2020 Catamount Football - Digital Game Day Program - At EKU (Nov. 21, 2020)

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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INSIDE

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TREVOR CHILDERS SENIOR LINEBACKER

Table of Contents .............................................................. 4 WCU 2020-21 Football Schedule....................................... 5

Scouting Western Carolina................................................. 6 A Look at Today’s Opponent: Eastern Kentucky................ 8 Western Carolina Numerical Roster...................................11 Eastern Kentucky Numerical Roster..................................13 WCU vs. EKU – Two-Deep.................................................16 WCU vs. EKU – Stat Comparison.....................................20 Looking Back: Last Time We Met..................................... 22 WCU Head Football Coach, Mark Speir......................27-28 WCU Football Coaching Staff......................................32-36 Football Time in Cullowhee............................................. 37 WCU Football Support Staff............................................. 38 WCU Athletics Director Alex Gary................................ 40-41 WCU Athletics Department Staff...................................... 45 WCU Athletics Coaching Staff.......................................... 46 Meet the 2020 Catamounts......................................48-56 Through the Lens: Liberty in Photos........................... 60-61 Recent Catamounts in NFL Camps................................... 62 Dr. Kelli R. Brown, WCU Chancellor.................................. 65 “Whee Are One” Campaign............................................ 68 The Catamount Club Membership.............................. 70-73 Catamount Football – Postseason Teams........................ 74 E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field........................ 76 The Southern Conference................................................ 78 WCU Football Honored Jerseys.......................................80 History of the Victory Bell.................................................80 EXTRA POINTS, the official game program and online digital program for Western Carolina Catamount Football, is a publication of the WCU Athletics Media Relations Office.

Editorial content, layout and design has been provided

by Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, Daniel Hooker (WCU, 2001).

Special thanks to the staffs of both WCU Athletics Media Relations and Todd Charles. Photography provided by Ashley Evans, Caitlin Penna, and various student assistants in the Western Carolina Public Relations Department; WCU PR retiree, Mark Haskett; Andy Padyk; Jason Hall of Valleytown Photo; and WCU student, Spencer Douglas.

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

JOIN THE

CATAMOUNT CLUB TODAY!

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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at Liberty - L, 58-14

Nov. 14, 2020

at Eastern Kentucky

at North Carolina

Dec. 5, 2020

Feb. 20, 2021

Feb. 27, 2021

March 6, 2021

March 13, 2021

March 20, 2021

April 3, 2021

April 10, 2021

April 24, 2021

at Samford *

March 27, 2021 at ETSU *

Blue Ridge Border Battle

Nov. 21, 2020

vs. VMI *

vs. CHATTANOOGA *

vs. THE CITADEL *

vs. WOFFORD *

at Furman *

at Mercer *

TBD

Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA u With

the Southern Conference season postponed until the spring semester, Western Carolina plays its second of three nonconference road games this fall Saturday at NCAA FCS-member Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 21) ... WCU bookends the fall with NCAA FBS opponents, at Liberty (Nov. 14 – L, 58-14), and at North Carolina (moved to Dec. 5) … Including the three fall games and the first two SoCon meetings in 2021, WCU will play five-consecutive games away from home to start 2020-21 … Adding in the 2019 season finale at fifth-ranked Alabama, WCU will have played six-straight road games over the past two seasons;

u Western

Carolina went 357 days between games – finishing the 2019 season at No. 5 Alabama on Nov. 23, 2019 before playing its latest-ever, season-opener on Saturday, Nov. 14 at No. 22 Liberty;

u No.

22 Liberty (8-0) used big scoring plays to score its 10th-consecutive victory, the nation’s second-longest active winning streak (Notre Dame, 14) … the Flames had seven plays of 30-or-more yards including four touchdown passes (44, 40, 83, 56 yards) and two long scoring rushes (43, 34 yards) ... Liberty also won its 10th-straight home game at Williams Stadium;

u Junior

transfer QB MARK WRIGHT became just the fifth different quarterback to earn a start under Mark Speir during his nine years in Cullowhee … Wright joins current teammate WILL JONES with other starting QBs in Troy Mitchell, Eddie Sullivan, and Tyrie Adams ... Wright finished 11-of-17 for 66 yards with an interception, adding 12 rushing yards ... Jones completed 7-of-13 passes for 74 yards with a touchdown and interception, adding 32 rushing yards including a career-long run of 28 yds; u WCU head coach MARK SPEIR indicated in his postgame comments that both Wright and Jones would see time at quarterback this fall until one pulled ahead of the other to earn the position.

u WCU’s

tight ends accounted for SIX of the team’s 18 completions at Liberty – senior TE OWEN COSENKE led the team with five catches and CLAYTON BARDALL hauled in a nine-yard TD, his second career receiving score, both coming on passes thrown by QB WILL JONES;

WESTERN CAROLINA / EKU INSIDE THE ALL-TIME SERIES

ALL-TIME SERIES. . . . . . . WCU TRAILS, 2-3 In Cullowhee. . . . . . . . . . . . Series tied, 1-1 In Richmond. . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU trails, 1-2 Largest Margin of Victory: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU 24, EKU 7 (11/14/2009) Western Carolina Series Scoring: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 points (18.4 pts per game) Eastern Kentucky Average Series Scoring: . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 points (26.4 pts per game) Longest Winning Streak:. . . . . . . . . . . 1 game Longest Losing Skid:. . . . . . . . . . . . 2 games

SERIES HISTORY: Nov. 14, 2009

A

WCU, 24-7

Sept. 8, 2007

A

EKU, 45-21

Sept. 15, 2006

H

WCU, 20-17

Sept. 2, 1989

A

EKU, 31-13

Oct. 22, 1988

H

EKU, 32-14

Nov. 21, 2020

A

u With

redshirt freshman RB SYHEAM MCQUEEN inactive for last Saturday’s game at Liberty, several Catamounts had their first career touches in the Purple & Gold in the opener at Liberty … At running back, redshirt junior HAKI BRADLEY (3 rush, 8 yds), freshman MIKAI STANLEY (2 rush, 6 yards), and freshman CALVIN JONES (1 rush, 0 yards) each tallied their first career rushes …

Converted DB REGGIE JONES (3 rec., 10 yards) made his first receptions as a wide receiver, as did freshman DYLAN ABERNETHY (1 rec., 10 yards), freshman LUKE SUTTON (2 rec., 7 yards), and CALVIN JONES (1 rec., 0 yards);

u Senior

LB TY HARRIS’ 11 tackles were the most on the team and gave him his ninth career double-digit tackle game … Transfer DB JACOB HARRIS recorded nine tackles in his WCU debut;

u WCU’s

defense forced a turnover on downs, a missed field goal attempt, and had one takeaway as junior transfer LB WILLIE HAMPTON punched the football loose and redshirt freshman DB DORIAN DAVIS came up with the recovery on the team’s first takeaway of the season;

TE CLAYTON BARDALL

u Saturday

marks the sixth all-time series meeting between Western Carolina and Eastern Kentucky on the football gridiron … EKU has a slim, onegame lead in the head-to-head series, 2-3 … WCU won the most recent meeting in Richmond, Ky., 24-7, back in 2009 ... the 20-17 win for WCU in Cullowhee in 2006 was over then-19th-ranked Eastern Kentucky;

u Western

Carolina is 16-16-1 all-time against the nine current members of the Ohio Valley Conference with the 34 meetings played against just four of the current nine schools: u WCU vs. Current Members of the Ohio Valley Conference: EKU – 2-3 ... Jacksonville State – 5-3 ... Murray State – 3-3 Tennessee Tech – 6-7-1

u WCU

has to replace QB Tyrie Adams who concluded his playing career ranked fourth in SoCon history in career passing yards (8,978 yds), fifth in career total offense (11,525 yds), tied for fifth in passing touchdowns (64), and sixth in most touchdowns responsible for (82) ... He finished with 24 career games (t-4th in SoCon) with 250-or-more total yards and 16 (4th in SoCon) career games with 300-or-more total yards.

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

LB WILLIE HAMPTON

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Available free throughout WNC or read online at smokymountainnews.com Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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A LOOK AT TODAY’S OPPONENT: EKU u OPPORTUNITY

BOWL – Saturday’s game is billed as the inaugural “Opportunity Bowl” and is being played in memory of Dr. Sheila Pressley ... Pressley, who passed away in January of 2020, was the dean of the College of Health Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University ... She attended Western Carolina University for her undergraduate education, graduating in 1989 ... The two teams will play for the right to hoist the Opportunity Bowl trophy, which is being presented by Dinsmore & Shohl – a full-service national law firm with over 650 attorneys. The Opportunity Bowl is made possible by corporate sponsors and the city of Richmond, Kentucky – www.visitrichmondky.com.

u Eastern

Kentucky, a founding member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), opted to play its full football season in the fall semester and forego league competition in the spring semester ... EKU scheduled nine games including three at NCAA FBS opponents – Marshall, West Virginia, and Troy ... the WCU game marks the final scheduled contest for EKU in 2020;

u Eastern

Kentucky is 2-6 after falling 37-25 at FCS preseason No. 11 Central Arkansas last Saturday (Nov. 14) ... The Colonels overcame a 24-0 deficit and took a 25-24 lead, but couldn’t hold off the Bears in suffering their second-straight seasonal loss ... EKU defeated Central Arkansas on Homecoming in Richmond, Ky., 31-28 back on Oct. 24 in the first of two meetings this season – it was EKU’s first victory over a nonconference FCS nationally-ranked team since 2003;

u Eastern

Kentucky’s all-time record in games played at Roy Kidd Stadium is 228-62-1;

u EKU’s

ALONZO BOOTH ranks second in the NCAA FCS football with 530 rushing yards ... He is third in rushing touchdowns (4) and ninth in yards per carry (4.24).

u Redshirt

freshman QB ISAIAH VELEZ made his EKU debut at No. 11 Central Arkansas (Nov. 14) and helped the Colonels erase a 24-0 deficit and take a 25-24 third quarter lead;

u The

EKU trio of WR’s KEYION DIXON, JACQUEZ JONES and JACKSON BEERMAN are among the nation’s FCS receiving leaders ... Dixon is third in the nation in receiving yards (555), fourth in receiving touchdowns (6) and ninth in yards per reception (16.32) ... Jones is fifth in the country in receiving yards (478) and seventh in receiving touchdowns (3) ... Beerman ranks fifth in yards per reception (17.27), ninth in receiving yards (380) and ninth in receiving yards per game (63.3);

has seen two players dubbed Stats Perform FCS National Players of the Week: u QB PARKER MCKINNEY was picked as the Stats Perform FCS Player of the Week after the Colonels’ 37-14 victory at The Citadel (Sept. 26) ... McKinney, a redshirt sophomore from Coalfield, Tenn., threw for 274 yards and a career-best four touchdown passes. He completed 16-of26 pass attempts and did not throw an interception. He also rushed for 57 yards, including a 26-yard ground gainer; u WR KEYION DIXON (pictured lower right) was picked as the Stats Perform FCS Co-Player of the Week after the Colonels’ game at Troy ...

Dixon had eight receptions for 196 yards and caught two touchdown passes ... Dixon has a 90-yard TD catch this year, too, for EKU.

ABOUT EKU

SCOUTING THE COLONELS

QUICK FACTS:

Location:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richmond, Ky. Founded:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1906 Enrollment:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,980 Colors:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maroon & White Conference:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ohio Valley (OVC) Facility (Capacity):. . . . . Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000) Head Coach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Walt Wells Record at EKU:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 (1st yr) Overall Record: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 (1st yr)

Defensive Coord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jake Johnson Offensive Coordinator / RB. . . . . . . . . . . . . Andy Richman OL Coach / Recruiting Coord.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eric Losey QB Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trent Steelman TE Coach / Co-SpTm Coord.. . . . . . . . . . Kevin McKeethan WR Coach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caleb Cox DB Coach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shannon Morrison DL Coach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeremy Hawkins Inside LB / Co-SpTm Coord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Derek Day Safeties Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Franklin Director of Football Ops. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Barnett

Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Nov. 21

2020 RECORD:

at Marshall at West Virginia at The Citadel HOUSTON BAPTIST at Troy #11 CENTRAL ARKANSAS STEPHEN F. AUSTIN at #11 Central Arkansas WESTERN CAROLINA

L, 59-0 L, 56-10 W, 37-14 L, 33-30 L, 31-29 W, 31-28 L, 24-6 L, 37-25 3 PM

u EKU

#16 WR KEYION DIXON

u EKU

has twice been selected the Stats Perform FCS Team of the Week – doing so after their road win at The Citadel (Sept. 26) and also after a near-miss road loss at FBS-member Troy (Oct. 17), falling by a score of 3129 ... EKU took a 29-28 lead over the Trojans with 21 seconds left in the game, but Troy made a 47-yard field goal as time expired;

u Two

Colonels were chosen to the Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Team ... RB ALONZO BOOTH and OL TUCKER SCHROEDER earned spots on the Preseason All-OVC Team.

u First-year

EKU head coach WALT WELLS is a familiar name around Richmond, Ky. ... Wells served as an assistant under legendary EKU head coach Roy Kidd from 1997 to 2002 and was an assistant again with the Colonels in 2015 ... Wells is the 15th head coach in EKU’s history, moving back to Richmond after spending the 2018 and 2019 seasons as the quality control assistant at Kentucky ... Wells picked up his first victory as a head coach at The Citadel on Sept. 26.

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

#33 LB MATTHEW JACKSON

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS – 2020 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO. NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

2 Mark Wright

QB

5-11

190

Jr.

Douglasville, Ga. (Hutchinson CC / Carrollton HS)

2 Aaron Gethers

CB

5-10

185

3 D.J. Thorpe

WR

6-3

3 Darrius Smith

LB

5-11

4 Kason Lincke

QB

6-1

200

4 A.J. Rogers

S

6-0

180

Jr.

5 Syheam McQueen

RB

6-0

205

R-Fr.

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

51 Matthew Bair

OL

6-3

285

R-Sr.

R-So. Blythewood, S.C. (Boston College / Bishop McDevitt HS)

52 Grady Thomas

OL

6-5

305

Sr.

Spartanburg, S.C. (Spartanburg HS)

195

R-Jr.

Nashville, Tenn. (Cane Ridge HS)

53 Jaylen Moore

RUSH

6-2

225

Fr.

Greenville, N.C. (Hardin Valley Academy (Tenn.))

225

Jr.

Roberson, N.C. (South Creek HS)

55 Kevin Thompson

LS

5-10

210

So.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

Fr.

Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Christian HS)

56 Jacob Depouli

LB

6-0

205

R-Fr.

Southern Pines, N.C. (Pinecrest HS)

LB

6-0

215

Fr.

Clemmons, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)

RUSH 5-10

205

R-Sr. Staten Island, N.Y. (Buffalo State / St. Joseph by the Sea)

6 Daquan Patten

WR

5-6

185

7 Charles Gadie

CB

5-9

170

8 Devlin Olawumi Jr.

S

6-0

195

R-So.

Atlanta, Ga. (Westlake HS)

9 Dorian Davis

S

6-0

190

R-Fr.

Shelby, N.C. (Shelby HS)

10 Malik Richardson

RB

6-4

200

R-Fr.

Sumter, S.C. (Lakewood HS)

Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

NO. NAME

58 Giovanni Ricciardi

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL) Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna HS)

Laurinburg, N.C. (Scotland County HS)

59 John Esposito

R-Sr.

Columbia, S.C. (Blythewood HS)

60 Joaquin Layno

DT

5-10

275

R-Fr.

Cherokee, N.C. (Cherokee HS)

R-So.

Douglasville, Ga. (Douglas County HS)

61 Dawson Johnson

OL

6-2

265

R-Jr.

Taylorsville, N.C. (Alexander Central HS)

62 Michael Harper

OL

6-4

285

R-Jr.

Wilkesboro, N.C. (Fork Union Military)

63 Sam Buff

OL

6-1

280

Fr.

Statesville, N.C. (South Iredell HS)

64 Colby Cross

LS

5-11

190

Fr.

Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

65 Isaiah Helms

OL

6-3

325

So.

68 Torrion Stevenson

DT

6-1

305

R-So.

10 Willie Hampton

LB

6-1

210

R-Jr.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Garden City CC / American Heritage HS)

11 Jaylin Young

WR

6-0

165

So.

Miami, Fla. (Miami Central HS)

12 Tristan Sens

WR

6-1

180

R-Fr.

Holly Springs, N.C. (Holly Springs HS)

69 Dillon Luther

OL

6-3

300

So.

Asheville, N.C. (Erwin HS)

13 Calvin Jones

RB

5-10

170

Fr.

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

70 Caleb Carter

OL

6-3

275

Fr.

Jacksonville, N.C. (Southwest Onslow HS)

13 Ronald Kent Jr.

CB

5-10

165

Jr.

Harrisburg, Pa. (Harrisburg HS)

72 Blake Whitmore

OL

6-2

285

R-Fr.

14 Quintin Thames

CB

5-11

175

R-So.

Grayson, Ga. (Grayson HS)

73 Nathaniel Dozier

DT

6-2

255

Fr.

14 Mahari Stribling

WR

6-3

180

R-So.

Loganville, Ga. (Grayson HS)

74 Tyler Smith

OL

6-8

300

R-So.

15 Will Jones

QB

6-4

220

R-Jr.

Greensboro, N.C. (Page HS)

75 Zach Hayes

OL

6-3

325

R-Fr.

Jonesboro, Ga. (Jonesboro HS)

16 Marcelo Rodriguez

QB

6-2

200

R-Jr.

Miami, Fla. (Southern Miss / Columbus HS)

76 Jacob Combs

OL

6-4

280

So.

North Wilkesboro, N.C. (North Wilkes HS)

17 Reggie Jones

WR

5-11

175

R-Jr.

Sharpsburg, Ga. (East Coweta HS)

77 Chris Morgan

OL

6-0

255

Fr.

Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

17 Anthony Badgett

CB

5-9

170

R-So.

Greensboro, N.C. (Southeast Guilford HS)

78 Garrett Bowman

OL

6-4

270

R-So.

18 Jaylon McMillon

S

6-0

185

R-Fr.

Clemmons, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)

80 Keenan Hambrick

WR

6-3

195

Fr.

19 Raekwon Heath

WR

6-2

185

R-Jr.

Columbia, S.C. (Independence CC / Irmo HS)

81 Kendall Alford

WR

5-10

175

R-Fr.

Marietta, Ga. (Walton HS)

20 Donnavan Spencer

RB

5-10

190

R-Sr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Vance HS)

82 JaKobe Quillen

WR

6-3

190

Fr.

Florence, S.C. (Wilson HS)

21 Haki Bradley

RB

5-10

210

R-Sr.

Raleigh, N.C. (Catawba / Heritage HS)

83 Brandon Dickerson

P

5-11

195

So.

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

22 Mikai Stanley

RB

6-2

235

Fr.

Wilmington, N.C. (New Hanover HS)

84 Owen Cosenke

TE

6-3

235

Sr.

Aldie, Va. (Fork Union Military / John Champe HS)

24 Quintin Talley

S

6-0

175

Fr.

Spartanburg, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

85 Luke Britt

TE

6-6

220

R-So.

Calypso, N.C. (North Duplin HS)

25 Dejon DeCruz

LB

6-1

225

So.

Durham, N.C. (Riverside HS)

86 Clayton Bardall

TE

6-3

225

R-So.

Cumming, Ga. (North Forsyth HS)

26 Tyree Nelson

RB

5-10

200

Fr.

Atlanta, Ga. (Mays HS)

87 Dylan Abernethy

WR

6-0

165

Fr.

Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

27 Trevor Childers

LB

6-1

215

Sr.

Lincolnton, N.C. (East Lincoln HS)

88 Luke Sutton

WR

5-8

180

Fr.

Concord, N.C. (Cox Mill HS)

28 Jaheim Mullen

SPUR

6-0

190

R-Fr.

89 Richard McCollum

K

5-9

170

R-So.

Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee HS)

29 Jayden Pauling

RUSH

6-3

225

Jr.

90 Tre’ Jolly

DE

6-2

210

R-Fr.

Shelby, N.C. (Shelby HS)

30 Micah Nelson

SPUR

6-3

200

R-Fr.

Murphy, N.C. (Murphy HS)

91 Jaquarius Guinn

DT

6-2

295

Fr.

Clover, S.C. (Clover HS)

31 Ethan Harris

DB

5-8

145

Fr.

Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

92 Darrius Bell

DE

6-2

230

R-Fr.

Gilbert, S.C. (Gilbert HS)

32 Cameron Brown

LB

6-2

210

Sr.

Tallahassee, Fla. (Florida State University School)

93 Roman Johnson

DT

6-3

260

So.

Greensboro, N.C. (Southern Guilford HS)

32 Austin Grunden

TE

6-2

205

Fr.

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

94 Aidan Alston

DT

6-2

250

R-Fr.

Southern Pines, N.C. (Pinecrest HS)

SPUR

6-1

200

R-Jr.

Cumming, Ga. (South Forsyth HS)

95 Laquavion Haynes

DE

6-4

230

Fr.

Moultrie, Ga. (Colquitt County HS)

RB

5-8

175

Jr.

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

96 K.J. Milner

DE

6-4

260

Jr.

Hinesville, Ga. (Bradwell Institute)

RB

5-11

175

Fr.

Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)

97 Adam Henderson

DT

6-4

295

R-So.

Greenville, S.C. (Berea HS)

SPUR 5-10

190

So.

Lenoir, N.C. (Hibriten HS)

98 Christian Harris

DT

6-3

260

R-Fr.

Raleigh, N.C. (Baylor School)

33 Curtis Roach 34 Quenten Zanders 35 Bryce Satterfield 36 Skylin Thomas

Gastonia, N.C. (Hunter Huss HS) Raleigh, N.C. (Louisburg College / Millbrook HS)

Lenoir, N.C. (West Caldwell HS) Branchville, S.C. (Branchville HS)

Raleigh, N.C. (Millbrook HS) Chesterfield, Va. (Matoaca HS) Laurinburg, N.C. (Scotland County HS)

Arab, Ala. (Arab HS) Athens, Ala. (Athens HS)

37 Ty Harris

LB

6-1

245

Sr.

Dacula, Ga. (Dacula HS)

99 Ricky Palao

DT

6-2

270

Sr.

Hoover, Ala. (Hoover HS)

38 Jacob Harris

CB

6-1

195

Jr.

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

Branson Adams

WR

5-9

200

Fr.

Greensboro, N.C. (Dudley HS)

39 Julian Pletz

K

5-10

190

R-So.

Liberty Township, Ohio (Edgewood HS)

40 LA Rogers-Anderson

S

6-0

200

Jr.

41 Cinsere Allison

S

6-0

185

42 Jontavious Shotwell

S

5-11

43 Luke Hoggard

TE

44 Nigel Manns

LB

45 Caleb Ferguson

Tyler Anderson

LB

6-0

205

Fr.

Greensboro, N.C. (Northern Guilford HS)

Sumter, S.C. (Western Kentucky / Ridgeview HS)

Kevon Angry

CB

5-11

180

Fr.

Powder Springs, Ga. (McEachern HS)

R-So.

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

Jaiden Bond

WR

5-9

170

Fr.

Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)

175

R-So.

Hoschton, Ga. (Mill Creek HS)

Matthew Cherry

DE

6-3

185

Fr.

Rocky Mount, N.C. (Rocky Mount HS)

6-0

220

R-Jr.

Edenton, N.C. (North Carolina / Edenton HS)

Trevor Fournet

LB

5-11

195

Fr.

Cornelius, N.C. (Hough HS)

6-1

220

Fr.

Byron, Ga. (Peach County HS)

Jamaud Geter

RB

5-9

210

R-Fr.

WR

5-11

195

R-Jr.

Waynesville, N.C. (Tuscola HS)

Jamauree Haith

RUSH

6-2

230

Fr.

46 Paxton Robertson

K

6-0

200

Fr.

47 Alex McConnell

TE

6-4

275

R-So.

48 Chester Geffrard

RUSH

6-4

225

So.

Ocoee, Fla. (Ocoee HS)

49 Demorian Smith

RUSH

6-0

220

Fr.

Robersonville, N.C. (South Creek HS)

Shelby, N.C. (Crest HS) Burlington, N.C. (Williams HS)

Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic HS)

Neil Ilenrrey

DB

6-0

205

So.

Alpharetta, Ga. (Johns Creek HS)

Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)

Gabe Jones

OL

6-2

265

Fr.

Southern Pines, N.C. (Pinecrest HS)

Cade Snotherly

QB

6-0

185

Fr.

Franklinville, N.C. (Eastern Randolph HS)

Glenn Young

RB

5-9

200

Fr.

Fayetteville, N.C. (Trinity Christian HS)

Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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w 2020 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – DIGITAL GAME DAY GUIDE w

EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS – 2020 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO. NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

0 Tahj McClung

DL

6-2

320

Jr.

Louisville, Ky. (Duke / Waggener HS)

1 Kaymen Cureton

QB

6-0

205

R-Jr.

2 Craig Sinclair Jr.

DB

5-11

165

Fr.

3 Jacquez Jones

WR

5-10

169

R-Jr.

Clearwater, Fla. (Tennessee / Clearwater HS)

4 Kyeandre Magloire

RB

6-0

200

Fr.

Minneola, Fla. (Lake Minneola HS)

5 TJ Comstock

DB

5-11

195

R-Sr.

Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual HS)

6 Matt Wilcox Jr.

WR

5-10

185

Sr.

7 Madison Norris

LB

6-5

214

R-So.

Indianapolis, Ind. (Indiana / Hamilton Southeaster HS)

Lawndale, Calif. (Nevada–Reno / Leuzinger HS) Jacksonville, Fla. (Bartram Trail HS)

Dayton, Ohio (Independence CC / Wayne HS)

NO. NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

56 Kam Hill

LB

6-2

240

Jr.

Country Club Hills, Ill. (Highland CC / Hillcrest HS)

57 Jackson Juett

LB

6-0

232

R-Fr.

58 Juan De La Torre

OL

6-5

300

Jr.

59 Quinten Floyd

DL

6-2

285

R-Jr.

60 Dalton Gossett

OL

6-4

275

R-Jr.

61 Zack Bradley

OL

6-2

297

Fr.

62 John Stone

OL

6-3

285

Fr.

Ashland, Ky. (Paul Blazer HS)

63 Braden Glover

OL

6-3

305

Fr.

Paducah, Ky. (McCracken County HS)

Berea, Ky. (Madison Central HS) Los Angeles, Calif. (Pasadena City College / Bishop Mora Salesian HS) Frankfort, Ky. (Bryan Station HS) Louisville, Ky. (Male HS) Hardyville, Ky. (Hart County HS)

8 Thomas Cook

P

5-9

193

R-Sr.

Moore, S.C. (Limestone University / Byrnes HS)

64 Howard Watkins Jr.

OL

6-4

285

R-Jr.

8 Jaden Woods

DB

6-0

180

So.

Decatur, Ga. (South Gwinnett HS)

65 Devon Conkrite

OL

6-1

275

Fr.

Palm Coast, Fla. (Flagler Palm Coast HS)

9 Jairus Brents

CB

5-9

185

R-So.

Louisville, Ky. (Louisville / Waggener HS)

66 Jarrett Mathews

OL

6-0

270

Fr.

Nashville, Tenn. (Christ Presbyterian Academy)

10 Davion Ross

DB

5-10

165

So.

Perry, Ga. (Perry HS)

67 Dylan Officer

OL

6-3

285

Fr.

Irvine, Ky. (Estill County HS)

11 Joseph Sayles

DB

6-0

187

Jr.

Alpharetta, Ga. (Chattahoochee HS)

68 Caleb Whitacre

LS

6-2

271

R-So.

12 Josh Hayes

DB

6-0

185

R-Sr.

Indianapolis, Ind. (Purdue / Pike HS)

69 Jonathan Duff

LS

6-0

215

Fr.

13 Dakota Allen

QB

6-4

225

R-Jr.

Lebanon, Ohio (Lebanon HS)

14 Je’Vari Anderson

LB

6-0

226

R-Sr.

West Oakland, Calif. (UCLA / Concord De La Salle HS)

15 Kaleb Lundy

LB

6-2

200

R-Fr.

16 Keyion Dixon

WR

6-3

185

R-Sr.

17 Jackson Beerman

WR

6-5

206

R-Jr.

Lexington, Ky. (Tates Creek HS)

18 Parker McKinney

QB

6-3

208

R-So.

Coalfield, Tenn. (Coalfield HS)

19 Isaiah Velez

QB

6-3

180

R-Fr.

North Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern Senior HS)

70/98 Vincent Munlin Jr.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Garden City CC / Colerain HS)

London, Ohio (London HS) Oakwood, Ohio (Oakwood HS)

OL/TE

6-6

240

Fr.

71 Jackson Bardall

OL

6-3

301

R-Sr.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Princeton HS)

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

72 Drew Hart

OL

6-7

302

R-So.

Glastonbury, Conn. (Connecticut / Glastonbury HS)

73 Abe Alabi

OL

6-4

350

Fr.

74 Payton Collins

OL

6-7

280

R-Fr.

75 Christopher Anthony

OL

6-4

300

R-Jr.

Massillon, Ohio (Washington HS)

76 Tex Bailey

OL

6-4

300

R-Fr.

Madison, Ala. (Madison Academy) Philadelphia, Pa. (East Carolina / Penn Wood HS)

Cumming, Ga. (North Forsyth HS) Evansville, Ind. (Reitz Memorial HS) Reynoldsburg, Ohio (Pickerington Central HS) Columbus, Ohio (Bishop Hartley HS)

20 Alexander Woznick

K

5-11

165

R-Sr.

Greenville, S.C. (South Carolina / Eastside HS)

77 Jordan Johnson

OL

6-4

302

R-Sr.

21 Allante Leapheart

DB

5-10

190

Sr.

Detroit, Mich. (Santa Rosa CC / Henry Ford HS)

78 Trever Sandusky

OL

6-5

270

Fr.

22 Jaylyn Allen

LB

6-2

215

Fr.

Paintsville, Ky. (Paintsville HS)

80 Clay Tinsley

WR

6-2

170

Fr.

Berea, Ky. (Pikeville HS)

23 Elijah Ford

LB

6-2

215

Fr.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Colerain HS)

81 Micah Manning

WR

5-10

175

Fr.

Lees Summit, Mo. (Lees Summit Senior HS)

24 Quentin Pringle

RB

5-9

178

So.

Bolingbrook, Ill. (Bollingbrook HS)

82 Malik Owens

TE

6-5

250

R-Fr.

25 Tyris Dickerson

RB

5-10

220

R-Fr.

Akron, Ohio (Archbishop Hoban HS)

83 Khalil Arnold

LB

6-3

220

Fr.

Lovejoy, Ga. (Lovejoy HS)

26 Tre’ Goodin

DB

5-10

170

Fr.

Campbellsville, Ky. (Taylor County HS)

84 Reece Adkins

TE

6-4

230

Fr.

Lake Mary, Fla. (Lake Mary HS)

27 Daulson Fitzpatrick

DB

6-1

193

Jr.

Akron, Ohio (Archbishop Hoban HS)

85 Bryant Johnson

WR

6-2

170

Fr.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Winton Woods HS)

28 Jaylen Herrud

LB

6-3

214

Fr.

Nashville, Tenn. (Summit HS)

86 Collin Sanchez

TE

6-4

245

R-Jr.

29 Jeriah Hightower

RB

6-0

224

Fr.

Madisonville, Ky. (Madisonville North Hopkins HS)

87 Phillip Richards

P

6-4

215

Jr.

30 Cheikh Fall

LB

6-4

200

Fr.

88 Ethan Bradds

TE

6-5

242

R-Jr.

Jamestown, Ohio (Greenview HS)

31 Kmare Carey

DB

6-1

190

R-So.

Belleville, Mich. (Western Michigan / Belleville HS)

89 Jake Sloan

TE

6-3

205

Fr.

Somerset, Ky. (Pulaski County HS)

32 Nate Skidmore

RB

5-9

207

R-Fr.

Stanton, Ky. (Powell County HS)

90 Josiah Ezirim

DL

6-6

282

So.

Hilliard, Ohio (Hilliard Davidson HS)

33 Matthew Jackson

LB

6-2

205

R-Jr.

Nashville, Tenn. (Hillsboro HS)

91 Darrian Baker

DL

6-4

290

Fr.

Harrodsburg, Ky. (Mercer County HS)

Columbus, Ohio (St. Francis DeSales HS)

34 Alonzo Booth

RB

6-1

250

R-Jr.

35 Ethan Bednarczyk

WR

5-10

190

Fr.

Middletown, Ohio (Middletown HS)

Carrollton, Ky. (Carroll County HS)

Goodlettsville, Tenn. (Stratford Comprehensive HS)

Lexington, Ala. (Lexington HS) Mount Dandenong, Victoria, Australia (St. Joseph’s HS)

92 Shane Burks II

DT

6-1

298

R-Jr.

Lexington, Ky. (Bryan Station HS)

Louisville, Ky. (South Oldham HS)

93 Kenny Terry

DL

6-4

230

R-So.

Fairburn, Ga. (Palmetto Preparatory Academy)

36 Nic Cheeley

CB

6-1

180

R-Fr.

McCleansville, N.C. (Eastern Guilford HS)

94 Malik Clark

DE

6-5

195

R-Fr.

Marietta, Ga. (Sprayberry HS)

37 Tyson Bivins

DB

6-2

190

R-So.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Bearden HS)

96 Antonio Smith

DE

6-4

225

R-Fr.

Westerville, Ohio (Air Force Preparatory School)

38 Jason Betts

DB

6-0

197

Fr.

Elyria, Ohio (Pickerington Central HS)

97 Ryan Jackson

DL

6-2

290

Fr.

Mount Juliet, Tenn. (Friendship Christian School)

39 Mason Molique

K

6-1

160

R-Fr.

Union, Ky. (Ryle HS)

99 Gabe Fletcher

DL

6-3

260

Fr.

40 PJ White Jr.

DL

6-5

200

R-Fr.

Orangeburg, S.C. (Warner Robins HS)

Dez Andrews-Ogbogu DB

5-8

165

R-Fr.

41 Eric Mixon

LB

5-11

220

Fr.

Houston, Texas (Aldine MacArthur HS)

Jalin Benson

DL

6-0

280

Fr.

42 Eli Snowden

RB

5-7

201

R-Fr.

Virginia Beach, Va. (Ocean Lakes HS)

Jarrett Bryant

DB

5-9

175

Fr.

43 Ian Pitt

TE

6-3

221

R-Fr.

Henderson, Ky. (Henderson County HS)

Adrian Compton

DB

6-2

186

R-Fr.

Ellenwood, Ga. (South Gwinnett HS)

44 Eli Hairston

LB

6-3

220

So.

Columbus, Ohio (Urbana University / Beechcroft HS)

Ousmane Dabo

DB

5-8

183

R-So.

Columbus, Ohio (Eastern Michigan / Westland HS)

45 Kabbash Richards

DE

6-4

215

So.

Lansing, Mich. (Lansing Catholic HS)

AJ King

TE

6-4

230

R-Fr.

Lexington, Ky. (Lexington Catholic HS)

46 Thomas Bowling

LS

6-1

209

R-Jr.

Bardstown, Ky. (Bardstown HS)

Zack Lewis

DB

5-11

180

Fr.

Tampa, Fla. (Berkeley Prep)

47 Andre Teague Jr.

LB

5-11

220

R-Jr.

Louisville, Ky. (Kentucky Wesleyan / duPont Manual HS)

Peyton McKinney

WR

6-2

180

Fr.

Coalfield, Tenn. (Coalfield HS

48 Andre Lacy

DB

5-8

155

R-So.

Columbus, Ga. (Shaw HS)

Dylan Moore

WR

5-11

175

Fr.

49 Tre Simmons

WR

5-8

160

R-Fr.

Frankfort, Ky. (Franklin County HS)

Matt Shearer

QB

6-4

215

R-So.

50 Jake O’Buck

OL

6-4

285

Fr.

Derrick Stumph

P

6-2

180

So.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Jacksonville / University Christian HS)

51 Kevin Gniedziejko

LB

6-2

192

R-So.

Chicago, Ill. (Taft HS)

Clayton Thomas Jr.

LB

6-1

215

Fr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Trinity Christian Academy)

52 Tucker Schroeder

OL

6-4

295

R-Jr.

St. Cloud, Fla. (Harmony HS)

Trevor Todd

LB

6-2

225

Fr.

Mount Vernon, Ky. (Rockcastle County HS)

53 Elijah Taylor

DL

6-3

280

R-Sr.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Notre Dame / Moeller HS)

Henry Vestal Jr.

RB

5-10

190

R-Fr.

55 Jadyn Bost

DE

6-2

230

Fr.

Richmond, Ky. (Sprayberry HS)

Memphis, Tenn. (Maplewood HS) Louisville, Ky. (Jacksonville / St. Xavier HS) Detroit, Mich. (Franklin County HS) Millport, Ala. (South Lamar HS

Nicholasville, Ky. (East Jessamine HS) Independence, Ky. (Concord Univ. / Simon Kenton HS)

Louisville, Ky. (Male HS)

Grayson, Ga. (Grayson HS)

Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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WESTERN CAROLINA – DEPTH CHART

EASTERN KENTUCKY – DEPTH CHART

CATAMOUNTS OFFENSE

COLONELS OFFENSE

QB 2 - OR - 15

16

MARK WRIGHT WILL JONES Marcelo Rodriguez

5-11 6-4 6-2

190 220 200

JR. R-JR. R-Jr.

RB 20 45

DONNAVAN SPENCER Caleb Ferguson

5-10 5-11

190 195

R-SR. R-Jr.

WR 6 80

DAQUAN PATTEN Keenan Hambrick

5-6 6-3

185 195

R-SR. Fr.

WR 17 13

REGGIE JONES Calvin Jones

5-11 5-10

175 170

R-JR. Fr..

WR 14

82

MAHARI STRIBLING Jakobe Quillen

6-3 6-3

180 190

R-FR. Fr.

TE 84 86

OWEN COSENKE Clayton Bardall

6-3 6-3

235 225

SR. R-So.

LT 76 52

JACOB COMBS Grady Thomas

6-4 6-5

280 305

SO. Sr.

LG 69 78

DILLON LUTHER Garrett Bowman

6-3 6-4

300 270

SO. R-So.

C 65 72

ISAIAH HELMS Blake Whitmore

6-3 6-2

325 285

SO. R-Fr.

RG 51 70

MATTHEW BAIR Caleb Carter

6-3 6-3

285 275

R-SR. Fr.

RT 74 62

TYLER SMITH Michael Harper

6-8 6-4

300 285

R-SO. R-Jr.

CATAMOUNTS DEFENSE

DE

96 48

K.J. MILNER Chester Geffrard

6-4 6-4

260 225

JR. So.

NOSE

99 68

RICKY PALAO Torrion Stevenson

6-2 6-1

270 305

SR. R-So.

DT

93 92

ROMAN JOHNSON Darrius Bell

6-3 6-2

260 230

FR. R-Fr.

RUSH

90 44

TRE JOLLY Nigel Manns

6-2 6-1

210 220

R-FR. Fr.

MIKE

37 25

TY HARRIS Dejon DeCruz

6-1 61

245 225

SR. So.

BUCK

10 27

WILLIE HAMPTON Trevor Childers

6-1 6-1

210 215

R-JR. Sr.

SPUR

3 27

DARRIUS SMITH Trevor Childers

5-11 6-1

225 215

JR. Sr.

CB

13 7

RONALD KENT JR. Charles Gadie

5-10 5-9

165 170

JR. R-So.

4 24

A.J. ROGERS Quintin Talley

6-0 6-0

175 175

JR. Fr.

S

- or -

38 40 42

JACOB HARRIS LA Rogers-Anderson Jontavious Shotwell

6-1 6-0 5-11

195 200 175

JR. Jr. R-So.

AARON GETHERS Dorian Davis

5-10 6-0

185 190

R-SO. R-Fr.

S

CB

2 9

CATAMOUNTS SPECIALISTS

16 |

KO

46 89

PAXTON ROBERTSON Richard McCollum

6-0 5-9

200 170

FR. R-So.

PK - OR -

89 39

RICHARD MCCOLLUM JULIAN PLETZ

5-9 5-10

170 180

R-SO. R-SO.

H

83 33

BRANDON DICKERSON Curtis Roach

5-11 6-1

195 200

SO. R-Jr.

P

83 45

BRANDON DICKERSON Caleb Ferguson

5-11 5-11

195 195

SO. R-Jr.

LS

64 55

COLBY CROSS Kevin Thompson

5-11 5-10

190 210

FR. So.

KOR

17 13

REGGIE JONES Calvin Jones

5-11 5-10

175 170

R-JR. Fr.

PR

17 13

REGGIE JONES Calvin Jones

5-11 5-10

175 170

R-JR. Fr.

Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

19

Isaiah Velez

6-3

6-4

225

R-JR.

RB

34 4

ALONZO BOOTH Keyandre Magloire

6-1 6-0

250 200

R-JR. Fr.

WR

3 81

JACQUEZ JONES Micah Manning

5-10 5-10

169 175

R-JR. Fr.

WR - OR -

6 17

MATT WILCOX JR. JACKSON BEERMAN

5-10 6-5

185 210

SR. R-JR.

WR

16 85

KEYION DIXON Bryant Johnson

6-3 6-2

185 170

R-SR. Fr.

TE

88 82

ETHAN BRADDS Malik Owens

6-5 6-5

242 250

R-JR. R-Fr.

LT

74 70

PAYTON COLLINS Vincent Munlin

6-6 6-6

260 240

R-FR. Fr.

LG

77 75

JORDAN JOHNSON Christopher Anthony

6-4 6-4

302 300

R-SR. R-Jr.

C

66 76

JARRETT MATHEWS Tex Bailey

6-0 6-4

270 300

FR. R-Fr.

RG

71 62

JACKSON BARDALL John Stone

6-3 6-3

301 285

R-SR. Fr.

RT

64 72

HOWARD WATKINS JR. Drew Hart

6-4 6-7

285 302

R-JR. R-So.

QB

13

DAKOTA ALLEN

180

R-Fr.

COLONELS DEFENSE

DE

53 55

ELIJAH TAYLOR Jadyn Bost

6-3 6-2

280 230

R-SR. Fr.

DT

92 90

SHANE BURKS II Josiah Ezirim

6-1 6-6

298 282

R-JR. So.

DT

59 97

QUINTEN FLOYD Ryan Jackson

6-2 6-2

285 290

R-JR. Fr.

JACK

45 7

KABBASH RICHARDS Madison Norris

6-4 6-5

215 214

SO. R-So.

LB

44 83

ELI HAIRSTON Khalil Arnold

6-3 6-3

220 220

SO. Fr.

LB

15 14

KALEB LUNDY Je’Vari Anderson

6-2 6-0

200 226

R-FR. R-Sr.

SAM

33 36

MATTHEW JACKSON Nic Cheeley

6-2 6-1

205 180

R-JR. R-Fr.

CB

21 9

ALLANTE LEAPHEART Jairus Brents

5-10 5-9

190 185

SR. R-So.

FS

27 31

DAULSON FITZPATRICK Kmare Carey

6-1 6-1

193 190

JR. R-So.

SS

11 5

JOSEPH SAYLES TJ Comstock

6-0 5-11

187 195

JR. R-Sr.

CB

10 12

DAVION ROSS Josh Hayes

5-10 6-0

165 185

SO. R-Sr.

COLONELS SPECIALISTS

KO

8 20

THOMAS COOK Alexander Woznick

5-9 5-11

193 165

R-SR. R-Sr.

PK

20 39

ALEXANDER WOZNICK Mason Molique

5-11 6-1

165 160

R-SR. R-Fr.

H

87 8

PHILLIP RICHARDS Thomas Cook

6-4 5-9

210 193

JR. R-Sr.

P

8 87

THOMAS COOK Phillip Richard

5-9 6-4

193 210

R-SR. Jr.

LS

46 69

THOMAS BOWLING Jonathan Duff

6-1 6-0

200 215

R-JR. Fr.

KOR 10

34

DAVION ROSS Alonzo Booth

5-10 6-1

165 250

SO. R-Jr.

PR 21 6

ALLANTE LEAPHEART Matt Wilcox

5-10 5-10

190 185

SR. Sr.

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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WESTERN CAROLINA at eku colonels 2020 WESTERN CAROLINA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS RUSHING

GP–GS 1–1 1–0 1–1

PASSING

GP–GS Effic Cmp-Att-Int 1–0 111.66 7-13-1 1–1 85.55 11-17-1

RECEIVING

GP–GS No. Yds Avg TD Long Avg/G 1–1 5 56 11.2 0 30 56.0 1–1 3 24 8.0 0 12 24.0 1–1 2 24 12.0 0 14 24.0 1–1 3 10 3.3 0 8 10.0 1–0 1 10 10.0 0 10 10.0

Donnavan Spencer Will Jones Mark Wright Will Jones Mark Wright

Owen Cosenke Donnavan Spencer Daquan Patten Reggie Jones Dylan Abernethy

Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G 12 79 0 79 6.6 0 15 79.0 5 40 8 32 6.4 0 28 32.0 10 33 21 12 1.2 1 8 12.0

PUNT RETURNS

No. Yds

NONE

Pct 53.9 64.7

Avg

TD Long

PUNTING

No. Yds Avg Long TB FC I20 50+ Blkd 4 164 41.0 49 0 0 1 0 0

KICK RETURNS

No. Yds Avg 3 60 20.0 1 0 0.0

Brandon Dickerson Reggie Jones Calvin Jones

SCORING

Mark Wright Clayton Bardall Richard McCollulm

TOTAL OFFENSE Will Jones Donnavan Spencer Mark Wright

ALL PURPOSE Donnavan Spencer Owen Cosenke Will Jones Daquan Patten

TD Long 0 27 0 0

|------------- PATs -------------| TD 1 1 0

FGs Kick Rush Rcv Pass DXP Saf Points 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 6 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 6 0-2 2-2 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 2

RUSHING

GP–GS 8–8 6–6 6–2

PASSING

GP–GS Effic Cmp-Att-Int 6–6 153.54 102-160-5 6–2 90.48 30-62-2

Pct Yds TD Lng Avg/G 63.8 1,358 12 90 226.3 48.4 319 1 36 53.2

RECEIVING

GP–GS 8–5 8–8 7–6 6–5 8–8

Avg 13.7 16.3 9.2 17.3 5.1

Alonzo Booth Parker McKinney Dakota Allen Parker McKinney Dakota Allen Jacquez Jones Keyion Dixon Matt Willcox Jr. Jackson Beerman Alonzo Booth

PUNT RETURNS

Allante Leapheart

Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G 125 571 41 530 4.2 4 29 66.2 59 249 99 150 2.5 0 26 25.0 36 127 62 65 1.8 21 10 10.8

No. 35 34 24 22 9

Yds 478 555 220 380 46

No. Yds 2 8

Avg 4.0

TD 3 6 3 0 0

PUNTING

No. Yds Avg Long TB FC I20 50+ Blkd 26 1,053 40.5 59 1 4 3 4 1

KICK RETURNS

No. Yds Avg 16 262 16.4 4 75 18.8

Thomas Cook Davion Ross Quentin Pringle

TD Long 0 30 0 21

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

SCORING

TD FGs Kick Rush Rcv Pass DXP Saf Points 0 11-14 15-18 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 48 6 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 36 4 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 24

Alexander Woznick Keyion Dixon Alonzo Booth

TOTAL OFFENSE

G Plays Rush Pass Total Avg/G 6 219 150 1,358 1,508 251.3 8 125 530 0 530 66.2 6 98 65 319 384 64.0

G Rush Rec PR KOR IR Tot Avg/G 1 79 24 0 0 0 103 103.0 1 0 56 0 0 0 56 56.0 1 28 0 0 0 0 28 28.0 1 0 24 0 0 0 24 24.0

ALL PURPOSE

G Rush Rec PR KOR 8 48 555 0 0 8 530 46 0 11 8 -4 478 0 0 6 0 380 0 0

Tackles Leaders: GP–GS UA–AA = Total Avg. Ty Harris.......................... 1–1........................5–6 = 11.................11.0 Jacob Harris.................... 1–1......................... 1–8 = 9................. 9.0 A.J. Rogers......................1–0........................2–5 = 7..................7.0 Willie Hampton............... 1–1.........................3–2 = 5................. 5.0 Darrius Smith..................1–0........................2–2 = 4................. 4.0 Ronald Kent.................... 1–1..........................3–1 = 4................. 4.0 Darrius Bell..................... 1–1.........................0–3 = 3................. 3.0 Dejon DeCruz..................1–0........................3–0 = 3................. 3.0 Nigel Manns.................... 1–1......................... 1–2 = 3................. 3.0 Roman Johnson.............. 1–1.......................... 1–1 = 2................. 2.0 Dorian Davis................... 1–1.......................... 1–1 = 2................. 2.0 TFL Leaders: Total Yds Ty Harris.................................................1.0....................................5 K.J. Milner..............................................1.0....................................3 Roman Johnson.....................................1.0.................................... 1 Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Ty Harris.................................................1.0....................................5 Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds John Brannon III................................................................... 3 – 23 Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Willie Hampton.............................................................................. 1 Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total – Return Yds Dorian Davis..................................................................... 1 – 0 yds

Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

Long Avg/G 53 59.8 90 69.4 26 31.4 56 63.3 11 5.8

TD Long 0 10

G Plays Rush Pass Total Avg/G 1 18 32 74 106 106.0 1 15 79 0 79 79.0 1 27 66 12 78 78.0

2020 WESTERN CAROLINA DEFENSIVE LEADERS:

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Yds TD Lng Avg/G 74 1 30 74.0 66 0 12 66.0

2020 EASTERN KENTUCKY INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS

Parker McKinney Alonzo Booth Dakota Allen

Keyion Dixon Alonzo Booth Jacque Jones Jack Beerman

HEAD–TO–HEAD TEAM COMPARISONS: WCU Offense EKU 14.................................Scoring.............................168 14.0...................... Points Per Game.....................21.0 15............................. First Downs..........................146 282.....................Total Yards Gained................ 2,798 282.0....................Yards Per Game................... 349.8 142....................... Rushing Yardage..................... 944 142.0............Rushing Average per Game.......... 118.0 140....................... Passing Yardage...................1,854 140.0............Passing Average per Game...........231.8 WCU Team Stats EKU 4–20 (20.0)............... Penalties–Yards............ 52–393 (49.1) 5/13, 39%................3rd Down Conversion............34/106, 32% 0/0, 0%..................4th Down Conversion..............8/14, 57% WCU Defense EKU 58..........................Points Allowed......................282 58.0.............. Points Allowed Per Game............. 35.2 633....................Total Yards Allowed.................3,841 633.0.............Yards Allowed Per Game............. 480.1 254................. Rushing Yards Allowed..............1,684 254.0............Rushing Average Allowed............210.5 379..................Passing Yards Allowed.............. 2,157 379.0............ Passing Average Allowed...........269.6

IR Tot Avg/G 0 603 75.4 0 587 73.4 0 474 59.2 0 380 63.3

2020 EASTERN KENTUCKY DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Tackles Leaders: GP–GS UA–AA = Total Avg. Matthew Jackson............7–5..................42–30 = 72................ 10.3 Kaleb Lundy................... 8–8..................25–26 = 51..................6.4 Eli Hairston..................... 8–6.................. 13–25 = 38..................4.8 Daulso Fitzpatrick.......... 8–8..................20–16 = 36..................4.5 Joseph Sayles................ 8–5...................18–16 = 34..................4.3 Kabbash Richards.......... 8–8..................10–22 = 32................. 4.0 Allante Leapheart...........8–7.................... 21–6 = 27..................3.4 TJ Comstock....................7–3.................... 18–7 = 25................. 3.6 Josh Hayes.................... 8–2.................... 19–5 = 24................. 3.0 Davion Ross....................8–7...................13–10 = 23................. 2.9 TFL Leaders: Total Yds Matthew Jackson...................................7.0.................................44 Kabbash Richards..................................5.0................................. 14 Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Matthew Jackson...................................2.5................................ 20 Je’Vari Anderson....................................2.0................................. 13 Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Kmare Carey......................................................................... 3 – 38 Four players tied with.................................................................... 1 Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Antonio Smith................................................................................2 Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total E. Taylor, M. Jackson......................................................................2

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LOOKING BACK: LAST TIME WE MET

WESTERN CAROLINA AT EKU TEAM STATS:

WESTERN CAROLINA 24, EKU 7 ROY KIDD STADIUM RICHMOND, KY – SAT., NOV. 14, 2009

1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH FINAL

Western Carolina

0 10 14 0 24

Eastern Kentucky

7 0 0 0 7

SCORING SUMMARY: QTR 1st 2nd

TIME 0:27 11:01 0:50

PLAY EKU – C.J. Walker, 1-yd run (O’Connor kick) WCU – Marquel Pittman, 43-yd pass from Zack Jaynes (Bostic kick) WCU – Blake Bostic, 43-yd field goal

3 rd 8:54 WCU – Marquel Pittman, 7-yd pass from Zack Jaynes (Bostic kick) 4:29 WCU – Chris Everett, 13-yd pass from Zack Jaynes (Bostic kick)

DRIVE WCU EKU 5 plays, 24 yds, TOP 2:34 0 7 9 plays, 80 yds, TOP 4:26 7 7 9 plays, 73 yds TOP 5:03 10 7 1 play, 7 yds, TOP 0:05 3 plays, 21 yds, 1:01

17 24

7 7

Wide receiver MARQUEL PITTMAN (#80, 2007-10) caught two touchdown passes in WCU’s road win at EKU back in 2009, finishing with nine catches for 109 yards. Pittman finished his Western Carolina career with 135 catches to rank 15th in school history for 1,922 yards and 17 career receiving TDs, the latter a mark which is currently tied for eighth in program history with SPEARMAN ROBINSON (2012-16).

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS:

Quarterback ZACK JAYNES (#12, 2008-10) opened the game 16-of-20 passing for 197 yards through the first half at EKU. He finished the game 24-for-34 with three touchdown passes and 232 yards through the air in leading WCU to the victory. Jaynes, a local product from Canton, N.C., tossed 20 touchdown passes over three seasons while adding two rushing scores during his Catamount career.

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WCU EKU FIRST DOWNS 15 18 Rushing 6 7 Passing 9 10 Penalty 0 1 RUSHING 103 102 Rushing Att 34 27 Yds per rush 3.0 3.8 Rushing TDs 0 1 Yards Gained 126 125 Yards Lost 23 23 PASSING 232 228 Comp-Att 23-35-0 18-38-1 Yds per pass 6.6 4.6 Passing TDs 3 0 TOTAL YARDS 335 276 Plays 69 65 Fumbles–Lost 0–0 3–3 Interceptions 0 1 PENALTIES 5–40 3–20 TURNOVERS 0 4 TIME OF POSS. 37:09 22:51 3RD DOWN CONV. 10 of 20 3 of 12 4TH DOWN CONV. 0 of 0 0 of 3 FGS MADE 1-for-1 0-for-0 PASSING Zack Jaynes, WCU T.J. Pryor, EKU

24-34-0 232 yds, 3 TD 18-38-1 174 yds

RUSHING Michael Johnson, WCU Zack Jaynes, WCU C.J. Walker, EKU T.J. Pryor, EKU

16 carries 5 carries 12 carries 10 carries

RECEIVING Marquel Pittman, WCU Michael Johnson, WCU Orlandus Harris, EKU Cody Watts, EKU

9 rec.

6 rec.

9 rec.

5 rec.

33 yds 26 yds 46 yds, TD 43 yds 109 yds, 2TD 38 yds 88 yds 56 yds

DEFENSIVE LEADERS: TACKLES Adrian McLeod, WCU Chris Collins, WCU Patrick McClellan, EKU Jake Tamaska, EKU

10 tckls (4ua, 6 a), 1.5 TFL 7 tckls (6ua, 1 a), 3 QBH 10 tckls (5ua, 5a), 0.5 TFL 8 tckls (1ua, 7a), 2.0 TFL

SACKS Four players tied 0.5 – 3 yds J. Collins, C. Johnson, A. McLeod, T. Selby Robert Knowles, EKU 1.0 –8 yds Thomas Yameen, EKU 1.0 – 4 yds

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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HEAD COACH

MARK SPEIR NINTH SEASON AT WESTERN CAROLINA (CLEMSON, 1990)

A man of vision, passion, and unwavering faith, Mark Speir enters his ninth season as the head football coach at Western Carolina University in 2020, his second stint with the football program in Cullowhee during his 29year coaching career.

Speir (pronounced “spear”), a former WCU assistant coach who has spent the bulk of his collegiate coaching career at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, was named the 13th head football coach during a press conference held in the Ramsey Center on Dec. 22, 2011.

Since his return to Cullowhee, Speir has been a driving force in the revitalization of the Catamount football program. Among 20 national finalists for the 2014 Eddie Robinson National FCS Coach of the Year award, Speir has guided the Catamounts to a trio of seven-win seasons including in back-to-back seasons in 2014 and 2015, and thrice driven WCU to the doorstep of returning to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs during his tenure. Six different Catamounts have earned postseason All-America honors during his tenure.

WCU’s all-time leader in several offensive categories including total offense, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. Senior defensive back Marvin Tillman appeared on the Buck Buchanan Award for the top defensive player and Ronald Kent Jr., was on the Rice Award Watch List.

Two Catamounts recruited and coached by Speir and his staff landed with NFL teams following the 2017 season, headlined by rookie defensive back Keion Crossen who gave WCU its first draft pick since 1994 when he was selected in the seventh round by New England. He was joined by a former teammate in running back Detrez Newsome who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers. A two-time AllAmerica selection, Newsome set a WCU school-record as the first player to post three-consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2015-2017. Crossen and Newsome met on opposite sidelines in the 2018 NFL postseason

in the divisional round with Crossen becoming WCU’s fourth Super Bowl Champion with New England’s win over the Los Angeles Rams.

WCU’s all-time leader in career punting average, Ian Berryman was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2018 season while defensive back John Brannon signed with the Chargers after the 2019 NFL Draft, making the practice squad.

Speir’s successes aren’t just limited to the field as nine players earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors, with Darius Ramsey becoming just the fourth Catamount football player all-time – and the first since 2003 – to garner Academic All-America status, collecting first-team honors in 2014. WCU has also put six players on the prestigious FCS ADA Academic All-Star team under Speir. As a program, the team was also recognized in the summer of 2019 with the highest APR score in the Southern Conference.

The 2014 season marked WCU’s first winning record in a decade with the 7-5 mark representing just the second finish above .500 since 2001 for the Catamounts.

Speir led the Catamounts to a second-place finish in the Southern Conference in 2014, its highest finish in the final standings since 1986 – and just the fourth runner-up finish since joining the league in 1977 – before following it up with a third-place showing in 2015. A school-record tying 14 Catamounts received all-conference plaudits in 2014 with 13 collecting honors following successful 2015 and 2017 campaigns.

Speir guided WCU to its third, seven-win season over the past four years, posting a 7-5 season in 2017 and again moved back into the NCAA FCS playoff picture.

Following the 2019 National Signing Day in February 2019, Speir and his coaching staff had compiled the 10th-best recruiting class at the NCAA FCS level, per HERO Sports.

During the off-season following the success of the 2014 season, Speir was granted a four-year contract extension which was approved by the WCU Board of Trustees in February of 2015. A second extension was granted in February of 2019 as the board’s executive committee unanimously approved a five-year contract extension to put him under contract through the summer of 2025.

Taking over the program in 2012, many have thrived under Speir’s tutelage. A combined 32 players have collected All-Southern Conference first or second-team plaudits, while 23 have earned SoCon All-Freshman selections including quarterback Tyrie Adams, who became just the fourth WCU football player to earn SoCon Freshman of the Year in 2016. Three first-year Catamounts went on to be finalists for the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award given to the nation’s top freshman performer, including Adams, who finished fourth in the national voting in 2016.

In 2018, WCU saw three players grace the three different STATS FCS national watch lists for awards that honor the top offensive, defensive, and freshman players – a first in program history. Adams, who became just one of 11 NCAA FCS quarterbacks all-time to pass for more than 2,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 yards in the same season, finished 19th in the national voting for the Walter Payton Award. He finished his career as Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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Speir, who got his coaching career start at Western Carolina under former Catamount head coach Steve Hodgin from 1991-96, returned to Cullowhee in late2011 came after spending the nine previous seasons at Appalachian State where he was a part of threeconsecutive FCS National Championships from 2005-07, serving as the program’s recruiting coordinator from 2004 through 2011 while coaching the inside linebackers prior to the move. He also coached the Mountaineers’ running backs (2003-04), defensive line (2005-08) and defensive ends (2009-10) while on staff at Appalachian State.

In 2009, Speir was tabbed as the NCAA Division I FCS Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The award has been handed out every year since 1997 at the five levels of football including the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), FCS, Division II and III, as well as NAIA levels.

Prior to Appalachian, Speir also made coaching stops at both at Presbyterian (1997-99) while the Blue Hose were a NCAA Division II-member institution, and at Elon (2000-02) the year after the program made the transition to a NCAA Division I school.

A native of Kannapolis, N.C., Speir broke into coaching while an undergraduate at Clemson University, working as a student assistant from 1986 through 1989, helping the Tigers to three Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championships during his four years. Following his graduation with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 1990, Speir landed on Hodgin’s staff in Cullowhee, first working with the running backs from 1991-93, then the linebackers in 1994 before coaching the defensive line and serving as the program’s recruiting coordinator from 1995-96.

Throughout his collegiate coaching career, Speir has made a name for himself through the recruiting process. He has held the title of recruiting coordinator at three NCAA FCS institutions (WCU, Elon and App State), organizing the efforts that landed Appalachian State six-consecutive crops of freshmen that have been widely considered to be among the top in NCAA Division I FCS recruiting classes and that helped the Mountaineers to three-straight national titles.

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

Photo by Beth Brown – BethBrownPhoto.com On the field, Speir was a position coach for nine all-conference honorees that earned the distinction 13 times in his nine seasons on staff in Boone. Six of Speir’s position players garnered All-America honors during his tenure at ASU including linebacker Jeremy Kimbrough, who was selected to the second team by The Sports Network. Additionally, defensive ends Jabari Fletcher, Jason Hunter, Marques Murrell and Gary Tharrington and defensive tackle Anthony Williams combined for All-America honors a total of six times.

Speir’s most notable pupils, Hunter and Murrell, tied for the SoCon lead with 13 sacks apiece and accounted for six defensive touchdowns between them in 2005.

Murrell also led the nation with 13 sacks in ‘06. Both enjoyed productive NFL careers, with Hunter entering his sixth pro season this year with the Denver Broncos.

Off the field, Speir is involved in many charitable causes. His efforts through Samaritan’s Purse helped raised more than $100,000 to help rebuild the Memorial Christian Hospital in Bangladesh. Part of the fundraising came through his participation in the 2008 Music City

Marathon in Nashville, which he finished in 4:01; the 2009 Boston Marathon, which he completed in 3:59; and the 2010 Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. Most recently, Speir completed the grueling 2015 Boston Marathon alongside his brother.

In 2009, he traveled to Bangladesh to provide much-needed medical supplies and volunteer at the hospital for 10 days. In 2011, Speir turned to organizing and participating in motorcycle tours to continue to raise funds for the worthy cause. After five years of the motorcycle rides, Speir has helped raise $75,000 for Operation Heal Our Patriots, another Samaritan’s Purse initiative. During the summer of 2016, Speir volunteered at the program’s retreat in Alaska.

Speir is married to the former Paige Holt of Pickens, S.C., and the couple has two sons – Zeb, who played collegiately as a quarterback at Appalachian State, and Jackson.

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

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JOHN HOLT

ANDY McCOLLUM

KEITH HENRY

ARKETA BANKS

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR / OFFENSIVE LINE

SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR / CORNER BACKS

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DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR / LINEBACKERS

ASSISTANT COACH / WIDE RECEIVERS

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PHILLIP ELY

JAY GUILLERMO

GRAHAM HOBBS

NICK NEWSOME

ASSISTANT COACH / QUARTERBACKS

ASSISTANT COACH / RUNNING BACKS

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

ASSISTANT COACH / TIGHT ENDS

ASSISTANT COACH / SAFETIES

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CLYDE SIMMONS ASSISTANT COACH / DEFENSIVE ENDS

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REUBEN WRIGHT ASSISTANT COACH / DEFENSIVE TACKLES

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EVAN BARR

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE ASSISTANTS:

Chandler Baldwin, Marques White and Rachel Blevins

Steven Honbarger

Director of Sports Medicine

Rob Reyburn

Associate Head Athletic Trainer

Carley Stringer

Assistant Athletic Trainer

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

NICK MASHBURN DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

RYAN KOLAKOWSKI DIRECTOR OF SCOUTING / QUALITY CONTROL

SANDY NEUENSCHWANDER ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOOTBALL OFFICE

JUSTIN BROWNER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

MIKE TAYLOR HEAD ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT MANAGER

ALAYNA LEDFORD ASSISTANT ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT MANAGER

Ira Fowler

Associate Head Athletic Trainer

Jackson Thompson

Assistant Athletic Trainer

Nicole Bohannon

Assistant Athletic Trainer

Midori Powell

Athletic Training Intern

Alisha Grisby

Assistant Athletic Trainer

Tyler Spain

Athletic Training Intern

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ALEX GARY WESTERN CAROLINA DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

and what is needed to advance Catamount Athletics.

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

At Oregon State, he has been a member of the executive leadership team responsible for the athletics department’s $85 million budget, 150 employees and more than 500 student-athletes. He oversees the 16-member athletics development team, which raised nearly $26 million in 2019, a record for the Beavers’ athletics program. That fundraising effort included a $3.5 million sports performance center renovation, $2.3 million women’s locker room renovation, and $2.6 million baseball stadium expansion.

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

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

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

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

Gary’s professional experience in major collegiate athletics conferences, such as the Pac-12 and Big Ten, combined with his personal familiarity with WCU as a former student-athlete make him a perfect fit to take over the helm of the Catamount athletics program, Brown said.

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

“The committee has found exactly that in Alex Gary,” Brown said. “To borrow some terminology from the sport

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Opportunity Bowl – at EKU

that Alex once played while representing the Catamounts, this hire is a grand slam homerun and one that touches all of the bases.”

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

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

“My personal experience as a former student-athlete at WCU deepens my understanding of this institution

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

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

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

He earned a degree in business administration in 2005 from Virginia Commonwealth University and his master’s degree in business administration at UNC Charlotte in 2009.

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

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

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

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

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT ALEX GARY: “Alex has a unique and natural ability to connect with broad, diverse groups. He is authentic in developing relationships and is a gifted leader well beyond his years.”

- S. Scott Barnes, Vice President & Director of Athletics at Oregon State University “I vividly remember when Alex first met with me. He was eager to get into intercollegiate athletics and that hunger was obvious. He started in fundraising where he was a natural fit. His personality and his people skills along with his experience will greatly benefit Western Carolina. Congratulations to both Alex and the University.”

- Judy Rose, former Director of Athletics at Charlotte “Alex Gary is a perfect choice for Western Carolina University. Alex has built an incredible reputation as a leader in intercollegiate athletics; focused on serving others and stewarding institutions with the highest level of integrity. He will keep student-athletes and their experience at the forefront of every decision.

Under Alex’s leadership, Catamount students, coaches and staff will thrive.”

- Joe Parker, Director of Athletics at Colorado State University “I am very happy for Alex becoming the new Athletics Director at Western Carolina University because I know he loves WCU and he is a wonderful young man. I feel sorry for us in losing Alex to this opportunity.

Western Carolina is lucky to have him as AD. We will miss him greatly but we also want him to be happy.

Sometimes, we have to let go of outstanding colleagues because we care about their happiness and it is best for them.”

- Ed Ray, President of Oregon State University

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS SENIOR STAFF

CATAMOUNT ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT STAFF MEMBERS

Alex Gary

Director of Media Relations

Anita Puerto

Director of Student-Athlete Academic Support Services

Kim Jamison

Athletic Department Administrative Assistant

SWA / Associate AD for Student Success

Deputy AD / Chief Operating Officer

Daniel Hooker Assistant AD for Media Relations

Denise Gideon

Stacey Miller

Kyle Pifer

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Steven Grandy Director of Media Relations

Sametria Matthews

Assistant Director of Academic Support

Brittney Holder

Associate Director of the Catamount Club

Athletics Business Officer (interim)

Director of Compliance

Director of Video Operations

Ashley Buck

Assistant Director of Academic Support

Blake Cantrell

Associate Director of the Catamount Club

Associate AD for External Affairs

Amanda Murchie

Dan Gibson

Noah Sautter

Chad Gerrety

Korey Hosch Video Operations Assistant

Brigham Waginger

Director of Student-Athlete Development & Alumni Engagement

Anthony Miele

Assistant Director of the Catamount Club

Ryan Jones

Associate Athletic Director for Development & Ticketing

Dr. A.J. Grube Faculty Athletics Representative

Ashley Alletto

Michael Ceccarelli

Rory Jimerson

Mark Conlin

Director of Athletics Marketing

Director of Game Operations & Facilities

April Bass

Assistant Director of the Catamount Club

Director of Corporate Sponsorship

Ben Page

Director of Athletics Ticketing

Trey Fisher

Director of Athletic Facilities

Athletic Facilities & Grounds Assistant

Kaleb May

Jeff Bewsey

Assistant Director of the Catamount Club

Catamount Club Assistant

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CATAMOUNT ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT COACHING STAFF MEMBERS

Bobby Moranda Head Coach Baseball

Brett Ferguson

Mitchell Hill

Andrew Cox

Assistant Coach Baseball

Matt Erps

Jeff Lavin

Volunteer Assistant Coach Baseball

Kiley Hill

Mark Prosser

Ben Betts

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Brooke Rhodes

Shyla Coleman

Megan Brown

Director of Men's Basketball Operations

Video Coordinator Men’s Basketball

Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Associate Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Amaura Brandt

Ashley Morgan Crowe

Kourtney Sandefur

Tim Eckberg

Courtney Gunter Head Coach Women’s Golf

Chad Miller

Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Jim Clift

Madison Armstrong

Bret Beaver

Jesse Norman

David Johnston

Karen Glover

Head Coach Softball

Head Coach Cheerleading

Assistant Coach Softball

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Assistant Coach Cheerleading

Head Coach Women's Tennis

Head Coach Men’s Golf

Head Coach Cross Country / Track & Field

Tony Rack

Head Coach Men’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Director of Women's Basketball Operations

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Taylor Sandefur

Head Assistant Coach Baseball

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Head Coach Volleyball

Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Todd Herman

Associate Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Chelsi Carter

Assistant Coach Volleyball

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THANK YOU TO THESE DONORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE

E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM / BOB WATERS FIELD TURF REPLACEMENT PROJECT Betty Allen

Loretta and Bill Dodgen

Paul and Susan Johnson

Andrew Parham

Rob and Heather Stall

Charles Allison

Kenneth and Linda Douglas

Ryan and Meredith Jones

Josh and Amy Paris

Kevin and Lynn Stanberry

Hoyt and Katherine Almond

Andy and Jordan Dunn

Wilmot Jones

Trace and Robin Pate

Oceann Stanley

Elaine Anderson

Rusty and Melinda Edwards

Paul and Nora Jones

Rick and Andrea Pate

Watt and Billie Staples

Patrick and Heidi Anderson

Julie Elks

Craig Jones

Ben and Jenna Pendry

Onno Steger

Larry and Mary Arbaugh

Keith and Nina Elliott

William Kahill

Charlie Phillips

David and Donna Stephens

Jake Bailey

Doug Embler

Ben Kees

Chuck and Jodi Pippin

Gary and Martha Stepp

John and Kelli Baker

John and Lori Esposito

Patrick and Natalie Kesler

Hayes and Hongduc Powell

Phillip and Terry Stewart Michael and Marsha Sullivan

Drew Barefoot

Jarred Franklin

Jason Kilgore

Chris and Jennifer Pressley

William and Beverly Barr

Patrick Fredricks

Doug and Louanna King

Dorothy Price

Robert Thomas

Jeff and Josie Bewsey

Jarrett and Jaime Friday

Bryant and Brenda Kinney

Mark and Emily Prosser

Chuck and Mary Thompson

Clayton Bolton

Robert Gibson

Jerry and Kay Kiser

Anita Puerto

Bradley Tollie

Ross Bonnewell

Marc and Kelli Ann Gibson

Kristy and Joanne Kiser

Tracy Pyle

Jeffrey and Miriam Tomberlin

Charlie and Mary Jo Boswell

Daniel and Lynette Gibson

Bob and Theresa Konen

Jimmy and Laure Ramsey

Gail Totherow

Dana Boyer

Leonardo Gonzalez

Gregory and Pamela Lambert

Jimmy and Darryl Ray

John and Martha Truitt Steve and Chelsi Ulsh

Eva Bradshaw

Michael and Allyson Grass

Dick Lankford

Brent and Jamie Raynor

Dennis and Kelli Brown

Leslie Greer

John and Lindsay Lockett

Amanda Roach

Jamie Vance

Jennifer Brown

Marshall Gunter

Carl Long

Jim and Nellie Roberts

Jason and Tonia VanDyke

Edward and Andra Burks

Jason and Malea Habbal

Gerald and Rhonda Love

Jake and Olivia Robinson

William and Sally Vanhoy

Fred and Katrina Cantler

Dean and Kimberly Hamrick

Lisa Marks

Arnold and Donna Roope

Robbie and Miriam Vannoy

Blake Cantrell

Jimmy and Karen Hardy

Jerry and Judy Matheny

Rylee Roquemore

Mike and Regina Wade

Michael and Tamara Caskey

Rod and Pamela Harrelson

Brenda McDonald

Bob Sabin and Susan Hinkle-Sabin

David and Brenda Warlick

Justin Caudell

Keith and Shannon Haskett

Kevin and Erica McIntosh

Jeff and Libby Sanders

Mike Wash

David and Charlene Chapman

Mark and Tammy Haskett

Kenny Messer and Melanie Clark

Noah Sautter

Jim and Teresa Watson

Martin Cheatham IV

Timothy and Ashley Hayzlip

John and Page Mikol

Christopher and Kirstin Schlenker

Eddie and Savannah Wells

Lynne Chiger

Jessica Helms

Daniel and Jordan Moeller

Michael and Rebecca Schlosser

Tommy and Shelly White

Jennifer Childers

Kenneth and Joanne Henry

Curtis and Kellie Monteith

Jeffrey and Natalie Sechrist

Ron and Susan Whitmire

Scott and Kelly Christian

Lisa Henderson-Hill and Dale Hill

Brian Moore

Mike and Kathie Shelton

Tina Whitmore

Bob and Lauren Clark

Brittney Holder

Don and Heather Moore

Jerry and Glenda Shepardson

Don and Ann Williams Onifer and Meagan Wilmoth

Thomas Condon

Tom Holderby

Noah Moore

Brenda Sidney

John and Lori Connet

Daniel Hooker

Edwin Morrow

Gerald and Anne Smart

Holly Wilson

Cam and Brandi Cooper

Sherri Houston

Paxton Myers

Lenny and Vicky Smathers

Donna Winbon

Stephen and Kelly Cosenke

Thomas and Jennifer Jackson

Mark and Heidi Nash

Anthony Smith

Jim and Jane Wood

Joshua Cox

Barbara Jacobs

Rob and Cathy Neill

Mark and Lisa Smith

Devana Woodburn

Paul and Kimberly Davis

Andrew Jeffords

Rick and Anne Nicholson

Louis and Patti Snyder

David and Rhonda Woodell

Kayla Deaton

Steve and Martha Jeffords

Robert and Kathy Orr

Daniel and Veronica Southern

Jason and Shannon Young

Boyce and Sandra Deitz

Rory Jimerson

Doug and Whitney Palmer

Stephen and Marina Spears

Rachel Young

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MEET THE 2020 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

#2 – Aaron Gethers

#2 – Mark Wright

#3 – Darrius Smith

#3 – D.J. Thorpe

#4 – A.J. Rogers

#4 – Kason Lincke

#5 – Syheam McQueen

#6 – Daquan Patten

#7 – Charles Gadie

#8 – Devlin Olawumi Jr.

#9 – Dorian Davis

#10 – Willie Hampton

#10 – Malik Richardson

#11 – Jaylin Young

#12 – Tristan Sens

#13 – Ronald Kent Jr.

#13 – Calvin Jones

#14 – Quintin Thames

#15 – Will Jones

#16 – Marcelo Rodriguez

#17 – Anthony Badgett

#17 – Reggie Jones

#18 – Jaylon McMillon

CB – 5-10 – 185 – R-So. Blythewood, S.C.

RB – 6-0 – 205 – R-Fr. Laurinburg, N.C.

RB – 6-4 – 200 – R-Fr. Sumter, S.C.

#14 – Mahari Stribling WR – 6-3 – 180 – R-So. Loganville, Ga.

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QB – 5-11 – 200 – Jr. Douglasville, Ga.

WR – 5-6 – 185 – R-Sr. Columbia, S.C.

WR – 6-0 – 165 – So. Miami, Fla.

QB – 6-4 – 220 – R-Jr. Greensboro, N.C.

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LB – 5-11 – 225 – Jr. Robersonville, N.C.

DB – 5-9 – 170 – R-So. Douglasville, Ga.

WR – 6-1 – 180 – R-Fr. Holly Springs, N.C.

QB – 6-2 – 200 – R-Jr. Miami, Fla.

WR – 6-3 – 195 – R-Jr. Nashville, Tenn.

LB – 6-0 – 195 – R-So. Atlanta, Ga.

DB – 5-9 – 165 – Jr. Harrisburg, Pa.

CB – 5-9 – 170 – R-So. Greensboro, N.C.

DB – 6-0 – 180– Jr. Duncan, S.C.

S – 6-0 – 190 – R-Fr. Shelby, N.C.

RB – 5-10 – 170 – Fr. Forest City, N.C.

WR – 6-1 – 175 – R-Jr. Sharpsburg, Ga.

QB – 6-1 – 200 – Fr. Mobile, Ala.

LB – 6-1 – 210 – R-Jr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

DB – 5-11 – 175 – R-So. Grayson, Ga.

S – 6-0 – 185 – R-Fr. Clemmons, N.C.

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MEET THE 2020 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

#19 – Raekwon Heath

#20 – Donnavan Spencer

#21 – Haki Bradley

#22 – Mikai Stanley

#24 – Quintin Talley

#25 – Dejon DeCruz

#26 – Tyree Nelson

#27 – Trevor Childers

#28 – Jaheim Mullen

#29 – Jayden Pauling

#30 – Micah Nelson

#31 – Ethan Harris

#32 – Austin Grunden

#33 – Curtis Roach

#34 – Quenten Zanders

#35 – Bryce Satterfield

#36 – Skylin Thomas

#37 – Ty Harris

#38 – Jacob Harris

#39 – Julian Pletz

#40 – LA Rogers-Anderson

#41 – Cinsere Allison

#42 – Jontavious Shotwell

#43 – Luke Hoggard

WR – 6-2 – 185 – R-Jr. Columbia, S.C.

RB – 5-10 – 195 – Fr. Atlanta, Ga.

TE – 6-2 – 205 – Fr. Kannapolis, N.C.

CB – 6-1 – 195 – Jr. Greer, S.C.

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RB – 5-10 – 190 – R-Sr. Charlotte, N.C.

LB – 6-1 – 215 – Sr. Lincolnton, N.C.

SPUR – 6-1 – 200 – R-Jr. Cumming, Ga.

K – 5-10 – 190 – R-So. Liberty Township, Ohio

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RB – 5-10 – 210 – R-Jr. Raleigh, N.C.

SPUR – 6-0 – 190 – Fr. Gastonia, N.C.

RB – 5-8 – 175 – Jr. Shelby, N.C.

RB – 5-8 – 175 – Jr. Shelby, N.C.

RB – 6-2 – 235 – Fr. Wilmington, N.C.

RUSH – 6-3 – 225 – Jr. Raleigh, N.C.

RB – 5-11 – 175 – Fr. Boone, N.C.

S – 6-0 – 185 – R-So. Kannapolis, N.C.

S – 6-0 – 175 – Fr. Spartanburg, S.C.

SPUR – 6-3 – 200 – R-Fr. Murphy, N.C.

SPUR – 5-10 – 190 – R-Fr. Lenoir, N.C.

S – 5-11 – 175 – R-So. Hoschton, Ga.

LB – 5-10 – 225 – So. Durham, N.C.

DB – 5-8 – 145 – Fr. Duncan, S.C.

LB – 6-1 – 245 – Sr. Dacula, Ga.

TE – 6-0 – 225 – R-Jr. Edenton, N.C.

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MEET THE 2020 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

#44 – Nigel Manns

#45 – Caleb Ferguson

#46 – Paxton Robertson

#47 – Alex McConnell

#48 – Chester Geffrard

#49 – Demorian Smith

#51 – Matthew Bair

#52 – Grady Thomas

#53 – Jaylen Moore

#55– Kevin Thompson

#56 – Jacob Depouli

#58 – Giovanni Ricciardi

#59 – John Esposito

#60 – Joaquin Layno

#61 – Dawson Johnson

#62 – Michael Harper

#63 – Sam Buff

#64 – Colby Cross

#65 – Isaiah Helms

#68 – Torrion Stevenson

#69 – Dillon Luther

#70 – Caleb Carter

#72 – Blake Whitmore

#73 – Nathaniel Dozier

LB – 6-1 – 220 – Fr. Byron, Ga.

OL – 6-3 – 285 – R-Sr. Anderson, S.C.

LB – 5-10 – 205 – R-Sr. Staten Island, N.Y.

OL – 6-3 – 325 – So. Lenoir, N.C.

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WR – 5-11 – 195 – R-Jr. Waynesville, N.C.

OL – 6-5 – 305 – Sr. Spartanburg, S.C.

DL – 5-10 – 275 – R-Fr. Cherokee, N.C.

DT – 6-1 – 305 – R-So. Branchville, S.C.

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K – 6-0 – 200 – Fr. Knoxville, Tenn.

RUSH – 6-2 – 225 – Fr. Greenville, N.C.

OL – 6-2 – 265 – R-Jr. Taylorsville, N.C.

OL – 6-3 – 300 – So. Asheville, N.C.

TE – 6-4 – 275 – R-So. Boone, N.C.

LS – 5-10 – 210 – So. Rock Hill, S.C.

OL – 6-4 – 285 – R-Jr. Wilkesboro, N.C.

OL – 6-3 – 275 – Fr. Jacksonville, N.C.

RUSH – 6-4 – 225 – So. Ocoee, Fla.

LB – 6-0 – 205 – R-Fr. Southern Pines, N.C.

OL – 6-1 – 280 – Fr. Statesville, N.C.

OL – 6-2 – 285 – R-Fr. Raleigh, N.C.

RUSH – 6-0 – 220 – Fr. Robersonville, N.C.

LB – 6-0 – 215 – Fr. Clemmons, N.C.

LS – 5-11 – 190 – Fr. Mooresville, N.C.

OL – 6-2 – 255 – Fr. Chesterfield, Va.

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MEET THE 2020 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

#74 – Tyler Smith

#75 – Zach Hayes

#76 – Jacob Combs

#77 – Chris Morgan

#81 – Kendall Alford

#82 – Jakobe Quillen

#83 – Brandon Dickerson

#84 – Owen Cosenke

#87 – Dylan Abernethy

#88 – Luke Sutton

#89 – Richard McCollum K – 5-9 – 170 – R-So. Sanford, N.C.

DE – 6-2 – 210 – R-Fr. Shelby, N.C.

#93 – Roman Johnson

#94 – Aidan Alston

#95 – Laquavion Haynes

OL – 6-8 – 300 – R-So. Laurinburg, N.C.

WR – 5-10 – 175 – R-Fr. Marietta, Ga.

WR – 6-0 – 165 – Fr. Maiden, N.C.

DT – 6-3 – 260 – So. Greensboro, N.C.

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OL – 6-3 – 325 –R-Fr. Jonesboro, Ga.

WR – 6-3 – 190 – Fr. Florence, S.C.

WR – 5-8 – 180 – Fr. Concord, N.C.

DT – 6-2 – 250 – R-Fr. Southern Pines, N.C.

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OL – 6-4 – 280 – So. North Wilkesboro, N.C.

P/K – 5-11 – 195 – So. Fort Mill, S.C.

DE – 6-4 – 230 – Fr. Moultrie, Ga.

OL – 6-0 – 255 – Fr. Maiden, N.C.

#78 – Garrett Bowman

#80 – Keenan Hambrick

OL – 6-4 – 270 – R-So. Arab, Ala.

WR – 6-3 – 195 – Fr. Athens, Ala.

TE – 6-3 – 235 – Sr. Aldie, Va.

TE – 6-6 – 220 – R-So. Calypso, N.C.

#85 – Luke Britt

#86 – Clayton Bardall

#90 – Tre’ Jolly

#91 – Jaquarius Guinn

#92 – Darrius Bell

#96 – K.J. Milner

#97 – Adam Henderson

#98 – Christian Harris

DE – 6-4 – 260 – Jr. Hinesville, Ga.

DT – 6-2 – 295 – Fr. Clover, S.C.

DT – 6-4 – 295 – R-So. Greenville, S.C.

TE – 6-3 – 225 – R-So. Cumming, Ga.

DE – 6-2 – 230 – R-Fr. Gilbert, S.C.

DT – 6-3 – 260 – R-Fr. Raleigh, N.C.

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MEET THE 2020 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

#99 – Ricky Palao DT – 6-2 – 270 – Sr. Hoover, Ala.

Branson Adams WR – 5-9 – 200 – Fr. Greensboro, N.C.

Tyler Anderson LB – 6-0 – 205 – Fr. Greensboro, N.C.

Jaiden Bond

WR – 5-9 – 170 – Fr. Boone, N.C.

Matthew Cherry DE – 6-3 – 185 – Fr. Rocky Mount, N.C.

Trevor Fournet LB – 5-11 – 195 – Fr. Cornelius, N.C.

Cameron BROWN 6-2 l 210 lbs. l Sr. l LB Tallahassee, Fla. | Florida State University School

Jamaud Geter

RB – 5-9 – 210 – R-Fr. Shelby, N.C.

Jamauree Haith

RUSH – 6-2 – 230 – Fr. Burlington, N.C.

The 2020 season would have been the senior year for Tallahasee, Fla., native Cam Brown.

Cameron Michael “Super Cam” Brown passed away on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 after a battle with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer ... Cam visited with his Catamount teammates and was a part of WCU’s 2017 season-opening victory over Davidson ... Cam left a lasting message with the Catamount football team, telling head coach Mark Speir in an October 2017 hospital visit, "Tell the boys to never give up on the fight, because the fun is in the fight" – a motto that is displayed in the Catamount football team room and lives through his teammates. WCU and his Catamount teammates honored his memory with a pregame moment of silence prior to the Nov. 11, 2017 game vs. Mercer.

PRIOR TO WESTERN CAROLINA: Was named first-team defense on the Florida All-State Class 3-A football team following his senior season as he was credited with a career-best 140 tackles including a school-record 100 solo stops and 24 TFLs with 10 sacks ...

Forced nine fumbles, recovering three while also intercepting a pass ... Tallahassee, Fla., Quarterback Club named him the 2016 Mickey Andrews Co-Defensive Player of the Year ... Was named All Big Bend in both his junior and senior seasons, collecting second team honors as a junior and first team plaudits as a senior ... Selected to play for the North Team in the 62nd annual North-South All-Star FACA Football Classic ... Recorded 193 career tackles, averaging 9.7 tackles per game ... Posted 14 sacks while also recording an interception and forced a pair of fumbles ... Was listed as a two-star athlete by Scout.com ... High school head coach was Jerod Hickman ... As an all-conference prep wrestler, finished fourth in the state of Florida Class 1-A in the 195 lbs., weight class as a junior and qualified for the state tournament as a sophomore.

PERSONAL: Full name is Cameron Michael Brown, prefered to go by “Cam” ... Is the son of Sam Brown and Michelle McQueen ... Has two siblings, Bin and Samaya ... He was engaged to Ms. Dallas Kennedy.

Neil Ilenrrey

Gabe Jones

DB – 6-0 – 205 – So. Alpharetta, Ga.

Cade Snotherly QB – 6-0 – 185 – Fr. Franklinville, N.C.

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OL – 6-2 – 265 – Fr. Southern Pines, N.C.

Glenn Young

RB – 5-9 – 200 – Fr. Fayetteville, N.C.

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CATAMOUNTS IN THE NFL DRAFT YEAR PLAYER

TEAM ROUND PICK

1972............Steve Williams.................... San Francisco 49ers............. 10................ 252 1982............Eddie McGill.......................... St. Louis Cardinals............. 10................ 259 1985............Louis Cooper.......................... Seattle Seahawks..............11................. 305 1986............Clyde Simmons................... Philadelphia Eagles..............9................. 233 1988............Kirk Roach........................................ Buffalo Bills..............5.................. 135 1993............Willie Williams...................... Pittsburgh Steelers..............6..................162 1994............Andrew Jordan......................Minnesota Vikings..............6.................. 179 2017............Keion Crossen.................. New England Patriots.............. 7................. 243

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563 N COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE. CULLOWHEE, NC 28723 64 |

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DR. 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. Michael T. Byers, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Mr. Alex Gary, Director of Athletics Mr. Craig Fowler, Chief Information Officer Mrs. Jamie T. Raynor, Interim Vice Chancellor for Advancement Dr. H. Samuel Miller Jr., Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Mr. Shea Browning, General Counsel Dr. Melissa Wargo, Chief of Staff Ms. Jessica Woods, Assistant to the Chancellor Dr. Kelli R. Brown is chancellor of Western Carolina University, a regional comprehensive university that serves more than 12,000 students with a wide range of bachelor’s degrees across the spectrum of arts and sciences disciplines and professional programs in business, education, health care, and engineering; more than 30 master’s degree and certificate programs; and five professional doctoral programs.

Dr. Brown took office as the 12th chancellor of WCU in July 2019, becoming the university’s first permanent female chancellor. She previously served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Georgia College & State University. In July 2016, Chancel-

lor Brown was appointed interim president of Valdosta State University, a regional comprehensive university in southern Georgia. She served in that capacity until a permanent president took office in January 2017, after which she then returned to her position at Georgia College. In addition to her leadership at Georgia College, she has taught undergraduate and graduate students and has served in academic leadership roles at the University of Florida, University of South Florida, Illinois State University, and Western Illinois University.

high levels of teaching innovation.

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

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

Chancellor Brown has received awards for her leadership. She is the former editor of the Journal of School Health and has served on five other editorial boards, including as an inaugural member of the Pedagogy in Health Promotion: The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning editorial board. A published and funded author, she has written extensively on school and community partnerships, school health, and the use of community-based prevention marketing.

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

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Friends.

Family.

Community. w 2020 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – DIGITAL GAME DAY GUIDE w

We’re all in this together.

State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. That's one reason why I'm proud to support Western Carolina University.

Get to a better State®.

Charles Wolfe, Agent 180 Webster Road Sylva, NC 28779 Bus: 828-586-4026 charles.w.wolfe.bwll@statefarm.com

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1211009

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

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Learn more at CatamountSports.com

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.

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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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CATAMOUNT CLUB MEMBERSHIP (as of Nov. 12, 2020)

LEGACY David and Marie Brinkley........................Kings Mountain, N.C. Tad and Susan Grattan.......................Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Harris Regional Hospital.......................................... Sylva, N.C.

TROPHY

C. Philip Byers.................................................Forest City, N.C. Michael and Gina Crawford................................. Candler, N.C. Scott and Kim Davis...................................Willow Spring, N.C. Tom and Shannon Holderby................................Whitsett, N.C. Jeanette Hyde......................................................Raleigh, N.C. Gaither and Bev Keener................................ Mooresville, N.C.

LEVEL Ingles Markets, Inc............................................ Asheville, N.C. Mike and Marsha Sullivan................................Fort Myers, Fla.

LEVEL

Kelly and Jeff Kent......................................... Mooresville, N.C. Kevin Stanberry....................................................... Sylva, N.C. Dave and Lois Steed.................................... Myrtle Beach, S.C. Blaise and Brittne Stevens................................. Madison, N.C. Michael and Torri Winstead............................Wilmington, N.C.

CHAMPIONS CLUB LEVEL Larry and Mary Arbaugh...........................................Sylva, N.C. Bear Lake Reserve........................................ Tuckasegee, N.C. Jack and Judy Brinson..................................... Highlands, N.C. Willie L. Carpenter, Jr...............................................Miami, Fla. Civil Design Concepts, P.A.................................Asheville, N.C. Stephen C. Couch.................................................Durham, N.C. Wes and Cathy Elingburg.............................. Greensboro, N.C. Terry and Vikki Fortner..................................... Dahlonega, Ga. Todd and Julie Harkins........................................ Conover, N.C. Todd and Julie Harkins........................................ Conover, N.C. Doug and Louanna King................................... Mills River, N.C. Ken and Donna Martin.....................................Knoxville, Tenn.

Alden and Sari McCracken....................... Hendersonville, N.C. Kenny Messer and Melanie Clark....................Greensboro, Ga. John and Page Mikol.........................................Rural Hall, N.C. Paxton Myers............................................................Sylva, N.C. Heidi and Mark Nash....................................... Mill Spring, N.C. Teddy and Christy Phillips................................Knoxville, Tenn.

Jake and Olivia Robinson......................................Canton, N.C. Van Stayton..................................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Robbie and Miriam Vannoy....................................Sunset, S.C. Randy White and Kim Hunter........................ Santa Rosa, Calif.

David and Joy Wiggins................................. Simpsonville, S.C. Jim and Jane Wood................................................. Clyde, N.C.

I-CATS LEVEL David and Sonya Bair..............................................Belton, S.C. Tom and Bonnie Broadwater............................ High Point, N.C. Gurney and Ann Chambers..............................Cullowhee, N.C. Tobe and Barbara Childers................................. Charlotte, N.C. Brian Davis......................................................... Asheville, N.C. Dennis and Susan Fox...........................................Raleigh, N.C. Jason and Malea Habbal.................................. Lake Wylie, S.C. Keith and Shannon Haskett...................................... Sylva, N.C. Stephen Heatherly.........................................Waynesville, N.C. Tom and Carol Henson..............................Winston Salem, N.C. Dale and Dianne Hollifield.......................Kings Mountain, N.C. Paul and Nora Jones.................................. Rutherfordton, N.C. Wilmot and Kari Jones...................................Greensboro, N.C. Doreen Loska....................................................... Sanford, N.C. John and Suzy Martin............................................Raleigh, N.C. Cassie and Brad McAbee......................................... Sylva, N.C. Raymond and Sonia McGowan....................... Vero Beach, Fla. David D. Moore......................................................... Sylva, N.C. Thomas and Kimberly Morgan...................... Jacksonville, N.C. Stanton Moss..................................................Kernersville, N.C.

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Clay and Vicky Poindexter.........................Winston Salem, N.C. Susie Ray................................................. Cullowhee, N.C., N.C. David Thomas Roberts.......................................Piedmont, S.C. Bill and Elaine Ross...................................... Hillsborough, N.C. Mike and Kathie Shelton.................................... Columbia, S.C. Larry and Heulwen Stanberry............................Sebastian, Fla. Watt and Billie Staples...........................................Raleigh, N.C. Jace and Stephanie Stowe.................................. Belmont, N.C. Linney and Kimberly Teague.................................Hickory, N.C. Mark A. Tedder.................................................... Advance, N.C. Randell and Susan Thomas............................... Rural Hall, N.C. Bob Thomas...................................................... Alpharetta, Ga. Mike and Regina Wade....................................Cullowhee, N.C. Ken and Carolyn Wash............................................ Toccoa, Ga. Dewight and Jamie Winchester............................Whittier, N.C. Donna Carlene Winbon.........................................Raleigh, N.C. Baxter Wood.....................................................Cullowhee, N.C. Brian and Debbie Young.....................................Cumming, Ga. Tony and Lynne Zande.................................... Vero Beach, Fla.

CAPTAINS LEVEL Andrew B. Abernathy...................................... Sylva, N.C. Betty J. Allen.......................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Neal Andrews................................. Browns Summit, N.C. Drew Barefoot.......................................... Reidsville, N.C. Hank and Andi Barkley......................... Huntersville, N.C. Better Alternatives, Inc...................................Lenoir, N.C. Don Blaine................................................. Asheville, N.C. Bear Lake Reserve............................... Tuckasegee, N.C. Mike and Sandee Biggerstaff.........................Lenoir, N.C. Scott and Evelyn Bond.................................Etowah, N.C. Wilson Boyd.............................................Burlington, N.C. Travis and Maggie Bramlett..................Waynesville, N.C. Dan and Kathy Brooks........................... Sevierville, Tenn.

Ronald and Judy Brown..........................Nashville, Tenn.

Budweiser of Sylva.......................................... Sylva, N.C. James Causby................................... Biltmore Lake, N.C. Champion Credit Union................................Canton, N.C. Paul and Angela Childers............................. Denver, N.C. Michael and Leigh Colombo........................... Sylva, N.C. Joe and Cinzia Condemi.............................Franklin, N.C. John and Lori Connet...................... Hendersonville, N.C. Cameron and Brandi Cooper...................Cherokee, N.C. Jim and Megan Davis.......................Winston Salem, N.C. Heidi Dent..................................................Cashiers, N.C. Donnie Rhodes and Jane Fliesbach............ Candler, N.C. Alex and Katie Gary...............................Waynesville, N.C. Mike and Lisa Gillespie.........................Waynesville, N.C. Jeff and Rosa Goss.......................................... Sylva, N.C. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad............Bryson City, N.C. Leslie E. Greer................................................ Duluth, Ga. Marshall G. Gunter..................................Lincolnton, N.C. The John C. Harmon Foundation..........Waynesville, N.C. Rod and Pam Harrelson.........................Morganton, N.C. Jason and Stephanie Hopfinger............. Cullowhee, N.C. Steven and Martha Jeffords........................Fletcher, N.C. Bryant and Brenda Kinney........................... Denver, N.C. Jerry and Kay Kiser...........................................Irmo, S.C. Gary and Kathy Lance...........................Waynesville, N.C. Stan and Lana Lehmans.............................Florence, S.C. Kevin and Amy Lowery.................................Canton, N.C. Heather and Damien Martin....................... Waxhaw, N.C. Brett D. Miller..............................................Fletcher, N.C. Bruce and Denise Moore........................... Waxhaw, N.C. Jim L. Moore.................................................... Sylva, N.C. Col. John Mosbey.............................. Georgetown, Texas Ben and Jenna Pendry.................................... Sylva, N.C. Charlie Phillips.......................................Waynesville, N.C. Thomas C. Posey Jr........................................ Clyde, N.C. Karen Powers........................................... Rolesville, N.C. Chris and Jen Pressley........................... Cullowhee, N.C. Gary Rockett....................................................Nebo, N.C. Rob and Amy Rucker....................................Hickory, N.C. Doug and Lynn Sanders............................Charlotte, N.C. Gaston and Libby Seal...............................Glenville, N.C. Select Homes WNC...............................Waynesville, N.C. Ron and Pam Sink....................................Lexington, N.C. Lenny and Vicky Smathers.................. Granite Falls, N.C. Darryl and June Smith.............................. Reidsville, N.C. Steve and Jima Sparks.................................Gaffney, S.C. Scott and Robbie Stanberry............................ Sylva, N.C. Betsy and Sam Stewart.............................Charlotte, N.C. Elisabeth and Wade St. John III............ Tuckasegee, N.C. Kenneth and Anna Taylor........................... Belmont, N.C. Dave and Nancy B. Thompson..................Charlotte, N.C. Mitchell and Ann Treadaway.................. Clemmons, N.C. John and Martha Truitt...................... Biltmore Lake, N.C. Chuck and Sheila Tucker.......................Weaverville, N.C. James D. Turner............................................ Irvine, Calif.

Jim and Teresa Watson...........................Lincolnton, N.C. Norman and Carolyn West..................... Cullowhee, N.C. Steve and Elaine White.......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Steven and Gail Williams........................... Salisbury, N.C. Buzz Worrall...................................................Arden, N.C. Ron and Anne Young.............................. Cullowhee, N.C. Brittany and Jonathan Zapp......................Charlotte, N.C. COACHES LEVEL R. Daniel Altenburg.......................... Tarpon Springs, Fla. Amy Manshack State Farm Insurance.........Franklin, N.C. Paul Badgley............................................Burnsville, N.C. Tracy Bailey............................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Milton H. Beck Jr............................. Powder Springs, Ga. Mark and Kelly Benge........................Archer Lodge, N.C.

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Western Carolina Students...

JOIN THE STUDENT CATAMOUNT CLUB TODAY Call (828) 227-3047 The purpose of the Student Catamount Club is to serve the WCU community by promoting student attendance, school spirit and tradition for all varsity sports teams while educating students on WCU Athletics and the Catamount Club

PRESENTED BY

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CATAMOUNT CLUB MEMBERSHIP (as of Nov. 12, 2020) Jim and Libby Beddingfield........................Cumming, Ga. Todd and Melanie Blosser............... Powder Springs, Ga. Andrea D. Border.......................................... Naples, Fla. Gorham and Rebecca Bradley....................... Clyde, N.C. Brad and Eileen Bradshaw.............. Saint Augustine, Fla. Suzanne and Ralph Britt..............................Calypso, N.C. Howard and Roz Buchanan..........................Canton, N.C. Greg and Alison Burnette........................ Gainesville, Ga. Bobby Byrd........................................... Greensboro, N.C. Bruce and Sibyl Byrd.......................................Nebo, N.C. Melissa Cabe.......................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Cory Causby..........................................Waynesville, N.C. Charlie Lombard Cobb..........................Port Orange, Fla. Ben and Paige Comm...................................Ashburn, Va. Tom and Lisa Condon..........................Lawrenceville, Ga. Joseph and Carol Crocker............... Winston-Salem, N.C. Seburn Crocker.....................................Mooresville, N.C. Howe Crockett.....................................Vancouver, Wash.

J. Darren Dawson............................................Dunn, N.C. Jim and Susan McElroy Davis....................Advance, N.C. Mark P. Dellinger.......................................... Denver, N.C. Bill and Loretta Dodgen............................ Gastonia, N.C. David and Valorie Duckworth................. Woodstock, Ga. Dave and Sharon Earley...........................Greenville, S.C. Bob and Sonia Elledge................................. Marion, N.C. Entegra Bank...............................................Franklin, N.C. Paul and Vicky Faris................................... Surf City, N.C. Ken and Peggy Flynt.............................Waynesville, N.C. Dick Freeman............................................ Newland, N.C. Sam and Janice Freeman......................Waynesville, N.C. Jarrett and Jaime Friday........................... Gastonia, N.C. Rick and Jana Fulton...................................Webster, N.C. Robert Gibson............................................. Raleigh, N.C. Jeffrey and Katherine Gilbert............... Greensboro, N.C. Timothy and Betsy Gillespie...................... Asheville, N.C. Leonardo M. Gonzalez.............................. Asheville, N.C. Jeffery and Brenda Gorsuch................... Mills River, N.C. Brent and Allyson Grass...............................Stanley, N.C. Charles and Elizabeth Gray........................ Belmont, N.C. BJ and Annie Green.......................................Arden, N.C. Ed and Betsey Hamlet..................................... Sylva, N.C. Bruce and Maretta Hamrick...................Morganton, N.C. Jimmy and Karen Hardy............................Columbia, S.C. Darrin and Babetta Hemphill.....................Garland, Texas Ken and Joanne Henry.............................. Gastonia, N.C. David and Lisa Hill........................................ Apopka, Fla. John and June Horne........................... Huntersville, N.C. Bill and Malissa Hawkins...............................Taylors, S.C. Ronald and Paula Henderson.............. Edisto Island, S.C. Charles and Pam Hill.............................. Cullowhee, N.C. Lisa and Dale Hill...................................Horse Shoe, N.C. Len Jones and Phyllis Holt.........................Mars Hill, N.C. Alma Hooks................................................Fremont, N.C. Lambert and Joy Hooper................................ Sylva, N.C. Alan and Julie Howard.......................... Social Circle, Ga. Tony and Fran Johnson........................... Mills River, N.C. Chase and Ashley Kress........................Waynesville, N.C. Andy and Angela Lambert........................Lexington, N.C. Coleman Leopard..................................Waynesville, N.C. James and Jill Locke.................................... Marion, N.C. Bill and Susan Loggins.................... Winston-Salem, N.C. John and Sue Martin................................ Reidsville, N.C. Patrick and Jeanne McGuire.................. Cullowhee, N.C. McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture...Spartanburg, S.C. Chad and Deidre McMahon........................... Clyde, N.C. Matt and Tracey Monday........................... Asheville, N.C. Jeff and Kim Myers.....................................Rock Hill, S.C. Josh and Amy Paris..........................Winston Salem, N.C. Michael G. Paysour..................................... Conover, N.C. Bob and Carol Roberts.............................. Asheville, N.C. Curtis and Ann Patterson...........................Concord, N.C. Jane Powers....................................Mount Pleasant, S.C. Mary Beth Richard................................. Sevierville, Tenn.

Kirk and Carrie Roach................................Cumming, Ga. Barrett and Jane Scott..............................Loganville, Ga. Greg and Caron Simpson............................Newton, N.C. Dale and Debbie Sims...............................Franklin, Tenn.

Ken and Michelle Speir................................Newnan, Ga. Mark and Paige Speir............................. Cullowhee, N.C. Thomas and Ann Steagall........................... Raleigh, N.C. Strick and Stephanie Strickland............Waynesville, N.C. Larry Supik...................................................... Sylva, N.C. Elliott Pritchard and Felisha Sutton................. Sylva, N.C. Bob and Janice Thompson........................Charlotte, N.C. Ken and Jane Teasley................................Spindale, N.C.

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Larry and Maggie Tuttle..................Black Mountain, N.C. Martin and Heather Unger........................ Gastonia, N.C. Francisco S. Vasquez.............................. Columbus, N.C. Eddie and Savannah Wells.............................. Sylva, N.C. Nate Williams....................................... Red Springs, N.C. Onifer and Meagan Wilmoth.................. Cullowhee, N.C. Charles and Wanda Wolfe............................... Sylva, N.C. Chuck and Kathy Wooten................................ Sylva, N.C. TOP CAT LEVEL A+ Portable Toilets Inc............................Bryson City, N.C. Stephen and Taffy Allen............................ Gastonia, N.C. Susan and Eric Allen.....................................Stanley, N.C. Gerald and Sylvia Austin..................... Summerfield, N.C. Bob and Cathy Barber..................Clearwater Beach, Fla. Brad and Rachael Bardall...........................Cumming, Ga. John and Elizabeth Beach......................Morganton, N.C. Kathy Abbott-Beam and David Beam.............Salem, S.C. James and Toy Beaty...................... Winston-Salem, N.C. Jeff and Josie Bewsey.................................... Sylva, N.C. Earl and Jo Ann Black................................. Whittier, N.C. Jason Blackwell............................................... Dana, N.C. Charles S. Brown...........................................Shelby, N.C. Dana Boyer...................................................... Sylva, N.C. Jeff and Lisa Bontekoe..............................Charlotte, N.C. Michael and Renee Bowen.....................Lincolnton, N.C. John and Barbara Brown.........................Houston, Texas Mike and Laura Byers........................ Maggie Valley, N.C. Fred and Katrina Cantler.............................Brevard, N.C. Josh and Scotti Carnes................................... Sylva, N.C. Todd and Robin Cates...........................Mooresville, N.C. Don and Patti Chason............................. Harrisburg, N.C. David and Mae Claxton.......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Ed & Andrea Cody..................................... Asheville, N.C. Dennis and Sallie Conley............................Franklin, N.C. John and Nancy Connelly...............................Nebo, N.C. Toni Mayfield D’Alessandris..................... Alpharetta, Ga. Col. David Myers and Becky Digges..........Madison, N.C. Woodie and Joyce Dixon.............................Camden, S.C. Jack and Gail Debnam.............................. Dillsboro, N.C. Chris and Danielle Diluzio................Winston Salem, N.C. Adam and Emily Dresback.......................... Candler, N.C. James and Barbara Dougherty.................Voorhees, N.J. Doug Embler............................................. Asheville, N.C. Wayne Edwards................................. Maggie Valley, N.C. Robert and Sherrie Edwards.......................Webster, N.C. Keith and Nina Elliott............................... Knoxville, Tenn.

Tim Faulkner.............................................. Gastonia, N.C. Bob and Kay Folsom............................... Gainesville, Ga. Rich and Becky Griggs........................St Petersburg, Fla. Phil and Connie Haire..................................... Sylva, N.C. Ed and Becky Harwood............................... Whittier, N.C. Bobby Haskett........................................... Asheville, N.C. Mark and Tammy Haskett...................... Cullowhee, N.C. Timothy and Ashley Hayzlip................... Clemmons, N.C. Anthony H. Smith and Laura Heaton............ Seneca, S.C. William and Deborah Herman.................Claremont, N.C. Glenn Hill Sr...............................................Davidson, N.C. Leroy and Ginny Holden........................... Cornelius, N.C. Daniel K. Hooker.................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Timothy Shawn Hubbs................................Franklin, N.C. Zachary Hurst....................................Chattanooga, Tenn.

Hunter Jacobs................................................Atlanta, Ga. Michael and Gail Joyner............................... Seneca, S.C. Ted and Kathy Kay........................................... Sylva, N.C. Kristy and Joanne Kiser........................Kernersville, N.C. Jesse R. Lankford Jr.................................... Raleigh, N.C. Laura and Ron Leatherwood.................Waynesville, N.C. George and Sandy Leopard........................Brevard, N.C. Earl and Bea Lutz..........................................Shelby, N.C. Matt and Melissa Mitchell...........................Fort Mill, S.C. Carroll and Laura Lee Moore.....................Blairsville, Ga. Turner and Susan Morrison.......................Davidson, N.C. Nancy and Steve Neubeiser............................ Sylva, N.C. Kenneth and Karen Nicholson.....................Webster, N.C. David and Angie Noland................................. Sylva, N.C. Boyce and Donna Parks........................ Williamston, S.C. Betty Peele............................................. Cullowhee, N.C. Sue and Scott Persons......................... Tuckasegee, N.C. Tanner Poindexter............................Winston Salem, N.C. Rick S. Queen........................................Waynesville, N.C. Rob and Cyndi Ragusa...................................Salem, S.C. Michael and Suzanne Rainwater..................Acworth, Ga. Jimmy and Laure Ramsey..................... Wilmington, N.C. Marty Ramsey......................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Grace Reed............................................. Cullowhee, N.C.

Hoyte and Kathy Roberson............................. Sylva, N.C. Fred W. Rosenkampff............................. Cullowhee, N.C. Laura Ross..............................................Chesterfield, Va. Bob and Susan Sabin...................................Marietta, Ga. Chris and Kirstin Schlenker......................... Raleigh, N.C. Randy Shaw............................................... Asheville, N.C. Justin Shinn..............................................Lexington, N.C. Katie W. Simmons................................... Forest City, N.C. Gwynette W. Smith........................................Taylors, S.C. Daniel and Kay Southern................ Browns Summit, N.C. Bill and Margaret Studenc.....................Waynesville, N.C. Michael and Nicole Turnmyre.......................Hickory, N.C. Duane Vanhook.....................................Waynesville, N.C. Barbara A. Vaughn.......................................Canton, N.C. Gene and Rita Vinson.....................................Inman, S.C. Jonathan and Kristine “Eileen” Walker...........Milton, Ga. Phil and Joan Walker....................................Hickory, N.C. Jeffrey Wilson............................................ Asheville, N.C. Kaleb D. Wingate...................................Waynesville, N.C. SUPER CAT LEVEL Jackie and Audrey Adkins.........................Charlotte, N.C. Ken and Ina Allen......................................... Roswell, Ga. Charles M. Allison..................................Waynesville, N.C. Doug Painter and Mary Anne Barker..... Cullowhee, N.C. John and Connie Barr................................Rock Hill, S.C. Todd and Stephanie Baucom................. Cullowhee, N.C. Kim and Alan Beck.................................. Statesboro, Ga. Robert and Frances Berry...........................Webster, N.C. Scott and Julie Bingler........................... Harrisburg, N.C. Jeff and Amy Blanton............................Johns Creek, Ga. Bob and Jean Brandon.............................. Fairview, N.C. Stan Pendergraft and Bev Brandt.............Charlotte, N.C. Glenn and Joyce Bridges.........................Greenville, S.C. Kent and Lisa Briggs.............................. Cullowhee, N.C. Frank and Rebecca Brown............................... Cary, N.C. Charles and Mary Jo Boswell................... Reidsville, N.C. Wayne and Betsy Bowers............................ Roanoke, Va. Jeanne C. Bowman..................................Alexander, N.C. Gary and Jan Boyer......................................... Sylva, N.C. Buck and Denise Buchanan.................Wake Forest, N.C. Alton and Phyllis Byers................................Webster, N.C. Lee and Gail Capell..................................Prosperity, S.C. William and Margaret Carpender..........Waynesville, N.C. Kara L. Carpenter............................ Nacogdoches, Texas Jean Carr......................................................... Sylva, N.C. Beth and Greg Carter.....................................Dallas, N.C. Stephen Ray Castelloe.............................Asheboro, N.C. Lynne K. Chiger.........................................Charlotte, N.C. Lowell and Carolyn Crisp..................... Robbinsville, N.C. Lee and Tracy Daggerhart...................... Cherryville, N.C. Brent and Carolyn Dalton....................... Walterboro, S.C. Clifton and Kelley Deal........................Rocky Mount, N.C. Mike DeMatteo.........................................Dunwoody, Ga. Tom and Judy Dowell...............................Greenville, S.C. Tony Elders............................................. Cullowhee, N.C. Rick Elliott................................................Cartersville, Ga. Mark Ethridge........................................Waynesville, N.C. Nancy Ford.................................................Glenville, N.C. Craig and Cathy Fowler.......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Evan Clayton Fowler....................... Hendersonville, N.C. David and Wanda Fowler..................Cape Carteret, N.C. Roger Foxworth...................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Curtis and Jana Fullbright................. Johnson City, Tenn.

Chad and Kristin Gerrety................................. Sylva, N.C. John and Jan Griffin...................................Concord, N.C. Angela and Danny Grube................................ Sylva, N.C. Fred and Pam Goldsmith.............................Franklin, N.C. Jack and Lynn Guffey.......................... Isle Of Palms, S.C. Susan Todd Gustafson...........................Mooresville, N.C. Samir Hafiz....................................................Carmel, Ind. Broadus and Kim Hamrick..................... Richmond, Texas Timothy W. Haskett........................ Kings Mountain, N.C. Jason and Logan Heller........................... Cornelius, N.C. Brenda and Randall Holcombe.............. Cullowhee, N.C. Warren J. Heeg III............................. Boynton Beach, Fla. Hayley Henson.......................................Morganton, N.C. Kimberly Jamison............................................ Sylva, N.C. Vance and Pat Johnson............................... Monroe, N.C. Gibbs and Kathleen Jones.............. Hendersonville, N.C. Heather and Joel Jones............................. Mebane, N.C. Roger Jones..............................................Lynchburg, Va. David Kehler................................................. Marion, N.C. Butch Kerns........................................Blowing Rock, N.C. Amy Kilby................................................... Dillsboro, N.C. Benjamin and Anna Laiweneek..............Lincolnton, N.C.

Clifton Lambreth...................................Brentwood, Tenn.

Mark Lane.................................................Southport, N.C. Laura Setzer-Lembeck........................... Cullowhee, N.C. Philip and Kathy Leftwich.......................... Asheville, N.C. Kenneth S. Liner..............................Lake Junaluska, N.C. Gerald and Rhonda Love........................ Fayetteville, Ga. Clevie and Shirley Luckadoo.....................Charlotte, N.C. John Lupoli.............................................. Highlands, N.C. Joel and Janie Mashburn........................ Statesville, N.C. Jamaal Lennart Mayo..........................Hillsborough, N.C. Russell McConnell........................................... Sylva, N.C. Tyler McHone.............................................Concord, N.C. Greg McLamb..............................................Franklin, N.C. Donna and Stephen Ball-Metcalf..........Weaverville, N.C. Daniel and Nicole Michael........................Charlotte, N.C. Mitch and Ashley Miller............................... Candler, N.C. Thomas and Martha Mills................................Nebo, N.C. Lynn C. Milner........................................Waynesville, N.C. Don and Heather Moore Moore........... Huntersville, N.C. Myranda Hope Nash....................... Hendersonville, N.C. Dotty Neslen........................................ Friendsville, Tenn.

Cindy and Paul Nicholson...................... Cullowhee, N.C. Howard and Pam Nicholson......................Charlotte, N.C. Steve and Nancy Nixon..........................Wilkesboro, N.C. William and Anne Norris........................ Wilmington, N.C. Bruce and Claire Piercy........................ Huntersville, N.C. Cecelia Michelle Powers................................ Clyde, N.C. Philip and Catherine Preston.........................Atlanta, Ga. Terry and Arlene Price...........................Weaverville, N.C. Brian Queen.................................................Dallas, Texas Michael Rath................................................ Raleigh, N.C. Jeff and Tina Ray............................................. Sylva, N.C. John and Joanne Reid...................................... Cary, N.C. Stephen Rhodes..................................... Cullowhee, N.C. William and Peggy Riggs...................... Greensboro, N.C. Lindsay and Jayne Sells........................Mooresville, N.C. Skip and Tina Smith........................................Lenoir, N.C. Jim and Debra Snow.......................Mount Pleasant, S.C. Terry and Meredith Spry.........................Kannapolis, N.C. David and Donna Stephens..........................Denton, N.C. Nikki Stevens................................... Morganton, NC, N.C. Robert Stow..................................... Hendersonville, N.C. Robert L. Street...................................... Forest City, N.C. Mike Taylor............................................. Cullowhee, N.C. Larry G. Thompson............................. Millers Creek, N.C. Karen Tynan.............................................. Fairfield, Calif.

Mike Wilmoth and Craig Tuminaro...............Dallas, Texas Jeff and Melanie Watts...............................Concord, N.C. Benjamin Watkins...................................... Richmond, Va. Tommy and Shelly White........................ Cullowhee, N.C. Don and Ann Williams.................................Maitland, Fla. Mitch Williams.................................Black Mountain, N.C. Jenny Wood...........................................Waynesville, N.C. Jason and Shannon Young......................... Waxhaw, N.C. Alan and Cynthia Yount............................Matthews, N.C. Paul and Patricia Zullo..................................... Sylva, N.C. PURPLE CAT LEVEL Ashley Alletto......................................... Cullowhee, N.C. John and Carol Anderson................................ Griffin, Ga. Pat and Heidi Anderson............................Charlotte, N.C. Dena Anderson...................................... Fayetteville, Ga. Richard C. Barringer........................................Hull, Mass.

Richard and Debra Bennett.................... Cullowhee, N.C. Diane and Peter Blum....................................Atlanta, Ga. Ralph and Kay Boulier.............................Cartersville, Ga. John and Sara Brintnall........................Brentwood, Tenn.

Randy Bruce.............................................Rural Hall, N.C. Brad Burgess......................................... Rockingham, Va. Edward and Andra Burks.........................Asheboro, N.C. Roy and Janice Burnette................................. Sylva, N.C. Brian and Lesley Burnham.................. Summerfield, N.C. Tuckasegee Trading Co & Cabins........... Cullowhee, N.C. Thomas and Tammy Carpenter.............. Forest City, N.C. Randy Carroll.........................................Johns Creek, Ga. Cullen Case...............................................Charlotte, N.C. Philip and Susanne Cauley..................... Cullowhee, N.C. Bob and Cindy Clark..............................Jacksonville, Fla. Joe and Judith Clark.................................Charlotte, N.C. Robert and Lauren Clark...........................Charlotte, N.C. Marvin and Miriam Cole.............................. Candler, N.C. Stefanie Leigh Conley.................................Franklin, N.C. Jerry and Mickey Cook...................... Biltmore Lake, N.C. Nanette Cooper............................................ Roswell, Ga. Stephen and Kelly Cosenke.............................. Aldie, Va. Josh Allen Cox........................................ Spokane, Wash.

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CATAMOUNT CLUB MEMBERSHIP (as of Nov. 12, 2020) Ray Cossart................................................ Waxhaw, N.C. Alex F. Crenshaw........................................ Waxhaw, N.C. Earl and Julia Crotts.................................Southport, N.C. Wayne and Joselle Culp............................. Sarasota, Fla. Eric and Lynette Cummings..................Simpsonville, S.C. Joey Curtis..................................................Franklin, N.C. Shanna and William Dickerson....................Fort Mill, S.C. Mike and Diane Dillard.................................... Sylva, N.C. Robert and Michelle Doherty.......................... Greer, S.C. Julie Spiro Donaldson and Kelly Donaldson.........Webster, N.C. Joe and Elisabeth Donovan...................... Asheville, N.C. Paul and Rachel Dover................... Kings Mountain, N.C. William and Cathy Eaton...........................Lancaster, S.C. Steve and Terri Ebert.............................Mooresville, N.C. Charlotte Ray Eckard................................ Alpharetta, Ga. Tim Eckberg........................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Fred and Maggie Elliott................................ Marion, N.C. Vicki Cornelius Erwin...................................Durham, N.C. Jenny Bean and Raymond Farmer..............Webster, N.C. Jon David Forrester........................................ Buford, Ga. Ryan and Amanda Foster....................... Harrisburg, N.C. Tom and Vickey Frazier................................... Sylva, N.C. Lillian and Charles Freel............................ Andrews, N.C. Karen L. Glover................................................ Sylva, N.C. G. Alan and Lu Griffin..................................Valdese, N.C. John and Shelia Haire............................Vero Beach, Fla. Carroll and Elizabeth Hall................................ Sylva, N.C. Jesse and Christina Harkins........................Franklin, N.C. Michael and Vicki Haskell........................... Candler, N.C. Alvin and Sharon Harvell...................... Greensboro, N.C. Ashley Victoria Helton................................ Belmont, N.C. Jennifer and Oscar Hemmelgarn............ Knoxville, Tenn.

Suzanne Henry.........................................Greenville, S.C. Jerry and Judy Hicks.................................... Marion, N.C. Allie Hinson............................................ Chapel Hill, N.C. Bill Holland................................................Franklin, Tenn.

Robin Holley..............................................Columbia, S.C. John and Krystle Holt............................. Cullowhee, N.C. Robert Joseph Holt........................................Arden, N.C. Jack Hudson.............................................. Gastonia, N.C. Ed and Diane Huneycutt.....................Myrtle Beach, S.C. Joe and Maxine Hunter......................Pisgah Forest, N.C. Greg Hutchinson......................................Matthews, N.C. Ed and Melissa Jagger.............................. Seminole, Fla. Farrell Jamison............................................Franklin, N.C. Rory Jimerson........................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Marion and Wanda Jones.......................... Dillsboro, N.C. Ryan and Meredith Jones.....................Waynesville, N.C. Patricia and David Kaemmerling.................Norcross, Ga. Ruby Kluttz...............................................Spring Hill, Fla. W. Scott Lancaster....................................Lexington, N.C. Todd and Andi Lawing.................................... Clyde, N.C. Ed and Leslie Levy.......................................Warwick, N.Y. Steven Long.............................................. Gastonia, N.C. Don Lucas...................................................... Boone, N.C. Ted and Ann Luckadoo........................ Edisto Island, S.C. Jim Manring...........................................Waynesville, N.C. Annizel H. Martin.......................................... Roswell, Ga. Jerry and Judy Matheny.................................Atlanta, Ga. Tim and Courtney Mayse....................... Cullowhee, N.C. Daniel McAndrew.........................................Evanston, Ill. Patrick McColgan.......................... Upper Arlington, Ohio Sandra J. McCracken........................... Orange Park, Fla. Joel P. McKenzie.............................................. Sylva, N.C. David C. McKay.....................................Waynesville, N.C. Henry and Dawn McPherson............... Snow Camp, N.C. Peggy C. Melville............................................ Clyde, N.C. David F. Miller......................................Myrtle Beach, S.C. James T. Miller................................ Hendersonville, N.C. Lacey Miller...................................................... Vass, N.C. Sam and Renee Miller..................................... Sylva, N.C. Chad and Stacey Miller.......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Bill and Tausha Millwood................Black Mountain, N.C. Curtis and Kellie Monteith.....................Waynesville, N.C. Michael K. Moore........................................ Whittier, N.C. Ken and Pat Morgan..........................Rutherfordton, N.C. Pamela and Mark Mullin Mullin...........Lawrenceville, Ga. Gayle and Georgia Murdock....................... Whittier, N.C. Jill and Mike Neave...................................... Seneca, S.C. Robert and Catherine Neill........................Charlotte, N.C. Rick Nicholson................................................. Sylva, N.C. Ricky Odom..............................................Matthews, N.C. Robin and Wade Oliver............................. Guysville, Ohio Richard W. Pegg..................................... Clemmons, N.C. Dale and Lisa Place..................................Louisburg, N.C.

Ryan and Scarlette Pless................................. Sylva, N.C. Sarah Calloway Pogue............................. Troutman, N.C. Lewis B. Pollak......................................Jacksonville, Fla. Jerry and Deb Powell...................................Canton, N.C. Rich and Susan Price................................... Whittier, N.C. Kelly D. Rankin.......................................... Gastonia, N.C. Michael and Cheryl Raymer.................... Statesville, N.C. Emily Reback..............................................Cashiers, N.C. Pamela Reising....................................... Clemmons, N.C. Bill and Kathy Rhinehart................................. Duluth, Ga. Tommy and Harriet Rockett.......................... Marion, N.C. Libby and Jeff Sanders............................... Belmont, N.C. Rebecca and Michael Schlosser.......... Greensboro, N.C. Ronnie and Saralee Scott........................... Littleton, N.C. Lou and Bonnie Sell................................Charleston, S.C. Dennis and Beth Setzer........................... Statesville, N.C. Rick and Marilyn Shaw..........................Hot Springs, N.C. Ralph Shelley............................................ Deer Park, N.Y. Jaered and Erica Shelton..........................Columbia, S.C. Scottie and Mary Ann Sigmon.....................Fletcher, N.C. Dean and Lynn Slusser.................................... Sylva, N.C. Jerry and Anne Smart.................................Hoschton, Ga. Hayley and Jordan Smith............................Maitland, Fla. Mark and Lisa Smith..................................Columbia, S.C. Alfred and Sheila Snyder..............................Gaffney, S.C. Dick Stallings.........................................Fayetteville, N.C. Anthony Todd Staton...............................Lincolnton, N.C. Cassie Staples............................................. Raleigh, N.C. Gary and Martha Stepp................................ Marion, N.C. Jo Anna Stephens..................................Kannapolis, N.C. Anna and Keith Stocum................................ Ellerbe, N.C. Jeff and Jennifer Stowe.......................... Gainesville, Ga. Logan and Tasha Summers.................... Yadkinville, N.C. David Thomas..............................................Ivanhoe, N.C. Gail Totherow............................. Hilton Head Island, S.C. William Tucker......................................... Albemarle, N.C. Beth Turner...................................................Stanley, N.C. Jimmy Villiard..............................................Franklin, N.C. Craig and K. Wagner............................ Fort Worth, Texas Dora Walker...........................................Waynesville, N.C. Samuel and Patricia Watkins....................Bradenton, Fla. Mike and Holly Weaver..........................Indian Trail, N.C. Tim and Jane Welch..............................Waynesville, N.C. Jonathan and Pamela West...........................Taylors, S.C. James and Dottie Whitesides...................... Bristol, Tenn.

Matt and Rachel Wike..................................... Sylva, N.C. David and Jeannette Wilkins...................Cartersville, Ga. Stephen and Mary Bruce Woody............... Asheville, N.C. Royce and Marcia Woosley............................. Sylva, N.C. GOLD CAT LEVEL Alexandra Anne Abraham......................................... APO Hoyt and Katherine Almond...................... Asheville, N.C. Cortney Appelbaum..................................New York, N.Y. James Atwater.............................................Hickory, N.C. Mary Jo Baker.....................................Hillsborough, N.C. Beverly Barr..........................................Saint Joseph, Mo. April Bass................................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Bret Beaver............................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Carey and Laura Berryhill........................... Mint Hill, N.C. Ralph J. Borland.................................... Ramrod Key, Fla. David and Darenda Bowers....................High Point, N.C. Colleen and Bob Bradley................... Holly Springs, N.C. Mike and Ann Bradshaw.............................. Denver, N.C. Evanell Morrow Bradshaw...........................Murphy, N.C. Thomas and Kaye Brandon..............Winston Salem, N.C. Lindy and Christine Brown.......................... Raleigh, N.C. Jim and Darrell Bryant....................................Athens, Ga. Robert and Donna Buckner...................Waynesville, N.C. Rollan and Eleanor Bullman..................Jamestown, N.C. Stiles Burr........................................Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Blake Cantrell......................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Bill and Teresa Carpenter................................ Sylva, N.C. Mark and Lisa Carswell.......................... Mckinney, Texas Chelsi Carter........................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Mark Chapman........................................ Hollywood, Fla. Al Chrismon..................................... Winston-Salem, N.C. Mae Claxton........................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Gina D. Cleary...........................................Lexington, N.C. Gary Dean Cogdill..................................Wilkesboro, N.C. James and Mary Cole..................................Sanford, N.C. Willie and Jane Cole..............................Waynesville, N.C. Michael and Emma Coward.....................Greenville, S.C. Sandra and James Craig................................Currie, N.C. Kent and Janet Cranford........................... Gastonia, N.C. Douglas E. Croft......................................Lincolnton, N.C.

Perry and Debbie Crutchfield.....................Advance, N.C. David and Charlotte Culpepper..................Franklin, N.C. Ellie and Jim Daniels................................. Asheville, N.C. Pat Daniels................................................Nashville, N.C. Jeff and Lori Davis.................................... Cornelius, N.C. Gary and Dianna Deese........................... Lexington, S.C. Boyce and Sandra Deitz.................................. Sylva, N.C. Alvin G. Dellinger.................................... Cherryville, N.C. William F. Derrick......................................... Seneca, S.C. Susan and Robert M. Donahue Donahue........ Clemmons, N.C. Andy and Jordan Dunn..................................Smyrna, Ga. John and Gail Dusenberry.....................Waynesville, N.C. Andrew and Ashley Dykes.................... Social Circle, Ga. Charlotte Eckard....................................... Alpharetta, Ga. Rodney B. Eckard........................................... Duluth, Ga. Bruce and Rita Edwards...........................Asheboro, N.C. Stephen and Marlene Edwards...................Durham, N.C. Chris and Lei Lei Everett...........................Charlotte, N.C. Rick and Brenda Falls................................ Gastonia, N.C. Brett Ferguson................................................ Sylva, N.C. Alan J. Freedman....................................Portland, Maine Brian A. Galloway........................................ Whittier, N.C. Dan and Lynette Gibson.................................. Sylva, N.C. Patricia A. Gillis............................................... Clyde, N.C. Jordan Glass................................................ Raleigh, N.C. Hart and Sara Goodson................................... Sylva, N.C. Jerome and Dee Ann Grand......................Franklin, Tenn.

Steven Grandy........................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Michael and Sara Gray......................Rutherfordton, N.C. Margaret Griffith........................................Charlotte, N.C. Roberta Griffith.........................................Matthews, N.C. Bill and Kim Groves..............................Simpsonville, S.C. Stephenson and Susan Guffey................ Knoxville, Tenn.

Courtney Gunter..................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Larry and Donna Hales.................. Hendersonville, Tenn.

Bob Hamer................................................Piedmont, S.C. Charlie and Knox Hardin..............................Canton, N.C. Timothy and Methial Harris...................... Troutman, N.C. Marty and Dana Hatcher.........................High Point, N.C. Rusty Hawkins........................................ Chapel Hill, N.C. Michael and Cathy Hensgens................. Arnaudville, La. Todd and Paige Herman.................................. Sylva, N.C. Robert and Brenda Hicks......................Kernersville, N.C. Larry and Tracey Hill.......................................Inman, S.C. Charlotte Hirt.................................Fredericksburg, Texas Christopher Hoffman................................Matthews, N.C. Brittney Holder....................................... Cullowhee, N.C. David Holder.................................................. Buford, Ga. Lynn and Leonard Hollifield........................Fletcher, N.C. Jim and Robin Hollis.................................... Oxford, Miss.

Steven and Elizabeth Honbarger.................... Sylva, N.C. David Hooten...............................................Newnan, Ga. Jerry and Linda Hyde...................................Acworth, Ga. Donna and Patrick James.......... Colorado Springs, Colo.

James McCallister..................................... Gastonai, N.C. Richard and Melissa Jones.........................Franklin, N.C. Charles and Susan Juliano.......................Dunwoody, Ga. Barry Karesh................................................. Plano, Texas Frank Kelly..............................................San Diego, Calif.

Langdon and Cathey Kerr........................... Raleigh, N.C. Don and Laura Kimmer................Glendale Springs, N.C. Steven and Kristine Kornegay.................Charleston, S.C. Phyllis and Lindsay Laviner.................... Laurinburg, N.C. Matthew R. Lawing.......................................Maiden, N.C. John and Mary Layne..................................Franklin, N.C. Joan B. Lester............................................. Raleigh, N.C. Bill and Jane Littlejohn...........................Cleveland, Tenn.

Dale and Wanda Lockamy......................Homestead, Fla. John Lockett.............................................. Gastonia, N.C. Todd Long........................................................Nebo, N.C. Jason F. Lowman.................................. Huntersville, N.C. Robert Howard and Marianne Lyon................ Sylva, N.C. Rodney and Vivian Mandracchia........... Indian Land, S.C. Kaleb May............................................... Cullowhee, N.C. Dan and Margaret McCall.........................Kingsland, Ga. Ruth McConnell...........................................Webster, N.C. Joel and Sarah McCracken............................Salem, S.C. Bob and Judie McCracken....................Waynesville, N.C. Brian and Shanna McLamb....................Indian Trail, N.C. Phillip and Julia McManus........................Cloverdale, Va. Russ and Lisa Meyer.................................West End, N.C. Anthony Miele........................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Frank Miller......................................... Summerfield, N.C. Patricia Leary Miller.....................................Fletcher, N.C. Janet Millsaps................................................. Sylva, N.C.

Jim and Frances Mincey......................... Cullowhee, N.C. Paul and Karen Miret....................... Port Saint Lucie, Fla. P.V. and Sondra Mitchiner..........North Myrtle Beach, S.C. John and Margaret Mitchum.....................Columbia, S.C. Maurice Moody............................................... Sylva, N.C. Reg and Judy Moody................................. Dillsboro, N.C. Brian and Mary Ann Moore................... Wilmington, N.C. John A. Moore............................Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Katie Moore..................................................... Sylva, N.C. Edwin M. Morrow........................................Rosman, N.C. Peter Morrow.......................................Roaring Gap, N.C. Gary L. Mullis............................................ Pinehurst, N.C. Michael Neal...................................................Atlanta, Ga. Dawn Neatherly...........................................Webster, N.C. David Powell and Chuck Norton.................Newton, N.C. Riley J. Oakley Jr........................................ Roxboro, N.C. Justin and Kimberly Pace..........................Portage, Mich.

Boyce and Carolyn Padgett..................... Melbourne, Fla. Andrew Parham..............................................Terrell, N.C. Hugh and Linda Passingham.................. Maple Hill, N.C. David and Beth Penley......................... Greensboro, N.C. Jessica Petot.........................................Palm Harbor, Fla. Debra and Andrew Von Plinsky....................... Evans, Ga. Gene and Susan Posey.......................Myrtle Beach, S.C. Chasity D. Poteat....................................Morganton, N.C. Anita Puerto............................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Brian Queen.................................................Dallas, Texas Keith M. Ramsey...................................... Greenville, N.C. Larry and Shirley Ramsey............................. Marion, N.C. James Ray.........................................................Troy, N.C. David M. Rayburn................................. Tuckasegee, N.C. David C Raymond................................. Huntersville, N.C. Audrey Redford........................................... Candler, N.C. Ronald and Angela Reid.................. Hendersonville, N.C. Roger Chance & Ann Rimmer..................... Roxboro, N.C. Alex Ritter.........................................Winston Salem, N.C. Judith and Jeff Rhoads........................... Topeka, Kansas Kenneth A. Roberts.................................. Patterson, N.C. Kenneth and Elvena Rogers......................Charlotte, N.C. Patsy and Dick Rogers....................Lake Junaluska, N.C. Audrey and Gary Sanders.....................Waynesville, N.C. Stan and Brenda Schreiber............................Arden, N.C. Bill and Kristin Scott....................................Fletcher, N.C. Chad and Lolita Selby.................................... Dalton, Ga. Kassie and Adam Shiffermiller.................Rapid City, S.D. Richard Henry Shore...................................... Trinity, N.C. L. Lyn and Debbie Short..............................Fletcher, N.C. Richard and Helen Singleton....................... Central, S.C. J. Chris and Cecelia Smith........................Southport, N.C. Allen and Catherine Smith..............................Tryon, N.C. Sara Snyder............................................ Cullowhee, N.C. Dwight A. Sparks........................................Advance, N.C. William G. St. John...................................... Cullman, Ala. John K. Stark.................................. Kings Mountain, N.C. Milton and Betty Jo Staton...........................Orlando, Fla. William W. Staton Jr.....................................Sanford, N.C. Alan Stayton...................................................Atlanta, Ga. Timothy and Katherine Steadman.............Charlotte, N.C. Nick Lawerance Stenger...........................Lillington, N.C. John Stevens........................................ Walkertown, N.C. Lew and Mary Stewart.................................... Evans, Ga. Ryan Stone......................................Black Mountain, N.C. Ed and Becky Thompson............................Rock Hill, S.C. Patrick Trammell....................................... Alpharetta, Ga. Jerry and Mary Troxler............................Rockwall, Texas Bill and Beth Trull...................................... Asheville, N.C. William A and Sally Vanhoy............... Belews Creek, N.C. Charles L. Vick........................................... Richmond, Va. Seth and Cathy Vining............................. Gainesville, Ga. Dylan Ward.........................................Christiansburg, Va. Melissa and Steve Wargo....................... Cullowhee, N.C. Bruce Warshawsky.......................................Orlando, Fla. Mike Wash...............................................Bethel Park, Pa. Stephen Blake Watson.................................... Sylva, N.C. James Webb................................................Cliffside, N.C. David and Lucy Williams...........................Henderson, Ky. Dorothy Williams.........................................Durham, N.C. Mitch and Kelly Williams............................Cleveland, Ga. Tony and Sherry Willis.................. Connelly Springs, N.C. Whitney and Eric Wilson............................Frederick, Md. Laura and Bill Wise......................... Madison Heights, Va. Marcelina Woods................................West Chester, Ohio Charles and Audrey Wright............. Hendersonville, N.C. Ron Young.................................................. Conover, N.C. Ronald and Diane Yount......................... Cullowhee, N.C.

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WESTERN CAROLINA’S POSTSEASON TEAMS

• 1949 •

North State Conference Champions Western Carolina had struggled through its first 15 seasons of football with only two winning seasons in two decades, but all that frustration was forgotten in 1949 when Coach Tom Young completed a four-year, post-World War II building program with an 8-2 regular season and the school’s first North State Conference championship and first postseason appearance.

The Cats, led by a stingy defense, won its first five games and allowed only two touchdowns in those victories. The only blemishes on the season were non-conference losses to Maryville (20-13) and Emory & Henry (27-26) as Western finished unbeaten in conference play.

The team was rewarded by a bid to play in the Smoky Mountain Bowl in Bristol, Va., where the Cats lost to West Liberty State.

Art Byrd, a 165-pound guard, was named to the Associated Press Little All-America Team, Western’s first AllAmerica selection. Linemen Buffalo Humphries and Hugh Constance along with backs Hugh “Pee Wee” Hamilton and Ralph McConnell joined Byrd on the All-North State Conference Team.

ART BYRD, a 165-pound two-way guard for the 1949 North State Conference championship team, was Western Carolina’s first All-America selection.

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• 1974 •

NCAA Division II Playoffs Coach Bob Waters, who saw a perfect season and a trip to the NAIA playoffs denied by a loss in the final game of the 1969 season, led WCU to its first NCAA postseason appearance the hard way five years later.

The 1974 Catamounts, playing in a sparkling new stadium, lost their season and stadium opener to visiting Murray State and struggled the next two weeks before establishing themselves as one of the nation’s top NCAA Division II teams.

After the season-opening loss, the Cats continued to struggle offensively for the next two weeks but did manage wins over Tennessee Tech (9-7) and Appalachian State (21-14) with outstanding defense. The offense, behind the running of freshman Darrell Lipford and passing of quarterback Jeff Walker to Jerry Gaines and Eagle Moss, found the right gear and the defense continued its great play. In the process, the Catamounts won nine in a row—including victories over top 10 teams Indiana State and Western Kentucky—and won a bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs where they lost a heartbreaker to No. 1 ranked Louisiana Tech, 10-7.

The 1974 Catamounts finished the season ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press College Division poll and their defense established team records that still stand to this day.

Most significant was allowing a mere nine touchdowns on the season (eight rushing and one passing) and only three over the last six games. Gaines and linebacker Steve Yates were first team All-America selections.

Linebacker STEVE YATES was leader and first team All-American on the 1974 team, which was WCU’s first to reach the NCAA playoffs, doing so at the NCAA Division II level.

• 1983 •

NCAA Division I-AA National Finalist Like the 1974 team, the 1983 Catamounts got off to a slow start by losing its first two games to Clemson and Wake Forest. After the two setbacks, WCU would go through the next 12 Saturdays unbeaten en route to the NCAA Division I-AA championship game – the first by a Southern Conference school.

The winning streak started in the third week of the season when WCU rallied from a 10-point deficit in the closing two minutes to defeat East Tennessee State, 17-16, and ended with a loss to Southern Illinois in the national championship game in Charleston, S.C. Despite the strong comeback in regular season play that produced an 8-2-1 record and No. 9 national ranking, Waters’ Cats barely made it into the I-AA playoffs. They proved their worthiness the next three weeks with comefrom-behind, heart-stopping wins over Colgate (24-23), Holy Cross (28-21) and Furman (14-7). The win over Furman was particularly pleasing as the teams had tied, 17-17, in the regular season, and allowed the Paladins to win the SoCon title as they had played and won one more league game due to a scheduling quirk. Over 5,000 WCU fans traveled to Greenville, S.C., for the rematch which was aired by CBS-TV. On the 1983 team, WCU had eight players named All-SoCon with head coach Bob Waters named Coach of the Year. Wide receiver Eric Rasheed and defensive back Tiger Greene selected All-America. Seven members of the ‘83 squad went on to play in the NFL and the team set an NCAA record for the most games played (15) in a season.

The 1983 Catamounts advanced to the NCAA I-AA championship game after its 14-7 upset at Furman. WCU was the first Southern Conference team to play for the national title.

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E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM / BOB WATERS FIELD

Construction Completed: June, 1974 West Side Stands Completed: August, 2003 Current Seating Capacity: 13,742 Playing Field: Bob Waters Field, Artificial Turf (IRONTURF) First game: Sept. 14, 1974 vs. Murray State (WCU lost 10-3) Dedicated: Oct. 5, 1974 vs. Morehead State (WCU won 31-12) Largest Attendance: 15,247 on Nov. 12, 1994 vs. Appalachian State

BOB WATERS

E.J. WHITMIRE

Construction of E.J. Whitmire Stadium was completed in 1974 at an initial cost of $1.66 million that was granted by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1971. The new facility, located on the southern-most expanse of the Western Carolina University campus, replaced Memorial Stadium and included the construction of the Jordan-Phillips Field House.

Dedicated on October 5, 1974, the Catamounts defeated Morehead State, 31-12, in their second game at the new facility.

Murray State won the first-ever game played on the artificial surface at Whitmire Stadium on September 14, 1974.

Over the years, Western Carolina has posted highlight victories at the facility including wins over nationally-ranked squads such as No. 2 Marshall in 1992; sixth-ranked Appalachian State in 1998 to regain the Old Mountain Jug; and over No. 2 Furman in 2006.

Goal posts have also been removed from the premises on several occasions. Brad Hoover set a stadium and school-record with 49 rushing attempts in 1998 as WCU upset Appalachian State, ending a 13-year losing skid its archrival. In 2004, Western Carolina again reclaimed the Jug, posting a dramatic, 30-27, come-frombehind win over the Apps, and the goalposts fell once again in what was the program’s 100th victory at Whitmire Stadium.

In 2006, Western Carolina’s defense recorded five interceptions and Darius Fudge rushed for 133 yards on offense to lead the Catamounts to a 41-21 victory over second-ranked Furman, setting the stage for another goalpost celebration.

The stadium has also hosted numerous television games over the years. One of the earliest came in 1978 as ABC showcased the Catamounts and Mountaineers from Cullowhee. Other broadcasts include ESPNU, SportSouth, Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS-TV) and most recently, the combined efforts of WLOS-TV and WMYA-TV in Asheville to air select WCU home games..

Currently with 13,742 seats, the football facility is located on the south end of the WCU campus and is bordered by the picturesque Cullowhee Creek on the west side; Jordan-Phillips Field House and WCU Weight Room on its north end; and the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center, which in addition to serving as the home venue for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball also features the Dale and Diane Hollifield Football Locker Room, WCU Football Offices and Team Room as well as the athletic training / sports medicine facilities.

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BOB WATERS FIELD PLAYING SURFACE / FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS: Western Carolina first installed AstroTurf on the playing surface in 1974. A similar product material was used in replacing the artificial surface several times. Following the facilities’ silver anniversary in 1999, a newer version of synthetic grass called AstroPlay was installed in 2000 for a cost of $1.2 million and was the surface that adorned Waters Field for the next eight years.

Amidst the 2008 season, the artificial surface was replaced by the Carolina Green Corporation which installed the Desso Challenge Pro 2 turf, a product of the overseas Desso Sports Systems. That surface remained until the summer of 2020 when Waters Field received a new surface. Designed by Woolpert, Inc., of Charlotte and executed by GeoSurfaces Southeast Inc., out of Mooresville, N.C., the group handled the removal and demolition of the old synthetic surface and replacing it with a new turf called “IronTurf” over a shock pad. The 2020 project also included resurfacing the perimeter immediately around the field and the addition of a new synthetic turf sled and practice area referred to as the “Hog Pit.” In 2002, the creation of a $93,000 Team Room complete with meeting and office space, as well as storage, was completed on the second floor of the Ramsey Center.

Prior to the 2003 season, more facility improvements and upgrades to the stadium were completed. A $3.1 million addition featured a 4,000-seat West Side grandstand seating area that included concessions and restroom facilities as well as new, updated lighting. The weight room in the Jordan-Phillips Field House was expanded, nearly doubling its previous capacity which also added a hospitality patio that overlooks the stadium on the north end zone. It also includes additional team meeting space, computer lab and visiting team locker room. The field house and East Side stands were also bricked to match the brickwork of the Ramsey Center and of the new West Side stands.

Also, on September, 16, 2006, the Dale & Diane Hollifield Football Locker Room facility located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center was dedicated. At a cost of $225,000, the 100-plus locker facility was expanded with beautiful, wooden lockers located throughout.

During the off-season prior to the 2010 campaign, a new Daktronics scoreboard with HD video screen were installed in the south

end zone – Ramsey Center end – of the facility. The state-of-the-art video screen measures 17-feet tall by 32-feet wide and includes a scoreboard with a matching score and time board adhered to the facade of the Jordan-Phillips Field House.

STADIUM BENEFACTORS AND NAMESAKES: Western Carolina’s football facilities are named after two prominent figures in Catamount Athletics. The late E.J. Whitmire, for whom the stadium is named, spent most of his adult life involved with the University. An educator, contractor, agriculturalist and public servant, Whitmire – from nearby Franklin, N.C. – served WCU for more than a quarter century with the attitude, leadership and “get it done” ability that made him successful in every walk of life.

Whitmire was on the WCU Board of Trustees from 1949-72 and was the driving force behind the University’s unparalleled period of growth. His tireless work served as the cornerstone of the structure that now bears his name. He was granted the Patron Award in the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.

In 1988, the playing surface where Robert Lee Waters made a name for himself in the coaching and administrative ranks while also putting WCU football in the national spotlight was dedicated in his honor and memory.

Bob Waters served as the University’s head football coach for 20 years and worked in a dual capacity as its athletics director for 15 years. During his tenure, he became the school’s winningest football coach with 116 victories, 13 winning seasons and top 10 national finishes at three different levels – NAIA, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division I-AA, now FCS). He also had the privilege of coaching 13 national All-Americans and 36 All-Southern Conference players.

As athletics director, Waters directed the school’s rise from NAIA to NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I competition and move into the Southern Conference in 1976. He was also instrumental in the planning and constructing of Whitmire Stadium, Childress Field (baseball) and the Ramsey Center.

Waters died on May 29, 1989 following a six-year battle with amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was posthumously inducted into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.

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When the Catamounts win, you win at the WCU Bookstore!

One-percent off for every point scored by WCU (up to 25%) off your purchase every Monday!

(Excludes software, textbooks and graduation material)

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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE The Southern Conference, Conference, which celebrates its 100th season of intercollegiate competition in 2020-21, is a national leader in emphasizing the development of the student-athlete and in helping to build lifelong leaders and role models.

SOCON OVERALL The Southern Conference has been on the forefront of inC / ST Team W L Pct Pts Opp W L Pct Pts Opp novation and originality in developing creative solutions to ad Western Carolina 0 0 .000 0 0 0 1 .000 14 58 dress issues facing intercollegiate athletics. From establishing - / RV Chattanooga 0 0 .000 0 0 0 1 .000 10 13 the first postseason college basketball tournament (1921), to tackling the issue of freshman eligibility (1922), to developing

Mercer 0 0 .000 0 0 0 3 .000 48 103 women’s championships (1984), to becoming the first confer- / RV The Citadel 0 0 .000 0 0 0 4 .000 29 127 ence to install the 3-point goal in basketball (1980), the South ETSU 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 ern Conference has been a pioneer.

- / 15 Furman 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 The Southern Conference is the nation’s fifth-oldest NCAA

Samford 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Division I collegiate athletic association. Only the Big Ten (1896), the Missouri Valley (1907), the Pac-12 (1915) and the

VMI 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Southwestern Athletic (1920) conferences are older in terms - / 16 Wofford 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 of origination.

C – FCS Coaches Poll; ST – Preseason STATS Perform FCS Top 25 Poll Academic excellence has been a major part of the Southern Conference’s tradition. Hundreds of Southern Conference stuofficials from Alabama, Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn), tute, Florida, Georgia, Georgia School of Technology, Kentucky, dent-athletes have been recognized on CoSIDA Academic AllClemson, Georgia, Georgia School of Technology (Georgia Louisiana, Mississippi, Mississippi A&M, University of the South, America and all-district teams. A total of 20 Rhodes ScholarTech), Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi A&M (Mississippi State), Tennessee, Tulane and Vanderbilt which began play in 1933. ship winners have been selected from conference institutions.

North Carolina, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Virginia, VirThe Southern Conference continued with membership The conference currently consists of 10 members in six ginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) and Washington & Lee. of 10 institutions, including Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North states throughout the Southeast and sponsors 22 varsity sports With 30 schools in the SIAA by the early 1920s, it was imCarolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina, Virginia, VMI, and championships that produce participants for NCAA Division possible to play every school at least once during the regular Virginia Tech and Washington & Lee. I Championships. The league added rifle, becoming just the season and many schools went several years between playing The second major shift occurred in 1953. The SoCon included second Division I conference to sponsor the sport, in 2016-17, some conference members. In addition, in 1920, the SIAA voted 17 colleges and universities but seven schools – Clemson, Duke, and added women’s lacrosse for the 2017-18 campaign. down proposed rules that an athlete must be in a college a year Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina Under the leadership of the league’s ninth commissioner allbefore playing on its teams and refused to abolish a rule permitand Wake Forest – departed to form the Atlantic Coast Confertime in Jim Schaus, the Southern Conference offices are located ting athletes to play summer baseball for money. ence. The revamped SoCon included members The Citadel, in the historic Beaumont Mill in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A Play began in the fall of 1921, and a year later, six more Davidson, Furman, George Washington, Richmond, VMI, Virginia textile mill that was in operation from 1880 until 1999, Beaumont schools joined the fledgling league, including Tulane (which Tech, Washington & Lee, West Virginia and William & Mary.

Mill was renovated in 2004 and today offers the league firsthad attended the inaugural meeting but had elected not to A third major shift occurred in 2012-13, when five members class meeting areas and offices as well as a spacious library for join), Florida, Louisiana (LSU), Mississippi, South Carolina and announced their departures and three schools were added. storage of the conference’s historical documents.

Vanderbilt. VMI joined in 1923 and Duke was added in 1929.

Today, the league continues to thrive with a membership MEMBERSHIP HISTORY By the 1930s, membership in the Southern Conference had that includes 10 institutions and a footprint that spans six On Feb. 25, 1921, representatives from 14 of the Southern reached 23 schools. In December 1932, it was announced that states: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, TenIntercollegiate Athletic Association’s (SIAA) 30 members met 13 institutions west and south of the Appalachian Mountains nessee and Virginia. Current league members are The Citadel, at Atlanta’s Piedmont Hotel to establish the Southern Intercolwere reorganizing as the Southeastern Conference. Members ETSU, Furman, Mercer, UNCG, Samford, Chattanooga, VMI, legiate Conference. On hand at the inaugural meeting were of the new league included Alabama, Alabama Polytechnic InstiWestern Carolina and Wofford.

2020-21 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS

2020 – 21 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE SCHEDULE / RESULTS

W. CAROLINA

THE CITADEL

ETSU

FURMAN

MERCER

SAMFORD

CHATTANOOGA

VMI

WOFFORD

at #22 Liberty Nov. 14 – L, 58-14

at South Florida Sept. 12 – L, 27-6

SAMFORD * Feb. 20 – TBA

WESTERN CAROLINA * Feb. 20 – TBA

at Jacksonville State Oct. 10 – L, 34-28

at ETSU * Feb. 20 – TBA

at Western Kentucky Oct. 24 – L, 13-10

at Chattanooga * Feb. 20 – TBA

MERCER * Feb. 20 – TBA

at Eastern Kentucky Nov. 21 – 3 pm

at #1 Clemson Sept. 19 – L, 49-0

at Wofford * March 6 – TBA

at VMI * Feb. 27 – TBA

at Army West Point Oct. 24 – L, 49-3

WESTERN CAROLINA * Feb. 27 – TBA

VMI * Feb. 20 – TBA

FURMAN * Feb. 27 – TBA

at Chattanooga * Feb. 27 – TBA

at North Carolina Dec. 11 – 7 pm

EASTERN KENTUCKY Sept. 26 – L, 37-14

FURMAN * March 13 – TBA

SAMFORD * March 6 – TBA

ABILENE CHRISTIAN Oct. 31 – L, 20-17

at Furman * March 6 – TBA

WOFFORD * Feb. 27 – TBA

at Western Carolina * March 6 – TBA

ETSU * March 6 – TBA

at Furman * Feb. 20 – TBA

at Army West Point Oct. 10 – L, 14-9

at The Citadel * March 20 – TBA

at ETSU * March 13 – TBA

at Wofford * Feb. 20 – TBA

WOFFORD * March 13 – TBA

at The Citadel * March 6 – TBA

MERCER * March 13 – TBA

at Samford * March 13 – TBA

at Samford * Feb. 27 – TBA

at Mercer * Feb. 27 – TBA

WESTERN CAROLINA * March 27 – TBA

CHATTANOOGA * March 20 – TBA

THE CITADEL * Feb. 27 – TBA

VMI * March 20 – TBA

at Furman * March 20 – TBA

at Samford * March 20 – TBA

VMI * March 27 – TBA

VMI * March 6 – TBA

CHATTANOOGA * March 6 – TBA

at VMI * April 3 – TBA

at Mercer * April 3 – TBA

at VMI * March 13 – TBA

at The Citadel * March 27 – TBA

MERCER * March 27 – TBA

at Wofford * March 27 – TBA

THE CITADEL * April 3 – TBA

THE CITADEL * March 13 – TBA

at Western Carolina * March 13 – TBA

at Mercer * April 10 – TBA

at The Citadel * April 10 – TBA

WESTERN CAROLINA * March 20 – TBA

at Chattanooga * April 10 – TBA

at Western Carolina * April 3 – TBA

ETSU * April 3 – TBA

at Western Carolina * April 10 – TBA

at Mercer * March 20 – TBA

ETSU * March 20 – TBA

CHATTANOOGA * April 17 – TBA

WOFFORD * April 17 – TBA

at Chattanooga * March 27 – TBA

MERCER * April 17 – TBA

SAMFORD * April 10 – TBA

THE CITADEL * April 17 – TBA

at Furman * April 17 – TBA

at ETSU * March 27 – TBA

SAMFORD * March 27 – TBA

FURMAN * April 3 – TBA

CHATTANOOGA * April 3 – TBA

at Wofford * April 3 – TBA

ETSU * April 10 – TBA

WOFFORD * April 10 – TBA

FURMAN * April 10 – TBA

at Samford * April 17 – TBA

at VMI * April 17 – TBA

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at ETSU * April 17 – TBA

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WESTERN CAROLINA – HONORED / RETIRED FOOTBALL NUMBERS #14 • KIRK ROACH – (1984-87) Roach was Western Carolina’s – and the Southern Conference’s – first, three-time All-America Selection (1984, 1986 and 1987) ... He additionally was the first player in league history to be a four-time, first team All-SoCon selection (1984-87), an accomplishment which has since been duplicated just three other times ... Continues to rank as Western Carolina’s all-time scoring leader with 302 points ... He connected on 71-of-101 (70.3-percent) field goals in his career and only missed one extra point, making 89-of-90 (98.9-percent) .... Roach also still holds the distinction of being the highest Catamount taken in 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.

#54 • ART BYRD (1946-49) Art Byrd was the first football All-America selection at Western Carolina, playing guard on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball ... Helped the Catamounts to an 8-2 regular-season mark in 1949 and their first North State Conference title ... That team additionally holds the distinction of being WCU’s first team to earn a postseason bid, playing in the Smoky Mountain Bowl (Bristol, Va.) ... First Western Carolina student-athlete to have jersey retired.

Inducted into the WCU Hall of Fame in 1990.

#23 • JERRY GAINES (1970-75) An Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association All-America selection in 1974 ... Also earned AllAmerica honors in baseball and track & field while at WCU ... Set WCU records with 3,449 career receiving yards, a 20.6 average yards per reception for his career and 15 games with over 100 receiving yards ... Only the second WCU football player to have his jersey retired.

Inducted into the WCU Hall of Fame in 1990.

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

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

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

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

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

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