Western Carolina University

Mike Taylor returned to his alma mater at Western Carolina University in the spring of 2001 after a five-year absence.

The Raleigh, N.C., native's first full-time stay on WCU's staff was for five seasons from 1991-95, also serving as the athletics equipment manager.

A member of the national Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA), Taylor's numerous duties include purchasing; fitting; maintenance; administration and organization; management; professional relations and education; accountability; overseeing the laundry operation; coordinating field setup for games and practices; and supervising the student assistant managers.

Taylor's ties to Western Carolina extend further. He was the football sideline reporter for the Catamount Sports Network, while working as store manager at Sylva's Four Seasons Sports. Taylor was also a student manager for four years, including one year (1990) as head student manager.

Between his time at WCU, Taylor was the football equipment manager at Arizona State University from 1995-96.