Cullowhee, N.C. – For a third time over the past three years, Western Carolina's football media guide was recognized as a part of a national publications contest. For a second-straight year, the 2019 Catamount Football Media Guide collected "First in the Nation" honors in the 2019-20 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) annual Publications and Digital Designs Contest.
 
WCU's 2019 guide also received the honor for "best cover design," a first for the program and its annual media guide.
 
A complete listing of the CoSIDA award winners was released this week online at CoSIDA.com as a part of the organization's virtual convention after the annual in-person event slated for Las Vegas was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are over 50 categories in the annual CoSIDA Publications Contest with every program at each level of competition having the opportunity to receive recognition for their work.
   
The 2019 Western Carolina Football Media guide was a product of the Western Carolina Athletics Department and the Office of Athletics Media Relations, written, designed, and edited by Daniel Hooker, Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations. Editorial assistance was provided by Directors of Media Relations Steven Grandy and Denise Gideon, as well as Catamount Sports Network correspondent, Greg McLamb. Special thanks to former WCU Sports Information contacts including Mike Cawood, Jody Jones, and WCU Hall of Famer, Steve White, for their part in the historical portions of the publication.
 
The covers were designed by Daniel Hooker with element assistance from Todd Charles, a graphic designer with University Communications and Marketing (UCM). The majority of the photos in the annual publication were provided by UCM with photographers Mark Haskett (retired) and Ashley Evans and various additional freelance photographers. Printing of the publication was completed on-campus by Tom Frazier and the staff of the WCU Print Shop.
 
Western Carolina football student-athletes are slated to begin their phased return to Cullowhee in early July for voluntary workouts with the anticipation of preseason fall camp in early August. The Catamounts open their 11-game season in early September with the first of two road games at Eastern Kentucky followed by the Southern Conference opener at Mercer. WCU's five-game home schedule opens on Saturday, Sept. 19 against Gardner-Webb.
 
Kickoff times for Western Carolina's five home games at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field, as well as additional updated game day and patron well-being information will be forthcoming.
 
Season tickets for WCU's home schedule in 2020 are on sale through the Catamount Athletics ticket office by phone at (828) 227-2401 and online at CatamountSports.com. WCU Athletics has extended its special early-bird price structure while also offering payment plans during the pandemic. Fans can choose from adult and youth tickets in reserved stadium chairs, bleacher-back, and bench seating, as well as general admission and the Western Builder's Family Fun Zone seating options.
 
Returning season ticket holders are asked to renew their seats by June 30, 2020, for their same seats (as available) from last year. The Catamount Club also has a June 30th deadline for members either completing renewal or creating a specialized fulfillment plan for individual contributions. Donors are able to complete their gift by calling the Catamount Club office at (828) 227-3047 or by logging into their donor account by visiting CatamountSports.com/Catamount Club. For additional information, please contact the Catamount Club by email at catamountclub@wcu.edu.
 
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