Cullowhee, N.C. – Coming just 132 days since the conclusion of the unprecedented spring football season, Western Carolina and first-year head coach Kerwin Bell are slated to hit the turf at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field this week to officially open preparations for the 2021 fall season.
 
WCU opens its preseason fall camp that spans the month of August with its first of two helmet-only practices in the NCAA-mandated acclimation period on Friday, Aug. 6. The Catamounts are slated to practice daily from 8:30 am until 11:00 am with Thursday set as an off-day. Each afternoon features team, unit, and position meetings. WCU's preseason schedule features 13 practice sessions before school starting on Monday, Aug. 23, and the team moving into its in-season schedule.
 
The docket (listed in full below) also includes a pair of preseason scrimmages, both coming on a Saturday – a morning scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 14 beginning at 9 am and an evening scrimmage scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 21 at 6 pm.
 
The football team officially reported to campus for the first team-related activities on Thursday (Aug. 5). The daily schedule included meeting with academics, compliance, sports performance, and the athletic equipment staff in the Ramsey Center.
 
In addition to welcoming a new coaching staff and a vastly altered roster, this year's preseason camp is different in coming off the spring season. Coaches and players alike did not have the luxury of the traditional spring in which a lot of the teaching and installation typically takes place. Most of WCU's football student-athletes were around campus during the summer sessions, working with the Sports Performance staff in the weight room and absorbing as much of the new schematics as possible entering this week's opening of fall camp.
 
"I really like our makeup as a team. I like the way the players have been committed this summer, and that's where it all begins. If we can continue to get that every day at practice as we get into August, then we'll be able to go from there and have a really good start of the season," said Bell. "We've got to continue to stay steady, continue to build as we go."
 
Bell added, "We've got to believe in our process and what we're trying to do and our commitment level. And we've got to truly want to go and win a championship."
 
Each of WCU's preseason football practices are open to the public. It is respectfully requested, though, that spectators observe from the stadium seating area and avoid being either on the field or the sidelines for safety, and physically distance from the team at all times. Practice times are subject to change.
 
Season tickets for Western Carolina's 2021 home schedule are on sale now through the Catamount Athletics ticket office located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center; by phone at (828) 22-2401; and online at CatamountSports.com. Additionally, to secure 2021 football game day parking and access to game day hospitality events, be sure to join the Catamount Club. For more information on the Catamount Club and how to support student-athlete scholarships, contact their offices at (828) 227-3047.
 
2021 Catamount Football Preseason Practice Schedule:
Thurs., Aug. 5 – Report Day
Fri., Aug. 6 – Practice #1 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (helmets only)
Sat., Aug. 7 – Practice #2 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (helmets only)
Sun., Aug. 8 – Practice #3 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Mon., Aug. 9 – Practice #4 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Tues., Aug. 10 – Practice #5 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Wed., Aug. 11 – Practice #6 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Thurs., Aug. 12 – No Practice (Off Day)
Fri., Aug. 13 – Practice #7 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (helmets)
Sat., Aug. 14 – Scrimmage #1 – 9:00 am – 11:30 am (full pads)
Sun., Aug. 15 – No Practice (Team Photo Day)
Mon., Aug. 16 – Practice #9 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Tues., Aug. 17 – Practice #10 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Wed., Aug. 18 – Practice #11 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Thurs., Aug. 19 – No Practice (Off Day)
Fri., Aug. 20 – Practice #12 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (helmets)
Sat., Aug. 21 – Scrimmage #2 – 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm (full pads)
Sun., Aug. 22 – WCU Student-Athlete Welcome Back Event
Mon., Aug. 23 – First Day of Fall Classes at WCU
 
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).
 
Important Dates in Catamount Athletics / Catamount Football:
Thursday, August 5 – Catamount Football student-athletes report for fall camp
Friday, August 6 – First scheduled practice of the 2021 preseason (helmet only)
Friday, August 20 – Western Carolina University Freshman Move-In Day
Monday, August 23 – First day of classes for the fall semester
Saturday, September 4 – 2021 Catamount Football season and home-opener vs. Eastern Kentucky
Friday, September 17 – The Bob Waters Memorial – Laurel Ridge Country Club – Waynesville, N.C.