Western Carolina University Catamounts
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| Western Carolina Catamounts | |
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| University | Western Carolina University |
|---|---|
| Conference | Southern Conference |
| NCAA | Division I (FCS) |
| Athletics director | Chip Smith |
| Location | Cullowhee, NC |
| Varsity teams | 14 |
| Football stadium | E.J. Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field |
| Basketball arena | Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center |
| Baseball stadium | Ronnie G. Childress Field at Hennon Stadium |
| Other arenas | Catamount Athletic Complex |
| Mascot | Paws |
| Nickname | Catamounts & Lady Catamounts |
| Fight song | Fight on! You Catamounts |
| Colors | Purple and Gold
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| Homepage | Catamountsports.com |
The Western Carolina Catamounts and Lady Catamounts are the athletic teams of Western Carolina University. The Catamounts compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Southern Conference. Western fields fourteen varsity sports teams. The Catamount football team competes in Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly known as I-AA.
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[edit] Academic Excellence
Exemplifying a commitment to academic excellence,[1] WCU student-athletes have posted a 3.00 cumulative GPA twice since 2000. During the 2004-05 year, 112 WCU student athletes qualified for the Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll, which honors student-athletes who have participated in at least one sport and have earned a 3.0 or better grade point average during the past academic year. In academic school year 2006-07, between the three seasons in which academic accolades are handed out by the Southern Conference office – fall, winter and spring – Western Carolina boasted a league-high 72 Academic All-Conference team selections including 21 in the fall, 20 in the winter and 31 in the spring.
Over the past five years, Western produced three Academic All-Americas. They are Ryan Schade (baseball in 2002), Jason Whaley (football in 2003) and Yoneko Allen (women’s basketball in 2004). During the past three years, three Catamounts (Yoneko Allen, Emre Atsur, and Rans Brempong) were receipients of the Southern Conference’s Mike Wood Postgraduate Scholarship and track athlete Tonya Edmunds was one of 32 NCAA student-athletes to be awarded a postgraduate scholarship through its its Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship Programs for 2005-06.
Off the field for the 2005-06 academic year, Catamount student-athletes posted a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.01 for their careers. Bolstering that GPA were a combined 21, 4.0 GPA’s in the Fall of 2005 and Spring of 2006 semesters and a combined total of 130 Dean’s List honors between the two semesters.
During the 2007-08 season, Western Carolina University had 25 student-athletes named to the Southern Conference Fall Academic team; a league-leading 22 student-athletes named to the Southern Conference Winter Academic team; and a league-leading 34 student-athletes named to the Spring Academic Team. Combined, WCU had 81 student-athletes honored on the three All-Academic teams, the most in the SoCon.
[edit] Mascot
The university's mascot is the Catamount. This unique moniker has been Western's mascot since 1933 and seems to always bring about the same question when the Catamounts play on the road... "What exactly is a Catamount?" Wild cats of the "catamount variety", including the bobcat, cougar or lynx, have roamed the southern Appalachian Mountains for years. But the nickname evolved from a contest that was held on the Cullowhee campus in 1933. At the time, the school was called "Western Carolina Teachers College" and its teams were known as "the Teachers." The contest came down to Mountain Boomers, a small ground squirrel that scampers about the woods and is extremely difficult to catch, and Catamounts. Head Football Coach C.C. Poindexter selected Catamounts, as he wanted his players to display a "fierce spirit, savage attacks, and lightning quick moves." WCU is one of only two universities in the United States with this mascot (the other is the University of Vermont).
Paws is the official mascot of the Western Carolina Catamounts. When he's not exciting the crowds at Catamount home games he appears many times each year at a variety of functions and events across western North Carolina. View Paws at this link.
[edit] Varsity Sports Teams
- Men's Varsity Sports[2]
- Women's Varsity Sports[3]
[edit] Sport Clubs and Intramurals
Sport Clubs
Each sport Club is a student organization that has been formed by individual students motivated by the common interest and desire to participate in a favorite sporting activity. Sport clubs may be oriented toward any of the following goals: competition, teaching, recreation, or socialization. Western Carolina has 15 active sport clubs.
- Active Sports Clubs
- Cycling
- Dance
- Disc Golf
- Equestrian
- In-Line Hockey
- Karate
- Men's Lacrosse
- Women's Lacrosse
- Active Sports Clubs
- Men's Rugby
- Women's Rugby
- Men's Soccer
- Men's Tennis
- Fencing
- Kendo
- Socca Playas
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Wrestling
Intramural Sports
The Intramural Sports Program includes team and individual sports activities for both male, female and co-recreational activities. Intramurals provide opportunities for voluntary participation for all members of the university community, which includes students; faculty; and staff. Intramurals are provided for the enjoyment of the university community with health and safety a major concern. A wide variety of sports are offered to meet the different needs of all academic community. Click this link for Intramural Activities.
- Fall Activities
- Softball Skills (M, W)
- Softball (M, W)
- Ultimate Frisbee (M, W, Coed)
- Dodgeball (M,W, Coed)
- Water Polo (M, W)
- Football Pentathlon (M,W)
- Flag Football (M,W,Coed)
- Swim Meet (M,W)
- Bowling (M,W,Coed)
- Tennis Singles & Doubles (M,W)
- Table Tennis Singles & Doubles (M)
- Table Tennis Doubles (W,Coed)
- Raquetball Doubles (M,W)
- Badminton Singles & Doubles (M)
- Badminton Singles (W)
- Arm Wrestling (M,W)
- Cross Country (M,W,Coed)
- Indoor Soccer (M,W)
- Quickball Derby (M,W)
- Basketball Accuracy (M,W)
- Volleyball (Coed)
- 2-on-2 Basketball (Coed)
- Track and Field Meet (M,W)
- Spring Activities
- 3 Point Shoot Out (M,W)
- 3-on-3 Basketball (M,W)
- 1-on-1 Basketball (M,W)
- Basketball Freethrows (M,W,Coed)
- Basketball (M,W)
- Racquetball Singles (M,W,Coed)
- Table Tennis Singles (W)
- Volleyball (M,W)
- Soccer (M,W)
- Wrestling (M,W)
- Darts (M,W)
- Badminton Doubles (W)
- Softball (Coed)
- Innertube Water Polo (M,W,Coed)
- Bench Press (M,W)
- Home Run Derby (M,W)
- Fishing Derby (M,W)
- Tennis (Coed)
[edit] Traditions
- The Evolution of the Catamount Logo
- The Evolution of the Western Carolina Football Helmet
- Battle for the Old Mountain Jug - WCU vs. ASU
- A First in NCAA Basketball
- The Bob Waters' Legacy
[edit] School Songs
Western Carolina Alma Mater
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater
Faithful, kind, and true;
Every son and every daughter
Offers praise to you.
- Chorus -
Hail to the dearest spot of all;
Hail to WCU!
Light and life and fond devotion
All to thee are due.
- Chorus -
Purple robes and colors golden,
Streaming everywhere,
Swell our hearts with pride for olden
Days and friendships dear.
- Chorus -
Under shade trees' friendly bowers,
Voices, ever gay,
Mingles with breath of flowers
And the song birds' lay.
- Chorus -
Shout aloud with one loud chorus,
Voices clear and true,
Lifted high in praise and honor,
All for WCU!
- Chorus -
Audio Link Performed by the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band
Fight Song
Fight on! You Catamounts,
Fight for purple and gold.
Fight on to victory,
True warriors bold.
Wave the royal banner high,
And let it fill the Western sky.
So, fight on! you Catamounts,
Fight to vic-to-ry!
Western, Western, Go-Western! Go--Cats!
Fight on! You Catamounts,
Fight for purple and gold.
Fight on to victory,
True warriors bold.
Wave the royal banner high,
And let it fill the Western sky.
So, fight on! you Catamounts,
Fight to vic-to-ry!
Audio Link Performed by the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band
[edit] Facilities
Western Carolina Facilities[4]
- Men's & Women's Basketball, Women's Volleyball
- Baseball
- Softball
- Track and Field, Tennis, Women's Soccer
- Theatre Arts & Dance | Health, Physical Education and Recreation
- Scuba diving, Bowling, Gymnastics, Swimming, Basketball, Racquetball
- Reid Gymnasium & Fitness Center - indoor fitness center; Wellness Center; free weights, treadmills, stair steppers, exercise bikes, and state-of-the-art Cybex exercise stations; three basketball courts; indoor pool
[edit] Hall of Fame
The university established an Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. The Hall of Fame honors those athletes, coaches, and persons whose outstanding contributions have enriched the athletic programs of Western Carolina University. The Hall provides an enduring memorial and preserves for posterity the memories of those persons whose endeavors brought fame and recognition to the University.
[edit] Notable Athletic Alumni
- Jayne Arledge - Women's Basketball- first female to receive athletic grant-in aid at WCU & the first female to have her jersey retired in school history
- Gerald Austin - NFL referee
- Dean Biasucci - Athlete, actor; former placekicker, Indianapolis Colts (NFL)
- Dave Bristol - Former Major League Baseball Manager (Reds , Brewers, Braves, Giants)
- Jared Burton - Major League Baseball Player- Cincinnati Reds
- Art Byrd - Athlete; first football All-America selection at WCU, 1945
- Ronnie Carr - Basketball Player, made the first three-point field goal in College Basketball history on November 28, 1980
- Don Dalton - Football - (1966-81) All-America football payer, assistant football coach for 18 years and head golf coach for 14 years.
- Jerry Gains (1970-75) Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association All-America selection in 1974, also earned All-America honors in baseball and track & field while at WCU
- George "Tiger" Greene - Football - (1981-84) two time All-America selection (Associated Press), played seven seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons (1985) and Green Bay Packers (1986-91).
- Brad Hoover - Fullback for the Carolina Panthers (NFL)
- Keith LeClair - Baseball (Player-1985-88 & Coach-1992-97)
- Henry Logan - Men's Basketball - (1965-68) the most heralded athlete in Western Carolina's history - four-time NAIA and Associated Press All-America Selection from 1965-1968.
- David Patten - NFL wide receiver, three-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. Currently with the New Orleans Saints
View his player profile - Jerry Reed - Baseball - (1974-77) first WCU pitcher to play Major League baseball and NCAA Division I all-star pitcher - pitched all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball with Philadelphia (1981-82), Cleveland (1982-85), Seattle (1986-90) and Boston (1990
- Kirk Roach - Football - (1984-87) The most honored player in WCU's football history and a member of the Southern Conference's 75th Anniversary Football Team.
- Ronald Rogers - Men's Basketball - (1950-53) WCU's first basketball All-America selection
- Karen Sanders Peterson - Men's Tennis - (1962-64) The only female to compete on men's varsity team and earn a varsity letter in history of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
- Clyde Simmons - Defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Wayne Tolleson - Athlete; former Major League Baseball player
- Willie Williams - NFL Defensive Back for Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks - Western's first football player to reach the Super Bowl
[edit] Football
- See also: E.J. Whitmire Stadium
Western Carolina football was born in 1931, thanks to C.C. Poindexter.
Poindexter, was the first head football coach at the college. Often referred to as the "Father of Western Carolina Athletics" because of his efforts in organizing what was then Western Carolina Teachers College's first athletic program in the early 1930's. Poindexter was the first person hired by the college to work exclusively in athletics. He became the first combination Athletic Director and football coach in 1931. He also assumed duties as the first head coach in basketball and baseball. He directed the construction of the first college football field, and coached three separate teams with scholarships and assistants. As athletic director, he developed the college's first schedule of strictly college
[edit] Baseball
- See also: Hennon Stadium
Western Carolina University began baseball in 1928, however, records prior to 1951 are incomplete. The first head coach was C.C. Poindexter.
On July 19, 2007, Bobby Moranda was officially introduced as the 10th different head baseball coach at Western Carolina.
The baseball program has called Ronnie G. Childress Field/Hennon Stadium its home since 1978. Childress Field, built at an initial cost of $125,000, was dedicated April 26, 1978, and named in honor of the late Ronnie G. Childress, an avid supporter of WCU athletics and a special friend of the baseball program. In 1978, the baseball stadium was moved approximately 200 yards to the east from the former "Haywood Field". The Cats have won over 72 percent of their home games since then, with a 526-201 record in 30 seasons. Bill Haywood, head baseball coach from 1969 through 1981, and Mr. E.J. Whitmire, longtime supporter and benefactor from Franklin, were the driving forces behind the building of the facility. The baseball facility was officially renamed Ronnie G. Childress Field at Hennon Stadium in a dedication program on April 23, 1994.
[edit] Basketball
[edit] Men's Basketball
- See also: Ramsey Center
Larry Hunter, one of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) leaders in coaching victories, was named Western Carolina University’s 17th head men’s basketball coach. Western Carolina began playing basketball in 1928, under head coach Pete Plemmons.
[edit] Women's Basketball
- See also: Ramsey Center
Lady Catamount basketball was added as a varsity sport at Western Carolina University in 1965. Betty Westmoreland started Western Carolina's intercollegiate basketball program and coached the Lady Catamounts for 14 years. The program grew from independent status to NAIAW, NCAA Division II, then NCAA Division I. Her team complied a 190-89 record, never suffering a losing season in 14 years
- Current Head Coach: Kellie Harper
- The Western Carolina women’s basketball team was the Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (CIAW) National Runner-Up in the 1968-69 season and finished fourth the following year in the tournament.
- In 1971, Western Carolina hosted the National Women’s Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament in Reid Gymnasium. WCU also hosted an Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) Southern Region II Tournament in 1975-76, making a total of three apperances in the AIAW tournament, which was the predecessor of the NCAA for women’s collegiate athletics.
- The all-time leading scorer in Western Carolina women’s basketball history is Jayne Arledge – she is the niece of the late Roone Arledge, a pioneer in the field of televison journalism and creator of Monday Night Football, 20/20, and Nightline.
[edit] Softball
The Western Carolina Women's Fastpitch Softball Team completed its inaugural season in 2006, with a 41-20 record and went on to win the SoCon Regular Season Championship! The Lady Catamount's home field is the Catamount Softball Complex.
2006 Team Information
- 2006 Southern Conferenc Record/Finish: 16-4/1st
- 2006 Southern Conference Regular Season Champions
- Southeastern All-Region: Mendy McKenzie (2nd Team), Ashley Adams (2nd Team)
- Pitcher of the Year: Mendy McKenzie, 2006
- Freshman of the Year: Jenny Jackson, 2006
- Coach of the Year: Megan Smith, 2006
- First Team All-Conference 2006: Mendy McKenzie, Heather Pritchard, Allyson McCubbins, Ashley Adams, Jenny Jackson
2007 Team Information
- 2007 Record: 28-34 (13-10 at home; 9-13 away; 6-11 neutral)
- 2007 SoCon Record / Finish: 9-11 / 4th
- 2007 Postseason: 2-2 SoCon Tournament
- Won its first games in the Southern Conference Tournament reaching the semi-finals, in just its second year.
- Stephanie Beatty and Mollie Fowler were named SoCon First Team All-Conference. Nikki Bost was voted to the second team.
- Mendy McKenzie was voted to the Southern Conference All-Tournament team.
- Stephanie Beatty broke the school record for hits in a season with 70 - also ranked second in the Southern Conference with a .363 batting average.
All Time Coaches
- 2006 - Megan Smith 41-29
- 2007 - Christine Hornak 28-34
- 2008 - Christine Hornak 19-36
[edit] Soccer
- Program History[5]
- Most consecutive wins: 5 (September 30, 2001 - October 14, 2001)
- Most consecutive wins at home: 14 (October 3, 2000 - September 6, 2002)
- Most consecutive losses at home: 2 (August 27, 1999 - October 19, 2003)
- Longest unbeaten streak: 8 (September 16, 1999 - October 13, 1999)
- Longest unbeaten streak at home: 17 (October 3, 2000 - October 11, 2002)
- Longest unbeaten streak on road: 5 (September 4, 1999 - October 13, 1999)
- Most consecutive wins: 5 (September 30, 2001 - October 14, 2001)
WCU All-Time Soccer Coaching History
| Coach | Year | Record | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debbie Hensley | 1999 | 10-9-1 | |
| Debbie Hensley | 2000 | 11-8-2 | |
| Debbie Hensley | 2001 | 16-8-0 | |
| Debbie Hensley | 2002 | 10-6-3 | |
| Debbie Hensley | 2003 | 7-11-2 | |
| Debbie Hensley | 2004 | 5-10-3 | |
| Tammy Decesare | 2005 | 18-6-0 | |
| Tammy Decesare | 2006 | 10-8-3 |
[edit] Track and Field
- Head Coach Danny Williamson
In 2008, Danny Williamson begins his 22d year as Head men’s coach and his 23th year as head of the women’s program. During his tenior at the helm of the Western's Track and Field Program, he has coached the Catamounts from the lower levels of the Southern Conference to a prominent place in the top tier of the conference standings year in and year out.
During his tenure the Catamounts (men and women) have claimed 13 different Southern Conference Team Championships between indoor and outdoor seasons. Williamson has witnessed over 400 of his athletes receive All-Southern Conference Awards and over 150 Western Carolina Track and Field/Cross Country Athletes be named an Individual Conference Event Champion.
His coaching peers have selected him Southern Conference Coach of the Year on 20 different occasions and in 1999 and 2004 he was selected the NCAA Regional Track and Field Coach of the Year. A 1985 graduate of Western Carolina University with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Williamson returned to Western and completed his Master’s in Education in 1986.
- SoCon Championships
- Men Indoor
2008 Clemson, SC Western Carolina
2006 Clemson, SC Western Carolina
2004 Johnson City, TN Western Carolina
1999 Johnson City, TN Western Carolina
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- Women Indoor
2008 Clemson, SC Western Carolina
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- Women Outdoor
2008 Cullowhee, NC Western Carolina
[edit] References
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