Cullowhee, N.C. – As the early morning fog lifted in the Valley and gave way to the sun's reminder that it's still summertime, Western Carolina football ushered in a new era on Friday morning on the turf at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. WCU opened preseason practice under first-year head coach
Kerwin Bell.
The Catamounts worked out for just under two and a half hours in helmets and shorts, going through a spirited 25 combined periods that included individual position and unit drills. The team also scattered special teams work in between sessions including placekicking, punt coverage, and kickoff work on both sides. Conditions were unseasonably cooler in the morning but heated up before the team completed its first session.
"It's exciting – and it's very exciting to see our kids back out here today," said Bell following Friday morning's first session of the preseason.
Bell said that he and his staff talked to the squad in Thursday night's first official team meeting about expectations. He then again referenced the discussion after Friday morning's practice. He spoke using an analogy of stacking pennies on either side of his desk to represent how that day's opportunity would be measured – one side for the good or a championship-caliber and the other side needing work.
"We stacked it on the championship side today – and it wasn't because we were perfect," explained Bell. "But we came out here with a great attitude to get better. We were focused on our jobs. I told the team that if we can stack 22 more like that on the championship side before the first game that we were going to be alright."
Aside from the new coaching staff, there were plenty of new faces across the field for the Catamounts, who wore their new Nike practice jerseys and practice pant shorts beneath the new-look purple football helmets and facemasks. WCU has nearly 50 newcomers on this year's preseason roster including 15 transfers.
Friday afternoon's schedule features treatment with WCU Sports Medicine and meeting including special teams, unit, and individual positions. The Catamounts are slated to return to the turf on Saturday at 8:30 am for the second helmet-only practice. WCU is scheduled to have 13 total sessions before classes begin on Aug. 23.
Each of WCU's preseason football practices is 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 maintain physical 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:
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:
Wednesday, August 11 – First scheduled practice in full pads
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.
