Cullowhee, N.C. – The best college gameday atmosphere in the Southern Conference again roars to life this Saturday, Sept. 17, as Western Carolina (1-1) opens the home portion of its 2022 schedule by hosting Presbyterian (1-1) at Bob Waters Field / E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Kickoff between the Catamounts and Blue Hose is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., presented by Ingles, 99.9 FM Kiss Country, and Star 104.3.
Western Carolina looks to "White Out Whitmire" this Saturday, encouraging all fans to wear their white Catamount gear to the game as WCU will wear its white Nike uniforms. The first 5,000 fans through the gates will also receive a free "White Out Whitmire" T-shirt featuring a special vintage "The Cats" helmet logo, which returns to the right side of the Catamount football helmets this weekend in an homage to the WCU's winningest head coach, the late Bob Waters who was coincidentally a Presbyterian graduate.
A large crowd is expected to descend upon Jackson County for the home opener. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets and game day parking in advance by calling (828) 227-2401 or to
buy online at CatamountSports.com to avoid lines on game day.
Saturday's game will be broadcast live on
ESPN+ (paid subscription required). The game can also be heard through the Catamount Sports Network with the Pepsi Tailgate Show airtime at 2:30 p.m. Fans across western North Carolina can hear the broadcast locally on seven CSN affiliates: in Sylva, 105.7 FM and 540 AM WRGC "The River"; 104.9 FM and 1050 AM WFSC in Franklin; WISE Sports Radio 1310 AM and 102.9 FM in Asheville; and 970 AM WYSE in Canton, with
live streaming audio online at CatamountSports.com.
Fans can also follow the game with
live stats accessible online at CatamountSports.com with timely in-game updates on Twitter using @Catamounts and @CatamountsFB.
Western Carolina and Presbyterian meet for the 20th time on the football gridiron with the Catamounts holding a slim, 10-9, lead in the head-to-head series, though WCU has won nine of the last 10 meetings overall including four-straight played in Cullowhee.
Hosting its first of five home games this fall on Saturday, the Catamounts split their first two road games to open the 2022 season, claiming its fourth-straight victory away from Cullowhee in an offensive explosion at Charleston Southern, 52-38, before falling at FBS and ACC-foe Georgia Tech last Saturday, 35-17 in Atlanta. WCU seeks its first home-opening victory since 2018 when it downed Newberry in Cullowhee.
The Catamounts boast the top offense in the SoCon entering this Saturday, averaging 503 yards per game including a conference-best 352 yards through the air, and scoring an average of 34.5 points per game, tied for second in the league.
Under first-year head coach Steve Englehart, the Blue Hose are in the second year of playing in the NCAA FCS Division I non-scholarship Pioneer Football League (PFL). PC halted a 10-game slide with its first victory under Englehart a week ago, downing Virginia University of Lynchburg 21-13 at home in Clinton, S.C. PC dropped its opener at FCS-foe Austin Peay 63-0 back on Sept. 3 to open the Englehart era in Clinton.
Game 3: Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 • 3:30 pm
Location: Cullowhee, N.C. (Bob Waters Field / E.J. Whitmire Stadium – 13,790)
Records: Presbyterian (1-1) at Western Carolina (1-1)
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
TV / Video Stream: ESPN+ (
subscription required)
PBP: Kyle Rush; Color: John Mount Shoop
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
PBP: Gary Ayers; Producer: Jeff Bryson
CSN Affiliates:
Sylva – 105.7 FM / 540 AM WRGC
Franklin – 104.9 FM / 1050 AM WFSC
Asheville – WISE Sports Radio 102.9 FM / 1310 AM
Canton – WYSE Sports Radio 970 AM
Online:
CatamountSports.com
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).
Things to Know Before You Go:
GAMEDAY TIMELINE BASICS:
- On-campus parking Lots open at 8 a.m.
- Gate 1 Ticket Booth opens at 10 a.m.
- Ticket Booths at Gates 2, 3, & 4 open at Noon
- Tailgating officially begins at Noon
- Pregame "Cat Walk" begins at 1:05 p.m.
- Stadium Gates open at 2 p.m.
- Game Day Information Booth, located inside Gate 1, opens at 2 p.m.
- Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Where to Buy Tickets / Game Day Parking:
•
Purchase – and PRINT – tickets in advance through CatamountSports.com.
Where to Park:
•
REMINDER – Western Carolina has moved to a pay-for-parking model for many of the lots closest to Whitmire Stadium this season … these lots include: Baseball Parking Deck, South Baseball Lot, Field House ADA & Van Accessible, and HF Robinson Lot … the cost is just $10 per parking spot and can be purchased online at CatamountSports.com, by calling the WCU Athletics Ticket Office at (828) 227-2401, or by visiting the main ticket office on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. … Single-game $10 parking spots are
subject to availability;
• Season parking passes are available for $25 in the Catamount Club lots of Camp Lab Lot, Field House Lot, Football Stadium Lot, Creek Lot, or Belk Lot ... You must be a Catamount Club member and a season ticket holder in order to buy the $25 season pass;
• Parking lots on campus open for entry at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 … For fans that have purchased a game day parking spot, please print out the ticket or have it on your mobile device upon arrival at the parking lot to gain admission;
• Tailgating begins three and a half hours before the announced kickoff time – on Saturday, Sept. 17, that time is Noon – no alcoholic beverages are permitted prior to that start time … Tailgating activity involving grills, tents, etc., is
NOT permitted within the Baseball Lot Parking Deck … Also, please be reminded to park in assigned numbered parking spots;
•
General Admission parking: A few FREE parking options are also available down Little Savannah Road behind the Catamount Travel Center and past the Cullowhee Post Office at the WCU Health & Human Science (HHS) parking lots,
subject to availability (FREE SHUTTLE, see below) … It is also suggested that fans consider taking Old Cullowhee Road to the old entrance to the WCU campus and utilize parking in the lots behind Hunter Library for game day;
•
Catamount Club Reserved Parking Lots (
parking pass required) include Camp Lab (Lot13), Belk (Lot14), Jordan-Phillips Field House (Lot12), Football Stadium (Lot10), Creek (Lot9C) Lot, and Camp Lab Festival Parking (Lot4A) ... All patrons with parking passes should enter the main entrance of the WCU campus, display parking credential to gain access to their designated, assigned parking lots;
•
Student Tailgating Lot (
pass required): Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center Lots (Lot 13) … those spaces are reserved on-campus by student organizations for each game day;
Note: WCU Parking & Transportation will run a FREE "Tailgate Express" CatTran Shuttle for each home football game this year, beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17. Vehicles will be directed to park at the Health & Human Services (HHS) Lot and HHS Adjacent Lot down Little Savannah Road where patrons will be picked up. The FREE shuttle will transport fans to both the Ramsey Center circle drive for West Side seating and Gate 1 entrance for patrons with East Side tickets. Shuttles will also be available after the game for return trips to these lots. Please note that this is not a shuttle around campus – just to and from the parking lots.
Clear Bag Policy:
•
REMINDER – Western Carolina Athletics enforces
a clear bag policy. 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.
The Catamount Club:
• The Purple Zone, presented by Ingles the Chef's Kitchen (
requires RSVP): Located on the Ramsey Center Patio – is open from 1 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. to qualifying Catamount Club members;
• Paws Porch (
requires a ticket, credential): Located on the patio of the Jordan Phillips Fieldhouse; doors open at 3:00 p.m.;
• Catamount Corner (
requires a ticket, credential): Located on the Northwest patio of the Ramsey Center; opens at 3:00 p.m.
ON GAME DAY:
• WCU Athletic Ticket Office: (828) 227-2401 – phone lines open beginning at 10 a.m. until kickoff time at 3:30 p.m. for ticket information and phone orders ONLY – NO WALK-UP SALES through the Ramsey Center Ticket Office;
• Gate 1 Ticket Sales on the West Side of the stadium open at 10 a.m. for walk-up sales;
• Ticket sales at all other gates begin at Noon – Gates 2, 3, and 4;
• All stadium gates open to the public at 2:00 p.m. ... Gate 6 for Player Pass also opens at 2:00 p.m.;
WILL CALL:
• Remember to bring proper photo identification to pick up tickets at WCU's Will Call;
• Main Will Call for picking up purchased tickets or tickets being left for pick-up is at Gate 1; however, fans can receive Will Call at any entrance gate ticket booth;
• Guests of WCU Chancellor's Office can pick up tickets at Will Call at Gate 4;
• WCU Football Player's Guest will utilize Gate 6 (as well as Dance/Cheer Guests) ... Those who are on the player pass list must show a photo ID to pick up tickets. Player Pass Will Call does not open until 2:00 p.m. when the stadium gates are open;
• Football Recruits: Northeast Concourse, enter the Southeast doors of the Ramsey Center. Arrivals after 2:00 p.m., please go to Gate 6;
• All Other WCU Recruits: Gate 6;
• High School Coaches: Present valid ID card to any ticket booth and receive up to TWO free admission tickets ... Pick up tickets from any ticket booth --
NOT the player pass location.
TICKET PRICES:
•
Chair Back Reserved: Adult $36 Youth (Ages 3-12) $26 – Sections DD, JJ, KK, LL;
•
Bench Back Reserved: Adult $31, Youth (Ages 3-12) $21 Sections JJ, MM
•
Bleacher Reserved: Adult $31, Youth (Ages 3-12) $21 Sections D, E, F, J, K, L
•
General Admission: Gameday $21 Adults and $16 for Youth (Ages 3-12) G, GG
•
Full-time WCU students: FREE with Cat Card
•
WCU Student Guest: $13 (WCU students can purchase 2 guest tickets and sit in the student section)
• Children 2 and under do not need a ticket.
Please note – there is a $3 transaction fee charge on each ticket when using a credit card
Other Helpful Game Day Hints:
• Arrive early to avoid long lines entering Whitmire Stadium ... Also, numerous gates allow entry to the stadium -- familiarize yourself with the best gates to get you to your seats for all the pregame festivities … There will be a cash-only table for ticketing at Gate 1;
• Be sure to enjoy a variety of stadium fare at the Catamount Dining concessions stands, proudly serving ice-cold Pepsi products -- or other vendors such as Bojangles', Betty's Funnel Cakes, Tubby's Caramel Corn & More, Kona Ice, and Sweet Paradise Ice Smoothies;
• 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 before kickoff and close at the end of the 3rd quarter.
No alcohol will be permitted to enter or exit the stadium.
Catamount Merchandise:
• The WCU Bookstore will have three (3) locations at the stadium to purchase Catamount merchandise. There will be stands on both the east and west concourse, as well as a stand just outside Gate 3 which will be available before gates open. The main WCU Bookstore (311 Memorial Drive, between the Campus Rec Center and Hinds University Center) will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Game Day Promotions:
•
"White Out Whitmire" – fans are encouraged to wear their white Catamount gear to the game as WCU wears its white Nike uniforms … the first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive a FREE "White Out Whitmire" T-shirt;
•
Band Day – high school bands from the area are slated to perform with the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band in this first event … the guest band members will sit in Section GG during the game;
•
Jackson County Youth Football Day – youth 12 and under that participate in the Smoky Mountain Youth Football League can receive free admission to the game by wearing their jersey or cheer uniform;
•
WCU on the SoCon 100th Anniversary Team Celebration – Join Catamount Athletics in welcoming home student-athlete alumni who were
named to the Southern Conference's 100th Anniversary team last December … these alums will have a special pregame tailgate near the Ramsey Center and will be honored in a special halftime on-field presentation;
• Gather with other Purple & Gold clad faithful to cheer on the Catamounts during the
"Cat Walk" to the stadium which begins at approximately 1:05 p.m. … the path winds through the student tailgate lot in the Bardo Student Lot and travels through both the Stadium and Field House parking lots;
• The "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band, WCU Dance Team, and Catamount cheerleaders pregame march to the stadium begins at approximately 2:45 p.m.;
•
11th Annual Freshmen Run – WCU's freshman class of 2022 will stream through the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band tunnel just before the entrance of the Catamount football team;
• At halftime, the
"Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band will perform their show to the East Side stands with an encore presentation following Saturday's game.
