Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina football returns to the friendly confines of E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field this Saturday, Sept. 4 for a Labor Day Weekend season-opener against Eastern Kentucky. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 pm.
 
WCU looks to "White Out Whitmire" with all fans encouraged to wear their white WCU gear to the game. The first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive a free "White Out Whitmire" t-shirt. Fans will want to be in their seats early for the pregame festivities that includes the first on-field performance of the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band and the return of the Freshmen Run – or the "Fresh-o-More" run that will include incoming freshmen from 2020 and 2021.
 
Following the game, fireworks will illuminate the western North Carolina sky presented by Ingles, and iHeartRadio partners 99.9 Kiss Country and Star 104.3.
 
With a large crowd expected for the season-opener, all fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance of the game to avoid lines on game day and can do so online at CatamountSports.com. Walk-up pregame sales at Gate 1 begin at Noon on Saturday.
 
As fans prepare for the opening of the Kerwin Bell era in Cullowhee, here are a few additional items that are new and updated entering the fall of 2021:
 
Parking Information:
General Admission Parking is first-come, first-serve at the following locations on football game days: HF Robinson Administration Building near the main entrance of the WCU campus, the South Baseball Lot located beyond the outfield at Hennon Stadium, and the new North Baseball Parking Deck. Please note that tailgating is not permitted within the parking deck, but is available in the South Baseball Lot.
 
Fans are also encouraged to take a right at the second light in front of campus onto Little Savannah Road and utilize free parking at the Health and Human Sciences (HHS) building or the gravel parking lot across from HHS. A free shuttle from Cat-Tran will pick up/drop off fans beginning at 4 pm and will go several hours after the game is over. The shuttle will drop off at the upper stadium on the East Side adjacent to the Ramsey Center and will also have a stop at Gate 1 on the West Side.
 
The Catamount Club reserved lots include: Camp Lab Lot, Field House Lot, Football Stadium Lot, Creek Lot, and the Belk Lot. Entrance to these parking lots is by permit only and patrons are asked to park in their reserved numbered spots. Catamount Club members are encouraged to use the main entrance to campus to access these parking lots on game day. NOTE: Due to the postgame firework show on Saturday, the pedestrian bridge to Camp Lab will be closed starting at 6:15 pm and will remain closed the rest of the night. Fans will be able to access Camp Lab on Centennial Drive.
 
WCU student tailgating has moved to the parking lots surrounding the Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center. Those spaces are reserved on-campus by student organizations for each game day.
 
Clear Bag Policy:
After a soft rollout in the spring of 2021 at Whitmire Stadium, WCU Athletics will enforce a clear bag policy this season. Only standard clear bags, 12-inches by 6-inches by 12-inches in size, small purses approximately 4.5-inches by 5-inches not including the strap, and clear gallon size storage bags are permitted. Diaper bags (child must be present upon entry) and any medical-related bags will be allowed. Click HERE for more information on WCU's Clear Bag Policy.
 
All bags are subject to screening and bag check before admittance into the stadium.
 
Face Coverings / COVID Protocols:
Fans are encouraged to follow the guidelines outlined in the Catamounts Care initiatives as much as possible while visiting campus as we all continue to navigate the pandemic. Though currently not mandated for outdoors, Catamount Athletics and WCU strongly urge the use of face coverings while in densely populated areas during game day activities. Face coverings are currently required for any indoor activity on campus.
 
Habits of practicing physical distancing when possible, washing hands, and using approved hand sanitizers remain sound common practices and recommendations.
 
Alcohol Sales:
Approved before the 2020 football season and rolled out during the altered 2020-21 schedule, alcohol will be available for purchase in both the east and west concourse of the stadium. Beer, wine, and hard seltzers will be available in Whitmire Stadium for fans 21 years of age or older. Fans will need to show their valid ID when purchasing alcohol and may only purchase one alcoholic beverage per valid ID with the ID holder present at the time of transaction. Sales will begin when gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff and close at the end of the 3rd quarter.
 
Please be reminded that outside food, drinks, and alcoholic beverages are not allowed to enter the stadium gates. Also, no alcohol may be removed from the stadium as all beverage containers must be disposed of before exiting the gates.
 
Concessions Vendors for 2021:
A couple of the staples surrounding concessions at Whitmire Stadium return this fall including the Bojangles Chicken trailer and Tubby's Popcorn and More, which will have points of sale on the concourse. Catamount Dining has also ramped up its menu options to provide the best in game day concessions.

Catamount Club's "Catamount Central Tent" - For WCU Student-Athlete Alum:
The Catamount Club will host the "Catamount Central Tent" at all home football games this fall. The tent will be open during tailgating hours on game day and will be located near Gate 1. Come meet Catamount student-athlete alumni, Catamount Club board of directors, and friends of WCU Athletics. All student-athlete alumni are encouraged to stop by the tent on game day. Director of Athletics Alex Gary will be present at the tent from 3:30-4 p.m. on Saturday, September 4th. See you soon and Go Cats!
 
FOR WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS:
 
Free Admission for WCU Students – Athletics fee-paying WCU students receive FREE admission to all Catamount home athletic events. To receive free admission to the football games, simply bring your valid student CatCard ID to the stadium and present it at the entrance where it will be scanned;
 
Entrances at Football – the main student entrances are Gate 2 and Gate 3. Gates open 90 minutes prior to the announced kickoff times for all home games.;
 
Seating – the WCU Student Sections are Section A, AA, B, BB, C, CC. Seating is general admission, first come first serve;
 
WCU Student Guest Tickets – Current WCU students can purchase two (2) student guest tickets for any game. The tickets are $13 and can be purchased online (fees apply) by clicking on this link: Purchase Student Guest Tickets or on game day at the ticket booths. You can also call the ticket office at (828) 227-2401. On game day, just present your valid CatCard at any ticket booth to purchase the guest tickets. All student guest tickets are general admission in the student section.
 
2020-21 "Fresh-o-More Run" – At this Saturday's 2021 season-opener, it's the return of the "Freshmen Run" – or as we are calling it this year, the "Fresh-o-More" run. This year's freshmen and sophomores – the 2020 freshmen – will be able to participate in this FREE event. Please arrive at the Ramsey Center truck tunnel between 4 pm – 4:30 pm with a face covering since it's indoors. There will be music and games. Students will also receive a "White Out Whitmire" t-shirt. Students will then be escorted on to the football field prior to kickoff to run through the tunnel and across the field just prior to the football team.