Whee Are One” Campaign

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CATAMOUNT ATHLETICS ANNOUNCES “WHEE ARE ONE” FUND

Fundraising initiative aimed at protecting student-athlete experience

Western Carolina Athletics and its fundraising arm, the Catamount Club, announced the formation of the “Whee Are One” Fund back on Sept. 25, 2020 to facilitate donations and raise funds to support areas of need for Catamount student-athletes above and beyond the current Catamount Club giving. The goal of the campaign is to ultimately protect the experience of WCU’s student-athletes and position WCU Athletics for success while continuing to navigate the financial ramifications of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

“From my time on campus as a student-athlete to the short period I’ve had the privilege of being athletics director here at Western Carolina, one thing remains constant – the resolve of Catamount Nation,” Gary wrote in a letter addressed to supporters back in mid-August. “Our fan base and supporters have always been here to support our efforts in WCU Athletics. As we continue to navigate this pandemic in a time of budgetary uncertainty for many of us, we need you now more than ever as we continue to strive to make Western Carolina University the best place to be a collegiate student-athlete.”

Donations to the Whee Are One Fund will help support critical areas of need for WCU’s student-athletes including scholarships, healthcare, nutrition, academic support, and both pandemic-related and overall operating expenses to ensure the positive studentathlete experience remains intact amidst the health crisis, Gary said.

“While there are always challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic has created global difficulties – and ones that have been extraordinarily disruptive for higher education and college athletics. The ‘Whee Are One’ Fund is a critical, and necessary, top priority, alongside our scholarship support,” said Ryan Jones, director of the Catamount Club.

Through annual fund donations, the Catamount Club aims each year to support the $3 million bill for WCU student-athlete scholarships. This new campaign is intended to provide immediateuse funds towards expenditures associated with the cost to train, practice, and compete during the 2020-21 academic year while WCU Athletics faces changes caused by the current pandemic. With the anticipated financial realities associated with the displaced fall seasons and the effects that COVID-19 have on the department, reducing the impact of those shortfalls on WCU’s student-athletes is a top priority, Jones said.

In addition to contributions directly to the “Whee Are One” Fund, Catamount Nation can continue to give back financially to the campaign by also taking part in on-going initiatives such the Catamount Virtual 5K and Fun Run (Oct. 2-4) and upcoming fundraising activities such as the Whee Are One Online Auction.

Members of Catamount Nation can contribute to the Whee Are One Fund by contacting their representative within the Catamount Club office or by visiting go.wcu.edu/wheeareone. Those donating to the fund will be included in a specialized public recognition.

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