Cullowhee, N.C. – Junior outfielder Immanuel Wilder was selected as the 2021 Leggett No. 7 Legacy recipient as chosen by Western Carolina head baseball coach Bobby Moranda and his coaching staff. Moranda announced the honor on Friday evening following the team's practice session with former WCU head coach and Hall of Famer Jack Leggett joining remotely via teleconference.

Wilder is the 11th different Leggett No. 7 Legacy recipient all-time and the first WCU outfielder to have the honor bestowed upon him. The Madison, Ala., native is the fourth junior to wear the coveted No. 7 jersey joining former Catamount catcher Danny Bermudez (2015), and teammates Luke Robinson (2019) and Justice Bigbie (2020).
 
"Immanuel Wilder is an absolute joy to be around. He is first-class in everything that he does, an overall A+ person," said Moranda of this year's No. 7 Legacy recipient. "Immanuel plays hard for his teammates every second and is highly respected by his peers and our coaching staff. He is a total Catamount program guy."
 
Wilder has played in 86 games over the last three seasons making 58 combined starts. He is a .230 career hitter with 49 hits including 14 doubles, two triples, and five home runs. Offensively, he has scored 45 runs while driving in 33. Wilder has also been hit by pitch 32 times entering the 2021 season which already has him tied for 12th in program history and is just 12 shy of the program record.
 
A vocal team leader, Wilder is a three-time Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll recipient and has twice been selected as Spring Academic All-SoCon in both 2019 and 2020.
  
The annual "Leggett No. 7 Legacy" program was introduced by Moranda at the second "Celebration of Catamount Baseball" banquet held in conjunction with the 2011 season-opening weekend. Each year, the WCU coaching staff selects one player that is committed to keeping with the principles and integrity established by the former Catamount skipper during his tenure.
 
"Among the many great past individuals that have influenced the success and the prestige of Western Carolina baseball, Jack Leggett stands out above most. His legacy lives on here every day," Moranda said of the Leggett Legacy tradition upon its creation back in 2011. "Every season, we will name one player who exemplifies what it is to be a Catamount baseball player and that deserves to wear the No. 7 jersey to honor the foundation laid by No. 7."
 
A 2001 WCU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and a 2014 selection into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame, Leggett helped shape the future of WCU baseball by recruiting and coaching his three successors in Keith LeClair (1992-97), Rodney Hennon (1998-99) and Todd Raleigh (2000-07). Leggett's three protégés combined to win 567 games and a combined eight SoCon titles in 15 seasons, while also capturing five SoCon Coach of the Year honors.
 
As a collegiate head coach, Leggett won 1,332 career games – 302 of which came at WCU, second all-time in the school's record book – and made 26 NCAA Tournament appearances. He coached over 140 professional baseball signees, nine first-round draft picks, and 25 players who have played in the Major Leagues.
 
To earn the honor of the "Leggett No. 7 Legacy," a Catamount baseball player must have a passion for the game of baseball; show total intensity daily; do more with less; use adversity as preparation for greatness; have an uncommon commitment to his teammates and the standard of T.E.A.M. by displaying A+: T-Toughness, E-Effort, A-Approach, to M-Make it happen.
 
The Catamounts are slated to open the 2021 season with a four-game homestand on Friday (Feb. 19) against Towson at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. The season-opener has been bumped to a 2:30 pm first pitch due to weather in a game that will be streamed on ESPN+ (paid subscription required).
 
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WCU's All-Time Leggett No. 7 Legacy Recipients:
2021: Immanuel Wilder, OF
2020: Justice Bigbie, INF
2019: Luke Robinson, C
2018: Cameron Blaquiere, INF
2017: Nobu Suzuki, INF
2016: Reece Strong, INF
2015: Danny Bermudez, C
2014: Luke Gragg, UT
2013: Morgan McKinney, LHP
2012: Vance Chavis, LHP
2011: Stephen Notaro, C