Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina football returns home Saturday night for its Southern Conference home opener, welcoming nationally ranked Tennessee Tech and Catamount Football Alumni back to E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field as part of a special weekend in #CatamountCountry.
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:02 p.m. as the Catamounts look to rebound from last week's road setback at ETSU, while the No. 8/9 Golden Eagles enter the contest unbeaten in Southern Conference play after escaping Spartanburg, S.C., with a late score at Wofford last weekend.
 
Saturday's matchup 'under the lights' features the highest-ranked opponent to visit Cullowhee since No. 4 Furman came to town in 2023, as the Catamounts and Golden Eagles square off in a critical early-season SoCon showdown. Tennessee Tech also makes its first trip to Cullowhee since 2000 and its first appearance at E.J. Whitmire Stadium as a league member.
 
The game will be broadcast across the Nexstar family of stations as part of the Ingles SoCon Game of the Week television package, with a simulcast available on ESPN+ (subscription required).
 
Clearances for Saturday's game include Local 62 WYCW-TV across Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, S.C., and Asheville; WCCB (18.1; Ch. 18 on DirecTV and Dish; Ch. 11 and 1212 on Spectrum) in Charlotte, N.C.; WUXP (MyTV30) in Nashville, Tenn.; WTTO (The 205; Ch. 28) in Birmingham, Ala.; EFLI (The CW Chattanooga; Ch. 53) in Chattanooga, Tenn.; and WCIV (MyNetworkTV, Ch. 36) in Charleston, S.C.
 
Live audio coverage on the Catamount Sports Network begins at 5 p.m. with the Pepsi Tailgate Show across five affiliates and six frequencies, with streaming audio available at CatamountSports.com.
 

---

Here are the "Things You Need to Know Before You Go" ahead of Saturday's Alumni Weekend game against Tennessee Tech.
 
Catamount Gameday Timeline Basics (Sat., Oct. 3 - vs. Tennessee Tech)

• All on-campus parking lots open at 8 a.m.
• Grattan Family Gate (formerly Gate 1) Ticket Booth opens at 10 a.m. for ticket sales and Will Call pickup
• Tailgating officially begins at 2:30 p.m. (when alcohol consumption is permitted)
  • 3.5 hours ahead of kickoff, according to University Policy 103
• Ticket Booths at Gates 2, 3, & 4 all open at 3 p.m.
• On-campus pregame "CatWalk" for the football team begins at 3:35 p.m.
• Stadium Gates open for all admission at 4:30 p.m., 90 minutes before kickoff
  • WCU Students – note that Gate 2 is now the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band entrance; Western Carolina students should enter at Gate 3
• The Catamount "Spirit March" to the stadium begins at 5:10 p.m.
• Kickoff is at 6:02 p.m. on ESPN+ and the Catamount Sports Network (5 p.m. airtime)

Saturday, Oct. 3 – Game Day Promotions:  

• Football Alumni Weekend – A day after honoring the memory and legacy of all-time winningest head coach Bob Waters with the Bob Waters Memorial Golf Tournament in Cherokee, Western Carolina welcomes home former players and staff to #CatamountCountry on Saturday for alumni weekend. 
• Game Sponsor – Depot Pizza by Foragers Canteen

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, Big Cat Lot, Creek Lot, Belk Lot, and Ramsey Lot. 
- A reminder to please park within the numbered spot designated by the parking pass. 
 
Student Tailgate Lot: Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center (tailgating spots must be reserved by student groups; the tailgate lots open at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday) 
 
Additional Game Day Parking Information:

• Parking lots on campus open for entry at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 … 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, Oct. 3, that time is 2:30 p.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 credentials 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; 

 Additional Game Day Parking Information:

• Parking lots on campus open for entry at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 … 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, Oct. 3, that time is 11:30 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;

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
 
Please be reminded that umbrellas are NOT permitted within the stadium per policy.
 
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.
 
 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 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. to qualifying Catamount Club members; 
• Paws Porch & Champion Credit Union Corner (requires a game ticket and appropriate credential): Located on the patio of the Jordan Phillips Field House; doors open at 4:30 p.m. when stadium gates open.

ON GAME DAY: 

• WCU Athletic Ticket Office: (828) 227-2401 – phone lines open at 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. for ticket information and phone orders ONLY – NO WALK-UP SALES through the Ramsey Center Ticket Office; 
• Grattan Family Gate (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 3 p.m. at Gates 2, 3, and 4; 
• All stadium gates open to the public at 4:30 p.m. ... Gate 6 for Player Pass also opens at 4:30 p.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 the ticket booth at the Grattan Family Gate (formerly Gate 1); however, fans can receive Will Call at any entrance gate ticket booth; 
• 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 4:30 p.m. when the stadium gates are open; 
• Visiting Team Will Call is at Gate 5 on the upper level of the East Side stands;
• Football Recruits: go to Gate 6 starting at 2:15 p.m. as well as all other recruits. 
• 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 $38 Youth (Ages 3-12) $28 – Sections DD, JJ, KK, LL; 
• Bench Back Reserved: Adult $33, Youth (Ages 3-12) $23 Sections JJ, MM 
• Bleacher Reserved: Adult $33, Youth (Ages 3-12) $23 Sections D, E, F, J, K, L, M, N
• 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 $5 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 Catamount Store will have merchandise stands on both the east (behind Section GG near Gate 4) and west side (main concourse) of the stadium for the purchase of Catamount merchandise;
• The Catamount Store will also have a stand outside Gate 6 on game days;
• 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 books.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 West Side (press box), please consider entering the stadium on the West Side, and vice versa for those with tickets on the East Side;
• Be sure to enjoy a variety of traditional stadium fare at the Catamount Dining concessions stands, proudly serving ice-cold Pepsi products, Cherokee Canned Water, and Gatorade – or other vendors include:
  • East Side – Wood Fire Grill, Zaxby's, Chubby Chicks, Appalachian Snow, Sunset Slush, Farmhouse Lemonade
  • West side – Bens Backdraft BBQ, J&K Lemonade, Kona Ice, Bojangles, Glazed & Infused
• 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 and west concourses 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.