Cullowhee, N.C. – A week after gracing the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 at No. 18, the Western Carolina Catamounts tipped the scales at No. 19 on Monday in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Preseason Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl, that was released just weeks ahead of the kickoff of the 2025 season.
 
It's the second-straight season that the Catamounts have started the year ranked No. 19 by the coaches' organization. It also marks the second consecutive season the Purple & Gold will carry a number next to its name into the season opener – and just the third time since 1994. WCU advanced as high as No. 17 in the coaches' tabulations following the near-miss at FBS-foe NC State in the season opener last year, but fell from the rankings after opening the year at 0-2. WCU never returned to the Top 25 the remainder of the season despite receiving votes for nine of the final 12 weeks.
 
The Catamounts were joined in the Coaches' Poll by Mercer, which opens the season at No. 11 nationally, with Chattanooga, ETSU, and Samford each receiving votes.
 
Additionally, WCU was also selected 16th in the FCS Nation Radio preseason poll, which also dropped on Monday afternoon. The Catamounts were among four SoCon teams to grace the publication's poll, trailing Mercer (No. 9), and ranking just ahead of the Tennessee contingent with Chattanooga (No. 18) and ETSU (No. 22).
 
With unfavorable weather forecasts on Tuesday, WCU head coach Kerwin Bell called an audible on Monday evening, swapping the team's off-day from Thursday to Tuesday to try and make the most of his team's remaining preseason opportunities. WCU returns to practice on Wednesday morning in full pads.
 
A reminder that WCU's preseason football practices are open to the public. It is respectfully requested, though, that spectators observe from the stadium seating area and avoid being either on the field or on the sidelines for safety. Also, please be aware of the construction fencing around the West side of the stadium, which will limit access points as construction on the Western Skybox and Whitmire West projects continues this summer and into the fall season.
 
Western Carolina opens the season at home, under the lights on Labor Day Weekend against Gardner-Webb on Saturday, Aug. 30. It's the first season-opening home game for the Catamounts since 2021 in Kerwin Bell's first season in Cullowhee, which also represented WCU's most recent night game at Whitmire Stadium. Postgame fireworks as part of the First Bank First Weekend will illuminate the western North Carolina sky following the game, presented by Ingles, 99.9 Kiss Country, and Star 104.3 FM.
 
Additionally, the Catamount women's soccer team hosts Tennessee on Sunday evening (6 p.m.) to cap the First Bank First Weekend festivities.
 
Both season and single-game tickets for the six home dates in #CatamountCountry – the most since 2019 – 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. Season tickets remain the best bet for securing tickets to each of WCU's highly-anticipated six home dates as preseason ticket sales remain brisk.
 
2025 Catamount Football Preseason Practice Schedule:
Tues., Aug. 12 – No Practice (Off Day – Film)
Wed., Aug. 13 – Practice #12 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Thurs., Aug. 14 – Practice #13 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Fri., Aug. 15 – Practice #14 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (helmets only)
Fri., Aug. 15 – WCU Freshman Student Convocation
Sat., Aug. 16 – Practice #15 – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (scrimmage, full – student day)
Sun., Aug 17 – Athletics Welcome Back Event at Catamount Soccer – 12:30 pm
Sun. Aug. 17 – Catamount Football Team Building Event – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Mon., Aug. 18 – First Day of Classes at WCU – No Practice (Off-Day)
Tues., Aug. 19 – Begins in-season practice schedule – 4:30 pm
 
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:
Thurs., Aug. 14 – Catamount Football Ladies Night – Whitmire Stadium – 5 p.m.
Thurs., Aug. 14 – Catamount Soccer vs. Appalachian State  (Season Opener, E+) – 6 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 17 – Catamount Soccer vs. High Point – 1 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 22 – Catamount Volleyball vs. UNC Pembroke (Exhibition) – 6 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 30 – Catamount Football vs. Gardner-Webb – 6 p.m. (Postgame Fireworks)
Sun., Aug. 31 – Catamount Soccer vs. Tennessee (First Bank Beach Night) – 6 p.m.
Tues., Sept. 9 – Catamount Volleyball vs. UNC Asheville (First Bank Beach Night) – 6 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 12 – The Bob Waters Memorial Golf Tournament – Sequoyah National in Cherokee, N.C.
Sat., Sept. 13 – Catamount Football vs. Elon – 2:30 p.m. (White Out Whitmire! Wear White!)