One month out from its 2024 season-opener in the state capitol against ACC-foe NC State, the Western Carolina football team reported to campus on Monday (July 29) to open preparations for its upcoming 12-game schedule. The first team practice is scheduled for Tuesday (July 30) at 8:30 a.m. on the turf of Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium.
Though much of the squad has spent a good bit of the summer in Cullowhee with conditioning and player-led workouts, the football team officially reported for the first team function at 10 a.m. Monday. The report day schedule includes move-in and meetings with academics, compliance, sports performance, the athletic equipment staff, and other campus entities in the Ramsey Center.
The Catamounts open their preseason fall camp with the first of two helmet-only practices in the NCAA-mandated acclimation period on Tuesday and Wednesday. Most practices through the preseason are slated from 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with four off days – Aug. 4, Aug. 8, Aug. 15, and Aug. 18 – before classes start on Monday, Aug. 19. Following morning practice sessions, each afternoon during camp includes team, unit, and position meetings, as well as work in the weight room with WCU's Sports Performance staff.
Each of WCU's preseason football practices is open to the public. It is respectfully requested that spectators observe from the stadium seating area and avoid being either on the field or the sidelines for safety. Practice times are subject to change.
Led by the Southern Conference’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year QB Cole Gonzales, 10 Catamounts landed on the league’s preseason all-conference teams coming out of last week’s SoCon Football Media Day. WCU was also pegged third in the preseason coaches’ poll while also carrying preseason rankings of No. 16 by HERO Sports and No. 23 by Craig Haley of Stats Perform and The Analyst.
Under fourth-year head coach Kerwin Bell and new coordinators – Rylan Wells on offense and Jerry Odom on defense – the Catamounts return 14 starters from a season ago and 42 letter winners that saw action in the seven-win 2023 season. Over 43 percent of WCU’s offensive touchdowns return with over 44 percent of the total offense back. On defense, nearly 44 percent of the team’s tackles including 68 percent of the squad’s tackles for loss are back return with eight of WCU’s 10 interceptions from a year ago back in the lineup for 2024.
Western Carolina plans a season-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of E.J. Whitmire Stadium, presented by First Bank. The stadium opened for its first game in 1974. To help commemorate, Catamount Athletics welcomes home all former football student-athletes, coaches, and support staff such as managers and athletic trainers for the home opener on Sat., Sept. 7. Former Catamount football players should contact the WCU Athletics Ticket Office for more information on attending.
Season tickets for Western Carolina's 2024 five-game 2024home schedule are on sale now through the WCU Athletics Ticket Office by phone at (828) 227-2401 and in person through the box office on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, or online at CatamountSports.com. Ticket options include general admission, reserved bleacher bench, and chairback seats, with a Family Zone four-pack in Section FF. A $10 transaction fee will be charged for all season ticket orders including credit card, cash, and check. Single-game ticket and game day parking sales for the home-opening "White Out Whitmire" game against instate foe Campbell on Sat., Sept. 7, are also on sale now through the WCU Athletics Ticket Office. Individual game ticket sales and parking for the remaining four home dates begin on Aug. 1. Parking for the 2024 season is $15 in advance and $20 on game day.
Western Carolina led the Southern Conference – and ranked 15th nationally in the NCAA FCS – in average home attendance in 2023 with 11,935 fans at home games – roughly 87 percent capacity of the stadium. Since 2014, WCU has ranked among the Top 30 nationally in home attendance nine times including six among the Top 25. WCU has also been inside the top four in the SoCon in average attendance nine times, pacing the league three times – 2017, 2018, and 2023.
2024 Catamount Football Preseason Practice Schedule:
Mon., July 29 – Football Preseason Camp Report Day
Tues., July 30 – Practice #1 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (helmets only)
Wed., July 31 – Practice #2 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (helmets only)
Thurs., Aug. 1 – Practice #3 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Thurs., Aug. 1 – Remaining single-game football tickets go on sale, 9:00 a.m.
Fri., Aug. 2 – Practice #4 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Sat., Aug. 3 – Practice #5 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Sun., Aug. 4 – No Practice (Off Day)
Mon., Aug. 5 – Practice #6 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Tues., Aug. 6 – Practice #7 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Wed., Aug. 7 – Practice #8 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Thurs., Aug. 8 – No Practice (Off Day)
Fri., Aug. 9 – Practice #9 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Sun., Aug. 11 – Team Photo Day, 2 pm; Practice #11 – 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm (helmets)
Mon., Aug. 12 – Practice #12 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Tues., Aug. 13 – Practice #13 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Wed., Aug. 14 – Practice #14 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Thurs., Aug. 15 – No Practice (Off Day)
Fri., Aug. 16 – Practice #15 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (helmets)
Sun., Aug. 18 – No Practice – Team Building
Mon., Aug. 19 – First Day of Fall Classes at WCU
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