Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina's "Catamount Coaches Show" returns on Monday (Aug. 17) evening as the Catamount Sports Network hosts the 2026 Fall Sports Preview Show, presented by Stanberry Insurance, live on location at Catamount Jaxe (114 Market St., Cullowhee).
 
Fans are encouraged to visit Catamount Jaxe to take part in the coaches' show live on location as a part of the in-person audience. Each of WCU's four fall sport coaches will be scheduled guests to discuss the offseason since last fall, summer access, and preseason workouts ahead of the 2026 regular season.

The interactive online show begins at 6 p.m. and airs on the Catamount Athletics Facebook page (fb.com/catamountsports) and its official YouTube channel (youtube.com/@CatamountSports/streams). Fans can write in questions through the comments section during the show.

Two-time Southern Conference Coach of the Year, women's soccer 17-year head coach Chad Miller, will join the show to highlight what has been going on with his squad, including recapping the first two matches of the 2026 regular season. WCU's longest tenured coach, volleyball head coach Karen Glover, joins the show to talk about her 2026 squad, which hits the court for the first time in exhibition action on Friday, Aug. 21.
 
One of the busiest coaches on campus, WCU track & field alum Jesse Norman, who continues to lead the Catamount track & field/cross country teams, joins the show to talk about his distance event runners, including a women's side who recorded their best Southern Conference team finish since 2003 last fall.
 
Catamount sixth-year head football coach Kerwin Bell will also be on location for the 2026 preview show. Topics range from spring ball, the transfer portal, SoCon Media Day and preseason polls, fall camp, and a preview of the 2026 season.
 
Set to host the "Catamount Football Weekly" show each Monday night for a second season, Catamount Jaxe & Social House features a rustic cabin-inspired space that includes axe throwing lanes and a welcoming and cozy social hub and patio for unwinding and gathering with friends.
 
"Catamount Football Weekly" with head coach Kerwin Bell begins on Monday, Aug. 24.
 
This coming week, the Catamount women's soccer team hits the road for matches at Appalachian State (Aug. 20) and Tennessee (Aug. 23), with WCU volleyball hosting Anderson University in its lone exhibition action on Friday, Aug. 21, with a 6 p.m. start on Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center. Cross country opens its 2026 season in nearby Bryson City at the "Duel in the Valley," squaring off against mountain-rival UNC Asheville.
 
Catamount football looks to 'Blackout Whitmire' to open the 2026 season under the new lights against Eastern Kentucky, with a 7 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Aug. 29. In addition to the first 3,500 fans receiving FREE black WCU T-shirts, Catamount Athletics marketing will pass out 4,000 Blackout thunder sticks, courtesy of The Everson. Before the game, one of the best FCS football traditions returns as we celebrate the 15th Annual Freshmen Run, as WCU's Class of 2030 runs through the pregame tunnel to lead out the Catamount football team.
 
Also highlighting the jam-packed home opener, Catamount Athletics and Vannoy Construction present a special drone light show, produced by SkyElements, that will light up the western North Carolina sky as part of the festivities. The home-opener is presented by Ingles and media partners Kiss Country and Star 104.3.
 
Catamount Nation is encouraged to wear their black WCU gear to the game, and the team will wear its new all-black Nike 'Night Cat' uniform.

Both season and single-game tickets and gameday parking for all six home dates in #CatamountCountry are on sale now through the Catamount Athletics ticket office on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, by phone at (828) 227-2401, and 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.