Catamount Gameday Timeline Basics (Sat., Nov. 16 - vs. VMI)

• On-campus parking Lots open at 8 a.m.
• Tailgating officially begins at 9:30 a.m. (alcohol permitted)  
• Gate 1 Ticket Booth opens at 10 a.m. for ticket sales and Will Call
• Ticket Booths at Gates 2, 3, & 4 open at Noon 
• On-Campus pregame "Cat Walk" begins at 10:35 a.m. 
• Stadium Gates open for all admission at 11:30 a.m.
• Kickoff is scheduled for 1:02 p.m. (on CSN and ESPN+)

 
Saturday, Nov. 16 – Game Day Promotions:  

• WCU's Family Weekend: Rescheduled from earlier this season when Hurricane Helene forced the postponement as Catamount students welcome family and friends to campus
• Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian (EBCI) Day: Western Carolina University and Catamount Athletics celebrate the longtime relationship with the EBCI as we celebrate the heritage of the native people of this region. A special pregame tailgate for all tribal members will be held, and Principal Chief Michell Hicks will take part in the special pregame coin toss. Special ticket pricing at the game day ticket booths.
• Senior Day: Catamount Football will honor its senior class in a special pregame ceremony with members of the Spirit Squads and "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band to be honored in-game and after halftime.
• WCU Athletics Hall of Fame: Western Carolina will induct three new members into its Hall on Saturday morning – Matt Cook (men's golf), Jennifer Gardner (women's basketball), and Manteo Mitchell (men's track & field). That trio will be recognized field level during the game.
• Youth Football & Cheer Day: Area youth football players and cheerleaders receive free admission when wearing their uniform to the ticket booth.

 

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Where to Buy Tickets / Game Day Parking: 
Purchase – and PRINT – tickets in advance through CatamountSports.com 
 
Where to Park: 
$20 – Single Game parking on game days

Lots: HFR Admin Building, Baseball Parking Deck / South Baseball Lot, Field House ADA & Van Accessible (MUST be accompanied by verified ADA documentation)
* Please note that many of the game day parking lots have SOLD OUT with advanced sales

Catamount Club Reserved Parking Lots (Pass Required):
Camp Lab Festival Parking, Field House, Football Stadium, Creek, Belk, and Ramsey Lots

Student Tailgate Lot: Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center (spots must be reserved in advance; tailgate lots open at 9:30 a.m.) 
 
Additional Game Day Parking Information:

• Parking lots on campus open for entry at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 … 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 (alcohol permitted) begins three and a half hours before the announced kickoff time – on Saturday, Nov. 16, that time is 9:30 a.m. … NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE PERMITTED before the designated 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 and NO GLASS CONTAINERS at tailgates;  
• 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 in the middle of campus or behind Hunter Library on 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 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16. 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. 
  
STADIUM 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 … Please be reminded that umbrellas are not permitted within the stadium. 

The Catamount Club: 

• The Purple Zone (requires RSVP): Located on the Ramsey Center Patio – is open from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. to qualifying Catamount Club members; 
• Paws Porch (requires a ticket, and credential): Located on the patio of the Jordan Phillips Field House; doors open at 12:30 p.m.; 
• Catamount Corner (requires a ticket, and credential): Located on the Northwest patio of the Ramsey Center; opens at 12:30 p.m.; 

 
ON GAME DAY: 

• WCU Athletic Ticket Office: (828) 227-2401 – phone lines open beginning at 9 a.m. until 12:00 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 and for Will Call pickup; 
• Ticket sales at all other gates begin at Noon – Gates 2, 3, and 4; 
• All stadium gates open to the public at Noon ... Gate 6 for Player Pass also opens at Noon and patrons must enter the stadium after receiving their tickets; 

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 Noon when the stadium gates are open; 
• Football Recruits: Northeast Concourse, enter the Southeast doors of the Ramsey Center. Arrivals after 11:30 a.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 school's 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 two guest tickets and sit in the WCU 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 
 
PLAYER PASS/HIGH SCHOOL COACHES/COMPLIANCE

• Player pass is located near Gate 6
• Those who are on the player pass list must show a photo ID in order to pick up their tickets … Once player pass tickets are picked up, the individual MUST enter the game;
• High school coaches can pick up their two complimentary tickets from any ticket booth- not player pass.

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, bottled water, and Gatorade – or other vendors such as Betty's Funnel Cakes, Tubby's Caramel Corn & More, Bojangles sweet tea will be sold from the concessions stands;
• Alcohol will be available for purchase in both the east and west concourse of the stadium. Beer, wine, cider, 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 two 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 a stand outside of the stadium near Gate 6 for the purchase of Catamount merchandise. The main WCU Bookstore (311 Memorial Drive, between the Campus Rec Center and Hinds University Center) will be open on Saturday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and again on Sunday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Bookstore is offering a special 10% discount on all family merchandise.