Cullowhee, N.C. – Returning to the practice field following Thursday's designated off-day and the successful Catamount Football "Ladies Night" event that evening, Western Carolina opened the second half of its 16 preseason practices with session No. 9 on Friday morning. Working out in helmets and shoulder pads, the squad worked through a two-hour session on another warm morning on the turf at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.
 
"I'm really pleased with the improvements that we've made (this preseason)," said WCU head coach Kerwin Bell following Friday morning's session. "(Saturday) will be a big day for us, our first scrimmage. All we're asking is to see improvements from last Saturday; to be a better football team than we were a week ago. To cut down on the mistakes, not as many busts hopefully."
 
The team's first preseason scrimmage – its 10th practice to date – is set for Saturday (Aug. 10) morning with all incoming WCU's incoming students that began moving back to campus this week invited out for a sneak peek at the 2024 squad. The Catamounts are slated for a two-hour game simulation scrimmage in preparation for the opener on Aug. 29 at NC State in Raleigh. On Sunday, the Catamounts will pause in the early afternoon for its team photo before holding a helmet-only workout.
 
Catamount head football coach Kerwin Bell will join WCU's three other fall sports head coaches – Karen Glover (VB), Chad Miller (WSOC), and Jesse Norman (XC) - for the 2024 Catamount Fall Sports Preview Facebook LIVE event, on-location from Catamount Jaxe (114 Market St.) in Cullowhee on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Fans can see the show on the official Catamount Athletics Facebook page (fb.com/catamountsports) beginning at 6 p.m.
 
Both season and single-game tickets for the five home dates in #CatamountCountry remain on sale now through the WCU Athletics Ticket Office, located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, or by phone at (828) 227-2401. Fans can also purchase tickets and game day parking in advance online at CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets.
   
2024 Catamount Football Preseason Practice Schedule:
Sat., Aug. 10 – Scrimmage #1 (Practice #10) – 9:00 am – 11:15 am (full pads)
Sun., Aug. 11 – Team Photo Day, 2 pm; Practice #11 – 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm (helmets)
Mon., Aug. 12 – Practice #12 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Tues., Aug. 13 – Practice #13 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Wed., Aug. 14 – Practice #14 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Thurs., Aug. 15 – No Practice (Off Day)
Fri., Aug. 16 – Practice #15 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (helmets)
Sat., Aug. 17 – Scrimmage #2 (Practice #16) – Updated 1:00 pm (full pads)
Sun., Aug. 18 – No Practice – Team Building
Mon., Aug. 19 – 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, FB.com/WesternCarolinaFootball), Twitter (@catamounts, @CatamountsFB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts, catamountsfb).

Important Dates in Catamount Athletics & Catamount Football:
Wed., Aug. 14 – Catamount Fall Sports Preview, Facebook LIVE from Catamount Jaxe – (6 pm)
Fri., Aug. 16 – WCU New Student Convocation (Ramsey Center, 5 pm)
Sun., Aug. 18 – Catamount Women's Soccer Home-Opener – vs. UNC Asheville (7 pm)
Mon., Aug. 19 – First day of classes for the fall semester – Cullowhee
Fri., Aug. 23 – Catamount Volleyball Exhibition – vs. Gardner-Webb (Ramsey, 6 pm)
Thurs., Aug. 29 – 2024 Catamount Football season-opener at NC State (Raleigh, 7 pm)
Fri., Sept. 6 – The Bob Waters Memorial – Sequoyah National Golf Club (Cherokee, N.C.)
Sat., Sept. 7 – 2024 Catamount Football home-opener, vs. Campbell (1 pm, updated)