn Davis
DL
6-2
235
5th
Charlotte, N.C. (Georgia Southern / Hough HS)
26
Devin Brown
CB
5-10 160
So.
Miami, Fla. (Northwestern HS)
91
Jakoby Diamond
DL
6-1
305
So.
Cedartown, Ga. (Tuskegee / Cedartown HS)
27
Jermiyah Douglas
SPUR 5-10 175
Fr.
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)
92
Brandon Joseph II
DL
6-3
275
So.
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)
27
Elijah Hadley
RB
5-10 200
Sr.
Charlotte, N.C. (West Liberty / Mallard Creek HS)
94
Malachi Hill
DL
6-3
295
Fr.
Burgaw, N.C. (Pender HS)
28
Chris Hobbs
CB
6-2
180
So.
Decatur, Ga. (Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School)
95
Mark Fitzgerald
K/P
6-1
210
Fr.
Dublin, Ireland (Clongowes Wood College SJ)
29
Christian Robbins
CB
6-1
190
So.
Orlando, Fla. (Jones HS)
96
Jeremy Johnson II
DL
5-10 300
Jr.
Atlanta, Ga. (Concord University / Parkview HS)
30
Jaden Meeks
DL
6-2
225
Jr.
Charlotte, N.C. (Julius L. Chambers HS)
97
Fernando Jeanty
DL
6-5
270
Jr.
North Miami Beach, Fla. (North Miami Beach HS)
31
Alant’e Reese
S
6-2
205
Fr.
Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (Choctawhatchee HS)
98
Aiden Black
DL
6-1
295
Fr.
Concord, N.C. (Jay M. Robinson HS)
32
AJ Mintze
S
6-0
185
So.
Miami, Fla. (Miami Norland HS)
99
Adrian Stone
DL
6-3
290
Jr.
Fort Myers, Fla. (North Fort Myers HS)
33
Gavin Rowell
DL
6-3
255
5th
Melbourne, Fla. (Tusculum / Melbourne HS)
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 13
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
14 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 15
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
A LOOK AT TODAY’S OPPONENT: EKU COLONELS
u EASTERN KENTUCKY embarks on its 113th season of varsity football when the Colonels open 2026
season at Western Carolina. Since the program’s inception in 1909, EKU has captured two NCAA Division I-AA national championships, appeared in four national championship games, won 22 conference championships, defeated 631 opponents, produced 74 All-Americans and had 34 former players selected in the NFL Draft; EKU football has won 22 conference championships between its time in the Ohio Valley Conference (1948-2020) and Atlantic Sun Conference (2021-22). Sixteen of those conference titles have been won outright and the remaining six are shared; u WCU represents a change from Eastern Kentucky’s recent Week 1 opponents. The Colonels opened each of the previous four seasons against NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) competition, facing Eastern Michigan in 2022, Cincinnati in 2023, Mississippi State in 2024, and Louisville in 2025. Western Carolina will be EKU’s first FCS opponent in a season opener since the Colonels downed the Catamounts, 31-28, in 2021 in Kerwin Bell's first game at WCU. u
u EASTERN KENTUCKY will face three Southern Conference opponents during the 2026 season in
Western Carolina, Chattanooga, and the league’s newest member and longtime Colonel rival Tennessee Tech, which officially joined the SoCon on July 1, 2026. EKU is 3-1 against SoCon opponents under head coach Walt Wells; u EKU enters 2026 with 34 players on its roster who were not with the program in 2025. The Colonels placed a heavy emphasis on the defensive side of the football, adding 20 new defenders, including eight defensive linemen, six linebackers/outside linebackers and six defensive backs; u Four Colonels on the 2026 roster hail from the state of North Carolina, including offensive linemen Brendan Pohl (Asheville) and Samuel Eskridge (Kings Mountain), outside linebacker Davin McCoy (Raleigh), and punter Austin Luther (Wilmington). Pohl returns particularly close to home for the season opener after starring at A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville; u EKU put FOUR players on the preseason All-UAC teams, headlined by Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker KADEN SMITH. He was joined by running back BRAYDEN LATHAM, defensive back DEREK TAYLOR, and long-snapper QUAID LUGINBILL; u The Colonels (5-7, 3-5 UAC) were picked to finish FOURTH in the preseason coaches poll.
u COLONELS IMPACT PLAYER NOTES:
RB BRAYDEN LATHAM – Preseason All-United Athletic Conference selection ... Led EKU in rushing in 2025 with 667 yards on the ground and three touchdowns ... Enters the season with 12 consecutive starts ... Named 3rd team All-UAC by Phil Steele in 2025; u LB KADEN SMITH – Preseason All-United Athletic Conference selection and the Preseason UAC Defensive Player of the Year ... On the Stats Perform FCS Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List ... Returns as EKU's top defender from 2025 with 77 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and a pair of takeaways with an interception and a fumble recovery ... Is one of 31 players from Kentucky on the roster, joined by his younger brother, Peyton, who is also a running back; u
ABOUT EKU
SCOUTING THE COLONELS
QUICK FACTS:
Location:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richmond, Ky. Founded:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1906 Enrollment:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,008 Colors:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maroon & White Conference:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . United Athletic (UAC) Facility (Capacity):. . . . . Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000) President:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. David T. McFadden Athletics Director:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kyle Moats Senior Woman Administrator:. . . . . . . Rachel Slone Head Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Walt Wells Record at EKU:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35-33 (7th yr) Overall Record: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . same
2026 SCHEDULE: Aug. 29
at Western Carolina
7 pm
Sept. 5
at Jacksonville State
7 pm
SEPT. 12
CHATTANOOGA
6 PM
SEPT. 19
DAYTON
6 PM 6 PM
OCT. 3
NORTH ALABAMA *
OCT. 10
WEST GEORGIA *
6 PM
Oct. 17
at Tennessee Tech
2:30 pm
OCT. 24
WEST FLORIDA *
3 PM
Oct. 31
at Tarleton State *
7 pm
Nov. 7
at Austin Peay *
5 pm
NOV. 14
CENTRAL ARKANSAS *
2 PM
Nov. 21
at Abilene Christian *
2 pm
u ABOUT EKU HEAD COACH WALT WELLS: The 15th head coach in program history, Wells is in his
seventh season in Richmond, guiding the Colonels to a 35-33 overall record entering 2025 ... Led EKU to a pair of NCAA FCS playoff appearances in 2022 and 2024; u During his time at EKU, Wells has produced 12 All-Americans and an NFL Draft Pick (OL Josiah Ezirim, 7th round of 2024 Draft by the New Orleans Saints; currently in the UFL with Dallas); u Is in his THIRD stint at EKU, winning the 1997 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) title as the tight ends coach (1997-99) and offensive line coach (2000-02) ... He later returned in 2015 as the Assistant Head Coach working with the offensive line before taking the head coaching job in 2020; u EKU has found success against FCS nonconference competition under Wells. Since 2020, the Colonels are 12-6 (.667) against FCS opponents out of conference during the regular season, including four victories over nationally ranked opponents. EKU is 2-1 against WCU during that stretch, earning victories in 2020 and 2021 before falling to the Catamounts in 2023.
SENIOR RB #14 BRAYDEN LATHAM
16 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
HEAD COACH WALT WELLS
JUNIOR LB #1 KADEN SMITH
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 17
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
Special thanks to the following sponsors for providing free tickets to families in the community as part of our
CATS CARE PROGRAM!
18 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS – 2026 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO.
NAME
POS. HT.
WT.
YR.
HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)
NO.
NAME
POS. HT.
WT.
YR.
HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)
0
Jayden Marable
DL
6-2
314
Sr.
Smyrna, Tenn. (Memphis / Smyrna HS)
45
Brody Bowlin
LS
5-10
177
So.
Georgetown, Ky. (Scott County HS)
0
Jayden West
WR
6-3
183
Sr.
Richmond, Ky. (Madison Central HS)
47
Myles Meador
DB
5-10 190
So.
Huntington, W.Va. (Univ. of the Cumberlands / Corbin HS) Lenoir City, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic HS)
1
Kaden Smith
LB
6-2
222
Jr.
Campbellsville, Ky. (Taylor County HS)
48
Bryson Gardner
LB
6-1
220
Jr.
2
Cameron Hergott
WR
6-3
208
5th
Fort Thomas, Ky. (Beechwood HS)
49
Avaion Johnson
DB
6-0
184
So.
Louisville, Ky. (Louisville Central HS)
3
Dyson Bell
DB
6-2
195
Sr.
Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Copiah-Lincoln CC / Riverdale HS)
51
Chenellson Exume
DL
6-4
273
Jr.
Miami, Fla. (Florida Atlantic / Edison HS) Henderson, Ky. (SEMO / Henderson County HS)
4
Keshawn Hayden
DL
6-3
255
Sr.
St. Louis, Mo. (Central Michigan / East St. Louis HS)
52
Yusef Sanogo-Kendrick
OL
6-4
317
Jr.
5
Nasir Spruill
OLB
6-3
235
Sr.
Norfolk, Va. (UVA Wise / Maury HS)
53
Fenadale Hicks
OL
6-6
304
So.
Camilla, Ga. (Mitchell County HS)
5
Jordyn Potts
QB
6-0
188
Sr.
Powell, Tenn. (Tennessee Tech / Powell HS)
54
David Pellman
DL
6-3
321
Fr.
Louisville, Ky. (DuPont Manual HS)
6
D.J. Galva
DB
6-1
179
Jr.
Bartow, Fla. (Bartow HS)
60
Anthony Johns
OL
6-1
294
5th
Winchester, Ky. (Lexington Christian Academy)
7
Colbey Lamberth
TE
6-4
244
Sr.
Dickson, Tenn. (Dickson County HS)
61
Brendan Pohl
OL
6-3
262
Jr.
Asheville, N.C. (A.C. Reynolds HS) Seminole, Fla. (Florida Atlantic / Boca Ciega HS)
8
Brock Driver
LB
6-2
225
So.
Danville, Ky. (Boyle County HS)
62
Robby Medici
OL
6-5
295
Jr.
9
Elijah Caldwell
WR
6-1
206
Sr.
Rock Hill, S.C. (Georgia Military / Northwestern HS)
63
Hunter Gulley
OL
6-3
320
Jr.
Winchester, Ky. (George Rogers Clark HS)
10
Derek Taylor
DB
6-3
210
5th
Greenbrier, Tenn. (Cumberland Univ. / Greenbrier HS)
64
Samuel Eskridge
OL
6-2
307
Sr.
Kings Mountain, N.C. (Norfolk State / Kings Mountain HS)
10
Myles Burkett
QB
6-0
213
5th
Milwaukee, Wis. (Albany / Franklin HS)
65
Joe Schlarman
OL
6-3
294
Jr.
Lexington, Ky. (Lexington Catholic HS)
11
Jarvis Hayes
WR
6-0
194
Sr.
Waycross, Ga. (Georgia Military / Ware County HS)
66
Syler Green
OL
6-2
300
Fr.
Spring Hill, Tenn. (Independence HS)
12
Cristian Conyer
DB
6-1
183
Sr.
Bowling Green, Ky. (Appalachian State / South Warren HS)
69
Avery Ferris
OL
6-3
290
Sr.
Auburn, Ala. (Dodge City CC / Auburn HS)
12
Jon Hunt
QB
6-0
223
Jr.
Irmo, S.C. (Coastal Carolina / Dutch Fork HS)
71
Andrew Steger
OL
6-7
326
Jr.
Fremont, Mich. (Eastern Michigan / Fremont HS)
13
Aden Tagaloa-Nelson
DB
6-1
193
Sr.
Lexington, Ky. (West Virginia / Woodford County HS)
74
J.J. Dollenmeyer
OL
6-3
293
Sr.
Liberty Township, Ohio (Ohio Dominican / St. Xavier HS)
14
Brayden Latham
RB
5-11
216
Sr.
Gadsden, Ala. (Knoxville West HS)
79
Antonio Gaines
OL
6-2
338
5th
Columbia, S.C. (Charlotte / Ridge View HS)
15
Ashton Bracewell
OLB
6-4
238
Sr.
Palm Coast, Fla. (Florida State / Flagler Palm Coast HS)
80
Jakobie Hughes
TE
6-4
250
5th
Springfield, Ky. (Univ. of the Cumberlands / Washington County HS)
15
Blake Kendall Jr.
QB
6-1
213
5th
Wellington, Fla. (James Madison / DeMatha Catholic HS)
81
Tyler King
WR
5-7
167
Fr.
Lexington, Ky. (Lexington Christian Academy)
16
Jackson House
WR
6-0
194
Sr.
Baton Rouge, La. (Dunham School)
83
Bryant Mathis
WR
5-8
182
So.
Richmond, Ky. (Madison Central HS)
17
Isaiah Brutus
DB
6-2
209
So.
Kissimmee, Fla. (Tohopekaliga HS)
84
AJ Johnson
WR
6-4
205
So.
Gary, Ind. (Cathedral HS)
17
Tyler Travers
QB
6-4
216
So.
Mount Juliet, Tenn. (Mount Juliet HS)
85
Braylon Newcomb
WR
5-7
186
So.
Dayton, Ohio (Bellefontaine HS)
18
Preston Swope
OLB
6-5
232
So.
West Palm Beach, Fla. (Seminole Ridge HS)
86
Colton Childress
WR
6-0
191
Sr.
Appomattox, Va. (Liberty / Jefferson Forest HS)
19
EJ Clinkscale
DB
5-9
166
Jr.
Youngstown, Ohio (Frederick Douglass HS)
87
Adam Surrey
WR
5-11
176
So.
Fort Thomas, Ky. (Highlands HS)
20
Kaleb Neal
DB
6-1
203
Jr.
Snellville, Ga. (Appalachian State / Brookwood HS)
88
Tyree Weatherspoon
WR
6-4
189
So.
Deltona, Fla. (Lake Mary HS)
21
Rishad Hence
DB
5-11
163
5th
Detroit, Mich. (Akron / Martin Luther King HS)
89
Caeleb Schlachter
TE
6-3
228
5th
Kelowna, Canada (South Alabama / Clearwater Academy International)
21
Gervaris Leaphart Jr.
RB
5-8
214
So.
Fort Myers, Fla. (Island Coast HS)
90
Bennett Spillman
DL
6-2
270
Fr.
Nashville, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)
22
Cortez Stone
RB
5-10 193
So.
Louisville, Ky. (Louisville Central HS)
91
Davi’yon Hawkins-Ingram DL
6-2
265
Jr.
West Cocoa, Fla. (Cocoa HS)
23
Maurice Wells
DB
6-3
196
Jr.
Dallas, Texas (Coffeyville CC / Red Oak HS)
92
Simon Ghee
TE
6-2
260
Sr.
Bowling Green, Ky. (Warren East HS)
24
Ryder Hooks
RB
5-8
193
Fr.
Middletown, Ohio (Lakota East HS)
93
Cole Rose
DL
6-3
274
Fr.
Mount Sterling, Ky. (George Rogers Clark HS)
25
Jack McGrath
OLB
6-3
220
Jr.
Deerfield, Ill. (Loyola Academy)
95
Lendric Barber
DL
6-3
325
Jr.
McDonough, Ga. (Cincinnati / Ola HS)
26
Peyton Smith
RB
5-8
192
So.
Campbellsville, Ky. (Frederick Douglass HS)
96
Jalen Hand
DL
6-3
318
Sr.
Lexington, Ky. (Western Kentucky / Frederick Douglass HS)
27
Jettson Brown
K/P
6-0
218
Jr.
Armadale, Australia (Broome Senior HS)
97
Payne Miller
DL
6-2
301
Jr.
Princeton, Ill. (Western Illinois / Princeton HS)
28
Bryant Murph
DB
6-4
185
Fr.
Fort Myers, Fla. (South Fort Myers HS)
99
Landen Turk
DL
6-4
273
Jr.
Oxford, Pa. (Lincoln University / Oxford Area HS)
29
Davin McCoy
OLB 5-11
210
Fr.
Raleigh, N.C. (North Raleigh Christian Academy)
30
Jeffrey Kinley
DB
6-0
211
5th
Richmond, Ky. (Madison Central HS)
31
Austin Luther
K/P
5-11
196
So.
Wilmington, N.C. (New Hanover HS)
32
Jack Chappell
OLB
6-3
223
Jr.
London, Ky. (North Laurel HS)
33
Jake House
RB
5-11
184
Fr.
Lenexa, Kan. (St. James Academy)
34
Caleb Redd
OLB
6-3
235
Jr.
St. Louis, Mo. (Kansas / De Smet HS)
35
Davion Sturgis
OLB
6-3
219
So.
Versailles, Ky. (Woodford County HS)
36
Buzz Flabiano
K/P
6-0
201
5th
Murphy, Texas (UTEP / Plano East HS) Lexington, Ky. (Gardner-Webb / Sayre School)
37
Jackson Marshall
LB
6-2
229
5th
38
Luke DiNardo
LB
6-0
229
So.
Lexington, Ky. (Henry Clay HS)
39
Cam Jessee
LB
6-1
233
So.
Louisville, Ky. (DuPont Manual HS)
40
Mac Darland
LB
6-1
231
Fr.
Lexington, Ky. (Lexington Christian Academy)
41
Darius Akal
DB
5-10 185
So.
Lynch, Ky. (Harlan HS)
42
Brady Hensley
RB
5-11
215
Jr.
Richmond, Ky. (Lexington Christian Academy)
43*
Blaze Katina
OLB
6-4
230
Fr.
Thompson’s Station, Tenn. (Independence HS)
43*
Braylon Kuenker-Foco
TE
6-3
238
So.
Powder Springs, Ga. (Hillgrove HS)
44
Devin Orr
K
6-0
208
Jr.
Cincinnati, Ohio (Archbishop Moeller HS)
Head Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Walt Wells (7th season) Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Line Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jake Johnson Offensive Coordinator / Running Backs Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andy Richman General Manager / Wide Receivers Coach / Recruiting:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caleb Cox Special Teams Coordinator / Outside Linebackers Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Derek Day Assistant Head Coach/Nickels Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Dietzel Quarterbacks Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maxwell Smith Defensive Secondary Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rashad Watson Offensive Line Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eric Ravellette Inside Linebackers Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank Buffano Tight Ends Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isaac McClain Assistant Defensive Line Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Jackson Assistant Defensive Secondary Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jayden Jobe Assistant Wide Receivers Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Justin White Assistant Offensive Line Coach: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gene Pryor Special Teams Quality Control:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quentin Bivens Chief of Staff:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Griffith Director of Football Operations:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Berezowitz Director of Football Sports Performance:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Quemado Director of Football Equipment:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bri Ward Director of Football Creative Content:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Corey Rush Assistant Director of Football Equipment:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenny Montgomery Video Coordinator: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caleb Vick
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 19
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
WESTERN CAROLINA – DEPTH CHART CATAMOUNTS OFFENSE (PRO SPREAD) QB 2 11 - or 17 RB 3 8 WR–X 5 10 WR–Y 0 6 WR–Z 1 18 - or 13 TE 87 9 OL 67 69 OL 56 79 OL 53 51 OL 55 58 OL 75 52
LEX THOMAS Isaac Lee Patrick Harding JOSH PERRY Marlin Cochran MICHAEL ROSSIN Santana Carlos AJ COLOMBO Marcus Striggles JAI BOYD Matthew Keener Richard Hollis JAKE YOUNG Bode Burns STEVEN HAMBY Cole Cooke AARON McIVER Vito Moriana-Siegel ZACH WATSON Aaron Sanez SECREA ALGIE Isaac Boulger RENARD SMITH Brayson McIver
5-11 6-4 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-11 5-8 5-9 6-2 6-2 5-8 6-3 6-5 6-5 6-8 6-2 6-5 6-1 6-2 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-2
COLONELS OFFENSE 205 190 190 205 200 195 175 170 180 180 200 165 245 245 325 330 305 315 295 295 320 295 325 280
JR. Jr. Fr. SO. Sr. SO. Fr. 5TH Jr. SR. Jr. Fr. 5TH Jr. SR. So. 5TH 5th SR. 5th JR. Jr.. 5TH Jr.
6-4 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-10 5-9 5-10 6-2 5-10 5-11 6-2 6-1 6-0 5-10 6-1
255 255 225 290 305 270 280 250 260 225 220 225 260 230 165 170 180 190 175 185 205 205 200 175 190
5TH 5th Jr. JR. So. JR. Jr. JR. So. JR. SR. 5TH So. 5th 5TH So. SO. 5th JR. So. Fr. SR. Jr. SO. So.
CATAMOUNTS DEFENSE (MULTIPLE 4–2–5) DE - or - NT DT BNDT LB - OR - LB - or - SPUR CB SS - or - FS CB
18 33 30 99 91 97 16 13 34 3 18 0 15 11 0 21 4 7 2 17 31 5 12 6 29
TRYSTAN ANDERSON Gavin Rowell Jaden Meeks ADRIAN STONE Jakoby Diamond FERNANDO JEANTY Chase Kerns CALEB TURNER-ALLEN Jordan Martin-Durham JOSHUA COLLINS RYAN McINNIS BLUE MONROE Hank Bodine Marco Patierno KEN MOORE JR. Nassor Ashenafi ANDRE JACKSON JR. Marseille Taylor NA'KOMA SIMPSON-NEALY Ja'Torian Mack Alant'e Reese BRAYLON JONES Juilian Quintero JAYDEN CORNELIUS Christian Robbins
CATAMOUNTS SPECIAL TEAMS KO - OR -
EASTERN KENTUCKY – DEPTH CHART QB - OR - OR RB - OR WR WR WR - or - or TE LT LG C RG RT
15 17 5 14 42 22 2 88 16 9 11 0 84 89 92 52 62 60 63 69 65 79 74 64 71
BLAKE KENDALL JR. TYLER TRAVERS JORDYN POTTS BRAYDEN LATHAM BRADY HENSLEY Cortez Stone CAM HERGOTT Tyree Weatherspoon JACKSON HOUSE Elijah Caldwell JARVIS HAYES Jayden West AJ Johnson CAELEB SCHLACHTER Simon Ghee YUSEF SANOGO-KENDRICK Robby Medici ANTHONY JOHNS Hunter Gulley AVERY FERRIS Joe Schlarman ANTONIO GAINES JJ Dollenmeyer SAMUEL ESKRIDGE Andrew Steger
6-1 6-4 6-0 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-5 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-7
213 216 188 216 215 193 208 189 194 206 194 183 205 228 260 317 295 294 320 290 294 338 293 307 326
5TH SO. SR. SR. JR. So. 5TH So. SR. Sr. SR. Sr. So. 5TH Sr. JR. Jr. 5TH Jr. SR. Jr. 5TH Sr. SR. Jr.
6-2 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-3
314 318 301 325 321 265 255 220 223 222 225 233 229 235 235 193 183 210 203 211 209 179 196
SR. Sr. JR. Jr. Fr. JR. Sr. JR. Jr. JR. So. SO. 5th SR. Jr. SR. Sr. 5TH Jr. 5TH So. JR. Jr.
COLONELS DEFENSE DE NT -orDE OLB LB LB OLB CB S S CB
0 96 97 95 54 91 4 25 32 1 8 39 37 5 34 13 12 10 20 30 17 6 23
JAYDEN MARABEL Jalen Hand PAYNE MILLER Lendric Barber David Pellman DAVI'YON HAWKINS-INGRAM Keshawn Hayden JACK McGRATH Jack Chappell KADEN SMITH Brock Driver CAM JESSEE Jackson Marshall NASIR SPRUILL Caleb Redd ADEN TAGALOA-NELSON Cristian Conyer DEREK TAYLOR Kaleb Neal JEFFREY KINLEY Isaiah Brutus D.J. GALVA Maurice Wells
COLONELS SPECIAL TEAMS KO
44 36
DEVIN ORR Buzz Flabiano
6-0 6-0
208 201
JR. 5th
PK
36 44
BUZZ FLABIANO Devin Orr
6-0 6-0
201 208
5TH Jr.
SO.
H
2 27
CAM HERGOTT Jettson Brown
6-3 6-0
208 218
5TH Jr.
210 165
FR. SO.
P
27 31
JETTSON BROWN Austin Luther
6-0 5-11
218 196
JR. So.
6-8 6-1
270 200
SO. FR.
LS
99 25
LANDEN TURK Jack McGrath
6-4 6-3
273 220
JR. Jr.
RICHARD HOLLIS JADARIUS DOBIE
5-8 5-8
170 170
SO. FR.
KOR
24 22
RYDER HOOKS Cortez Stone
5-8 5-10
193 193
FR. So.
AJ COLOMBO MICHAEL ROSSIN
5-8 6-0
170 200
5TH SO.
PR
24 22
RYDER HOOKS Cortez Stone
5-8 5-10
193 193
FR. So.
95 42
MARK FITZGERALD LUKE WATERS
6-1 6-2
210 205
FR. FR.
PK 60 95
BRYAN MCCOLLUM Mark Fitzgerald
5-8 6-1
165 210
SO. Fr.
H
63
THOMAS GUERRERO
5-9
165
P - OR -
95 63
MARK FITZGERALD THOMAS GUERRERO
6-1 5-9
LS - OR -
57 50
KADEN POWELL XAVIER NOCCO
KOR - AND -
13 20
PR - OR -
0 5
20 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
A T O IT’S N
E T A G L I T A U O T H WIT w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
®
Proud Sponsor of
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY locally owned and'Blackout operated BoCountry.com Whitmire' • – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 21
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
FOLLOW THE CATAMOUNTS ALL SEASON LONG >>>>>>>>>>
FB.COM/CATAMOUNTSPORTS @CATAMOUNTS | WCU_CATAMOUNTS
22 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
One team. Limitless potential. Achieving your best on and off the field is all about dedication. At First Citizens Bank, we’ve long been known for our commitment to our customers – because we believe having a great team behind you can make all the difference. First Citizens Bank. Forever First.® First Citizens is a proud sponsor of Western Carolina University, Athletics.
PERSONAL | BUSINESS | COMMERCIAL | WEALTH
firstcitizens.com
©2026 First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company. All rights reserved. First Citizens Bank is a registered trademark of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. MM#18624 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 23
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
24 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
WESTERN CAROLINA vs. eastern kentucky
2025 WESTERN CAROLINA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS RUSHING
GP 11 12 9 7 5
Att 90 70 97 58 21
PASSING
GP 9 5
Effic 188.24 105.62
Patrick Boyd Jr. Markel Towsend Taron Dickens Branson Adams Isaac Lee Taron Dickens Isaac Lee
RECEIVING
GP 12 12 9 11 12 12
James Tyre Malik Knight Michael Rossin Patrick Boyd Jr. Dominic Dutton Painter Richards-Baker
PUNT RETURNS
James Tyre
Gain 445 334 482 147 177
Loss 25 12 161 0 32
Cmp-Att-Int 271-365-2 31-54-2
Net 420 322 321 147 145
Avg 4.7 4.6 3.3 3.9 6.9
TD 1 6 1 1 1
Long Avg/G 70 38.2 38 26.8 28 35.7 13 21.0 66 29.0
Pct 74.3 57.4
Yds 3,508 279
TD 38 2
Lng Avg/G 64 389.78 69 55.80
No. 68 47 22 34 25 20
Yds 832 774 462 322 314 276
Avg 12.2 16.5 21.0 9.5 12.6 13.8
TD 11 7 6 2 2 2
Long 42 69 64 41 51 61
No. 15
Yds 152
Avg 10.1
TD 0
Long 47
Avg 26.9 15.7
TD 1 0
Long 97 21
KICK RETURNS
No. 23 3
Yds 618 47
PUNTING
No. 45
Yds 2,024
SCORING
Avg Long TB FC I20 44.98 76 5 7 14 |--------------- PATs ---------------|
TD 12 0 7 7
FGs 0-0 4-6 0-0 0-0
Kick 0-0 47-47 0-0 0-0
Dominic Dutton Patrick Boyd Jr.
Stephen Brantley
James Tyre Marcus Trout Malik Knight Camury Reid
Rush 0 0 0 0
Rcv 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-0
Pass 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
TOTAL OFFENSE
G 9 5
Plays 462 75
Rush 321 145
Pass 3,508 279
Total 3,829 424
Avg/G 425.44 84.80
ALL PURPOSE
G 12 12 11
Rush 62 39 420
Rec 832 314 322
PR 152 0 0
KOR 8 618 47
IR 0 0 0
Taron Dickens Isaac Lee
James Tyre Dominic Dutton Patrick Boyd Jr.
2025 WESTERN CAROLINA DEFENSIVE LEADERS:
Tackles Leaders: GP UA–AA = Total Avg. Jordan Thompson..................12..............47–46 = 93.................. 7.8 Samaurie Dukes.....................12...............41–41 = 82................. 6.8 Hayward McQueen Jr............12.............. 31–27 = 58..................4.8 Bo Simpson-Nealy.................12............. 32–22 = 54..................4.5 Hasaan Sykes........................11...............31–18 = 49..................4.5 Ken Moore Jr........................ 12.............28–15 = 43................ 3.6 Ryan McKinnis...................... 12............... 14–17 =31................ 2.6 Justin Wallace........................12............... 17–13 = 30................. 2.5 Jahleel Anderson...................12................11–14 = 25...................2.1 Jhamari Pierre-Louis..............10................ 9–16 = 25................. 2.5 Jamichael Wilson...................12................11–14 = 25...................2.1 TFL Leaders: Total Yds Jordan Thompson..................................7.0................................ 30 Caleb Fisher...........................................7.0................................ 28 Bo Simpson-Nealy.................................7.0................................. 16 Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Sean Morris............................................4.5................................. 18 Justin Wallace........................................4.0.................................34 Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Ken Moore Jr...................................................................... 3 - 95 Hasaan Sykes........................................................................ 3 - 63 Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Hayward McQueen Jr. ..................................................................2 Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total – Return Yds Jordan Thompson / Justin Wallace...............................................2
Avg/G 69.3 64.5 51.3 29.2 26.2 23.0
2025 EASTERN KENTUCKY INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS RUSHING
GP 12 12 12
Att 154 93 119
PASSING
GP 12 4
Effic 106.33 89.15
Brayden Latham Brady Hensley Myles Burkett Myles Burkett Jordyn Potts
RECEIVING
GP 12 11 11 12 11 12
Marcus Calwise Jr. Jayden West Dequan Stanley Brayden Latham Ron Vann Jr. Jackson House
PUNT RETURNS TJ Mitchell III Jalen Montgomery
Blkd 0
DXP Saf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Points 74 59 42 42
Avg/G 87.8 80.9 71.7
Cmp-Att-Int 139-255-9 10-25-0
Avg 4.3 5.9 2.7
TD 3 5 4
Long Avg/G 45 55.6 72 46.1 22 26.4
Pct 54.5 40.0
Yds 1,473 107
TD 8 1
Lng 55 36
Yds 417 244 221 129 129 86
Avg 13.0 12.2 11.1 6.8 12.9 28.7
TD 5 2 1 0 0 0
Long 50 36 36 19 19 55
No. 4 3
Yds 26 13
Avg 6.5 4.3
TD 0 0
Long 11 7
Avg 29.9 36.0
TD 1 0
Long 100 51
Yds 299 72
PUNTING
No. 66
Yds 2,838
Avg Long 43.0 70
SCORING
TD 0 5 5
FGs 14-19 0-0 0-0
Kick 26-26 0-0 0-0
Jacob Baker
Net 667 553 317
No. 32 20 20 19 10 3
No. 10 2
TB 4
FC 18
Rush 0-0 0-0 0-0
Rcv 0 0 0
Pass 0-0 0-0 0-0
TOTAL OFFENSE
G 12 12 12
Plays 374 154 93
Rush 317 667 553
Pass 1,473 0 0
Total 1,790 667 553
Avg/G 149.2 55.9 46.1
ALL PURPOSE
G 12 12 12
Rush 667 553 5
Rec 129 72 417
PR 0 0 0
KOR 0 0 72
IR 0 0 0
Brayden Latham Brady Hensley Marcus Calwise Jr.
HEAD–TO–HEAD TEAM COMPARISONS:
I20 15
Avg/G 122.75 26.75 Avg/G 34.8 22.2 20.1 10.8 11.7 7.2
50+ 16
Blkd 0
DXP Saf 0 0 0 0 0 0
Points 68 30 30
Tot 796 625 494
Avg/G 66.3 52.1 41.2
|--------------- PATs ---------------|
Buzz Flabiano Marcus Calwise Jr. Brady Hensley Myles Burkett Brayden Latham Brady Hensley
Tot 1,054 971 789
Loss 34 0 194
KICK RETURNS TJ Mitchell III Marcus Calwise Jr. 50+ 16
Gain 701 553 511
WCU Offense EKU 463..............................Scoring............................ 232 38.6..................... Points Per Game.....................19.3 317........................... First Downs..........................175 5,920..................Total Yards Gained.................3,150 493.3....................Yards Per Game...................262.5 1,652................... Rushing Yardage...................1,570 137.7.............Rushing Average per Game..........130.8 4,268................... Passing Yardage.................. 1,580 355.7...........Passing Average per Game..........131.74 WCU Team Stats EKU 103–941 (78.4)............ Penalties–Yards.............63-518 (43.2) 82 / 178, 46.1%.........3rd Down Conversion........ 51 / 157, 32.5% 16 / 31, 51.6%..........4th Down Conversion.......... 5 / 12, 41.7% WCU Defense EKU 402........................Points Allowed......................292 33.5.............. Points Allowed Per Game............. 24.3 5,519.................Total Yards Allowed................ 4,370 459.9.............Yards Allowed Per Game............364.2 2,195............... Rushing Yards Allowed..............1,992 182.9.............Rushing Average Allowed........... 166.0 3,324...............Passing Yards Allowed............. 2,378 277.0............. Passing Average Allowed............198.2
2025 EKU DEFENSIVE LEADERS:
Tackles Leaders: GP UA–AA = Total Avg. Jaheim Ward..........................12............. 50–32 = 82................. 6.8 Braden Sullivan......................12.............. 28–51 = 79................. 6.6 Derek Taylor...........................12...............42–36 =78................. 6.5 Kaden Smith...........................11.............. 37–40 = 77..................7.0 Tommy Ziesmer.....................12.............. 18–35 = 53..................4.4 Jeremiah Bailey.....................12............. 20–28 = 48................. 4.0 Cam Junior.............................12.............. 28–18 = 46..................3.8 Brad Gurley Jr........................12.............. 21–24 = 45..................3.8 Frank Lee IV...........................12.............. 28–14 = 42................. 3.5 Vito Tisdale Jr........................12...............19–15 = 34................. 2.8 Cam Jessee...........................11............... 21–10 = 31................. 2.8 TFL Leaders: Total Yds Brad Gurley Jr.......................................10.5............................... 53 Frank Lee IV...........................................9.5................................ 30 Jeremiah Bailey.....................................7.0................................. 31 Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Brad Gurley Jr........................................5.5.................................34 Frank Lee IV...........................................4.0................................. 13 Interceptions Leaders:...................................Total – Return Yds Vito Tisdale Jr........................................................................4 – 91 Six players tied.............................................................................. 1 Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Cam Junior.....................................................................................3 Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total 10 players tied............................................................................... 1
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 25
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
LAST TIME WE MET
WESTERN CAROLINA 27, EASTERN KENTUCKY 24 ROY KIDD STADIUM – RICHMOND, KY SATURDAY, SEPT. 16, 2023
QTR 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
TIME 11:28 6:17 2:40 0:00 9:11 14:24 11:32 4:18 0:25
TEAM STATS:
1ST
2ND
3RD
4TH
FINAL
WESTERN CAROLINA
7
0
7
13
27
EASTERN KENTUCKY
11
3
0
10
24
SCORING SUMMARY:
ATTENDANCE: 13,597
PLAY EKU – Jackson Hensley 6 yd pass from Parker McKinney (Mema Mannan pass) EKU – Patrick Nations 41 yd field goal WCU – Censere Lee 45 yd pass from Cole Gonzales (Richard McCollum kick) EKU – Patrick Nations 34 yd field goal WCU – Censere Lee 15 yd pass from Cole Gonzales (Richard McCollum kick) WCU – Desmond Reid 1 yd run (Richard McCollum kick) EKU – Jaden Smith 14 yd pass from Parker McKinney (Patrick Nations kick) EKU – Patrick Nations 20 yd field goal WCU – Branson Adams 8 yd pass from Cole Gonzales (PAT missed)
RICHMOND, KY. – Cole Gonzales threw for a career-high 340 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning score to Branson Adams with 25 seconds remaining, as Western Carolina escaped with a dramatic 27-24 win over Eastern Kentucky on a rain-soaked night at Roy Kidd Stadium. Adams' first collegiate touchdown capped a clutch final drive for the Catamounts (1-0). The receiver caught three passes for 23 yards on the march, including the decisive eight-yard touchdown reception. Desmond Reid powered the WCU offense with 240 all-purpose yards, rushing for a career-high 177 yards and a TD while adding four catches for 63 yards. Gonzales rebounded from a slow first half to complete 18-of-33 passes, spreading the ball to eight receivers. Censere Lee hauled in three catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns, while David White Jr. led the receiving corps with 94 yards on two receptions. Eastern Kentucky seized early momentum, building an 11-0 first-quarter lead after a touchdown, two-point conversion and a 41 yard field goal. Western Carolina answered late in the opening quarter when Gonzales connected with Lee on a 45 yard touchdown strike. The Colonels later turned a Catamount red-zone fumble into a field goal for a 14-7 halftime advantage. The Catamounts found their rhythm after the break. Gonzales hit Lee for a 15-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter to tie the game at 14. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Reid vaulted over the pile from one yard out, capping an 88-yard drive and giving WCU its first lead at 21-14. EKU responded quickly as quarterback Parker McKinney found Jaden Smith for a 14-yard touchdown pass, evening the score with 11:32 left. The game's pivotal sequence unfolded in the final five minutes. With the score tied, EKU drove to the WCU one-yard line before the Catamount defense stiffened, forcing the Colonels to settle for Patrick Nations' third field goal of the night and a 24-21 lead with 4:18 remaining. WCU's comeback hopes took a hit with a fourth-quarter interception on the ensuing possession, but the Catamount defense delivered another crucial stop, forcing a three-and-out and giving the offense one final opportunity with less than two minutes to play. Gonzales responded with a poised game-winning drive, completing three passes to AJ COLOMBO for 46 yards and connecting with Lee for 28 yards to move inside the red zone. From the eight-yard line, he found Adams in the end zone for the go-ahead score and a 27-24 lead. Eastern Kentucky advanced into field-goal range in the closing seconds behind a 23-yard completion and a 16-yard scramble by McKinney. After an incomplete pass into the corner of the end zone, the Colonels lined up for a 40-yard field goal. Nations' attempt sailed wide left as time expired, sealing Western Carolina's road victory. Defensively, Va Lealaimatafao led the Catamounts with seven tackles, including four solo stops. CJ Williams added six tackles, three pass breakups and WCU's first interception of the season. Samaurie Dukes, Ed Jones IV and Andreas Keaton each recorded five tackles, while Rod Gattison contributed two pass deflections.
26 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
WESTERN CAROLINA
@ EASTERN KENTUCKY
DRIVE SUMMARY WCU EKU 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:32 0 8 11 plays, 56 yards, 4:02 0 11 5 plays, 82 yards, 2:28 7 11 5 plays, 69 yards, 0:45 7 14 5 plays, 83 yards, 2:21 14 14 9 plays, 88 yards, 3:36 21 14 6 plays, 38 yards, 11:18 21 21 10 plays, 83 yards, 4:47 21 24 8 plays, 87 yards, 1:31 27 24
FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty RUSHING Rushing Att. Yds per Rush Rushing TDs Yards Gained Yards Lost PASSING Comp-Att-Int Yds per Pass
WCU 24 9 13 2 211 36 5.9 1 212 1 340 18-33-1 18.9
EKU 26 8 18 0 143 29 4.9 0 145 2 366 24-46-1 13.6
Passing TDs TOTAL YARDS Plays Fumbles–Lost Interceptions PENALTIES TURNOVERS TIME OF POSS. 3RD DOWN CONV. 4TH DOWN CONV. FGS MADE
3 551 69 1–1 1 6–45 2 24:28 4 of 12 1 of 1 0 for 1
2 509 75 3–0 1 6–59 1 34:58 4 of 12 0 of 0 3 for 4
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS: PASSING Cole Gonzales, WCU Parker McKinney, EKU
18-33-1 27-46-1
RUSHING Desmond Reid, WCU Branson Adams, WCU Parker McKinney, EKU Joshua Carter, EKU
29 carries, 177 yds, TD 5 carries, 19 yds 8 carreis, 59 yds 8 carries, 36 yds
RECEIVING David White Jr., WCU Censere Lee, WCU Desmond Reid, WCU Jaden Smith, EKU Ethan Bednarczyk, EKU Hunter Brown, EKU
340 yds, 3 TDs 366 yds, 2 TDs
2 rec., 94 yds 3 rec., 88 yds, 2 TDs 4 rec., 63 yds 10 rec., 121 yds, TD 4 rec., 68 yds 3 rec., 40 yds
DEFENSIVE LEADERS:
TACKLES Va Lealaimatafao, WCU 7 tckls (4 ua) CJ Williams, WCU 6 tckls (4 ua), 3 PBU, INT Samaurie Dukes, WCU 5 tckls (5 ua) Logan Blake, EKU 9 tckls (5 ua), TFL, INT Elijah Ford, EKU 8 tckls (7 ua) Kyle Kelly, EKU 7 tckls (4 ua) SACKS none none
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 27
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
2026 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL – SEASON GAME-BY-GAME PREVIEW IN BRIEF GAME 1
at Campbell
A year removed from its first trip to Buies Creek and first series victory, Western Carolina makes a return trip to eastern North Carolina looking for back-to-back victories against Campbell with a Labor Day weekend matchup. Last year’s 42-35 win at Barker-Lane Stadium avenged WCU’s home loss to the Camels in 2024 as Campbell claimed its first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent in the 24-16 upset of The Cats in Cullowhee. Campbell revived football in 2008 after originally playing from 1925-50 as a junior college, facing WCU in 1937 and 1939.
at Cincinnati
Western Carolina and Cincinnati meet for just the second time in program history, 21 years after the Catamounts nearly pulled off their first upset victory over an NCAA FBS team. WCU dropped a tight, 7-3, decision at Nippert Stadium in 2005, upended by a pair of interceptions and a holding penalty on a would-be go-ahead TD run by Lamont Reid midway through the fourth quarter. Cincinnati is now in the Big 12 Conference. WCU has faced just one other Big 12 team, falling at Kansas back in 1993. Former Catamount WR Isaiah Johnson plays for the Bearcats.
PRESBYTERIAN
The Catamounts look to ‘White Out Whitmire’ as the University celebrates its Family Weekend, welcoming the Presbyterian Blue Hose to Cullowhee. WCU holds an all-time 11-9 series lead over PC, and the Catamounts have won 10 of the last 11 head-to-head series meetings dating back to 1970, including all five meetings in Cullowhee. Western Carolina matched a program-record with 77 points scored coming on a Whitmire Stadium record of 766 yards of total offense in a ‘White Out’ game in 2022. WCU QB coach Parish Metzger tossed his first career TD pass in the win.
at ETSU *
The mountain-rivalry shifts to Johnson City when Western Carolina and ETSU close September in the “Blue Ridge Border Battle.” The Bucs maintained possession of the traveling trophy, “the Rock,” with last year’s 52-35 win in Cullowhee, a week after WCU fell to Mercer in a first-place showdown. The all-time record in the highly-competitive head-to-head series stands tied at 27 wins, 27 losses apiece, with one tie. Five of the last eight series meetings have been decided in one-possession games, including a pair in overtime. WCU has won three-straight SoCon openers.
TENNESSEE TECH *
October opens with Western Carolina hosting its football alumni weekend – and welcoming new chromatic conference counterpart, Tennessee Tech, in Cullowhee. The SoCon’s newest member and the two-time defending OVC– Big South Association champion Golden Eagles visit as the two Purple & Gold squads rekindle a series that has lain dormant since 2000. TTU holds a slim, 7-6-1, edge in the all-time series with this year’s meeting marking the eighth in Cullowhee with the home series tied, 3-3-1. Tech has won the last two meetings in 1998 and 2000.
Saturday, Aug. 29 CULLOWHEE 7 pm
Saturday, Sept. 5 Buies Creek, N.C. 3:30 pm
Saturday, Sept. 12 Cincinnati, Ohio 7 pm
Saturday, Sept. 19 CULLOWHEE 2:30 pm
Saturday, Sept. 26 Johnson City, Tenn. 3:30 pm
Saturday, Oct. 3 CULLOWHEE 6 pm
at Mercer *
Saturday, Oct. 10 Macon, Ga. 3 pm
Coming off the bye week (Oct. 17) for a second-straight season, the Catamounts host Chattanooga on Homecoming 2026. The last four series meetings – each WCU victories – have been decided by an average of four points and 16 total points. In 2022, WCU scored the game-winning TD in the final minute, 32-29. Richard McCollum nailed a walk-off 32-yard FG to cap an instant classic between two ranked teams in WCU’s 52-50 win in 2023. Ken Moore in 2024 and Cam’Ron Dabney in 2025 intercepted red-zone passes to preserve wins. WCU is 16-6 after the bye under Kerwin Bell.
at Furman *
Western Carolina travels to Greenville, S.C., to face chromatic rival Furman in a Halloween edition of the “Battle for Purple Supremacy” in the Southern Conference. WCU has outscored the Paladins, 104-27 in the last two meetings, scoring 52 points in back-to-back seasons. Cole Gonzales threw for 620 yards as part of 801 yards of total offense in the 52-20 win in 2024. WCU rushed for 302 yards in last year’s 52-7 win in Cullowhee. Though WCU has two-straight wins, Furman has won seven of the last nine series meetings. WCU trails in the series, 15-36-2.
WOFFORD *
November opens with the Wofford Terriers making the short trip up the mountain to face WCU on Heroes and EBCI Day in Cullowhee. The Catamounts have won five-straight in the head-to-head series with Wofford, though the last four meetings have been decided in one-possession games and a combined 16 total points. It’s WCU’s longest series win streak between the two since Wofford joined the SoCon in 1997. WCU trails in the all-time series, 19-28, with the series standing 12-12 in Cullowhee. WCU downed Wofford, 21-17, without fans post Hurricane Helene in 2024.
at Samford *
Western Carolina wraps up the road portion of its regular season with a trip to Birmingham to face Samford in midNovember. The Catamounts are riding their longest series win streak over the Bulldogs with three-straight victories, including an exciting 47-42 road win in 2024 in Birmingham, just the second for WCU and its first since 1969 that halted a 10 game road losing skid against the ‘Dogs. Western Carolina has averaged 42.3 points on 538.7 offensive yards per game during its three-game series winning streak, amassing 733 yards (582 pass, 151 rush) last year.
THE CITADEL *
The Catamounts close the regular-season on Hall of Fame and Senior Day in Cullowhee in the 51st series meeting and 26th overall in Cullowhee. WCU has won five of the last six head-to-head meetings, including three-straight victories – it’s longest series win streak since 2001-03. During its three-game win streak, Western Carolina has averaged 493.3 total yards of offense, including 323.7 yards passing, while The Citadel has averaged 225 rushing yards per game against the Catamounts. Desmond Reid rushed for 5 TDs in 2023 and Jalynn Williams ran for three in 2024.
Saturday, Oct. 24 CULLOWHEE 2:30 pm
GAME 10
Saturday, Oct. 31 Greenville, S.C. 2 pm
Saturday, Nov. 7 CULLOWHEE 1 pm
Saturday, Nov. 14 Birmingham, Ala. 3:30 pm ET / 2:30 pm CT
GAME 12
The Catamounts look to put the clamps on a 10 game series losing skid when it visits two-time defending SoCon champion, Mercer. After winning the first two meetings in 2014 and 2015, WCU hasn’t been able to solve the Bears, trailing 2-10 in the series. Last year in Cullowhee, QB Taron Dickens tied the SoCon single-game record with seven TD passes as the Catamounts rallied from a trio of double-digit second half deficits. However, No. 10/12 Mercer pulled in front in the final 90 seconds and WCU missed a last second FG before the third-largest Cullowhee crowd of 14,513.
CHATTANOOGA *
GAME 11
GAME 9
GAME 8
GAME 7
GAME 6
GAME 5
GAME 4
GAME 3
GAME 2
Western Carolina opens 2026 at home in Week Zero as the Catamounts look to “Black Out Whitmire’ when they host Eastern Kentucky. WCU will showcase its nearly $40 million renovations, including the Western Skybox press and hospitality facility, new LED lights, upgraded video board, and a new artificial playing surface. The Catamounts and Colonels meet for just the ninth time overall – fourth in Cullowhee – with WCU trailing, 3-5. WCU edged EKU in the most recent meeting, 27-24, on a Branson Adams eight-yard TD reception back in 2023.
EASTERN KENTUCKY
Saturday, Nov. 21 CULLOWHEE 1 pm
28 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 29
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
30 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
head coach >>>>>>>>>>>>
KERWIN BELL >>> sixth season <<<
PERSONAL INFORMATION: BORN: HOMETOWN: ALMA MATER: FAMILY:
June 15, 1965 Mayo, Fla. Florida, 1987 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
Few coaches embody perseverance and success quite like Western Carolina head football coach Kerwin Bell. A former walk-on quarterback who rose to become an All-American, professional football veteran, national championship-winning coach, and one of the game's most innovative offensive minds, Bell was named Western Carolina University's 14th head football coach on April 27, 2021. Now entering his sixth season leading the Catamounts in 2026, Bell has transformed Western Carolina into one of the most exciting programs in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. His career coaching ledger includes 124 victories across three collegiate head coaching stops and surpassed the coveted 100-win milestone during the 2022 season with a victory over VMI in Cullowhee. Under Bell's leadership, Western Carolina is enjoying the most successful four-year stretch in program history. The Catamounts have posted four consecutive winning seasons and have won 27 games since 2022, surpassing the previous program benchmark of 24 victories from 1976-79. WCU also recorded back-to-back six-win Southern Conference campaigns, finishing as the conference runnerup in consecutive seasons.
Chattanooga, and rival ETSU helped deliver Western Carolina's best finish since 2017 while ending an eight-game skid against nationally ranked FCS opponents. The Catamounts also secured consecutive .500-or-better Southern Conference records for the first time since the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
OFFENSIVE EXCELLENCE BECOMES A TRADEMARK Since Bell's arrival, Western Carolina's offense has become one of the nation's most feared units. During the Bell era, the Catamounts have led the FCS by averaging more than 485 yards of offense per game. Western Carolina has eclipsed 5,000 yards of total offense in each of the last five seasons and has repeatedly rewritten the program record book. The 2025 Catamounts produced a school-record 5,920 yards of total offense, surpassing the previous marks established by the 2023 and 2024 teams. Western Carolina's aerial attack has been equally prolific. In 2025, the Catamounts topped 3,000 passing yards for just the sixth time in school history while setting a single-season
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–)
BUILDING A WINNER IN CULLOWHEE Bell inherited a program searching for momentum in 2021 and quickly began laying the foundation for sustained success. After opening his first season with six consecutive losses, the Catamounts responded by winning four of their final five games. Picked ninth in the preseason Southern Conference poll, Western Carolina finished tied for fourth after dramatic victories over Furman and defending conference champion VMI. The momentum carried forward into 2022. Bell guided the Catamounts to a 6-5 regular-season record, highlighted by three consecutive victories to close the campaign. Wins over Wofford, nationally ranked 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 31
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
school record with 4,268 passing yards. The total ranked first in the FCS and marked the program's second consecutive 4,000-yard passing season. Led by Walter Payton Award runner-up Taron Dickens, WCU threw a program-record 48 touchdown passes and secured a fifth straight season with at least 24 passing scores. The Catamounts led the nation in total offense in 2023, becoming the only FCS program to average more than 500 yards per game. Western Carolina later finished as the nation's statistical leader in passing offense in both 2024 and 2025.
A CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE Bell arrived in Cullowhee with an impressive coaching résumé already in place.
Picked fifth in the conference preseason rankings and entering the playoffs as a No. 3 seed, Valdosta State finished 14-0 and claimed the first undefeated season in school history. The championship campaign ended with a thrilling 49-47 victory over Ferris State in the national title game. For his efforts, Bell earned Don Hansen NCAA Division II Co-Coach of the Year honors and Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year recognition. His offense was nearly unstoppable. Valdosta State led Division II in scoring at 52.0 points per game, set an NCAA Division II record with 728 points, and accumulated 7,334 total yards while averaging 7.9 yards per play. Quarterback Rogan Wells emerged as one of the nation's most dynamic players in Bell's system, finishing as the Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up after accounting for 50 touchdowns and leading the nation in total points responsible for.
while leading the nation in both total offense and scoring offense. Another conference championship followed in 2014.
FROM FLORIDA WALK-ON TO FOOTBALL LEGEND Long before he was designing explosive offenses and leading championship teams, Bell was making his own unlikely rise as a player. The Mayo, Florida, native walked on at the University of Florida and developed into one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Gator history. Between 1983 and 1987, Bell completed more than 57 percent of his passes for 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns. He was named SEC Player of the Year in 1984 after leading Florida to a 9-1-1 record and a conference championship. Bell earned first-team All-SEC honors and All-America recognition in 1985 while helping the Gators achieve the program's first-ever No. 1 national ranking in the Associated Press poll. He added another honorable mention All-America selection in 1986 and served as a team captain in 1987.
Before taking over the Catamounts, he served as offensive coordinator at South Florida under Charlie Strong in 2019. Before that, he authored one of the most memorable championship runs in NCAA Division II history at Valdosta State.
SUSTAINED SUCCESS AT JACKSONVILLE Before his championship run at Valdosta State, Bell built Jacksonville University into one of the premier programs in the Pioneer Football League.
In recognition of his impact on the program, The Gainesville Sun ranked Bell among the 100 greatest players in Florida football history.
In three seasons leading the Blazers, Bell compiled a 27-7 record, reached the NCAA Division II playoffs twice, won a Gulf South Conference championship, and captured the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship.
Over nine seasons, he guided the Dolphins to a 66-35 record and three conference championships.
PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CAREER
The 2018 season was historic.
Bell earned PFL Coach of the Year honors in 2008 after leading Jacksonville to a conference title and a 9-4 record. In 2010, the Dolphins posted a school-record 10-1 season
Selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 1988 NFL Draft, Bell enjoyed a 13-year professional playing career. His journey included time with the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Indianapolis Colts, as well as extensive success in the Canadian Football League and the World League of American Football. During nine CFL seasons, he passed for 19,538 yards and 101 touchdowns. Following his playing career, Bell transitioned naturally into coaching, beginning as offensive coordinator for the Toronto Argonauts while still an active player and later serving as a graduate assistant under Steve Spurrier at Florida.
FAMILY Kerwin and his wife, Cosette, were married in 1986 while both attended the University of Florida. They have three children, sons Kade and Kolton and daughter Kenzley, along with grand children Palmer and Beckett. Today, Bell's journey continues in Cullowhee, where the same determination that carried him from walk-on quarterback to championship coach fuels Western Carolina's pursuit of Southern Conference and national success.
32 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
FOLLOW CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL ALL SEASON LONG
(select schedule in 2025)
The Pepsi Tailgate Show begins an hour prior to kickoff on the Catamount Sports Network – the Voice of Catamount Athletics!
EXPERIENCE MORE
P R O U D S U P P O RT E R O F W C U AT H L E T I C S CHAMPIONCU.COM
DANIEL HOOKER
JEFF BRYSON
GARY AYERS 2023 WCU ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 33
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2026 FOOTBALL COACHES & STAFF
KERRY WEBB
RYLAN WELLS
NICK REVEIZ
MALIK CHEVRY
KYLE DICKEY
MALIK GOODMAN
SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
CORNERBACKS
TIGHT ENDS / PASS GAME COORDINATOR
SAFETIES
COREY HEADLEY
JEREMY KING
PARISH METZGER
TY PHILLIPS
ROSS PRYOR
RUDI SMALL
WIDE RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
QUARTERBACKS
BANDITS
LINEBACKERS
RUNNING BACKS / RECURITING COORDINATOR
MIKE WELCH
EVAN DVORCHIK
NICK BACK
JEREMIAH JUDD
JOSEPH KIESER
CALE MATTHEWS
DEFENSIVE LINE / RUN-GAME COORDINATOR
DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL / ASSISTANT SPECIAL TEAMS
QUALITY CONTROL – ASSISTANT OL
QUALITY CONTROL – ASSISTANT WR / TE
QUALITY CONTROL – ASSISTANT CB
QUALITY CONTROL – ASSISTANT WR
AUSTIN SHEALY
BAILEY JOHNSON
TODD SHEALY
BRADEN ERWIN
MADELYN LEE
QUALITY CONTROL – ASSISTANT LB
VIDEO COORDINATOR
GENERAL MANAGER
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING
34 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 35
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2026 FOOTBALL SUPPORT STAFF
Mike Taylor
Head Athletic Equipment Manager
John Williams
Assistant Sports Performance Coach
Noah Johnson
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Andrue Smith
Assistant Athletic Equipment Manager
TBA
Andrew Bates
Director of Sports Performance
Steven Honbarger
Assistant Sports Performance Coach
Director of Sports Medicine
Libby Lacca
Brooke Vaillancourt
Assistant Athletic Trainer
36 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Cody Jones
Assistant Sports Performance Coach
Cody Yale
Jordan Madrid
Assistant Sports Performance Coach
Julia Daniel
Associate Head Athletic Trainer
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Elissa Weeks
Samantha Wolchesky
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Assistant Athletic Trainer
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
Friends. Family. Community. We’re all in this together. State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. That's one reason why I'm proud to support Western Carolina University.
Get to a better State®.
Charles Wolfe, Agent 180 Webster Road Sylva, NC 28779 Bus: 828-586-4026 charles.w.wolfe.bwll@statefarm.com
1211009
State Farm, Bloomington, IL 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 37
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
38 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 39
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
40 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 41
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
42 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 43
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
KYLE PIFER
WESTERN CAROLINA DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Beyond athletics, Pifer has been an active contributor across campus through service on numerous university committees, including institutional planning, well-being, health and safety, and emergency crisis management. His collaborative leadership style and commitment to student-athlete welfare have earned respect from coaches, staff, faculty, and campus leadership alike.
A CAREER BUILT IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS Pifer brings more than two decades of experience in higher education and intercollegiate athletics administration to the role. His career began in 2003 as an NCAA compliance officer at Gonzaga University, where he developed a strong foundation in governance, student-athlete support, and NCAA regulations.
When Western Carolina University began its search for a new director of athletics, the ideal candidate turned out to be someone who already knew Catamount Nation inside and out. On May 19, 2025, Chancellor Kelli R. Brown announced the appointment of Kyle Pifer as Western Carolina's director of athletics following approval by the university's Board of Trustees. The selection culminated a national search and elevated a respected leader whose experience, vision, and deep commitment to Western Carolina had already made a significant impact on the athletics department. Pifer, who had served as deputy athletics director and chief operating officer since arriving in Cullowhee in November 2020, assumed the permanent role after serving as interim director of athletics. For many across campus and throughout the Southern Conference, the decision felt like a natural fit. Over four years at Western Carolina, Pifer established himself as a trusted administrator and strategic leader, overseeing nearly every aspect of the department's internal operations. His responsibilities included budget and finance, capital projects, event and facility management, sport administration, and human resources, helping to position the Catamounts for sustained success during a period of significant growth and change in collegiate athletics. "Kyle Pifer is an outstanding choice to lead Catamount Nation into its next era," said Brown. Brown added that Pifer quickly distinguished himself as a collaborative and strategic university leader with a strong understanding of the rapidly evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics.
BUILDING MOMENTUM IN CULLOWHEE Since arriving at Western Carolina, Pifer has helped strengthen the department's operational foundation while keeping student-athlete success at the forefront.
44 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Among his many contributions has been the creation of both the Sport Administrator Committee and the Student-Athlete Well-Being Committee, initiatives designed to enhance communication, improve departmental efficiency, and continually assess the overall studentathlete experience. In 2025-26, the Catamounts compiled eight Top 3 finishes in the Southern Conference, including football, women’s soccer, baseball, softball, men’s indoor and outdoor track & field, and women’s track & field, which won the 2026 SoCon Outdoor Championship. Catamount football once again led the Southern Conference in terms of home crowd size last fall, with an average attendance of 10,987 in the cozy confines of E.J. Whitmire Stadium. That put WCU 20th in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision for average attendance out of 129 programs across the country. Over his first year in the role, Pifer oversaw a banner year for revenue generation and fundraising for the athletics program. The department also saw best-ever revenue growth in sponsorships, parking sales and game day concessions, totaling nearly $1.7 million in external revenue. He also ushered in a new era with on-field and uniform sponsorship patches.
In 2007, he joined Oregon State University as an assistant director of compliance before moving to the University of Washington in 2009. During his time in Seattle, Pifer rapidly ascended through the athletics administration ranks, earning four promotions in fewer than five years and eventually serving as an associate athletics director and member of the Huskies' senior leadership team. He returned to Oregon State in 2013 as senior associate athletics director for compliance, a position he held until joining Western Carolina in 2020. Throughout his tenure at Oregon State, Pifer served as a member of the athletics executive staff and supervised several sport programs, including men's golf and women's cross country and track and field. He also played a key role in the successful revival and growth of Oregon State's track and field program after the sport's nearly two-decade absence. His leadership extended well beyond athletics administration. Pifer participated on numerous university committees, including the Enrollment Management Leadership Team, the High Incident and Event Group, and the Criminal History Attendance and Participation Committee. The breadth of that experience, combined with firsthand knowledge of major conference athletics and his understanding of the Southern Conference landscape, made him uniquely prepared to guide Western Carolina through a transformative era in college sports.
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
STUDENT-ATHLETE AT HEART Long before becoming an athletics administrator, Pifer experienced college athletics firsthand. A native of Frankfort, Indiana, he was a four-year track and field letter winner at Francis Marion University and earned Academic All-District honors during his collegiate career. His success extended into the classroom, where he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1999 while earning membership in the Francis Marion Honor Society. He later completed a master's degree in sport and athletic administration from Gonzaga University. The perspective gained as both a student-athlete and administrator has helped shape Pifer's leadership philosophy, one centered on providing opportunities for student-athletes to excel academically, athletically, and personally.
LEADING THE NEXT CHAPTER As director of athletics, Pifer assumes leadership of a department that has experienced significant competitive success and growing momentum across multiple programs. His combination of administrative expertise, strategic vision, and commitment to student-athlete development positions him to lead Western Carolina Athletics into a new era of opportunity. For Catamount Nation, the future is being entrusted to a leader who understands both the challenges and possibilities that lie ahead and one who has already spent years helping build the foundation for continued success.
PIFER FAMILY Kyle and his wife, Sydney, are the proud parents of three daughters: Reese, Delaney, and Ellis, two of whom are avid soccer players.
Our mountain getaway is located off Highway 64, one minute from Sapphire Valley Ski Resort PROUD SPONSOR OF THE WCU CATAMOUNTS 828.743.4545 3245 US-64 | Sapphire, NC 28774
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 45
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – CATAMOUNT ATHLETICS SENIOR STAFF
TODD LAWING
ASHLEIGH SIMMONS
CHAD GERRETY
BRITTANY KICKLIGHTER
DANIEL K. HOOKER
DEPUTY ATHLETICS DIRECTOR
ASSOC. AD FOR STUDENT SUCCESS / SWA
ASSOC. AD FOR EXTERNAL OPERATIONS
ASSOCIATE AD FOR DEVELOPMENT
ASSOCIATE AD FOR MEDIA RELATIONS
TRAVIS CHANDLER
AMANDA MURCHIE
KIMBERLY CHERRY-BECK
DR. ALEXANDER MACAULAY
ASSISTANT AD FOR COMPLIANCE
ASSISTANT AD FOR BUSINESS OPERATIONS
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE AD
WCU FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT STAFF
Greg Hartlage
Josh Ragsdale
David Barbee
Kendra Pope
Michaela Watkins
Michael Gilbert Director of Athletics Ticket Operations
Athletics Ticketing and Marketing Assistant
Ticket and Marketing Assistant
Kim Jamison
Christian Armstrong
Haley Mitchell
Adrian Ell-Stroop
Director of Media Relations
Marketing and Promotions Assistant Director
Ashley McGee-DeSoto Game Operations & Facilities Assistant
Director of Media Relations
Director of Corporate Sponsorship
Athletic Department Administrative Assistant
46 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Media Relations Assistant Director
Director of Student-Athlete Development / WHEE CLIMB
Roman Uglehus Director of Video Operations
Ben Frederick
Senior Athletics Academic Advisor
Rob Burlington Assistant Director of Video Operations
Angela Perez
Athletics Academic Advisor
Sophia Johnston Director of Creative Media
Trey Fisher
Director of Game Operations & Facilities
Tyler Pope
Assistant AD of Marketing and Promotions
Mark Conlin
Director of Athletics Facilities & Grounds
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 47
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – COACHING STAFF
Alan Beck Head Coach Baseball
Jackson Simmons Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball
Kayla McPherson Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball
Jeff Korte
Dusty White
Seth Graves
AJ Stroop
Brandon Egemo
Jimmy Mitchell
Andrea Shire
Corbin Huntley
Assistant Coach Baseball
Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball
Graduate Assistant Women’s Basketball
Assistant Coach Baseball
Men's Basketball Graduate Assistant
Head Coach Cheerleading
Assistant Coach Baseball
Owen Crevelt
Jack Thomas
Director of Player Director of Pitching Development – Baseball Development – Baseball
Claire Kaifes
Head Coach Women’s Basketball
Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball
Cole Mars
Tim Eckberg
Anne Marie Covar Head Coach Women’s Golf
Chad Miller
Head Coach Women’s Soccer
Associate Head Coach Women’s Soccer
Volunteer Assistant Coach Women’s Soccer
Angela Perez
Kelley Graham
Jesse Norman
Assistant Coach Cheerleading
Head Coach Men’s Golf
Associate Head Coach Softball
Assistant Coach Softball
Kylie Cook
Lauren Sablone
Bret Beaver
Daniel Haakenson
Gillian Urycki
Jaslyne Robinson
Karen Glover
Katie Butler
Madison Konopka
48 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball
Jonathan Tsipis
Madison Armstrong
Assistant Coach Track & Field
Darius Barksdale
Adam Bullard
Will Ring
Jim Clift
Assistant Coach Track & Field
Sydney Lowery
Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball
Men's Basketball Graduate Assistant
Head Coach Softball
Assistant Coach Track & Field
Andrew Brown
Men's Basketball Graduate Assistant
Graduate Assistant Women’s Soccer
Whitney Tracy
Tim Craft
Head Coach Men’s Basketball
Head Coach Volleyball
Softball Graduate Assistant
Assistant Coach Volleyball
Head Coach Women's Tennis
Assistant Coach Volleyball
Assistant Coach Women's Tennis
Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball
Andrew Green
Assistant Coach Women's Tennis
Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball
Michael Mazarky
Head Coach XC / Track & Field
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 49
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
CATAMOUNT CLUB DONORS OF THE GAME 'Fill the Western Sky' Campaign Steering Committee Doug Bailey, WCU 1993 Jim Beaty Jr., WCU 1971 Toy Beaty, WCU 1972 Donna Broadwell Ed Broadwell Jr., WCU 2022 Dennis Brown Frank Brown, III Kelli R. Brown Becky Brown, WCU 1971 Mike Byers Mel Clark Mae Claxton Jim Costa
Mike Crawford, WCU 1987 Gina Crawford John Davis, WCU 1987 Melanie Davis Stephanie Edwards, WCU 2009 Susan Grattan Tad Grattan, WCU 1988 April Hicks, WCU 2010 James Hogan, WCU 2003 Kim Hunter Kenny Messer, WCU 1986 Sean Mulholland Ben Pendry, WCU 2007
Christy Phillips Teddy Phillips, Jr. Carol Roberts Bob Roberts Kevin Stanberry, WCU 1994 Lynn Stanberry, WCU 1999 Marsha Sullivan Mike Sullivan Bob Thomas, WCU 1970 Suzanne Thomas, WCU 1970 Mike Wade, WCU 1977 Randy White, WCU 1989 Donna Winbon, WCU 1980 Rob Young
THANK YOU CATAMOUNT NATION! USE THE QR CODE OR DONATE ONLINE AT: CATAMOUNTSPORTS.COM/CATAMOUNTCLUB
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – CATAMOUNT CLUB / DEVELOPMENT STAFF
Brittany Kicklighter
Interim Associate AD for Development / Catamount Club Director
Gabby Franklin
Associate Director of Development / Catamount Club
50 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Raymond Dillard
Assistant Director of Development / Catamount Club
Payton Allen
Assistant Director of Development / Events & Stewardship
Cam Murray
Athletics Annual Giving Coordinator
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 51
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
2026-27 CATAMOUNT CLUB MEMBERSHIP LIST – ROYAL BANNER – Jackie and Audrey Adkins Larry and Mary Arbaugh Marco and Holly Arias Doug Bailey and Katie O'Meara William and Beverly Barr Brad and Eileen Bradshaw Patrick Bradshaw David and Marie Brinkley Dennis and Kelli R. Brown Steve Couch Clay and Alisa Cox Mike and Gina Crawford Cullowhee Collective, LLC Brian Davis and Amy Kilby Scott and Amy Dill David and Jennifer Dills Dennis and Susan Fox Tad and Susan Grattan DLP Harris Regional Hospital Tom Holderby Kenneth and Jane Hughes Roland and Cathy Johnson Paul and Nora Jones John Martin Jeff and Mary Meredith Kenny Messer and Mel Clark Kirk and Carrie Roach Jake and Olivia Robinson Jay and Pamela Sekulow Dale and Debbie Sims Brandon and Kelley Sink Steve and Becky South Kevin and Lynn Stanberry Jace and Stephanie Stowe Mike and Marsha Sullivan Robbie and Miriam Vannoy Peter and Marty Vexter Mike and Regina Wade Randy White and Kim Hunter David and Joy Wiggins Donna Winbon Teeny Wood
– TROPHY –
Todd and Melanie Blosser Henry and Pamela Hardy Bill and Lisa Jarrett Gibbs and Kathleen Jones Jerry and Kay Kiser Jim and Nancy Laughridge Van Stayton David White Jonathan and Brittany Zapp
– CHAMPIONS –
Drew Barefoot Philip Byers Jim and June Causby Tim and Jessica Craft John and Melanie Davis Don and Tammy Fertenbaugh Terry and Vikki Fortner Todd and Julie Harkins Matt and Bethany Magnus Ken and Donna Martin Paxton Myers and Dana Boyer Andy and Louann Smith Jim and Jane Wood
– I-CATS –
Andrew Abernathy Hoyt and Katherine Almond Tom and Lisa Apodaca Todd and Stephanie Baucom Bret Beaver
Andrew and Christine Birkmire Dan Brooks Frank and Becky Brown Tobe and Barbara Childers Scott and Kelly Christian Bob and Lauren Clark James and Eileen Clift Carl and Karen Coe Ben and Paige Comm Russell McConnell and Stefanie Conley John and Lori Connet Cameron and Brandi Cooper Alexander Crenshaw and T'fani Hixon Nora Lynn Finch Leslie Greer Rod and Pam Harrelson Dave Harris Keith and Shannon Haskett Scott Hinrichs Steve and Gin Hodge Dale and Dianne Hollifield John and Kristine Iacofano Ben and Ashleigh Jacobs Steve and Martha Jeffords Jake and Maria Jones Brett Lamb Gary and Kathy Lance Ben and Jenna Pendry Charlie Phillips and Carol Gettig Clay and Vicky Poindexter Ron and Pamela Sink Marjorie and Lenny Smathers Larry and Heulwen Stanberry Scott and Robbie Stanberry Watt and Billie Staples Judy Stroud Ken and Jane Teasley Randy and Susan Thomas Wayne and Kim Tolleson John and Martha Truitt Eddie and Savannah Wells Steve and Elaine White Chuck and Kathy Wooten Jason and Shannon Young
– CAPTAINS –
Betty Allen Apex Systems LLC Mike and Sandee Biggerstaff Jared Burton Michael Chapin Derron Cloud Joe and Carol Crocker Scott and Kimberly Davis Jim and Susan Davis Mark and Tara Davis Mike and Diane Dillard Thomas and Lori Doozan Lakeen Duncan Jonathan and Kim Esser First Citizens Bank-Raleigh Tony and Rebekah Garagiola Tim and Betsy Gillespie Jeff and Rosa Goss The Great Smoky Mountains Railway Inc. B. J. and Annie Green Franklin and Tiffany Guerrero Marshall Gunter Justin and Amber Haber Jacob and Colleen Hannah Jimmy and Karen Hardy Bobby Haskett Jon and Nishelle Henson David and Lisa Hill James and Kelly Hogan Billy and Lisa Laube Stephen Laws Jason and Kristina Lorenz
52 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Matt and Tracey Monday Rick and Michele Rogers Bill and Elaine Ross Barrett and Jane Scott Todd and Beth Shealy Steven and Jill Sizemore Darryl and June Smith Steve and Jima Sparks Larry Supik Anthony and Lynn Swearengin Linney and Kim Teague Mark Tedder Bob and Suzanne Thomas Dave and Bonnie Thompson Bob and Janice Thompson Jeff and Miriam Tomberlin Mitch and Ann Treadaway Jim and Teresa Watson Danny Williamson Dewight Winchester Ed Young Rob and Leigh Anne Young
– COACHES –
Ken and Ina Allen Patrick and Heidi Anderson Neal and Jo Andrews Mark and Kelly Benge Mike and Renee Bowen Dave Bristol Thomas and Bonnie Broadwater Patricia Bryson-Wink Howard and Roz Buchanan Eddie and Andra Burks Burlingame Ladies Golf Association Bobby Byrd Mike Carroll Jimmy and Kathy Cherry Dennis and Sallie Conley James Conner and Cheryl Contino-Conner Howe Crockett William and Crystal Cunningham Mark and Laura Decker Trevor Dunlap Steve Ebert Bob and Sonia Elledge Paul and Vicky Faris Tim Faulkner Sam and Janice Freeman Dick Freeman Jarrett and Jaime Friday Robert Gee and Joy Postell-Gee Robert Gibson and Sharon Edwards
Joshua and Tab Gillett Lenny Gonzalez Jeff and Brenda Gorsuch Brent and Allyson Grass Jeff Hager Bill and Michelle Hamby Andrew Harlfinger Benjamin Hartbarger Tim and Donna Haskett Steve and Lori Heatherly David and Debbie Huntsberger Jerry and Emily Ireland J.R. and Amber Jones Alan and Debbie Jordan Mike and Ruth Joyner Patrick and Natalie Kesler Jack and Kerstin Kimel Julie Kimmel Brook King Bryant and Brenda Kinney Kristy and Joanne Kiser Dick Lankford Philip and Kathy Leftwich George and Sandra Leopard Thomas Mahon John and Sue Martin Timothy and Courtney Mayse Warren and Lindsay Meeker John and Page Mikol Mitch Miller Brett Miller Bruce and Denise Moore Greg and Ann Parsons Josh Patton Michael Paysour Ryan and Scarlette Pless Chris and Jen Pressley Bob and Carol Roberts Richard Scott Gaston and Libby Seal Randy Shaw Mike and Kathie Shelton Ron and Caroline Smith Steve and Debbie Spradling David and Donna Stephens Anna Stocum Jay and Susan Strum Bill and Margaret Studenc Trey White Steve Williams Onifer and Meagan Wilmoth Charles and Wanda Wolfe Kevin and Melinda Wonsick
– TOP CAT –
David Beam and Kathy Abbott-Beam Andy Anderson and Lori Anderson Jim and Toy Beaty Jim and Libby Beddingfield Kerwin and Cosette Bell Earl and JoAnn Black Jeff and Amy Blanton Wayne and Betsy Bowers Michael and Paula Bruder Chris and Amy Budd Mike and Laura Byers Fred and Katrina Cantler Kyle and Sarah Carter Todd and Robin Cates Cory Causby Lynne Chiger David and Mae Claxton Marlon and Lorri Connor Kenneth Davis Michael Delvecchio Bill and Loretta Dodgen Robert and Michelle Doherty Keith and Beth Ebersole Tony Elders Rick and Jennifer Elliott Chris and Cathy Faw Buck Freeman Rick and Jana Fulton Chad and Kristin Gerrety Joe and Julie Godfrey Jack and Lynn Guffey Connie Haire Bryan and Lynley Hardie Gerald Harp and Melva Love-Harp Steven and Nicole Harris Mark and Tammy Haskett Ken and Joanne Henry Thomas and Debbie Herman Brenda and Randall Holcombe Leroy and Ginny Holden Terry and Kerry Holton Daniel K. Hooker Vickie Horne Charles and Taiwaina Hughes Kim Jamison Chris and Jennifer Kallao Mark Lane Ronald Leatherwood and Laura Leatherwood Cecil and Donna Lee James and Jill Locke
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
2026-27 CATAMOUNT CLUB MEMBERSHIP LIST Tim and Ann McBride Mike and Mary McDaniel Tyler and Liz McHone Greg McLamb Lynn McNeil Ron and Mary Miller Kevin and Miken Miller Matt and Melissa Mitchell Carroll and Laura Lee Moore John Moore Jane Morgan Turner and Susan Morrison John Mosbey David and Becky Myers Barak and Jessica Myers Michael and Pam Neal David and Angie Noland Jesse and Melanie Norman Doug Painter and Mary Barker Fran Paschall Jim Patterson Richard and Mary Kathryn Pegg Mike and Dianne Phillips Teddy and Christy Phillips Sarah Pogue Matthew Price Rich and Susan Price Tyler Raines Mark and Anne Reeser Carl and Susan Robinson Tommy and Harriet Rockett Laura Ross David and Casey Runner Bryan Sammons and Madison Bates Gary and Audrey Sanders Jeff and Libby Sanders Chris and Kirstin Schlenker Ali Schreiber Marvin and Patty Schubert Scott and Misty Shaffer Tony and Alicia Shue Tom Siegner Herman Smith Lowell and Jeanie Snider Lance and Shervawn Sockwell Alan Stayton Dave and Lois Steed Mike and Jane Subat Tommy and Melanie Tabor Mike Taylor Mark and Heather Teague Gene and Rita Vinson Phil and Joan Walker Charles and Anna Walker Jason and Kristin Whaley Mike and Cheryl White Stephen Gaither and Sara White Jim and Suzanne Williams Chris and Nicole Williams Janet and Phillip Wills Wil Wilson Daniel and Nicole Woodley Joe Wray
– SUPER CAT –
Christy Agner John Albert Alison Alexander Richard and Joanne Anderson Madison Armstrong Jesse and Regina Aton Jerry and Lisa Barger David Bickford Catherine Black Tom Bodine Scott and Evelyn Bond Gary and Kay Boulier Jeanne Bowman Jan and Gary Boyer Bob and Jean Brandon
Brian and Sherri Brewer Jeffrey and Kelley Buchanan Tim and Jana Bunsic Burlingame Tennis Club Greg and Alison Burnette Kelli Butler Ken Carrig Scott and Caroline Caveney Don Charles Trevor Childers Gary and Susan Cogdill Wes and Kristen Cogdill Jerry and Mickey Cook Angela Crouso Ray Davis Kristin Dean Al DeGraffenreid Karen DeMarco Mike DeMatteo Joe and Ronda Denton Doug Dickey Ryan Dills William and Patricia Dixon Josh and Valerie Dobson Barry Dodson David and Valorie Duckworth Ollin Dunford and Jane Adams-Dunford Tim Eckberg Keith and Nina Elliott Mark Ethridge Michael Faircloth Jeff and Jane Fawcett Richard and Sharon Ferguson Bob and Kay Folsom Ryan and Mandy Foster Roger Foxworth Duane and Cheryl Fulton Cynthia Fulton Carl Gary Eddie and Kim Glasscock Karen Glover Jeffrey and Betty Gordon George and Gail-Patricia Greer Margaret Griffith Twig and Elizabeth Grove A.J. and Dan Grube John and Shelia Haire Michaela Hall Betsey Hamlet Marcus Hartsell Kim Haugh Michael and Donna Heilbronn Ronnie and Paula Henderson Michell and Marsha Hicks Charles and Pam Hill Ashley and Lisa Hindman Allison Hinson Bill and Robbin Holland Ed and Debbie Holland Steven and Elizabeth Honbarger David and Kim Hopkins Ingles Markets, Inc. Arnold and Mary Isaacs Scott Jones Dave Kehler Butch and Donna Kerns Chase and Ashley Kress Robert and Jessie Ladd Brad Lakeson Laura Lembeck Bill and Holly Long Rhonda and Gerald Love Don Lucas Henry and Liz Mainwaring Jim Manring Scott and Amy Manshack Kenneth and Donna Mason James Mayer Daniel and Nicole Michael Sam and Renee Miller David and Ginny Miller
Judy Moody Dwight and Anna Mooney David Moore and Darren Whatley Nantahala Bank and Trust Company Paul and Cindy Nicholson Clarisa Nin Steve and Nancy Nixon Bill and Anne Norris Brad North Justin and Kimberly Pace Woody and Diane Padgett Russ Pangle Paige Passerallo Rick and Andrea Pate Stan Pendergraft and Bev Brandt Bruce and Claire Piercy Dale and Lisa Place Tanner Poindexter Tom Posey Lee Putnam Michael Rath Jason and Sarah Rawald Jon and Stefanie Reed Ronnie and Angie Reid Gregory Rhinehart Todd Roper Jim and Rena Rowell Bob Sabin and Susan Hinkle-Sabin Tim and Heather Schofield Tyler Sexton Jeremy Shearer Lee and Tanya Smith Joe and Cecelia Smith Jim and Debra Snow Chip and Alison Soucy Kelly Donaldson and Julie SpiroDonaldson Terry and Meredith Spry Valerie Squires William Staley Gary and Martha Stepp Scott and Jenny Stinson Phil Strouth Tak Tang Neal and Candice Thomas Kelly Thomas Edward and Rebecca Thompson Chuck and Mary Thompson Matt and Kelly Tornow Dan and Karen Tynan Martin and Heather Unger Eric and Heather Vibberts Seth and Cathy Vining Samuel Wallace Jeffrey and Melanie Watts Rick and Jaren Wells Mitch and Rebekah Williams Bill and Laura Wise Jerry and Angie Wise Royce and Marcia Woosley
– PURPLE CAT –
Catrina Alexander Stephen and Taffy Allen Grady Allred and Kirby Morrow James and Theresa Altman Michael Anderson John Anderson John Andrews Jamie and Tricia Ashe Jeremy Bailey Mike and Cindy Baird Scott and Heather Baker Steve Metcalf and Donna Ball-Metcalf Hank Barkley Rodney Barnett Max and Elizabeth Barron Doug and Catherine Beam Rhett and Sara Beard Emmie Beard Walter and Sarah Beaver
Rick and Debra Bennett Neely Bennett Lee Bennett Guy Bergeron and Lynn Trepanier Matt and Amanda Bevins Beth Birt Lee Black John and Mary Black Dayle Blackmon Archie and Georgi Blake Jessica Blake David and Venida Blythe Betty Boger Tom and Vikki Boney William and Bowman Kady Bowman Michael and Ann Bradshaw Stephen Brand Thomas and Kaye Brandon The Bridge Church NC and Lisa Briggs Lindy and Christine Brown Charles Brown Landon Brown Bob and Donna Buckner Jessica Burce Roy and Janice Burnette Brian and Lesley Burnham William Byers and Rebecca Broder Al Byers Christopher Byland Toni Cacozza-Jensen Lauralyn Carlson John and Michelle Carney Dale and Kim Carpenter Chris and Candi Carrington Gregory and Beth Carter Scott Cassell Steve and Doreen Castelloe Phil and Susanne Cauley Travis Chandler Larry Chester Andy Chmar and Gayle Watkins Gina Cleary Jimmy and Lisa Cleaveland Zach and Joni Clement Betsy Cobb Marvin Cole Michael and Regina Cole Dale and Stacey Collins Clinton and Frenchie Cornelius Josh and Sarah Cox Carl Cruse K.C. and Mo Culler Wayne and Joselle Culp Heather Cunanan Nancy Curtis Joey and Melissa Curtis Bryce Davidson Ed and Jennifer Davies Joe Davis Financial Associates, LLC Asia Davis Carl and Gina Dean Bob and Erin DeBarth James DeConinck Gene Degraphenreid Taylor and Fara Dellinger Brian Dempsey Randy and Christie Douglas Kenneth and Linda Douglas Jean Dowell Edward and Julia Downey Brian Drawdy Adam Dries Fred and Margaret Elliott Vicki Erwin Douglas Evans Charlie and Karen Eye Rick and Brenda Falls Jon and Janice Feichter Steve Fisher Ashley Fisher
Greg Fortner Andy Fowkes Craig and Cathy Fowler Billy Franchi Gabby Franklin Lillian Freel Curtis and Jana Fullbright McKinley Fulmer Andrew and Theresa Gallant Lonnie and Winslow Galloway Barclay and Stephanie Gebel Chris Giglio Jeff and Katherine Gilbert Jeffrey and Holly Ginn Kale Goins Josh Gottlieb Jack Graham Deborah Grant Matthew Graves Donald and Leanna Green Judy Green Charles Green Catherine Greene Andrew and Sherry Griffin John and Jan Griffin William and Mandee Gross Christopher and Ginger Guinther Samir Hafiz Kevin Hale Larry Hales Brenda Hamilton Jon Hardister Matt Harlfinger Buzz Hartbarger Michael and Vicki Haskell Bill and Malissa Hawkins Mike Helms Darrin and Babetta Hemphill Bruce and Judy Henderson Brian and Sharon Hendrickson Rodney and Kim Hennon Vance and Charity Henry Brenda Hicks Kemberly Higginbotham Corbin Hightower Glenn and Melinda Hill Zeb Holland Ryan and Tammy Holleman Robin Holley Sara Hopkins Chris and Jackie Houston Jack Hudson Felicia Huffman Jeff Hughes Don Hullett Jeff Hunt Joe and Maxine Hunter Daniel Banks and Corbin Huntley Jamie Hutchens Greg and Dana Hutchinson Brian and Christa Hutzler Impex Auto Sales Davis Jabaley Farrell Jamison Gracie Jenkins Rodney and Sherry Jessup Missy Jones Len and Phyllis Jones Sharon Jones Joel and Heather Jones Sara Jones Leigh and Suzanne Judy Travis Justice David and Pat Kaemmerling Robert and Cindy Kelley Cullen Kerigan Lang and Cathey Kerr Adam Kettle John and Gina Khayata Brittany Kicklighter Mark King Donald Kizer
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 53
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
2026-27 CATAMOUNT CLUB MEMBERSHIP LIST Kristen Kluttz Adam and Cheryl Knobeloch Steve and Kristine Kornegay John and Lynn Koutsogiannis Chad Lackey Andy and Angela Lambert Kevin and Renee Langley JJ Laughridge Matt Lawing Todd Lawing Dean and Shannon Ledford Lisa Lefler Stan and Lana Lehmans Frank and Dianne Leonard William and Christina Lester Barry and Latasha Lewis Joshua and Miranda Lobs John Locke Craig and Anna Locklear Victor Lofquist and Beth Lofquist Ray Lopez Roger and Diana Low Donna Lucas Ted and Ann Luckadoo Matthew Lyon Monte Mahin Blake Queen and Rebecca Manring David and Sara Markle Amanda and Jonathan Markle Ken Marshall Luis Martinez Kenneth and Mary Mason Joe Bill Mathews Chuck and Mallory Mathewson Gene May John McArthur Fredy McCollum Lisa McDonough Cameron and Christel McDowell Mark and Cynthia McGlothlin Patrick and Jeanne McGuire Samuel and Heather McGuire Patrick McKaughan Mike McKinney Addison McPhail Jeffrey and Sarah McPhail Jim and Mary Medlin Matt Megill Steven Mellon Peggy Melville Jordon Milch Mark Millen James Miller Chad and Stacey Miller Bill and Tausha Millwood Curtis and Kellie Monteith Mike and Doris Moore Katy Morden Ken and Pat Morgan Jason and Karen Morrison Stephen Moss William Moultrie Brian Mullen and Mindy Weathers Brian and Kelly Myers Bill and Kathy Myers Dawn Myers Shannon Myers Mark and Heidi Nash Michael and Sherri Naylor Rick and Anne Nicholson Mike Nixon Toby Norman Riley Oakley One Chaptr Roy Osborn Joseph Ossiander Josh and Amy Paris Thomas and Kelly Parker Chad Parris Trace and Robin Pate Curtis and Ann Patterson Jamie and Christy Perry
Scott and Sue Persons Carlton and Barbara Phillips Kyle and Syd Pifer Dusty and Judy Pless Amy Poteat David and Kim Preston Stephen and Laura Price Taylor and Ashlyn Purus Bert and Meredith Radford Bobby and Lydia Raines Mike and Suzanne Rainwater Keith Ramsey Darius Ramsey Lavonia Reese John and Joanne Reid Michael and Nancy Ridenhour LeRoy and Gale Roberson Kenneth Roberts Owen and Beth Robertson Andy and Keitha Rodden Scott Rosenschein Randolph and Sue Rush David Moore and Mary Russo Tim Rybak Mike Saffioti Taylor and Kourtney Sandefur Tony Saunders Chris Scarlett Rebecca Schlosser George and Gabrielle Schmitt Jacquie Schoder Preston and Leigh Schoonover Todd and Joanna Schultz Derek and Christina Sedlmyer Chad and Lolita Selby Kevin and Missy Shambley Curtis Sharpe Jerry Shepardson Jonny Sherwood Timothy Shiflet Rhonda Silver Real Estate Group LLC Si and Cindi Simmons Dave Sims Brad Skelton Dean and Lynn Slusser Jerry and Anne Smart Alex and Beverly Smith Skip and Tina Smith Mark and Lisa Smith Michael Smith Callan and Elizabeth Smith Marie Smith Charles and Constance Smith Carol Smith The Smoky Mountain News LLC Dwight and Elizabeth Sparks Doug and Amanda Spees Dick Stallings Matthew and Sherry Starling Betty Jo and Magic Staton Wayne Staton Todd Staton Nick Stenger Ricky Stout Bob Stow Zip Stowe Jeff and Jennifer Stowe Bob Street Bobby and Richele Stroop Rollie and Mary Sumwalt Marcus and Ann Sutton Marek and Elizabeth Syska Carly Tinstman Tyler Tyndall Dan and Andrea Tyre Laura Underwood Mark and Marion Van Kirk Jamie Van Pelt Kerry Vatrano Alan Hardwick and Adriana Velez Justin Verwey Amy Vichathep
54 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Eddie Vick Jimmy Villiard Todd Vinyard and Johanna Vinyard Craig and Kay Wagner Anne Walker Raymond Wallace Rhonda Wallace Stephen and Melissa Wargo David and Brenda Warlick Zak Warner Bob Washel Patrick and Suzanne Watson Dee and Tamara Webb Jerry and Laura Wellmon Larry West Norman and Carolyn West Jonathan West Tommy and Shelly White Chrissie White Matt and Jamie White Dave White Carol White John Wilborn Frank Wilder Kelly and Pamela Wilkinson Eric and Erica Willard Mitchell and Kelly Williams Nate Williams Caitlin Williams Rick Williams Tony and Sherry Willis Jeff Willis Mike Wilmoth Felicia Wilson Kevin and Danielle Wittekind David and Rhonda Woodell Scott and Celina Woods Bill Wright Kerry Wyche Michael Young Ron Young Lee and Shela Yount Alison Yount Ericka Zimmerman Matthew and Suzanne Zudans Paul and Patricia Zullo Gary Zumstein Paul and Amanda Zytnik
– GOLD CAT –
Pablo and Jessica Abraham Alex Abraham David Abruzzese Jesus Adames Deana Adams Nikki Aguilar Craig Aiken Kyle Aldridge James and Tonya Amelia Brandy Andersen David Anderson Tate Apodaca Brian and Jennifer Arnberger Robert Arrington Philip Arrington Jim and Jacqueie Arrington Jonathan Arrowood Tammy Arsenault Travis and Clarissa Ashe Tom and Lisa Atwater Don and Cathy Babb Ray and Glenda Bailey Larry and Sena Baker Michael and Wendy Banull Greg and Kimberly Barfield Todd and Kristi Barr Roger and Sue Bartlett Anjie and Ted Basnight Andrew Bates Albert and Betty Beard Alan Beck and Kim Cherry-Beck Pamela Beck Chase and Katherine Bell
Elbert and Barbara Bell Chad and Donda Bennett Reid Bennett Lucie Bertrand Varonique Bertrand Ludovic Bertrand Matthew Bigmeat Luke and Abigail Bishop Buffy Blackwell Frank and Sonja Blalock Clay Bolton April Bone Ralph and Carol Borland Paul Bowdre Cole Bowen David and Darenda Bowers Christy Bowles Robert and Colleen Bradley Eva Bradshaw Ralph and Betty Brafford Glenn and Joyce Bridges Damon Brinkley Brookings Cashiers Village Outfitters Josh and Bekah Brooks Scott Brown Shea and Gloria Browning Thomas and Claudia Buchanan Carter Buffkin and Megan Moore Mike and Amy Bullard Donna Rae Bumgarner Jason Burns Gary and Anne Marie Bursevich Tony and Pamela Burton Thomas and Gloria Butler Tom and Terri Butler Rex Cable Craig Cagle Jim and Jean Calaverne Jack and Susan Calloway Joseph Camac David and Sue Cambre Brandy Cantu Will Carter Leigh Castle Zach Caudill Michael Ceccarelli Jeanna Chandler Mark Chapman Dave and Lorisa Cheney Cherokee Central Schools Michael Christenbury Bruce Clayton John Clements Eric and Melissa Clonch Susan Cobb Jimmy Cochran Bill Cole Troy and Kim Cole Jim and Jane Cole Vance and Angela Cook Alexander Cooper Casey and Jill Cooper Quinn and Amber Cooper Alan Corbett Stephen and Kelly Cosenke Kent and Janet Cranford Stephen Crawford Donald and Sybil Crawford Ralph Crisp Doug Croft Michael Cross Kathy Crowley Perry and Debbie Crutchfield Reagan Culver Don and Jean Dalton Ellie Daniels Byron and Mary Darby Jim Darby Marsh Dark Chris and Sherri Davenport Nicholas Davis Colton and Courtney Davis Linda Davis Robert and Sharon Davis Bryan Davy
Ernie and Kathleen de la Torre Pam Degraffenreid Chuck and Julie Dellinger Steve and Melissa Demarco Sarah Demarest Katherine Denny Mark Denny Emily Derrick Will Derrick Robert and Hannah DeSoto Raymond Dillard Gary and Nancilee Dills Daniel Dorsey Crystal Douglas Tom and Judy Dowell Seth Drummond Alan Duckett Ryan Duckett Amy Dunn Tyler Easterly Bill and Cathy Eaton Charlotte Eckard Gerald and Linda Edlin Stephanie and Jacob Edwards Chris and Jessica Elliott Eddie Estridge Roger and Linda Euliss Donna Fauth Anna Fentriss Eamonn and Barbara Fitzgerald Shelby Fitzpatrick Stephen Flaherty Suzie Flaherty Mike and Vicky Ford J.D. Forrester Ashley Foster William and Jill Fowkes Jo-D and Melissa Franklin Chris and Susan Freeman Richard and Angie French Dale and Carrie Friese Gene and Kimberly Fulp Thomas Futch David Gabler Brian Galloway Christy Garrett Connie Gartin Chet and Lane Gatlin Merry Gebel Connie Gellner Frank and Laura Geraci Jay and Catrin Giles Mike and Lisa Gillespie Michael and Megan Glass Thomas and Joan Goff Billy and Julie Gonzales Don and Lisa Good Mitch Goodson Kyle Goodwin Steve and Mary Grady Kelley Graham Jerome and Dee Ann Grand Myra Grant David and Eileen Greb Buck and Margaret Green Trent Greene Jared and Jennifer Greenwood Kevin and Victoria Greenwood Corina Gribble Robert Grissett Katherine Griswold Robert Groenke Steve and Susan Guffey Bill and Linda Haggard Jeanne Bryne and Brenda Halford Greg and Charmain Hamer Bob Hamer Charlie and Knox Hardin Jesse Harkins Matt and Jane Harnad Bill Harper Rhett Harrelson Leroy and Sharhonda Harrill Mo and Jenifer Harris Justin and Brandy Harris
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
2026-27 CATAMOUNT CLUB MEMBERSHIP LIST Gregory Hartlage Jeff Hartlage Tressa Hartman Alvin and Sharon Harvell Morris Hatcher Marty Hatcher Rusty Hawkins Harry and Holly Haywood Marshall and Anne Hegler Matthew Heisler Kelly and Susan Helms Hank Henderson Jake Buchanan and Miffy Henley Suzanne Henry Cameron Pierce and Hayley Henson George and Karen Hepburn Michael and Amy Hobbs Glenn Holland Leonard and Lynn Hollifield Bob Holt Keith and Kaye Hooker William Hooper Hooty Hooten Rob and Coleen Hosack Norman and Susie Hubbard Gary Huffman Tommy Huffman Claire and Hugh Huffstutler Tripp and Vicki Hughes Roy Hurst Brad and Ashley Hyder Fred and Carie Irving David and Molly Jackson Demetria Jackson Dwight Jackson Ed and Melissa Jagger Andrew and Lauren Jeffords Scott Jens Ed Jimenez Melanie Jordan Charlie and Susan Juliano Anthony Kajencki Chuck and Lori Keefer Martha Keel Ben Kees Jim Kelley Christian Keoleian Gregory and Beth Keoleian Kyle Kessler Jason Kilgore Peter and Jennifer Kima Donald and Laura Kimmer Kirk Kirouac and Cortney Moore Paul and Jeanmarie Koonts Marcie Korte Steve Korte Doright and Debbie Korytoski Eileen Kress Max Krpejs Kurt and Kimberly Krueger Victoria Ladd Gwendolyn Laguardia Susan Lambreth Clifton Lambreth Scott Lancaster Gerald Lane Jenny Lauer Brian and Kristen Leake Catherine Leblanc Robert Lee Lisa Lettieri Ed and Leslie Levy Tim and Ali Lewis Cody and Melissa Lewis Liberty Community Christian Church, LC3 Jeff and Karen Lineberger Bill Linn Bill and Jane Littlejohn John and Lindsay Lockett Steve and Carole Loflin William Long Kelly Lopez Charles Lucas Clevie and Shirley Luckadoo Katie Lyda
Brandon and Catherine MacCallum Erin Maciorowski Lesley Madden Jamie Magalhaes Brian and Marcie Maines Francis Maness Sam and Kara Manooch John Manuel Marion City Club Chris and Julie Marks Brad Marsico David Martin Stephen and Sharon Martin Matthew Martin Ray and Wanda Martis Joel and Janie Mashburn Gary and Sandi Massey Jenny Massey-McMahan Jerry and Judy Matheny Jody Mathis and June Hannah-Mathis Amy Matthews Ron and Rochelle Mau Joshua Mauney Lee McCall Ruth McConnell Seth and Cheryl McCormick Bill McCracken Al and Sari McCracken Sandi McCracken Joel and Sarah McCracken John and Charity McDaris Dawn McDonald Barry McDonald Suzanne McDowell Cary and McGann Randy McGann Jess McGee Michael McGill Cathy McIntosh Jonathan and Jodi McIntosh Daniel and Phyllis McIntyre David McKay Erwin and Debbie McKinzie Joel McKenzie Brian and Shanna McLamb Phil and Julia McManus Timothy and Jennie McNeilly Douglas Mead Brandon Medlin Mark and Jill Meeks Richard and Jody Megill Ronnie and Margaret Melton Susan Miles Patsy Miller Eric and Erin Miller Dean and Terri Miller Janet Millsaps Mary Lou Millwood Jim and Frances Mincey Henry and Gail Mitchell Haley Mitchell Ronnie and Beth Mixon Aaron Moffat Robby Molony Robin Monroe Brian Moore Derrick Morgan Mark Morgan Randall Morrow Hollye Moss Janice Mozeleski Maddy Mueller Scot and Ellen Mulheron Gary and Jan Mullis Bekah Mumm Amanda Murchie Jonathan Murphrey Martin and Ann Murray Brian and April Musser John and Joan Myers David Nache Larry Davis and Dawn Neatherly Melissa Neef Rob and Cathy Neill Thomas and Emily Nelson
Mark and Kimberly Nelson Kris Nicholls Kirby Niemeyer Ken and Brenda Niemeyer Russell and Brandy Nolen Rhobie Nowlin Rick and Ann Odom Faviola Olvera Drew Parham Todd Parsons Hugh and Linda Passingham Roshni Patel Tom and Holly Patton Ed and Sandra Payne Lindsay Pelone Larry and Barbara Pendry Lewis Penland Helene Perron Jason and Kristen Perzanowski Jason Brown and Christy Phillips-Brown Alex and Ashley Pilkington Nick and Marijo Plott Danny and Beth Poole Daniel and Cathy Portaro Blaze and Melissa Porter David Powell Karen Powers Gary Powers Becca Prichard Tom Banks and Sharon Quackenbush Terry and Nancy Rankin Scott and Pam Rankin David and Joan Rathburn David and Natalie Rayburn Christopher Rayle Bryan and Kimberly Reeves Michael Reeves Brian Reid Anthony Rendon Oliver Reynolds Brandon Reynolds Billy and Kathy Rhinehart Katherine Rigdon Sean Riley Bevans and Krissy Robbs Jim and Nellie Roberts Brian and Nisa Roberts Carol Roberts Kevin Robidoux Robert and Sally Robinson Casey Roche Jefferson Rockett Tiffany Rogers Kaylee Roope Arnold and Donna Roope Sidney Rudisill Matt and Susan Rupert Vanda Russell Carrie Russell Matt Saenger Jesse Sampson Noah Sautter Marvin and Barbara Schade Michael and Diane Schallock Keith Scoggins Bill and Kristin Scott Jacob Scott Scott Seagle Jim Seagraves Ned and Joyce Seaman Alison Seberger Trey and Stacie Selby Joey Self Jamie and Ashlee Self Richard Sellers Sergio Serrano Dennis and Beth Setzer Lamont Seward Ralph Shelley Myron and Kelli Shelor Keri Shelton Andrew and Laura Shepard Michael and Deborah Shepard Ron Shirley Richard Shore
Lyn and Debbie Short David Shortt Lucy Shue Terrellena Shular Doug and Brenda Sidney Christopher Simmons Mike Simpson Dave and Jenn Skoglund Scott and Mary Smith John and Rebecca Smith Gwyn Smith Walter Smith Clint Smith Skye Smith Christopher Smith James and Jana Smith Smokefoot Trade and Loan, Inc. Thomas Sneed Brad and Alison Snyder Craig and Jonni Snyder Jeanine Soucy Stephen and Marina Spears Carole Speas Janis Spelman Michale Spicer Wade and Elisabeth St. John Pamela Stanley Richard and Barbara Starnes Shane Stetler Christine Stevens John Stevens Linda Stewart Rusty and Guindy Stewman Michael and Jill Stillwagon Matt Stillwell Rupert Stout Marc and Whittney Stricker Logan and Tasha Summers Alton and Rena Sutton Rod and Leslie Sweatman Noel Sweeney Phil and Trish Tate Jeff Taylor Samantha Teague Adam and Regina Tebrugge Frank and Lacy Thompson Rusty and Karen Thompson Odell Thompson and Shannon Thompson Nathan and Thompson Patricia Thompson John Thurman and Sharon Thurman David Tinstman Aaron and Julie Todd Gene and Beth Torres Timothy and Lynn Towery James and Stephanie Treadway Jerry and Mary Troxler Jonathan Tsipis Chuck and Sheila Tucker Mona Tucker Natalie Turgeon Anthony and Laura Turner Cynthia Turnipseed Keith Tyburski Paul Updegraff Al and Sally Vanhoy Kevin and Bridget Vasquez Mark Veals Peter and Cindy Veit Russell Vibberts Tripp and Jennifer Viverette Christy Walker John Wallace Catherine Walsh Mike Wash Robert Watkins Mike and Holly Weaver Brad and Christy Weaver Jesse and Catherine Webb Zachary Weeks Irene Welch Daniel Meyer and Lynne Wells-Meyer Brian and Emilly Whitaker John and Rita White
MaKenzie White Dusty and Meleah White James White Freda White Dan and Ashley White Steve Whitmire Matthew and Rachel Wike Edward and Kimberly Wike Dave Wilkins Chuck and Abbie Wilkins Alan and Donna Willard Ken and Dottie Williams Eric and Belinda Williams Melinda Williams Dwight Williams Amber Williams Chuck and Hope Williamson Barbara Williamson Chris and Laura Wilson Frank and Holly Wilson Eric and Whitney Wilson Eric Wilson David and Sally Withers Stephen and Stella Wolfe Linda Worlund-Senyo Rick and Kathleen Wray Debbie Wright James and Jennifer Wright William Wright Greg and Debra Young Terry and Danniel'le Young Ron and Dianne Yount Tony Zande Edward and Louise Zoller John and Barbara Zudans
– PAWS –
George and Anne Abbott Pat Abbott Cam Adams Chris Adkins Gwen Aguiar Thomas and Frances Aiton Dexter Akers Jason Alexander Mike and Libby Alexander Joseph Alexander Payton Allen Jayla Allen Basel Alsayyed Ahmad Douglas and Joan Altizer Kaleb Ambrose Angela Anderson Tracy Andrews Kia Karin Asberg Phil and Dana Ayers Joan Baker John Balentine Mollie Balfe Erica Ball Michael and Megan Barker Brian Wilson and Morgan Barkley Olivia Basilicato Joan Bass Jeff and Melissa Beauchamp Stephanie Beaumont Brian and Brooke Becker Charlie Bell and April Hicks John Bennett Rusty and Nicole Bergen Benji Berkwits Kelly Best Cole Beverlin Alex Bially Jamie Bigby Luke Bjelland Nia Blackwell Tiffany Blassingame Maggie Blevins Janelle Blue Brenda Boensch Trevor Bone Cam Bookhart Harper Bosch Wilson Boyd
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 55
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
2026-27 CATAMOUNT CLUB MEMBERSHIP LIST Imani Boyd Brian Boyer Jay and Rebecca Braddy Bob Bradley Chase Bradley Cherie Bragg Jennifer Brennan Maggie Brostic Jenn Brown Andrew Brown Audrea Brown Joy Brown-Harris Jim and Julie Buchanan Josef Buettner Erica and David Bullock Eric Buschman Chuck Bush Melissa Bush Katie Butler Johnathon Byers Natasha Byrth Cassie Cairns Matthew and Judith Caldwell Ryan Campbell Clay Cantler Josh and Scotti Carnes Sandra Carpenter Lanelle Carr Josh Carrico Devlyn Carroll Jeffrey and Melanie Carter Chelsi Carter Ken Casida Shelley Caudill Dan and Lisa Chase Jade Chester Malik Chevry Susan Childress Daniel Clark Larry Clifton Jonathan Cline Daphne Cobb Victoria Coffey Ryan Cogdill Amber Cole Richard and Amber Coley Keri Conneen Aislyn Coones Richard and Linda Cooper Marvin and Brynn Cope John Corlew Larry and Toma Councilman Anne Marie Covar Teri Crider Taylor Crowder Brannon Curtis Anthony Dalton Jessica Dalton Gary and L. K. Darnell John Davis Trevor Davis Jacob Dean Cooper DeCoursey Brittney DelGreco Julie and Matt Denesha Mike DeSarno Ryan DeVitto Robyn Dezern Samuel Dill Harry and Paula Dolan Shalenna Donley Chase Dorman Jared Dragoo Josh Duckett Tyler Dull Travis Dull Andy and Jordan Dunn Charles Eberle Monica Ebert Jim and Linda Echols Sarah Edwards Roberta Elder Wade and Barbara Elliott Matthew Ellsworth Alexis Eusebio
Ashley Evans Chris Fauth Darrell and Debra Feimster Aloma Felder Nevy Fisher Michael and Sarah Forbis Kelsea Foster Ted and Donna Fowlkes Ben Frederick Larry Freeman Phillippe Gagne Paul Garner Jane Garrett Tabitha Garza Ashley Gasaway Lisa Gazda Sydney Gentry Kendall Gentry Daniel and Lynette Gibson Michael Gilbert Karl and Tena Giles Cynthia Girard Ava Gorman Zoe Graham Seth Graves Andrew Green Stephen Grieger Jacob Grubbs Scott and Gail Haber Jenny Hahn Kevin and Leigh Hall Hannah Hall Michael Hall Chris Harris Kevin Harris Bailey Hartsough Corey and Whitley Headley Kevin and Darlene Hegel Olivia Henderson Alison Henry Audrey Hersom Hailey Hersom Joan Hicks Hub and Gloria Hickson Roger and Tenisea Higgins Jarred and Brooke Hill Lily Hill Hannah Hilton Julia Hogan Keith Hogan Thomas Hogan Annie Hogan Raymond and Emily Holmberg Fred and Karen Holtz Wat Hopkins Jennifer Hostettler Sherri Houston Kim Howell Mouriene Howell Lauren Howes Claudia Howes Glenn and Jaye Huber Joe Hughes Walter and Terri Hunter Troy Huntley Lauren Hutzler Timothy and Amelia Inman Aimee Janney Jarod and Lyly Jernigan Rory Jimerson Kevin and Terri Johnson Sandra Johnson Jennifer Jones Cody Jones Savannah Jones Emma Jones Andrew Jordan Tonya Jordan Deja Jordan John and Anita Joyce Jeremiah Judd David Kahn Melynda Kaifes Deana Kaplan Jocelyn Keen
56 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Caitlyn Kelly Barrett Kenan Derek Kent Maryanne Kilgore Jan and Wade King John King Marcie Kinley Jim and Susan Kiser Phillip and Jane Kneller Jeff Korte Jinny La Bar CJ Landy Lisa Langston Jordan Collins and Jessica Lankford Donald and Joanna Leonard Philip Leone Melissa LeRoy Brandon Lewis Sandra Liles Anna Lindmark John and Salit Lipscomb Denise Lisi Rachel Loggins J.D. and Chloe Long Adamari Lopez Sydney Lowery Gene Lowery Rita Lutz Scott and Amy Lyman DeAnne Macchia Lori MacLeod Bob and Sandra Magee Bryce Malcolm Gary Malloy Diane Manning Vanessa Manning Daniel and Becky Manring Toni Marchisella Kevin Marion Karen Marshall Ken and Faye Marshburn Robert Martin Eli Martinez Rick Martinez Nick Mashburn Michael Mazarky Hayden McAteer James McCallister Lisa McCloud Leslie McCrimon Jeff and Lisa McDaris Kam McDonald Ray and Madge McDonald Marcus McGann Julie McGinnis Barry and April McKinney Robyn McLaughlin Kelly McLaughlin Justin and Kristin Menickelli Owen Mettam Sam Metz Forraile Michael Niall and Terry Michelsen Chandra Miller Katie Miller Carson Miller Natosha Millsaps Victoria Molter Kyle and Terryjean Moody Thomas and Jo Moore Katie Moore Susan Moore J. P. and Rebecca Morgan Cohen Morgan Gavin Mortenson Ellen Moss Kim and Wendal Moss Katherine Mudrovic Jackie Mulcahy Brendan Nail Bo Nance Richard and Maryanne Neal Andy Nelson and Nikki Nichols Charlie Goodson and Salem Niehaus Scott Nogi
Liam Nolan Steve and Sharon Norman Elizabeth Novotny Garrett and Evette O'Connor Katie O'Connor Mitch Ormand Deana Orta Blair and Tori Osborne Ashley Owens Harry Page Jessica Palmer Robert and Melanie Panaccione Bill and Cathy Parrott Randy and Christie Paxton Chris Peery Branch Pendry Michael and Jamie Peoples Angela Perez Barro Caroline Perret Brandon Best and Rae Perry Rosalind Poe Ira and Carolyn Pope Tyler and Kendra Pope James Porter Gene and Susan Posey Chloe Poteat Meghan Prass Jeremy Prats Nolan and Susan Prestwood Bek Price Rodney Provost Bobby and Katie Purgason Brian Queen Timothy and Yvette Queen Roger and Becky Radford Deborah Rainey James and Tonya Raleigh Donna Ramsey Sid Rappe Joshua and Savanah Ray Anthony Jarvis and Amanda Retzbach David Rhode Stephen Rhodes Adrienne Rieley James Roberts James and Emily Robertson Daniel and Stacey Robinette Caleb and Kasey Robinson Anthony Rocha TaKeeta Rogers Craig Owen and Kierra Roseboro Evan Rudo Sue Rutledge Jim Saltz Bob and Kathleen Sanders Matthew Savage and Jenna Burns Walter and Carolyn Schmidt Charles Schmidt Stephanie Schmitz Erin Schneider David and Denissa Schulman Jonathan Scott Darric and Stephanie Sewell Zach Shatley Amy Shearer Randy Shuford Jenea Shuler Justin Siddle Tyson Silver Timothy and Deanna Stilinger Scott and Paula Sitton James Small Jordan and Hayley Smith Keith and Deborah Smith Ali Smith Madigan Smith Emily Smith Renick and Mary Smith Nicholas Snedeker Dusty and Tonya Snider Joey Snyder Noelle Soldo Brinson Soles Darrin and AnnMarie Spain Margaret Sprinkle
Deborah Stamper Teri Steinhardt Malik Stewart Nate Stocum Kaylee Stoltz Richard Storrs Julie Straus Bradley and Kimberly Strong Kristen Sugg Tim Summers Zeyi Sun Justice Sundstrom Brodey and Liberty Sundstrom Taylor Svehla Chelsi Swink Savannah Tanner William and Joyce Tessier Marcus Thomas Mike and Lisa Thompson Josh and Brittany Thompson Madison Thompson Bucky and Betty Thornburg Tim Timmons Kat Torode Gail Totherow Whitney Tracy Richard and Penny Tracy Brooks Treadaway Drew and Brooke Tucker Brooke Tucker Sydney Turner Drew and Courtney Umphlett Robert Vibberts Jimmy Viola Ava Vlkovic Joseph W. Kyle Waltz Mike and Melinda Ward Molly Ward Cole Watkins Kerry Webb Megan Weigel Kat Welborn Michael West Christopher Westrich Jack and Margaret Whelan Ed White David White Danielle White Nolan White Yates White Nicholas Whiting Joy Willard-Williford Kee Kee Williams David and Lucy Williams Al and Terry Williams John Williams Kinsey Williams Susan Williamson Teresa Winfree Hannah Wing David and Pamela Winter Samantha Wolchesky Brittnee Woodall Madelyn Woodard Dan Pyles and Beth Woodard Eric and Kristin Wright Mary Yoos Tiffany Young Isiah and Dasha Young Ty and Brooke Yount Membership list as of Aug. 21, 2026
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
DEFENDING CATAMOUNTS
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 57
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
58 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
MEET THE 2026 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS
0
0 AJ Colombo
Blue Monroe
WR – 5-8 – 170 – 5th Yr. Waxhaw, N.C.
LB – 6-1 – 225 – 5th Yr. Concord, N.C.
3
3 Josh Perry
RB – 6-0 – 205 – So. Orlando, Fla.
Joshua Collins LB – 6-1 – 225 – Jr. Bryson City, N.C.
6
6
Marcus Striggles
Jayden Cornelius
8
9
WR – 5-9 – 180 – Jr. North Lauderdale, Fla.
Ian Grissom
QB – 6-1 – 170 – So. Rock Hill, S.C.
1
1
CB – 5-10 – 175 – So. Fort Meade, Fla.
Jai Boyd Jr.
WR – 6-2 – 180 – Sr. Ridgeway, S.C.
4
4
Kha'leal Sterling
Andre Jackson Jr.
7
7
WR – 5-9 – 170 – So. Miami, Fla.
Trey Walker
WR – 5-10 – 180 – So. Hoschton, Ga.
9 Bode Burns
TE – 6-5 – 245 – Jr. Dunnellon, Fla.
Ken Moore Jr.
SPUR – 5-10 – 160 – 5th Yr. Miami, Fla.
Eldrick Robinson II LB – 6-0 – 230 – 5th Yr. Pensacola, Fla.
CB – 5-10 – 180 – So. Charlotte, N.C.
Marseille Taylor
CB – 6-2 – 190 – 5th Yr. Sanford, Fla.
10 Santana Carlos WR – 5-11 – 175 – Fr. Hollywood, Fla.
2
2 Lex Thomas
QB – 5-11 – 205 – Jr. Raleigh, N.C.
Na'koma Simpson-Nealy S – 5-10 – 175 – Jr. Altamonte Springs, Fla.
5
5 Michael Rossin
WR – 6-0 – 200 – So. Live Oak, Fla.
8
Braylon Jones S – 6-1 – 205 – Sr. Rockmart, Ga.
8
Marlin Cochran RB – 6-0 – 200 – Sr. Miami, Fla.
10
Ryan McKinnis
LB – 6-2 – 220 – Sr. Buford, Ga.
11
Jabari McWilliams DL – 6-0 – 270 – Jr. Picayune, Miss.
Isaac Lee
QB – 6-4 – 190 – Jr. Concord, N.C.
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 59
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
MEET THE 2026 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS
11 Marco Patierno
LB – 6-1 – 230 – 5th Yr. Wake Forest, N.C.
14 Vanier Baptiste III DL – 6-3 – 280 – Jr. Lehigh Acres, Fla.
17 Ja'Torian Mack S – 5-11 – 185 – So. Eatonville, Fla.
21 Joshua Balloon RB – 5-9 – 170 – Fr. Tampa, Fla.
12 Jake Morrow
QB – 6-0 – 195 – Fr. Grand Blanc, Mich.
15 Michael Davis Jr. WR – 6-0 – 170 – Fr. Leesville, La.
18 Matthew Keener WR – 6-2 – 200 – Jr. Pilot Mountain, N.C.
21 Nassor Ashenafi
SPUR – 5-9 – 170 – So. Washington, D.C.
60 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
12 Julian Quintero S – 6-0 – 200 – Jr. St. Augustine, Fla.
15 Hank Bodine
LB – 6-0 – 230 – So. Velva, N.D.
18 Trystan Anderson
DL – 6-4 – 255 – 5th Yr. Buffalo Grove, Ill.
22 Derrick Davis, Jr.
RB – 6-1 – 210 – 5th Yr. Pittsburgh, Pa.
13 Richard Hollis
WR – 5-8 – 170 – So. Pompano Beach, Fla.
16 Caleb Tucker
QB – 6-2 – 200 – Fr. Woodbridge, Va.
19 Mouhamadou Mane WR – 6-2 – 180 – Fr. Kathleen, Ga.
22 Quency Grant III CB – 5-10 – 170 – Fr. Columbia, S.C.
13 Caleb Turner-Allen BAN – 6-2 – 250 – Jr. Miami, Fla.
16 Chase Kerns
DL – 6-1 – 280 – Jr. Decatur, Ga.
19 Cain Jefferson
BAN – 6-3 – 225 – So. Decatur, Ga.
23 Jerry Gaines
Western Carolina – 1971-74 WCU Athletics Hall of Fame
14 Kale Woodburn WR – 5-8 – 170 – Jr. Warner Robins, Ga.
17 Patrick Harding QB – 6-3 – 190 – Fr. Zephyrhills, Fla.
20 Jadarius Dobie RB – 5-8 – 170 – Fr. Lakeland, Fla.
24 Anthony Benjamin RB – 5-10 – 170 – Sr. Fort Myers, Fla.
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 61
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
MEET THE 2026 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS
24 Terrell Poyser
CB – 6-3 – 170 – Fr. Wildwood, Fla.
28 Chris Hobbs
CB – 6-2 – 180 – So. Decatur, Ga.
34 Jordan Martin-Durham BAN – 6-3 – 260 – So. Jacksonville, Fla.
41 Beady Waddell V LB – 6-0 – 220 – Jr. Summerville, S.C.
25 Noah Best
RB – 5-11 – 195 – So. Charlotte, N.C.
29 Christian Robbins CB – 6-1 – 190 – So. Orlando, Fla.
35 Trey Berry III
LB – 6-1 – 220 – So. Bartow, Fla.
42 Luke Waters
K/P – 6-2 – 205 – Fr. Toccoa, Ga.
62 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
25 Caleb Young Jr. S – 6-0 – 210 – Fr. Gainesville, Fla.
30 Jaden Meeks
DL – 6-2 – 225 – Jr. Charlotte, N.C.
37 Devon Wilson Jr. CB – 5-11 – 190 – Fr. Mauldin, S.C.
43 Braeden Barger LB – 6-1 – 230 – So. Weddington, N.C.
26 Devin Brown
CB – 5-10 – 160 – So. Miami, Fla.
31 Alant'e Reese
S – 6-2 – 205 – Fr. Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
38 Jayden Joselin
S – 6-0 – 185 – Fr. North Lauderdale, Fla.
44 Isaac McLellan
TE – 6-2 – 240 – 5th Yr. Rock Hill, S.C.
27 Elijah Hadley
RB – 5-10 – 200 – Sr. Charlotte, N.C.
32 AJ Mintze
S – 6-0 – 185 – So. Miami, Fla.
39 Jonathan Powell-Battle DB – 6-0 – 170 – Fr. Wilson, N.C.
45 Honor Paxton
LB – 6-3 – 215 – Fr. Apex, N.C.
27 Jermiyah Douglas SPUR – 5-10 – 175 – Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
33 Gavin Rowell
DL – 6-3 – 255 – 5th Yr. Melbourne, Fla.
40 Landon Pope
RB – 5-10 – 225 – Fr. Canton, N.C.
46 Nolan McClanahan LB – 6-1 – 220 – So. Lake Mary, Fla.
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 63
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
MEET THE 2026 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS
47 Dylan Harris
DL – 6-5 – 245 – Fr. Ocala, Fla.
53 Zach Watson
OL – 6-1 – 295 – Sr. Waycross, Ga.
60 Bryan McCollum K – 5-8 – 165 – So. Sanford, N.C.
67 Steven Hamby
OL – 6-5 – 325 – Sr. Statesville, N.C.
49
48 Roman Jones
TE – 6-3 – 230 – Fr. Robbinsville, N.C.
54
Bryce Hart
LB – 6-2 – 220 – So, Ringgold, Ga.
55 Art Byrd
Western Carolina – 1946-49 WCU Athletics Hall of Fame
61 Marcus Trout
K – 5-11 – 175 – So. Cocoa, Fla.
68 Aidan Cooper
OL – 6-4 – 305 – So. Charlotte, N.C.
64 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Secrea Algie
OL – 6-5 – 320 – Jr. Snellville, Ga.
62 Brian Wheat
OL – 6-3 – 285 – Fr. Jacksonville, Fla.
69 Cole Cooke
OL – 6-8 – 330 – So. Fort Myers, Fla.
50 Xavier Nocco
LS – 6-1 – 200 – Fr. Tampa, Fla.
56 Aaron McIver
OL – 6-2 – 305 – 5th Yr. Charlotte, N.C.
63 Thomas Guerrero P – 5-9 – 160 – So. Greenville, S.C.
71 Sawyer Nelson OL – 6-3 – 280 – Fr. Lenoir, N.C.
51 Aaron Sanez
OL – 6-2 – 295 – 5th Yr. Clearwater, Fla.
57 Kaden Powell
LS – 6-8 – 270 – So. Woodstock, Ga.
64 Konrad Henderson OL – 6-3 – 305 – Sr. Alpharetta, Ga.
72 Andrew Threatt
OL – 6-6 – 285 – 5th Yr. Charlotte, N.C.
52 Brayson McIver OL – 6-2 – 280 – Jr. Charlotte, N.C.
58 Isaac Boulger
OL – 6-2 – 295 – Jr. Northport, Ala.
65 Nicholas Foster OL – 6-1 – 295 – So. Charlotte, N.C.
73 Colin McClellan OL – 6-3 – 265 – Fr. Plant City, Fla.
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
Enjoy fall viewing from our first-class dining car. ✓ Comfortable table seating ✓ Large windows ✓ Climate Controlled ✓ Delicious meal
GSMR.COM
Reserve your tickets now for Leaf Season & Polar Express!
G
R
E
A T
S
M
O
K
Y
M
O
U
N
T A
I
N
S
R
A
I
L
R
O A
D
Available free throughout WNC or read online at smokymountainnews.com 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 65
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
MEET THE 2026 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS
75 Renard Smith
OL – 6-4 – 325 – 5th Yr. Dallas, Ga.
82 Davon Washington WR – 5-8 – 160 – Fr. Altamonte Springs, Fla.
88 Cole Craddock
TE – 6-4 – 245 – So. Tarboro, N.C.
94 Malachi Hill
DL – 6-3 – 295 – Fr. Burgaw, N.C.
77 John Hammond OL – 6-5 – 320 – So. Spartanburg, S.C.
83 Austin Cunningham WR – 6-0 – 185 – Jr. Columbia, S.C.
89 Ellis Chappell
WR – 6-0 – 185 – So. Hickory, N.C.
95 Mark Fitzgerald K/P – 6-1 – 210 – Fr. Dublin, Ireland
66 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
78 J'veon Bush
OL – 6-5 – 320 – So. Orlando, Fla.
84 Jemarious Reaves WR – 6-1 – 190 – Jr. Hopkins, S.C.
90 Da'Shawn Davis
BAN – 6-2 – 235 – 5th Yr. Charlotte, N.C.
96 Jeremy Johnson II DL – 5-10 – 300 – Jr. Atlanta, Ga.
79 Vito Moriana-Sigel OL – 6-5 – 315 – 5th Yr. Estepona, Spain
85 Paul Hartman III TE – 6-5 – 240 – Jr. Springfield, Ill.
91 Jakoby Diamond DL – 6-1 – 305 – So. Cedartown, Ga.
97 Fernando Jeanty
DL – 6-3 – 270 – Jr. North Miami Beach, Fla.
80 Corey Swint
WR – 6-0 – 170 – Fr. MIami, Fla.
86 Davis Waddell
TE – 6-5 – 220 – Fr. Cartersville, Ga.
92 Brandon Joseph II DL – 6-3 – 275 – So. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
98 Aiden Black
DL – 6-1 – 295 – Fr. Concord, N.C.
81 Emanuel Palmer WR – 5-8 – 160 – Fr. Collierville, Tenn.
87 Jake Young
TE – 6-3 – 245 – 5th Yr. Waxhaw, N.C.
93 Jahleel Anderson
DL – 6-4 – 325 – 5th Yr. Statesboro, Ga.
99 Adrian Stone
DL – 6-3 – 290 – Jr. Fort Myers, Fla.
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
THE 2026 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS FOOTBALL TEAM
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 67
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
68 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
2026 "PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS" – MARCHING BAND The students and staff of the 2026 "Pride of the Mountains," Marching Band present “kNOW where,” a field production about knowing where we have been, embracing where we are now, and having the courage to move toward an unwritten future. Last year’s “CONNECT” explored the people, places, experiences, and traditions that connect us across generations. This year, we take the next step. “kNOW where” asks: once you understand where you come from, where do you go from here? The title reflects both KNOW and NOW—knowing our history while embracing the opportunity in front of us. The production features music by Jesus Jones, Queen, Natasha Bedingfield, The Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Anderson López & López. CELEBRATE 250 – PREGAME The "Pride of the Mountains" presents a special pregame production, “Celebrate 250,” honoring the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The show opens with an original Americana fanfare arranged especially for WCU by Paul Murtha, renowned composer and arranger for the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” The WCU Dance Team is then featured in Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.,” followed by Jay Dawson’s beautiful arrangement of “America the Beautiful,” our Alma Mater, and the National Anthem. Pregame concludes with the traditional Spirit Sequence, building excitement for the Catamounts’ entrance and kickoff. Specially crafted red, white, and blue American-themed flags will be featured throughout the production. The "Pride of the Mountains" will perform at all Catamount football games; September 27 at the Land of the Sky Competition at Enka High School in Candler; October 10 at the East Lincoln Carolina Classic in Lincolnton; and October 17 at Western Carolina’s 25th annual "Tournament of Champions." The exhibition season concludes at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. The "Pride of the Mountains," Marching Band has also accepted an invitation to perform in the London New Year's Day Parade on Jan. 1, 2028, marking another major milestone for one of the nation's premier collegiate marching bands. The invitation places WCU on one of the world's most visible parade stages and continues a tradition of national and international excellence. The "Pride of the Mountains" has represented WCU at some of the most prestigious events in marching band history, including the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California; two Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades in New York City; the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland; and the Bands of America Grand National Championships.
The band also received the Sudler Trophy in 2009, one of the highest honors awarded to collegiate marching bands.
And now, about our 2026 production . . . “kNOW where”
Part I: Can't Stop Us!
A trumpet call harkens to our past and is answered by a musical voice from past membership. We acknowledge those who came before us, then immediately take the first step forward. Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now captures the energy, courage, and unstoppable momentum of the journey.
Part II: Our Story is Unwritten
This generation has inherited a remarkable story, but the next chapter belongs to them. Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten celebrates that possibility, followed by a triumphant In My Life by The Beatles—a reminder that we write our story together, with the friends beside us.
Part III: Breaking Boundaries
The raw energy of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Can’t Stop drives a percussioncentered exploration of what a college marching band can become. What is up can be down, what is down can be up, and even the field is no longer a boundary. We are not here to fit inside a box—we are here to break it.
Part IV: Into the Unknown
Our final push takes us Into the Unknown. Anderson López & López’s heroic and optimistic melody becomes a statement about the future. We may not know exactly what comes next, but we have the confidence to take that next step together. Visually, the “dots that we connected” from last year remain part of the story, joined by a single moving dot—like a pin on a map—representing the Pride of the Mountains moving forward on its journey. The production also leans boldly into Western Carolina’s GOLD, representing the excellence and gold standard we strive to set in the college pageantry arts.
We KNOW where we have been. We KNOW who we are. We KNOW who is beside us. The future is wide open. The next chapter is ours to write. NOW.
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 69
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
"Pride of the Mountains" MARCHING BAND 2026 Instructional Staff and Design Team Matt Henley Dillon Ingle Jeremy Loui Jayda Copeland AJ Junttila Katie Sightler Line Kinsey Seaon Carter
Director of Athletic Bands Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Administrative Assistant Director of Color Guard Color Guard Instructor Purple Drum Line Instructor Cymbal Instructor
DESIGN TEAM: Matt Henley, Program Coordinator; Jamey Thompson, Visual Design; Doug Thrower, Wind Arranger; Dillon Ingle, Percussion Arranger; Jeremy Loui, Design Consultant; Daniel Brodie, Sound Design; Ian Lewis, Visual Consultant AJ Junttila, Color Guard Design & Choreographer; Katie Sightler, Color Guard Choreographer; Jimmy Crocker, Prop Design & Fabrication STAFF COORDINATORS: Jason Parker and Katy Riggs 2026 DRUM MAJORS: Joely Martin (Head), Grace Cottrill, Mariana Hernandez, Kadence Watford CAPTION COORDINATORS: Erik Stauffer, Jerry Bradley, Adaline Armstrong, Danny Strother,Austin Williams, Gage Moorefield SERVICE STAFF CHIEFS: Gwen Muchmore, Zach Stowe, Dixie Ashdown, Lilli Haney, Ethan Robinson, Skylar Stowe, Joshua Barker, Lilly Arrowood, Peyton Denning
70 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
WESTERN CAROLINA FIGHT SONG
WESTERN CAROLINA ALMA MATER
Fight on! You Catamounts, Fight for purple and gold. Fight on to victory, True warriors bold. Wave the royal banner high, And let it fill the Western sky. So, fight on! you Catamounts, Fight to vic–to–ry!
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater; Faithful, kind, and true; Every son and every daughter Offers praise to you. – CHORUS – Hail to the dearest spot of all; Hail to WCU! Light and life and fond devotion, All to thee are due. Purple robes and colors golden, Streaming everywhere, Swell our hearts with pride for olden Days and friendships dear. – CHORUS – Under shade trees’ friendly bowers, Voices, ever gay, Mingles with breath of flowers And the song birds’ lay. – CHORUS – Shout aloud with one loud chorus, Voices clear and true, Lifted high in praise and honor, All for WCU! – CHORUS –
Western, Western, Go–Western! Go—Cats! Fight on! You Catamounts, Fight for purple and gold. Fight on to victory, True warriors bold. Wave the royal banner high, And let it fill the Western sky. So, fight on! you Catamounts, Fight to vic–to–ry! Adopted in 1981, Western Carolina’s fight song was composed by members of the University faculty including
Mr. Dick Trevarthen.
Western Carolina and Catamount Athletics was saddened to learn of his passing in August 2022
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 71
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
Wonder why.
Wander out. livewestern.wcu.edu
LIVE WESTERN 72 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
KELLI R. BROWN
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR
Western Carolina University is led by the Chancellor, the university’s chief administrative officer, with guidance and policy oversight from the Board of Trustees. As one of the 16 universities in the University of North Carolina system, WCU also falls under the administration of the UNC system president and the Board of Governors, advised by the UNC Faculty Assembly. As Provost, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs serves as the top administrator for academics and as the senior member of the Chancellor’s Executive Council: WESTERN CAROLINA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Dr. Kelli R. Brown, Chancellor Dr. Richard Starnes, Provost / Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Mr. Mike Byers, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance 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 Mr. Kyle Pifer, Director of Athletics Dr. Melissa Wargo, Chief of Staff & Chief External Affairs Officer Dr. William Moultrie, Vice Chancellor of Enrollment & Student Success Ms. Jessica Woods, Assistant to the Chancellor Kelli R. Brown, Ph.D., is the 12th Chancellor of WCU and the first permanent woman chancellor. She previously served as provost and senior VP for academic affairs at Georgia College & State University. Chancellor Brown earned her doctorate in education from Southern Illinois University. She serves on numerous boards. 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.
Under her leadership, Western Carolina University officially kicked off the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the university’s history, an effort to secure $100 million in philanthropic support with a focus on increasing the financial resources necessary for long-delayed upgrades in facilities used by Catamount student-athletes. The "Fill the Western Sky" comprehensive fundraising campaign initially kicked off in 2019 shortly after Chancellor Brown’s arrival prioritizing seeking philanthropic support for enhancements to the overall student experience, including academics, athletics, and community and global engagement. In October 2025 the campaign surpassed its recordbreaking goal, bringing in the funding to complete the much-needed renovations to the EJ Whitmire Stadium, specifically the west side stands. The “Western Skybox” project broke ground in June 2025 and feature a new press box and media center, coaches’ offices, player study and collaboration space and a Chancellor's Club hospitality space. The project was completed in summer 2026. Under Brown's guidance, projections are pointing to what may be the largest incoming freshman class and possibly the highest overall enrollment in the university’s 137-year history. WCU's largest freshman class of 2,186 was recorded in fall of 2018, but this August the class could
exceed 2,400 first-time, full-time students. The anticipated growth comes less than two years after the university experienced an enrollment decline in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, making the rebound all the more significant as the region continues to recover economically. As Chancellor she has highlighted several priorities: an institutional emphasis on quality and excellence; a commitment to student success; and a focus on the University’s role as an engine of economic development for its communities. WCU continues to capitalize on the opportunity to be a thought leader regarding how regionally engaged universities can maintain a student-centered focus, with high levels of teaching innovation. Brown's distinguished career includes teaching at the University of South Florida and the University of Florida in Gainesville, where she served as the Dean of the Graduate School and Associate dean for Academic Affairs, respectively. She was the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Georgia College and State University. Brown came to Cullowhee after serving as the Interim President at Valdosta State University. A three-time graduate of the University of Toledo and earning her doctorate at Southern Illinois, Carbondale, Chancellor Brown is originally from the Midwest, and she and her husband of 37 years, Dennis, live in Cullowhee.
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 73
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2026 CATAMOUNT CHEERLEADERS CATAMOUNT CHEER WINS SILVER BID AT GREENVILLE CAMP WCU earned its spot at April’s NCA Nationals in Daytona
Greenville, S.C. – Western Carolina Cheerleading punched its ticket to the 2027 National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Collegiate Cheer and Dance Nationals, earning a silver bid after capturing first place at an NCA camp hosted by Furman.
Among the teams competing in the preseason camp were fellow Southern Conference foe – and event host – Furman, with the cheer teams from GardnerWebb, USC Upstate, Anderson University, and Piedmont University.
With the camp win, the Catamount cheerleaders not only collected a team trophy, but also earned a spot in April’s national competition. The NCA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Nationals is regarded as one of the premier championships in collegiate cheerleading, bringing together top programs from across the country each spring in Daytona Beach, Fla. The silver bid includes partial financial support from the NCA to aid the team’s trip to the Sunshine State.
"This team's work ethic and commitment to one another showed throughout the weekend," Catamount head coach Corbin Huntley said. "They embraced every challenge, supported one another, and represented Western Carolina with tremendous energy. Earning a bid to Daytona is a great reward for their effort, and we're excited to keep building momentum heading into football season."
The team traveled to the Upstate of South Carolina on August 22-23 for the skills camp, learning new material, trying new skills, and strengthening the team bond ahead of the home-opening football game, under the new lights at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.
74 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Fans interested in supporting the cheerleaders' journey to Daytona can make a sport-specific gift through the Catamount Club by clicking here and selecting Cheerleaders from the drop-down menu.
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 75
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
2026 HOME CATAMOUNT VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE AUG 21
ANDERSON 6:00 PM EXHIBITION
SEPT 8 GARDNER-WEBB 6:00 PM
SEPT 17
USC UPSTATE 6:00 PM
OCT 1 & 2
OCT 9 & 10
OCT 22 & 23
6:00 PM
6:00 PM & 4:00 PM
6:00 PM
SAMFORD
FURMAN
MERCER
OCT 27 WOFFORD 6:00 PM
2026 HOME CATAMOUNT SOCCER SCHEDULE
NOV 13 & 14
ETSU
6:00 PM & 2:00 PM
AUG 5
GEORGIA STATE 7:00 PM
AUG 8 WRIGHT STATE 2:00 PM
HOME MATCHES: INGLES COURT AT THE RAMSEY CENTER – ADMISSION FREE FOR FULL SCHEDULE VISIT CATAMOUNTSPORTS.COM
AUG 13
WINTHROP 6:00 PM
AUG 16
UNCW
1:00 PM
AUG 30 EAST CAROLINA 1:00 PM
SEPT 3 NC STATE 7:00 PM
SEPT 20 SAMFORD 1:00 PM
OCT 1 ETSU
7:00 PM
OCT 11 THE CITADEL
HOME MATCHES: CATAMOUNT ATHLETIC COMPLEX – ADMISSION FREE FOR FULL SCHEDULE VISIT CATAMOUNTSPORTS.COM
Explore Further.
ADVANCE YOUR OWN DEGREE. With more than 45 graduate programs, you can shape your own future.
Discover more
GRAD.WCU.EDU
76 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Senior Day 2:00 PM
OCT 23 MERCER 7:00 PM
OCT 29 TENNESSEE TECH 6:00 PM
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 77
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
WESTERN CAROLINA’S POSTSEASON TEAMS
• 1949 •
North State Conference Champions Western Carolina had struggled through its first 15 seasons of football with only two winning seasons in two decades, but all that frustration was forgotten in 1949 when Coach Tom Young completed a four-year, post-World War II building program with an 8-2 regular season and the school’s first North State Conference championship and first postseason appearance. The Cats, led by a stingy defense, won its first five games and allowed only two touchdowns in those victories. The only blemishes on the season were non-conference losses to Maryville (20-13) and Emory & Henry (27-26) as Western finished unbeaten in conference play. The team was rewarded by a bid to play in the Smoky Mountain Bowl in Bristol, Va., where the Cats lost to West Liberty State. Art Byrd, a 165-pound guard, was named to the Associated Press Little All-America Team, Western’s first AllAmerica selection. Linemen Buffalo Humphries and Hugh Constance along with backs Hugh “Pee Wee” Hamilton and Ralph McConnell joined Byrd on the All-North State Conference Team.
ART BYRD, a 165-pound two-way guard for the 1949 North State Conference championship team, was Western Carolina’s first All-America selection.
78 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
• 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.
Linebacker STEVE YATES was leader and first team All-American on the 1974 team, which was WCU’s first to reach the NCAA playoffs, doing so at the NCAA Division II level.
• 1983 •
NCAA Division I-AA National Finalist Like the 1974 team, the 1983 Catamounts got off to a slow start by losing its first two games to Clemson and Wake Forest. After the two setbacks, WCU would go through the next 12 Saturdays unbeaten en route to the NCAA Division I-AA championship game – the first by a Southern Conference school. The winning streak started in the third week of the season when WCU rallied from a 10-point deficit in the closing two minutes to defeat East Tennessee State, 17-16, and ended with a loss to Southern Illinois in the national championship game in Charleston, S.C. Despite the strong comeback in regular season play that produced an 8-2-1 record and No. 9 national ranking, Waters’ Cats barely made it into the I-AA playoffs. They proved their worthiness the next three weeks with comefrom-behind, heart-stopping wins over Colgate (24-23), Holy Cross (28-21) and Furman (14-7). The win over Furman was particularly pleasing as the teams had tied, 17-17, in the regular season, and allowed the Paladins to win the SoCon title as they had played and won one more league game due to a scheduling quirk. Over 5,000 WCU fans traveled to Greenville, S.C., for the rematch which was aired by CBS-TV. On the 1983 team, WCU had EIGHT players named 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.
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.
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 79
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
80 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE The Southern Conference, which celebrates its 105th year in 2026, is a national leader in emphasizing the development of the student-athlete and in helping to build lifelong leaders and role models. The Southern Conference has been on the forefront of innovation and originality in developing creative solutions to address issues facing intercollegiate athletics. From establishing the first postseason college basketball tournament (1921), to tackling the issue of freshman eligibility (1922), to developing women's championships (1984), to becoming the first conference to install the 3-point goal 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 student-athletes 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 11 full-time members in six states throughout the Southeast and sponsors 20 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 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
2026 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS (PRESEASON POLL) C/S
Team
W
L
SOCON Pct Pts Opp
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.
NOTING SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL u The he Southern Conference has also excelled as one of the premier Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conference. Former SoCon member Appalachian State won the three consecutive FCS titles from 2005-07, becoming the first team to do so.
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. In the summer of 2025, the SoCon announced the addition of Tennessee Tech, with the Golden Eagles joining as a full member in the summer of 2026, bringing the league's active full-time membership to 11 schools and a footprint that spans six states: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Current league members are Chattanooga, The Citadel, ETSU, Furman, Mercer, UNCG, Samford, Tennessee Tech, VMI, Western Carolina and Wofford.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
OVERALL Pct Pts Opp
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
L
17 / 21 Mercer 0 0 .000 15 / 14 Tennessee Tech 0 0 .000 RV / RV ETSU 0 0 .000 RV / RV Western Carolina 0 0 .000 RV / - Chattanooga 0 0 .000 RV / RV Furman 0 0 .000 RV / - Wofford 0 0 .000 Samford 0 0 .000 The Citadel 0 0 .000 VMI 0 0 .000
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.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
W
.000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
C – FCS Coaches Poll; S – STATS Perform FCS Top 25 Poll;
u
u
u
u
u
u
u
The he league boasts more than 250 players who have garnered All-America recognition and numerous national player or coach of the year awards. The conference had at least one team in the top 10 of the final FCS poll for 28 consecutive years (1985-2012), with at least two teams finishing in the final poll in every season from 1982-2013. Mercer and VMI entered the FCS national rankings for the first time in program history in 2020-21, with the Keydets winning the league title for the first time since 1977 and making their firstever appearance in the FCS playoffs. ETSU won its first outright SoCon title in 2021, earning the No. 7 seed in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs and finishing inside the top 10 in the national rankings. In 2020-21, VMI coach Scott Wachenheim became the Southern Conference’s fifth winner of the Eddie Robinson Award, joining The Citadel’s Charlie Taaffe (1992), Georgia Southern’s Paul Johnson (1998), Wofford’s Mike Ayers (2003) and App State’s Moore (2006). In 1999, Georgia Southern’s Adrian Peterson captured the Walter Payton Award. A four-time All-American who finished his career as the NCAA Division I leader in rushing yards with 6,559, Peterson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December 2017. Furman’s Louis Ivory earned the Walter Payton Award in 2000, giving the SoCon consecutive winners, while Georgia Southern’s Jayson Foster was presented with the 2007 trophy and Appalachian State QB Armanti Edwards became the first two-time winner in Payton Award history, claiming the honors in 2008 and 2009 to make it three consecutive. SUPER SoCon: Western Carolina’s David Patten and Appalachian State’s Matt Stevens were both members of the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl champion team in 2002 and Patten also earned Super Bowl rings with the Patriots in 2004 and ’05. Appalachian State’s Daniel Kilgore appeared in Super Bowl XLVII for the San Francisco 49ers in 2013 and was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LV squad in 2021. Chattanooga’s Keionta Davis was a member of the Patriots’ organization for New England’s appearance in Super Bowl LII in 2018, while Davis and Western Carolina’s Keion Crossen were teammates for the Super Bowl LIIIwinning Patriots in 2019. Former Samford safety Jaquiski Tartt played in Super Bowl LIV for the 49ers in 2020. 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 81
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
2026 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL COMPOSITE SCHEDULE Thursday, Aug. 27
Anderson at Furman Chattanooga at West Georgia
Greenville, S.C. Carrollton, Ga.
Saturday, Aug. 29
Campbell at ETSU The Citadel at Wofford * VMI at Idaho State East Texas A&M at Mercer Samford at North Alabama Monmouth at Tennessee Tech Eastern Kentucky at Western Carolina
Johnson City, Tenn. Spartanburg, S.C. Pocatello, Idaho Macon, Ga. Huntsville, Ala. Cookeville, Tenn. Cullowhee
Thursday, Sept. 3
S. Illinois at Samford
Birmingham, Ala.
Saturday, Sept. 5
Gardner-Webb at Wofford The Citadel at Charlotte Furman at Tennessee Western Carolina at Campbell Tusculum at ETSU Presbyterian at Mercer Tennessee Tech at Chattanooga VMI at Virginia Tech
Spartanburg, S.C. Charlotte, N.C. Knoxville, Tenn. Buies Creek, N.C. Johnson City, Tenn. Macon, Ga. Chattanooga, Tenn. Blacksburg, Va.
Saturday, Sept. 12
ETSU at North Carolina Wofford at Kent State Bucknell at VMI Chattanooga at Eastern Kentucky Charleston Southern at The Citadel Furman at Mercer * Samford at Tennessee Tech * Western Carolina at Cincinnati
Chapel Hill, N.C. Kent, Ohio Lexington, Va. Richmond, Ky. Charleston, S.C. Macon, Ga. Cookeville, Tenn. Cincinnati, Ohio
Saturday, Sept. 19
West Georgia at ETSU Mercer at Georgia Tech VMI at Davidson Presbyterian at Western Carolina Wofford at Chattanooga * SC State at Furman
Johnson City, Tenn. Atlanta, Ga. Davidson, N.C. Cullowhee Chattanooga, Tenn. Greenville, S.C.
Saturday, Sept. 26
Tennessee Tech at Wofford * Chattanooga at The Citadel * Furman at Richmond VMI at Samford * Western Carolina at ETSU * Mercer at Abilene Christian
Spartanburg, S.C. Charleston, S.C. Richmond, Va. Birmingham, Ala. Johnson City, Tenn. Abilene, Texas
Saturday, Oct. 3
Mercer at VMI * The Citadel at SC State Wofford at Furman * Chattanooga at ETSU * Samford at UAB Tennessee Tech at Western Carolina *
Lexington, Va. Orangeburg, S.C. Greenville, S.C. Johnson City, Tenn. Birmingham, Ala. Cullowhee
82 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
7 pm 7 pm
ESPN+ ESPN+
5:30 pm 6 pm 6 pm 7 pm 7 pm 7 pm 7 pm
ESPN+ ESPN+ ESPN+ ESPN ESPN+ ESPN+ ESPN+
7 pm
ESPN+
1:30 pm ESPN+ 3:30 pm ESPN+ 3:30 pm SECN+ 3:30 pm FloCollege 5:30 pm ESPN+ 6 pm ESPN+ 6 pm Nexstar/E+ 7:30 pm ACCNX
12 pm 12 pm 1:30 pm 6 pm 6 pm 6 pm 7 pm 7 pm
ACCN ESPN+ ESPN+ ESPN+ ESPN+ ESPN+ ESPN+ ESPN+
12 pm ESPN+ 12 pm ACCN 1 pm ESPN+ 2:30 pm ESPN+ 6 pm Nexstar/E+ 7 pm TBA
1:30 pm ESPN+ 2 pm ESPN+ 2 pm ESPN+ 3:30 pm ESPN+ 3:30 pm Nexstar/E+ 8 pm ESPN+
1:30 pm ESPN+ 2 pm ESPN+ 2 pm TBA 3:30 pm ESPN+ 3:30 pm ESPN+ 6 pm Nexstar/E+
Saturday, Oct. 10
Samford at Chattanooga * Wofford at Elon The Citadel at ETSU * Western Carolina at Mercer * Furman at Tennessee Tech *
Chattanooga, Tenn. Elon, N.C. Johnson City, Tenn. Macon, Ga. Cookeville, Tenn.
1 pm 2 pm 2 pm 3 pm 3:30 pm
ESPN+ TBA ESPN+ ESPN+ TBA
College Station, Texas 1 pm Spartanburg, S.C. 1:30 pm Cookeville, Tenn. 2:30 pm Birmingham, Ala. 7 pm
TBA ESPN+ TBA ESPN+
Saturday, Oct. 17
The Citadel at Texas A&M VMI at Wofford * Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee Tech Mercer at Samford *
Saturday, Oct. 24
ETSU at VMI * Tennessee Tech at The Citadel * Samford at Furman * Chattanooga at Western Carolina *
Lexington, Va. Charleston, S.C. Greenville, S.C. Cullowhee
Saturday, Oct. 31
VMI at Chattanooga * Western Carolina at Furman * The Citadel at Mercer * Tennessee Tech at ETSU * Wofford at Samford *
Chattanooga, Tenn. Greenville, S.C. Macon, Ga. Johnson City, Tenn. Birmingham, Ala.
Saturday, Nov. 7
Samford at ETSU * Mercer at Chattanooga * Wofford at Western Carolina * Furman at The Citadel * VMI at Tennessee Tech *
Johnson City, Tenn. Chattanooga, Tenn. Cullowhee Charleston, S.C. Cookeville, Tenn.
Saturday, Nov. 14
Chattanooga at Furman * ETSU at Wofford * Mercer at Tennessee Tech * Western Carolina at Samford * The Citadel at VMI *
Greenville, S.C. Spartanburg, S.C. Cookeville, Tenn. Birmingham, Ala. Lexington, Va.
Saturday, Nov. 21
Wofford at Ole Miss The Citadel at Western Carolina * Tennessee Tech at Mississippi State Chattanooga at Alabama ETSU at Mercer * Samford at Auburn Furman at VMI *
Oxford, Miss. Cullowhee Starkville, Miss. Tuscaloosa, Ala. Macon, Ga. Auburn, Ala. Lexington, Va.
1:30 pm ESPN+ 2 pm ESPN+ 2 pm TBA 2:30 pm Nexstar/E+
1 pm ESPN+ 2 pm Nexstar/E+ 3 pm ESPN+ 3:30 pm ESPN+ 7 pm TBA
1 pm ESPN+ 1 pm ESPN+ 1 pm Nexstar/E+ 2 pm ESPN+ 2:30 pm ESPN+
1 pm 1:30 pm 2:30 pm 3:30 pm TBD
ESPN+ ESPN+ ESPN+ TBA ESPN+
12 pm 1 pm 1 pm 2 pm 3 pm 3:30 pm TBD
SECN+ ESPN+ TBA SECN+ ESPN+ SECN+ ESPN+
– All times listed are EASTERN
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
Official Football Signals
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 83
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
84 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM / BOB WATERS FIELD
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
ALL-TIME TOP WHITMIRE STADIUM ATTENDANCE FIGURES
Construction Completed: June, 1974 West Stands Completed: August, 2003 Western Skybox: August, 2026 Current Seating Capacity: 14,000 Playing Field: Bob Waters Field, Artificial Turf (TenCate Pivot) First Game: Sept. 14, 1974 vs. Murray State (WCU lost 10-3) Dedicated: Oct. 5, 1974 vs. Morehead State (WCU won 31-12) Largest Attendance: 15,247 on Nov. 12, 1994 vs. Appalachian State
BOB WATERS
E.J. WHITMIRE
Construction of E.J. Whitmire Stadium was completed in 1974 at an initial cost of $1.66 million that was granted by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1971. The new facility, located on the southern-most expanse of 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. Currently with 14,000 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.
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
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
vs. #12 Appalachian State......... State......... 1994 1994................ ................ 15,247 vs. Appalachian State. State................ 2004 2004................ ................ 14,714 vs. #10/12 Mercer...................... Mercer...................... 2025 2025................ ................14,510 14,510 vs. #2 Appalachian State. State........... 2008 2008................ ................14,213 14,213 vs. #1 Appalachian State........... State........... 2010 2010.................14,004 .............. 14,004 vs. Appalachian State. State................ 1983 1983................ ................13,924 13,924 vs. #2 Appalachian State. State........... 1998 1998................ ................ 13,785 vs. Furman. Furman................................. 1978 1978................. .................13,778 13,778 vs. #1 Appalachian State........... State........... 2006 2006............... ............... 13,742 vs. #20 Georgia Southern......... Southern......... 1987 1987................ ................13,460 13,460 vs. Charleston Southern. Southern............ 2023 2023............... ............... 13,357 vs. The Citadel. Citadel........................... 2014 2014................ ................13,323 13,323 vs. Appalachian State. State................ 2012 2012................. 13,279 vs. #3 Furman. Furman............................ 1989 1989................ ................ 13,227 vs. #7 Appalachian State. State........... 1989 1989.................. ..................13,118 13,118 vs. VMI....................................... VMI....................................... 2024 2024............... ...............13,022 13,022 vs. #6 The Citadel..................... Citadel..................... 1992 1992................. .................12,818 12,818 vs. VMI....................................... VMI....................................... 2018 2018................. 12,759 vs. Furman. Furman................................. 1985 1985................ ................12,635 12,635 vs. Campbell. Campbell.............................. 2024 2024............... ...............12,506 12,506 vs. #3 Furman. Furman............................ 1991 1991..................12,445 ............... 12,445 vs. #7 Samford.......................... Samford.......................... 2023 2023................ ................12,410 12,410 vs. Mars Hill............................... Hill............................... 2015 2015.................12,348 .............. 12,348 vs. #9 The Citadel..................... Citadel..................... 2016 2016.................12,283 .............. 12,283 vs. Appalachian State. State................ 1978 1978................ ................12,232 12,232
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.
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 85
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
86 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2025 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
WESTERN CAROLINA – HONORED FOOTBALL NUMBERS #14 • KIRK ROACH – (1984-87) Kirk Roach was Western Carolina’s – and the
#23 • JERRY GAINES (1970-75) Jerry Gaines was an Associated Press and
14 23
Southern Conference’s – first, three-time All-America Selection (1984, 1986 and 1987) ... He additionally
was the first player in league history to be a four-
time, first team All-SoCon selection (1984-87), an
accomplishment which has since been duplicated just three other times ... Continues to rank as Western
Carolina’s all-time scoring leader with 302 points ...
He connected on 71-of-101 (70.3-percent) field goals
in his career and only missed one extra point, making 89-of-90 (98.9-percent) .... Roach also still holds the
American Football Coaches Association All-America selection in 1974 ... Also earned All-America honors
in baseball and track & field while at WCU ... He set Western Carolina records with 3,449 career receiving yards, a average of 20.6 yards per reception
for his career and finished 15 games with over 100
receiving yards ... Only the second Western Carolina University football player to have his jersey retired. Inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.
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.
14 KIRK ROACH
23 JERRY GAINES
#41 • BRAD HOOVER (1996-99)
#54 • ART BYRD (1946-49)
Brad Hoover starred at tailback for the Catamounts Art Byrd was the first football All-America selecfrom 1996-99 before playing 10 seasons for the tion at Western Carolina, playing guard on both the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League. offensive and defensive side of the ball ... Helped Affectionally known as "Hoov," Hoover ranks third in the Catamounts to an 8-2 regular-season mark in Western Carolina football history with 3,616 career 1949 and their first North State Conference title ... rushing yards. His career tally includes a WCU single-season record of 1,663 rushing yards in 1998 That team additionally holds the distinction of being which came on a single-season best 331 carries. WCU’s first team to earn a postseason bid, playing in Hoover's 708 career rushes additionally rank him the Smoky Mountain Bowl (Bristol, Va.) ... third in program history, finishing fourth with a 5.10 Art Byrd was the first career rushing average and tied for eighth with 23 Western Carolina University student-athlete to have scores on the ground. During his record-setting a jersey and a number retired. 1998 season, Hoover keyed an upset of archrival Appalachian State by rushing for 195 yards on a Inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics school single-game record 49 carries. WCU upended Hall of Fame in 1990. 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.
41 54
41 BRAD HOOVER
54
HISTORY OF THE VICTORY BELL Western Carolina continues a tradition resumed in 2009, returning the “Victory Bell” – a mounted, transportable bell that rings the football team’s arrival for pre-game and also accompanies the “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band and the Catamount Cheerleaders in their pregame parades to E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. Whereas the bell is a relatively new tradition, it is actually the re-birth of an old tradition on the WCU campus as is noted on the plaque which adorns the Alumni Bell Tower, the centerpiece in the quad. The tower houses the original “Victory Bell,” which hung in the old Madison Hall from 1904 until 1938 and was run to signal class periods. After the building was torn down, the bell was mounted on a stone base between the Moore and former Joyner Building – which was destroyed by fire – and was rung in celebration of Catamount athletic victories. The bell was later moved closer to the Old Student Union building before making its last active move in the late 1960s to the lawn of the Hinds University Center. The bell and its traveling apparatus were designed and constructed by Mr. Ron Bumgarner, an assistant professor of engineering technology at Western Carolina, and several students in his class.
ART BYRD 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 87
Pepsi is a proud sponsor of Western Carolina University
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
88 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 89
w 2026 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w
90 | 'Blackout Whitmire' – vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY