Cullowhee, N.C. – Four Catamount football players were elected team captains with the results of the team vote revealed on Sunday evening by Western Carolina head coach Mark Speir in the team meeting prior to the squad's first game-week practice session.
Four seniors including redshirt senior quarterback Tyrie Adams, redshirt senior wide receiver Nate Mullen, redshirt senior safety JerMichael White, and senior defensive back Devarius Cortner each earned the captain's “C” for the 2019 season.
Adams, the SoCon's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team preseason All-SoCon selection, is poised to break several of WCU's offensive records entering the 2019 season. He has graced two of the nation's top offensive player of the year watch lists this preseason including the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award for a second-consecutive season. One of his top weapons returning this fall is Mullen, who hauled in a team-best 55 passes for 600 yards and two receiving TDs last year.
WCU's two defensive captains White and Cortner have played in a combined 60 games with 136 total tackles. White, who was limited to just three games due to injury a year ago, has 104 career tackles from his safety position while Cortner, who has been a vocal leader this preseason, has 32 career stops.
WCU returned to practice on Sunday afternoon following an off-day on Saturday as preparations for next weekend's season-opener continue to ramp-up.
Western Carolina opens its 2019 schedule next Saturday, Aug. 31 by hosting the Mercer Bears as the centerpiece of a busy Labor Day weekend. Festivities kick off on Thursday night as the Catamount women's soccer team hosts Conference USA-foe, Middle Tennessee, under the lights with a 7:00 pm at the Catamount Athletic Complex in the first of two matches to bookend the weekend. The soccer team hosts UT Martin on Sunday (Sept. 1) afternoon at 1 pm.
Football likewise plays under the lights on Saturday evening with kickoff at 6:00 pm. The 2019 season-opener has been billed a “Purple Out” with fans encouraged to wear their Catamount Purple to the game. Prior to the game in “Tailgate Town” (Ramsey Lot 9A, along Catamount Road) country music recording artist Joe Lasher will be performing around 4 pm with available for purchase from the Chili Chomper 2 food truck. “Paws Playground,” presented by Western Builders of Sylva, including inflatable yard toys and bounce houses opens just inside of Gate 1 once the stadium gates open.
Next weekend's home opener will be followed by a postgame fireworks extravaganza, presented by Ingles and iHeartMedia partners, 99.9 Kiss Country and Star 104.3.
Both season and single-game tickets for all six home dates in 2019 are on sale now through the WCU Athletics Ticket Office located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center or by phone at (800)34-GOWCU or (828) 227-2401. Fans can also purchase tickets online by visiting CatamountSports.com.
Keep track of everything related to Catamount football and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/catamountsports) and Twitter (@catamounts, @CatamountsFB).
