Cullowhee, N.C. – Looking for an encore of the absolutely electric atmosphere in #CatamountCountry last weekend for the nationally-ranked showdown with Top 10 foe Mercer, 25th-ranked Western Carolina and Catamount Nation again reload for Saturday's annual gridiron grudge match, the "Blue Ridge Border Battle" as mountain-rival East Tennessee State sails into town for a Noon kickoff at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.
 
Saturday's game is chocked-full of activities, including the 2025 Senior Day recognitions and on-field presentation of the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2025 with Alisha Bradshaw (women's track & field), Ashley Hovda Kress (women's golf), Todd Raleigh (baseball), and professional career achievement by L. Ray "Slim" Davis Jr. (athletic training).
 
Cullowhee native and current Major League Baseball switch-hitting powerhouse Cal Raleigh returns home on Saturday as WCU's annual team captain. The 2025 Home Run Derby champion will handle the pregame on-field coin toss ahead of Saturday's game.
 
The best game day atmosphere and the loudest house in the SoCon revs up one more time in the regular season for the rivalry matchup and penultimate game of the 2025 regular season. The Catamounts remain very much alive for an at-large berth into the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs that open in two weeks. The chance at a share of the 2025 SoCon Football regular-season title is still on the table entering the weekend as WCU would need to win twice – over ETSU and at VMI – and have the league's automatic qualifier, Mercer (8-1, 7-0 SoCon), stumble at home against third-place Chattanooga (5-5, 4-2 SoCon) on Saturday afternoon (3 p.m.).
 
Kickoff of the "Ingles Southern Conference Game of the Week" between the Catamounts and the Bucs is scheduled for Noon on Saturday, and will be broadcast regionally through Nexstar stations WYCW, TheCW across western North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina, as well as TheCW affiliate WFLI in Chattanooga, Tenn. The game will also be simulcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required). Live audio from the Catamount Sports Network begins at 11 a.m. with the Pepsi Tailgate Show, with WCU Hall of Famer Gary Ayers, Daniel Hooker, and Jeff Bryson on Saturday's call. Live stats are also available online through a link at CatamountSports.com.
 
Tickets and game day parking passes for Saturday's game against ETSU can be purchased in advance online at CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets. Please be advised that many of the traditional parking lots surrounding the stadium have sold out in advance of Saturday's final regular-season home game.
 

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Here are the "Things You Need to Know Before You Go" ahead of Saturday's "Blue Ridge Border Battle."
 
Catamount Gameday Timeline Basics (Sat., Nov. 15 - vs. ETSU)

• All on-campus parking lots open at 8 a.m.
• Tailgating officially begins at 8:30 a.m. (when alcohol consumption is permitted)
  • 3.5 hours ahead of kickoff, according to University Policy 103
• On-campus pregame "CatWalk" for the football team begins at 9:35 a.m.
• Gate 1 Ticket Booth opens at 10 a.m. for walk-up ticket sales and Will Call pickup
• Ticket Booths at Gates 2, 3, & 4 each open at 10:30 a.m.
• Stadium Gates open for all admission at 10:30 a.m., 90 minutes before kickoff
• The Catamount "Spirit March" to the stadium begins at 11:12 a.m.
• Kickoff is at 12:02 p.m. on Nexstar, ESPN+ and the Catamount Sports Network (11 a.m. airtime)

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Saturday, Nov. 15 – Game Day Promotions:  

• "Blue Ridge Border Battle" – Western Carolina and mountain-rival East Tennessee State meet with the traveling trophy, "the Rock," up for grabs for the
• Cal Raleigh, Honorary Captain and Ceremonial Coin Toss – Cullowhee native and current Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh will be on hand as an honorary team captain and will flip the coin in the special on-field pregame coin toss;
• Western Carolina Senior Day – Catamount football will honor its 20 senior players and football support staff in a special pregame ceremony … WCU will also honor its senior Catamount cheerleaders and seniors in the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band;
• Western Carolina Hall of Fame Day – Between the 1st and 2nd quarters, WCU will recognize its four latest inductees into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame.
• Educator Appreciation Day – As a "thank you" to our area teachers, discounted tickets with a promo code for educators;
• "Battle of the Bowls" Chili Cookoff – Campus college challenge with the annual chili cookout … Dropoff begins at 8 a.m., with tasting and voting between 9-11 a.m. at the pickleball courts at the Ramsey Center;
• Game Sponsor – Pepsi and The Everson, which will give out 400 toboggan beanie hats to the Catamount student section in the second half of Saturday's game. Saturday's media partner is the Smoky Mountain News;

 
Where to Buy Tickets / Game Day Parking: 
Purchase tickets in advance through CatamountSports.com – have the option to print OR download to your mobile phone for gate entry.
 
Where to Park: 
$20 – Single Game on game days | $15 – in advance (available until Friday evening ONLY)

Paid Parking Lots (while availability lasts): North Baseball Parking Deck / South Baseball Lot, HFR Admin Building (SOLD OUT), Field House ADA & Van Accessible (ALL ADA PARKING MUST be accompanied by verified ADA documentation for admission into the parking lots)
- Please note that the St. David's Episcopal Church Parking Lot this year is MEDIA RESERVED

Catamount Club Reserved Parking Lots (pass required): Camp Lab Festival Parking, Field House Lot, Creek Lot, and Belk Lot
- A reminder to please park within the numbered spot designated by the parking pass. Remember that the Stadium Lot is OFFLINE this season with ongoing construction to the Western Skybox

Student Tailgate Lot: Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center (tailgating spots must be reserved by student groups; the tailgate lots open at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday) 
 
Additional Game Day Parking Information:

• Parking lots on campus open for entry at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15 … For fans who 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 show the attendant to gain admission;  
• In accordance with University policy, tailgating that includes the consumption of alcohol begins three and a half hours before the announced kickoff time – on Saturday, Nov. 15, that time is 8:30 a.m. … NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE PERMITTED before the designated time;
• Tailgating activity involving grills, tents, etc., is NOT permitted within/inside the North Baseball Lot Parking Deck … Also, please be reminded to park in assigned numbered parking spots;
• Please be reminded that parking is NOT permitted along NC Hwy 107 or along the sides of Forest Hills Drive on campus … Please comply with placards and instructional signs;
• 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), 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 … Reminders to please park in the designated numbered spot;   
• 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, courtesy of Ingles, for each home football game this year, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15. 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 service around campus – it is only for transportation to and from the parking lot to the stadium.
  
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, excluding 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
 
Stadium cushions and seats are permissible, but note that they are restricted to 18 inches in width to fit within the standard stadium bleacher seat. Please be reminded that umbrellas are NOT permitted within the stadium per policy.
 
Please note that again that one (1) EMPTY PLASTIC WATER BOTTLE will be permitted to be carried into the stadium for use at the stadium water fountains.
 
The Catamount Club: 

• The Purple Zone (pregame only; requires RSVP): Located on the Ramsey Center Patio – is open from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. to qualifying Catamount Club members; 
• Paws Porch (requires a game ticket and appropriate credential): Located on the patio of the Jordan Phillips Field House; doors open at 11:30 a.m., 30 minutes before kickoff; 
• Catamount Corner (requires a game ticket and appropriate credential): Located on the Northwest patio of the Ramsey Center; opens at 11:30 a.m., 30 minutes before kickoff;

 
 ON GAME DAY: 

• WCU Athletic Ticket Office: (828) 227-2401 – phone lines open at 9 a.m. until 10 a.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 – please note that the Gate 1 ticket booth is located just outside the construction fencing on the West Side of the stadium;
• Ticket sales at all other gates begin at 10:30 a.m. at Gates 2, 3, and 4; 
• All stadium gates open to the public at 10:30 a.m. ... Gate 6 for Player Pass also opens at 10:30 a.m. when the stadium gates are opened;

 
 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 the WCU Chancellor's Office can pick up tickets at Will Call at Gate 4; 
• WCU Football Player's Guest, as well as Dance/Cheer guests, will utilize Gate 6  ... 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 10:30 a.m. when the stadium gates are open; 
• Football Recruits: Northeast Concourse, enter the Southeast doors of the Ramsey Center. Arrivals after 1 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 school's player pass location.

  
TICKET PRICES - (purchase in advance online): 

• Chair Back Reserved: Adult $37 Youth (Ages 3-12) $27 – Sections DD, JJ, KK, LL; 
• Bench Back Reserved: Adult $32, Youth (Ages 3-12) $22 Sections JJ, MM 
• Bleacher Reserved: Adult $32, Youth (Ages 3-12) $22 Sections D, E, F, J, K, L 
• General Admission: Gameday $23 Adults and $18 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; note that there is a $3 service charge on student guest tickets purchased with credit cards) 
• Children 2 and under do not need a ticket.

 - Please note – there is a transaction fee charged 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 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 at the player pass entrance;

 
Catamount Merchandise: 

• The WCU Bookstore will have merchandise stands on both the east (behind Section GG near Gate 4) and west side (near Gate 1, in the Pit) of the stadium 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 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fans can also purchase online by visiting bookstore.wcu.edu. 

 
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 … Those with tickets for the East Side (press box), please consider entering the stadium on the East Side, and vice versa for those with tickets on the West Side;
• Be sure to enjoy a variety of traditional stadium fare at the Catamount Dining concessions stands, proudly serving ice-cold Pepsi products, bottled water, and Gatorade – or other vendors include the Wood Fire Grill, Farmhouse Lemonade, and a hydration station on the West Side of the stadium. On the east side of E.J. Whitmire Stadium, fans can get Ben's Backdraft Barbecue, Chubby Chicks (various food choices), Sunset Slush (Italian ice), and a longtime staple, Betty's Funnel Cakes; 
• Western Carolina students will be able to use their declining balance with their CatCard ID at the football stadium concessions stands – it does not apply to alcohol or the other vendors that have sales points at the stadium on game day, only the Catamount Dining concessions stands at WCU home football games only.
• Alcohol will be available for purchase in both the east (behind Section FF) and west concourses (behind Section II) 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 (2) alcoholic beverages per valid ID with the ID holder present at the time of transaction. Sales will begin when the 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 … Please drink responsibly.