Cullowhee, N.C. – Entering the final weekend of the offseason, Western Carolina revs up its preparations for the 2025 season next week as game preparation for the home-opener against Gardner-Webb hits high gear.
 
After moving both Thursday and Friday's scheduled afternoon practices to the early morning hours to avoid any potential pop-up thunderstorms and lightning, the Catamounts prep for their 20th preseason practice on Saturday morning before taking Sunday off, entering game week. The team installed much of the game plan this week and will heighten its focus on Monday.
 
Throughout the season, Monday is typically the squad's off-day. However, with being idle on Sunday, the team will hold its normal seventh-day practice on Monday evening following the debut of "Catamount Football Weekly with head coach Kerwin Bell," presented by Stanberry Insurance, live on location at Catamount Jaxe across from the Ramsey Center. The weekly coach's show airs on the official WCU Athletics Facebook page (fb.com/catamountsports) and the department's YouTube channel (youtube.com/catamountsports).
 
A reminder that WCU's football practices throughout the 2025 season are open to the public, unless otherwise noted. It is respectfully requested, however, that spectators observe from the stadium seating area and refrain from being on the field or the sidelines for safety reasons. 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.
 
Also coming up on Monday, the preliminary projected two-deep should be unveiled, with the understanding that it is subject to change between its initial release and game day on Saturday evening.
 
Ranked 19th in the AFCA Coaches poll and 18th in the preseason Stats Perform FCS Top 25, Western Carolina opens the 2025 season at home in a pre-Labor Day meeting with in-state foe, Gardner-Webb, under the lights at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field in Cullowhee on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m. as part of First Bank's First Weekend. It's WCU's first home night game since 2019, and the first time the Catamounts have opened a season at home since 2021 – Kerwin Bell's first season at the helm.
 
Following Saturday night's meeting with Gardner-Webb as part of First Bank First Weekend, the western North Carolina sky will be illuminated by fireworks, presented by First Bank, Ingles, 99.9 Kiss Country, and Star 104.3.
 
Last playing in 2021 and most recently meeting in Cullowhee back in 2019, the Catamounts lead the all-time series with the Runnin' Bulldogs, 6-5, but look to put the clamps on a two-game losing skid. Gardner-Webb escaped Cullowhee with a 24-21 victory back in 2019 as Kurt Everett nailed a 33-yard field goal as time expired to cap a game-winning 16-play drive. Most recently in 2021, the Runnin' Bulldogs scored the game's final 28 points to erase a 34-24 WCU lead midway through the third quarter for the 52-34 victory at Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs. The Catamounts lost three fumbles and tossed two interceptions as the turnovers proved costly in the defeat.
 
WCU's season opener will air on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) and will also be broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network with the Pepsi Pregame Show airing at 5 p.m. Fans across Western North Carolina can hear the broadcast locally on five CSN affiliate frequencies: in Sylva, 105.7 FM and 540 AM WRGC "The River" (wrgc.com); 104.9 FM and 1050 AM WFSC in Franklin (1050wfsc.com); WISE Sports Radio, 1310 AM in Asheville (wisesportsradio.com); and free through live streaming audio online at CatamountSports.com.
 
Both season and single-game tickets for the six 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. A reminder that game day parking is $15 in advance and $20 on game days.
 
With the construction ongoing for the Western Skybox, the usual Stadium Parking lot is offline this season. The Catamount Club has reserved parking in the Creek Lot, Fieldhouse Lot, Stadium Lot, and Camp Festival. Be reminded that patrons should park in their designated numbered spot ONLY.
 
Public parking is available in the North Baseball Parking Deck (NO tailgating allowed) and South Baseball Lots, HF Robinson Admin Building, and various other lots across campus. Student groups who have reserved space have tailgating opportunities in the Bardo Arts Center Lots. Remember that alcohol at tailgating is allowed three and a half hours before the announced kickoff time and glass bottles are prohibited.
 
Be on the lookout for the debut of the "Top 10 Things to Know Before You Go" video highlight and accompanying website story by the middle of next week, as well.
 
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).