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WCU’s Honored Numbers
WCU’S HONORED FOOTBALL NUMBERS
#14 • KIRK ROACH – (1984-87) #23 • JERRY GAINES (1970-75)
Kirk Roach was Western Carolina’s – and the Jerry Gaines was an Associated Press and AmeriSouthern Conference’s – first, three-time All-America can Football Coaches Association All-America seSelection (1984, 1986 and 1987) ... He additionally lection in 1974 ... Also earned All-America honors was the first player in league history to be a four- in baseball and track & field while at WCU ... Set time, first team All-SoCon selection (1984-87), an WCU records with 3,449 career receiving yards, 14 accomplishment which has since been duplicated just three other times ... Continues to rank as Western Carolina’s all-time scoring leader with 302 points ... He connected on 71-of-101 (70.3-percent) field goals in his career and only missed one extra point, making 89-of-90 (98.9-percent) .... Roach also still holds the distinction of being the highest Catamount taken in the NFL draft, selected in the fifth round overall by the 23 a 20.6 average yards per reception for his career and 15 games with over 100 receiving yards ... Only the second WCU football player to have his jersey retired. Inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990. Buffalo Bills in 1987 ... Was listed on the 2019 College Football Hall of Fame divisional ballot. Inducted into the WCU Hall of Fame in 1996; his jersey was honored at WCU in 2006 and he was inducted into the Southern Conference Hall of Fame in 2021.
#41 • BRAD HOOVER (1996-99)
Brad Hoover starred at tailback for the Catamounts from 1996 through 1999 before playing 10 seasons for the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League. Affectionally known as "Hoov," Hoover ranks third in Western Carolina football history with 3,616 career rushing yards, trailing just second41 place Detrez Newsome (3,728 yards from 2014-17) and all-time leader Darrell Lipford, (4,089 yards from 1974-77). His career tally includes a WCU single-season record of 1,663 rushing yards in 1998 which came on a single-season best 331 carries. Hoover's 708 career rushes additionally rank him third in program history, finishing fourth with a 5.10 career rushing average and tied for eighth with 23 scores on the ground. During his recordsetting 1998 season, Hoover keyed an upset of archrival Appalachian State by rushing for 195 yards on a school single-game record 49 carries. WCU upended the second-ranked Mountaineers 23-6 in Cullowhee, returning the "Old Mountain Jug" to Cullowhee. Hoover was a 2008 inductee into Western Carolina's Athletics Hall of Fame and a two-time All-SoCon selection at running back.
#54 • ART BYRD (1946-49)
Art Byrd was the first football All-America selection at Western Carolina, playing guard on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball ... Helped the Catamounts to an 8-2 regular-season mark in 1949 and their first North State Confer54 ence title ... That team additionally holds the distinction of being WCU’s first team to earn a postseason bid, playing in the Smoky Mountain Bowl (Bristol, Va.) ... Byrd sas the first Western Carolina student-athlete to have a jersey and number retired. Inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 20TH CENTURY FOOTBALL TEAM
In 2000, the Western Carolina Department of Athletics announced its 20th Century All-Time Football Team, featuring players from 1931-1999.
OFFENSE
5,508 Career Passing Yards, 33 TD passes, including 21 in 1983 season RB.................................. Otis McIntosh (1968-71)
3rd all-time in career rushing with 3,006; leader with 37 rushing TDs RB................................. Darrell Lipford (1974-77)
All-time leading rusher with 4,089 yds and 35 TDs, all-time leading scorer RB...................................Brad Hoover (1996-99)
2nd all-time with 3,616 career yards; holds top season with 1,663 in’98 WR....................................Jerry Gaines (1971-74)
All-time leading receiver with 3,449 yards and 18 TDs, 5th all-time WR................................... Gerald Harp (1977-80)
2nd all-time in receiving yards with 3,025; All-time leader with 197 catches WR.............................. Wayne Tolleson (1974-77)
Two-sports standout that had 2,246 career yards and 20 TDs, 3rd all-time TE ......................... Alonzo Carmichael (1983-86)
Two-time All-SoCon; Two-time AP All-American in 1985 and ‘86 OT..................................... Dan Best (1995-1998)
Named All-Southern Conference in 1997 (2nd team) and ‘98 (1st team) OT......................................Tony Jones (1984-87)
Had a 14-year NFL career with three teams OG................................Marty Reagan (1982-85)
Part of the line that opened holes for All-SoCon selection, Anthony James OG................................. Todd Harkins (1989-92)
Three-time All-SoCon selection; named All-American twice in 1992 C.................................. Mark Ferguson (1971-73)
A 1st team All-American selection in 1973 PK.................................Dean Biasucci (1980-83)
Three-time All-SoCon; 280 career points rank 2nd all-time
DEFENSE
Two-time All-SoCon selection; 4th in career INT (16); 7 year NFL career DB ............................... Willie Williams (1990-92)
Three-time All-SoCon selection; 1st WCU player to reach the Super Bowl DB ...................................... John Ruta (1962-65)
An NAIA All-American; named All-Carolina twice; started career as QB DB ..................................Eric Johnson (1996-98)
Tied for 3rd all-time with 326 tackles; named All-American in 1997 & ‘98 LB...................................... Steve Yates (1971-74)
10th all-time in career tackles with 306; 3rd in career sacks with 25 LB...................................Louis Cooper (1981-84)
Ranks 8th all-time in tackles (312), leader in sacks (30), 2nd in TFL (48) LB..................................... Tom Bodine (1991-94)
All-time leader in tackles with 453; led WCU in total hits in 1991 thru ‘93 DL...............................Clyde Simmons (1982-85)
9th all-time in career tackles (307), 3rd in TFL (47), 4th in sacks (23) DL............................ Frank Stankunas (1960-63)
All-American defensive lineman in 1962, four-year starter DL................................. Steve Williams (1968-71)
1st team All-America selection in 1971, two-time all-district, over 300 tackles DL...........................................Art Byrd (1946-49)
WCU’s first football All-America selection, first WCU jersey retired P................................Steve Kornegay (1982-85)
3rd on all-time punting charts; 2nd longest punt of 78 yards in 1982 KR.....................................Kerry Hayes (1991-94)
Holds NCAA FCS record with 7 kick returns for TDs; three-time All-SoCon
COACH
Bob Waters (1969-88)
WCU’s all-time winningest head coach with 116 wins; also served as Athletic Director for 15 years and led Western Carolina’s move into the SoCon
