The Western Carolina Catamounts are the intercollegiate athletics teams that represent Western Carolina University. The Catamounts compete in the NCAA Division I as members of the Southern Conference. Western Carolina fields 16 varsity sports teams. The men's and women's teams are called the Catamounts.
Nickname
The nickname Catamount derives from The nickname evolved from a contest that was held on campus in 1933. The school was called Western Carolina Teachers College at that time and its teams were known as "the Teachers". Everyone on campus was invited to participate, and the usual names were suggested: Bears, Indians, Panthers. However, the college wanted an unusual name; a name that few others had and that everyone would not copy. The contest came down to Mountain Boomers, a small ground squirrel that scampers about the woods and is extremely difficult to catch, and Catamounts. Catamounts was the favorite of head football coach C.C. Poindexter and was the nickname chosen. Poindexter wanted his players to be Catamounts with "fierce spirit, savage attacks, and lightning quick moves." Paws the Catamount is the official mascot of Western Carolina University. He appears at numerous events and functions across western North Carolina.
Western Carolina is the only football-playing school in the United States that uses the nickname Catamounts. The University of Vermont is the only other school with the moniker.
Sports sponsored
A member of the Southern Conference, Western Carolina sponsors teams in 6 men's and 8 women's NCAA sanctioned sports:
Baseball
Head Coach: Alan Beck
Stadium: Ronnie G. Childress Field at Hennon Stadium
Southern Conference Championships: 23 (13 regular season; 10 tournament) NCAA Tournament Appearances: 12 (14–24 overall record) MLB Alumni: 10
The Catamounts baseball team has reached the NCAA tournament 12 times, including five straight years from 1985–1989, three straight years from 1992–1994, and four other times in 1997, 2003, 2007, and 2016. They have made it to the Regional Finals three times in 1992, 2003, and 2007.
Men's Basketball
Head Coach: Justin Gray
Arena: Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center
Southern Conference Championships: 1 (1996) Southern Conference Division Titles: 3 (South, 1996; co-North, 2009 & 2011) NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1 (1996) NBA Alumni: 5
The Catamounts men's basketball team reached the NCAA tournament in 1996, where they dropped their only game against No.1 seed Purdue, 73–71. Western Carolina nearly became the first No.16 seed to beat a No.1 seed in the NCAA tournament, missing two shots in the final 11 seconds to tie the game.
Women's Basketball
Head Coach: Kiley Hill
Arena: Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center
Southern Conference Championships: 2 (2005, 2009) NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2 (2005, 2009)
The Catamounts women's basketball team reached the NCAA tournament in 2005 and again in 2009 under the leadership of Kellie Harper, who went on to be the head coach for N.C. State and Tennessee. Western Carolina played West Chester in the first women's basketball national title game in 1969, dropping the game 65–39 to top seed and host West Chester.
Football
Head Coach: Kerwin Bell
Stadium: Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium
FCS Playoff Appearances: 1 (1983) Playoff Record: 3–1 National Championship Appearances: 1 (1983) NFL Alumni: 15
The Catamounts football team made it to the Division I-AA championship game in 1983, falling to No. 1 seed Southern Illinois. On their way to the championship, Western Carolina upset No. 2 seed Holy Cross and No. 3 seed Furman.
Southern Conference Championships
Baseball
Regular Season: 13 (1981, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2013, 2014)
Tournament: 10 (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2003, 2016)
Men's Basketball
Division: 3 (South, 1996; co-North, 2009 & 2011)
Tournament: 1 (1996)
Women's Basketball
Tournament: 2 (2005, 2009)
Softball
Regular Season: 1 (2006)
Volleyball
Regular Season: 4 (1983, 1985, 1986, 1989)
Tournament: 3 (1983, 1985, 1986)
Women's Soccer
Regular Season: 1 (2001)
Tournament: 2 (2005, 2009)