Cat's pause : the official quarterly newsletter of the Western Carolina University Catamount Club

              The Official Quarterly Newsleter of the Western Carolina University Catamount Club Cat’s
All Sports Reunion
WCU Athletics is calling all former Catamount players, coaches,
and trainers to return this fall
Head Football Coach Mark Speir
More in depth look at the new catamount head coach
and coaching staff
Student-Athlete Spotlights
A look at student-athletes competing this fall from all sports
WCU Football
Catamounts unveil new helmets for 2012
Summer 2012 – Volume VI
On Wednesday, Dec. 14, Randy Eaton
was named the new director of athletics at
Western Carolina University.
Eaton had been senior associate director of
athletics at the University of Maryland and
the athletics department’s chief financial
officer since June 2008. He joined the
Terrapin athletics program in 2003 as
associate director in charge of business
operations. At Maryland, he was the No. 2
administrator in the athletics department
and oversaw a $60 million annual operating
budget. He served as interim director in
2010 and had recently assumed additional
responsibility for new revenues, facilities
and operations.
He also has held positions at the University
of Houston, Texas A&M University-Corpus
Christi, East Tennessee State University, Ohio
State University, the University of Texas at
San Antonio and with the Ohio Glory team of
World League Football.
“When I talked with the members of the
search committee in December, I asked
them to find someone who is a true leader –
someone who has the capacity to hire, retain
and mentor excellent coaches, assistant
coaches and other athletics staff,” Chancellor
David O. Belcher said. “I charged them with
identifying a director of athletics candidate
who shares Western Carolina University’s
core values of excellence, student success
and external focus. I am extremely pleased
that the committee has found just that
person in Randy Eaton.”
“What impresses me most about Randy is
his unwavering commitment to the student-athlete
and the fact that he understands that
the word ‘student’ is the most important part
of that hyphenated term,” Belcher affirms.
“He is totally committed to the concept
that these young people who come to our
university are students first and athletes
second. That’s not to say that Randy does not
want success on the fields and courts of play,
because he shares the same expectations
of excellence that I have for all of our sports
teams. He has a passion for winning and for
a New Direction
Randy Eaton | Director of Athletics
4
21
10
18
CONTENTS
Student Profiles. . .4
Student-Athlete Spotlight. . .9
Catamount Football. . 10
Donor Profile . 18
All Sports Reunion.  .   .   .   .   .   . . 19
Endowed Scholarship. . 20
SAAC Corner . 21
Employee Spotlight. . 21
Membership Corner. . 22
TABLE OF
winning
the right way. But he also understands the
role that athletics plays in the university and
that it is not a standalone entity apart from
the academy.”
Eaton also has strong skills in fiscal
management and developing athletics
program budgets, which will serve WCU well
during times of financial constraints, Belcher
expresses that. “His strengths will allow him
to construct a strategically designed budget,
manage our resources very carefully and
guide the development of new resources
through fundraising, increased ticket sales and
additional corporate sponsorships,” Belcher
continues to say. “He is extremely well-versed
in NCAA compliance and issues of gender
equity and has substantial experience in
strategic planning. Perhaps best of all, Randy
is a great human being with a wonderful
personality, and I believe he makes a great
addition to our Catamount family.”
Eaton’s career includes nearly seven years as
part of the athletics department administration
at East Tennessee State University, a former
member of the Southern Conference, the
intercollegiate conference in which
WCU competes.
Eaton said he possesses an overarching desire
to “win every game, graduate every student-athlete
and do it all with class” that helps him
maintain a focus on who is most important –
the student-athletes. “Additionally, I believe my
years of varied experience within intercollegiate
athletics have prepared me for this opportunity
and will serve both myself and the entire
athletics program well,” he mentions. “I would
also like to think my straightforwardness and
outgoing nature will benefit me in leading this
department. I told people during my interview,
‘what you see is what you get,’ and I meant it.”
“Eaton was selected from among approximately
75 potential candidates for the position,”
states Shea Browning, WCU associate general
counsel and chair of the athletics director
search committee. Seven candidates were
interviewed by the search committee offsite
in Asheville.
RAs CAiTAsMOUeNTS
2 | CAT’S PAUSE
“The number of well-qualified candidates in the
pool is a testament to how Western Carolina
University is viewed beyond these mountains,”
Browning confirms. “I am extremely excited
with the selection and hiring of Randy Eaton. I
believe his expertise and experience will carry
the department of athletics to new heights. I
also applaud the effort and the hard work of the
search committee. Our task of selecting
two finalists from a very strong applicant
pool to recommend to Chancellor Belcher
was a daunting one, especially given our
time constraints.”
After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Eaton earned
his bachelor’s degree in business administration
from the University of Texas at San Antonio
in 1990 and his master’s degree in sports
administration from Ohio State in 1992. He and
his wife, Jeannette, are parents of one daughter,
Alex, who is working in athletics administration
at Maryland.
Eaton’s boss at Maryland praised WCU for
its decision. “He will do a great job as director
of athletics,” affirms Kevin Anderson, director
of athletics at Maryland. “In Randy, you get
someone with both expertise in college
athletics and a person who really cares about
the student-athletes.”
Deborah A. Yow, director of athletics at North
Carolina State University, worked with Eaton
when Yow was director of athletics at Maryland
and called him “a high-energy and results-oriented
professional held in high esteem by
his peers.”
James Franklin, head football coach at
Vanderbilt University, worked with Eaton
when Franklin was assistant head coach
and quarterbacks coach at Maryland and
characterized Eaton as “a first-class guy with
tremendous experience.”
“He is one of those I’ve worked with in
college athletics who gets it,” Franklin said.
“He understands college athletics, revenue
and nonrevenue sports and how to make them
coexist. He is a guy who will represent the
athletics department and the university
very well.”
What was it about Western Carolina University that initially grabbed your
attention to pursue this position?
It would have to be my previous experience within the Southern Conference, and the knowledge
that I have of Western Carolina as an institution. I have had the opportunity to be here in
Cullowhee several times while working at East Tennessee State.
What previous knowledge are you bringing with you to make WCU Athletics
more sucessful?
Not only will my knowledge of intercollegiate athletics itself bring success to our programs, but
my background in finance within intercollegiate athletics will be a huge part of what I can do
for WCU. I will put that to use to strengthen the program as a whole.
What goals are you hoping to acomplish this year?
This year, I will learn the processes currently in place here within the athletics department. I
may begin to tweak some things to better prepare the department for the future. I also plan to
get out in the community and meet every current active member as well as past supporters of
the Catamount Club between now and the end of the year.
In the next thre years?
I plan to have all of our programs in a position to compete for conference championships.
Also, we will continually increase graduation rates of our student-athletes.
In the next five years?
I want to consistently win the Southern Conference Commissioner’s Cup as well as its
Germann Cup. The Southern Conference annually awards the Commissioner’s Cup and
Germann Cup to the top men’s and women’s program in the league based on a points system.
If you could describe yourself in thre sentences to our student-athletes,
what would you say?
I would tell them that my number one priority is their academic success. And that I am
approachable and available for anything that they could want to talk about. I would say, “I am
here because of YOU. I work for you.”
If you could describe yourself to our community and supporters?
First of all, thank you for the support that you have shown to our student-athletes, our athletic
program and our university in the past. I am warning you that you want to be a part of us
NOW. Very soon, we are going to be very good, and a good seat at the table will be hard to
come by. We’re going to have fun here at Western Carolina, and we are going to represent this
university the way that they want and expect us to represent them.
Finish this sentence: “I am excited about …”
I am really excited about the future here at Western Carolina. We are going to give everybody
something to be excited about. And the prospect of that fires me up.
Q&Awith Dicertor of Athletics Randy Eaton
SUMMER 2012 | 3
In this edition of Cat’s Pause, we have chosen a
student-athlete to represent each of the 4 fall
sports. Please join us this fall in supporting
Catamount Athletics. Go Cats!
RAs CAiTAsMOUeNTS
4 | CAT’S PAUSE
Hometown: Brevard, N.C
High School: Brevard High School
In the Classroom: Lance has maintained
a 3.4 GPA while majoring in Recreational
Therapy with a minor in Pre-Physical
Therapy. This Dean’s List student-athlete
continuously shows up on the seasonal
academic teams for the conference.
Why did you choose WCU: “I received
other good offers from other institutions, but
WCU is special! I love the campus. I love the
people. I love the team. I love everything!
On my visit it seemed like a big family when
I was meeting all of my future teammates,
and that really drove me to commit to this
program. There is also a really good education
department at WCU, accompanied with the
overall atmosphere of the staff and students,
there was no way that I could say no!”
Kaylan Lance
CROSS COUNTRY and MIDDLE-DISTANCE RUNNER
How do you fel about your team:
“I love my team. We are the one team where
I think we really all qualify to be a big family.
There are girls, guys, assistant coaches that are
like relatives, and we all have our dad Dubz
(Coach Danny Williamson). We all compete
with one another, nap on bus rides with one
another, fight with one another, everything
we do makes us all feel like a family! Even at
conference championships, the guys’ or girls’
points don’t count for each other at the end
of the meet. Even though they don’t, we are
still rooting for each other, not just because
we want to win, but also because we want to
see our brother or sister succeed in life. Dubz
is really a father figure for all of us. He keeps
it professional, but he truly cares for us. He
cares about our life more than anything. He
checks on us with our success in the classroom
just as much as he does on the track.”
Best Story: “One of the funniest things that
we’ve done as a team is have ‘van wars’. We
take vans to meets a lot, and obviously we take
multiple vans since there are so many of us.
One day we were coming back from a meet
that was far away, and we decided to kind of
do charades. It started with us writing on the
window with dry erase markers and then we
all drew mustaches and put our faces up to the
side so it looked like we had mustaches. It even
made the coaches laugh! Then it escalated to
us acting out charades as an entire van as we
would pass by each other on the drive back. It
was one of the best memories of my career!”
Future Plans: “Upon graduating with a
degree in Recreational Therapy, I plan to get my
master’s degree in Physical Therapy.”
SUMMER 2012 | 5
Position: Linebacker
Hometown: Howell, Michigan
High School: Howell High School
High School Awards: All-KLAA (Kensington
Lakes Athletic Association) honors, All-County
and team defensive MVP as a senior
In the classroom: As a finance major, Rock
has earned a 3.7 GPA. In addition, he has made
the Dean’s List, was a part of the Southern
Conference Academic Honor Roll in 2009-2011
and named to the 2010 & 2011 Southern
Conference Fall Academic All-Conference team.
On the field: Entering the 2012-2013
season as a starting linebacker… played in at
least 10 games since freshman year… started
all 10 games the 2011-2012 season… led the
Catamounts and was third in the conference
with a career-high of 115 tackles… tallied
double-digit tackles six times… career-high
Rock Williams
FOOTBAL
of 19 tackles, eight of which were solo stops
against Elon University (Earning the WCU
defensive player of the game)… in 2010, ranked
eighth in SoCon with 66 tackles and third on the
team... 2012 preseason All-Southern Conference
2nd Team choice
Campus Involvement: Director of External
Operations of the athletic departments Student-
Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for the
2012-2013 school year… director of the
SAAC’s Facebook task force for 2011-2012
school year… volunteered throughout campus,
including “Whee Think Pink” breast cancer
initiative for SAAC that generated over $4,000
to be donated for breast cancer research this
past school year
What does Rock have to say: “Coming
out of high school I thought it would be a pretty
cool opportunity to play in the SoCon. When
visiting schools, I really liked WCU for its people,
coaches, and the location of the school. There
really wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the
school so I wanted to come here. Once I came
to WCU all of my thoughts were manifested into
reality! I have had a lot of great teammates over
my four years at WCU. There are quite a few I
will always keep in touch with. I will always be
there for them and I know they will always be
there for me, and that’s what I love about being
here! Along with my teammates I feel that the
Catamount Club donors are a part of that family
as well. With that I would like to thank them
for their financial support of my teammates
and myself. Also for being there on the sideline
watching practice. Watching our games, and just
for their overall support. Thank you again and
we will do all we can this season to make you
all proud!”
Future Plans: Upon graduation, Rock plans
to find a job that he really enjoys and start
a family as he remains a loyal fan of the
Catamount nation.
6 | CAT’S PAUSE
Position: Forward
Hometown: Robbinsville, New Jersey
High School: Robbinsville High School
high School Awards: Named All-CVC
conference all three seasons…earned first team
CVC as a senior… named NSCAA HS All-Region
and Trentonian Soccer Player of the Year.
In the classroom: Laura majors in Health
and Physical Education and has a 3.7 GPA.
She has made the Dean’s List… every year she
has been on the seasonal conference academic
teams… has never dropped below a semester
GPA of 3.3.
On the field: Has played in 10 games during
freshmen season… started all games in past 2
seasons (39 games)… ending the 2011-2012
seasons, she had 7 goals, 7 assist, and 21
points… had a shot percentage of .086... ranked
second on the team in points in 2011.
Laura Greb
SOCER
Fun fact: “I am probably the most
superstitious person on the team. I always
have to where the same thing every game.
I have to tie my shoes the same way, wear the
same undergarments; I have to tape myself
the same way… It’s a routine I have to do
before every game!”
Greb 2012 Season Outlook: “This year
I feel the most confident about my team out of
my four years being here. We only graduated
two seniors last year, and we are bringing in five
freshmen along with one transfer. I am confident
that we will do really well this year with the
mindset we all are coming in with, ranging from
the players all the way up to the coaches. The
confidence we have as a team is better than it
has been before, which has me very interested
for this season. I expect to have a really good run
this year!”
Future Plans: “I plan to graduate in
the spring of 2013 with a degree in Health
and Physical Education. Immediately upon
graduation, I hope to start on a master’s degree,
while working as a graduate assistant with the
soccer team or in the P.E. department. I would
like to be a coach one day, so it would be good
for me to start seeing the other side as a coach
and learn things from a coaching perspective.”
SUMMER 2012 | 7
Position: Middle Blocker
Hometown: Aberdeen, North Carolina
High School: Pinecrest High School
high School Awards: Named the 2010
Southeastern Conference Player of the Year…
selected to the All-Southeastern Conference
team both her Junior and Senior seasons.
Other Sports: Soccer and Basketball
In the Classroom: Graduated high school
early and enrolled at WCU in the spring of
2011. George is a Pre-Nursing major, currently
sitting at a cumulative GPA of 3.71. She is
very proud to say, “I have been on the Dean’s
list every single semester that I have been
in college!” She has been on the seasonal
conference academic teams every semester.
Addy George
VOLEYBAL
Why WCU? “The campus here at WCU is
beautiful! I love the mountains, so for me to
have the opportunity to attend a university that
is in the mountains was great for me. Western
has the academic programs that I am interested
in to help me make it in the medical field. I am
also really eager to be a part of rebuilding the
volleyball program here at WCU!”
How do you fel about your team:
“We are such a young team! I’m excited to see
how we learn and grow together. We did so
well last season that I expect us to continue
to improve and become a top contender in the
conference! I really enjoy spending time with my
teammates. We are each unique and we seem
to complement each other very well both on and
off of the court. They’re my best friends and the
reason I can’t wait to get back to WCU whenever
I am away! We’re very fortunate that Coach
Karen Glover has encouraged us to extend our
comradery beyond the court!”
Personal Message: “I would like to thank
the donors of the Catamount Club for everything
that they do for the volleyball program and
Catamount Athletics as a whole. Volleyball
has served as a catalyst for me to achieve my
academic and ultimately my career goals. I
would like to invite you guys to be a part of the
exciting season we have ahead of us. Go Cats!”
Future: “I plan to continue playing volleyball
while earning my BSN (Bachelor of Science
in Nursing) at WCU. I want to go to graduate
school to become a CRNA (Certified Registered
Nurse Anesthetist).”
8 | CAT’S PAUSE
Redshirt senior women’s soccer player Samantha
Hodge is getting a crash course in creating
publicity campaigns using social media to help
promote herself and the Catamount women’s
soccer program.
In mid-July, Hodge began a blog and a video
series highlighting her hectic schedule and final
season on the Catamount soccer program. A
very driven and outgoing person, Hodge has
provided key insight into the life of a student-athlete
at Western Carolina.
“I can’t wait to share my story and busy life with
others,” Hodge said. “I am hoping this will show
my life as a student-athlete.”
In the video series called “What’s Up with
Samantha,” Hodge gives an inside look into
the ins and outs of Western Carolina women’s
soccer. She incorporates teammates into her
videos, and even did a segment at the Southern
Conference Student-Athlete Leadership Institute
Conference that was held July 20-22. She
also finds different guests to open episodes
of “What’s Up with Samantha.” Viewers of
the series never know who might show up on
Hodge’s video entries.
The blog and video series also will capture
Hodge’s various extracurricular activities
including holding the office of Student-Athlete
Advisory Committee President, Student
Government Association senator, interning
with the Catamount Club and also spending
time tutoring.
The catalyst for Hodge to delve into the
social media explosion came last November
when Hodge, a forward from Louisville, Ky.,
became the first Catamount soccer player in
school history to be named to the Capitol One
Academic All-District III First Team. In the past,
Western Carolina had two players make second
team all-district: Kyla Deon (2002) and Emily
Pierce, twice (2003 and 2005).
The honor was humbling to Hodge, and with
the first team selection she became eligible
for national Academic All-American honors.
When the list came out, and Hodge’s name was
missing, she became determined to do all she
could to be on the list in 2012.
She already has the academic requirements for
the award, with a 3.94 GPA in mathematics
and actuarial science. Hodge just needed to get
her name out there to be noticed for her other
outside activities and work ethic.
She is also pursuing another prestigious award,
the Lowe’s Senior Class Award. The award
focuses on the four C’s: Classroom, Character,
Competition and Community. Hodge possesses all
four in spades.
“The All-American and Lowe’s Senior Class
Award are very prestigious awards,” Hodge
said. “It would be a great honor to achieve
either of them.”
It is an unprecedented move by Western Carolina
to launch a full scale campaign for Hodge and
the use of social media allows for a focused and
directed assault. Hodge’s video series and blogs
are highlighted on Western Carolina’s Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/catamountsports) and
Twitter (https://twitter.com/catamounts) pages as
well as a blog section on catamountsports.com.
Her desire and drive most definitely comes from
her near-fatal bout with Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) after sophomore
season. Hodge always believed if she was faced
with a season-ending injury, she would most
likely give up playing soccer. Given the choice of
running away from these challenges or finding the
fortitude to meet them headlong, Hodge chose
the latter.
Seven knee surgeries – a total of eight surgeries
overall – and a doctor’s prognosis that she might
never play college soccer again had Hodge facing
her worst fear. But instead of backing down and
giving up the sport she grew up playing, Hodge
decided to fight for a chance to play again.
“Doctors had concerns she would never play
again,” said Head Soccer Coach Chad Miller.
“Through her hard work, dedication and never-quit
mentality, she came back in full force and
was a huge asset to the team this past fall.”
Hodge came back with a vengeance in 2011, her
redshirt junior season. She started all 20 games,
leading the Catamounts in goals (5), assists (6)
and points (24). Hodge did all this while learning
a new position on the field.
At the top of Hodge’s list of personal goals is
closing out her senior season on the Catamount
women’s soccer team on a high note. Just below
her goal of success for the team is sharing the ins
and outs of Catamount soccer in her video series,
and if her efforts yield more exposure for the team
and herself, then that can be catalogued as a
successful completion to a stellar career.
Samantha Hodge Uses Social Media to Give Pek into Western Carolina
Women’s Socer
SUMMER 2012 | 9
Mark Speir, who has spent much of his 21-
year coaching career at the NCAA Football
Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, was named
the head football coach at Western Carolina
University as announced by Director of Athletics
Randy Eaton on Dec. 22.
Speir, who got his coaching career start at Western
Carolina from 1991-96 under former Catamount
head coach Steve Hodgin, becomes the 13th head
coach of the WCU football program.
“When I stood at my introductory press conference
in December, I told the Catamount Nation that I
was looking for four main attributes of our next
head football coach: a love for the student-athlete
and an unwavering commitment to student-athlete
success both on and off the field; a track record of
success at the FCS level; pre-existing relationships
with local and regional high school coaches; and
someone who is a `fit’ in the athletics department,
on campus and in the community. I have found all
four in Mark Speir,” Eaton said.
Speir returns to Cullowhee after spending the
past nine seasons at Appalachian State, where
he was a part of three consecutive FCS National
Championships from 2005-07, serving as the
program’s recruiting coordinator since 2004 while
most recently also coaching the inside linebackers.
He also has coached the Mountaineers’ running
backs (2003-04), defensive line (2005-08) and
defensive ends (2009-10).
New Head Football Coach
In 2009, Speir was tabbed as the NCAA
Division I FCS Assistant Coach of the Year by the
American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
The award has been handed out every year since
1997 at the five levels of football including the
NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), FCS,
Division II and III and NAIA levels.
“It’s great to be a Catamount,” Speir began
during his comments at the press conference.
“For former Catamounts, we want you to return.
This is home; this is where you ought to be on
Saturday afternoons. This is a place we all should
be proud of. We are going to be a team that is
sound fundamentally. We are going to take care
of the football and play hard until there is no
time left on the clock. We are going to play with
class and character because we are representing
something a lot bigger than just ourselves. You’ve
heard the phrase ‘It takes a village to raise a
child.’ Well, it takes a ‘Catamount Nation’ to raise
a football team – and we are counting on you.”
Prior to Appalachian, Speir also made coaching
stops at Presbyterian (1997-99) while the Blue
Hose were a NCAA Division II member institution
and at Elon (2000-02) the year after the program
made the transition to a NCAA Division I school.
A native of Kannapolis, Speir broke into coaching
while an undergraduate at Clemson University,
working as a student assistant from 1986 through
1989 and helping the Tigers to three Atlantic
Coast Conference (ACC) championships during
his four years. Following his graduation with a
bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 1990,
Speir landed on Hodgin’s staff in Cullowhee, first
working with the running backs from 1991-93,
then the linebackers in 1994 before coaching
the defensive line and serving as the program’s
recruiting coordinator from 1995-96.
Throughout his collegiate coaching career, Speir
has made a name for himself through the recruiting
process. He has held the title of recruiting
coordinator at three NCAA FCS institutions
(WCU, Elon and ASU), most recently organizing
the efforts that landed Appalachian State six
consecutive crops of freshmen that have been
widely considered to be among the top in NCAA
Division I FCS recruiting classes, which helped the
Mountaineers to three straight national titles.
Off the field, Speir is involved in many charitable
causes. He has raised more than $30,000 to
help rebuild the Memorial Christian Hospital in
Bangladesh by training for and participating in the
2008 Music City Marathon in Nashville, which
he finished in 4:01; the 2009 Boston Marathon,
which he completed in 3:59; and the 2010 Flying
Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. In 2009, he traveled
to Bangladesh to provide much-needed medical
supplies and volunteer at the hospital for 10 days.
Jerry Moore, the head coach at Appalachian State,
praised WCU for its decision. “Western Carolina is
10 | CAT’S PAUSE
What was your initial thought when you learned that the position for
the head football coach at Western Carolina University was open?
I thought, “I would like to have that job!”
What previous knowledge are you bringing with you to make the WCU
football program more sucessful?
Well first of all, I have had six years of experience with Western Carolina football. I was here
for the 1992 season, when we were only one win away from a Southern Conference championship.
I understand the culture, challenges and rewards that Cullowhee brings to life in Western
North Carolina.
What goals are you hoping to acomplish this year?
We will create an atmosphere of competitiveness. We also will create the belief that we can
be special on and off the field.
In the next thre years …
In the next three years I expect to be competing for playoff spots in the FCS, and I also expect to
graduate our football players and develop them into model citizens on and off this campus.
In the next five years …
I want to win this school its first SoCon championship and make a deep run in the playoffs.
I also want to make sure that we are always producing quality individuals who will want to
come back and give back to their university.
If you could describe yourself in thre sentences to your players, what
would you say?
I would tell them that I am a passionate, blue collar, no frills kind of football coach. I am also a
family man with strong Christian values. And lastly, I am a guy who enjoys life! Hakuna matata!
Thre sentences to our community and supporters?
I would like to assure them that I am so excited and honored to be the head football coach at
Western Carolina. I am excited for the opportunity to lead these young men into the next phase
of Catamount football, and I am excited to bring the past traditions into future greatness.
Finish this sentence: I am excited about …
Western Carolina University!
very lucky to get Mark. He is a perfect fit.
He knows Western Carolina and knows it well.
He is a great coach and a better man. He is the
kind of guy whom you would love your son to
go play for.”
Speir was “one of the main reasons I went to
WCU,” said former Catamount football standout
Brad Hoover, who went on to play nine seasons
in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers. “It was
because of the level of Mark Speir’s sincerity
and his positive attitude during my recruitment
experience with him that drew me to commit to
Western Carolina.”
Stacy Searels, the offensive line coach at the
University of Texas, described Speir as a “a self-starter,
a real go-getter and a relentless recruiter
who will do a great job for WCU,” while Daryl
Dickey, the head coach and director of athletics at
the University of West Georgia, characterized him
as “a hard worker who is passionate about and
loves all aspects of the game of football.”
Speir is married to the former Paige Holt of
Pickens, S.C., and the couple has two sons, Zeb
and Jackson.
Q&Awith Head Football Coach Mark Speir
SUMMER 2012 | 11
Post-season honors and awards also were
familiar to Banks. He was named first-team
All-Independent as a return specialist in
2001 and also received-second team All-
Big South Conference plaudits as a wide
receiver and return specialist in 2002. Banks
received player of the week honors both in ’01
(Independent) and twice in ’02 (Big South).
Banks was a heralded defensive back at
Warren County High, where he also ran track
and field. He began his coaching career at his
alma mater at Warren County, taking over as
the program’s head coach in 2005 through
2006, finishing 6-5 before coaching defensive
backs and quarterbacks at Wakefield High in
Raleigh through 2007. In 2008, he pursued
his collegiate coaching at Brevard College.
Banks married the former Latora Pettaway of
Henderson during the summer of 2009, and
the couple had their first child together in
2011. Banks also has a daughter, Shymia.
Trey Elder joined
the Catamount football
coaching staff under
head coach Mark Speir
in January 2012 from
Appalachian State. Elder
will coach the WCU
wide receivers, a position
he held at ASU for two
seasons prior to the move.
“Trey has an up-and-coming offensive mind
in the business as well as a great knowledge
of the game. He has an excellent eye for
the details of the game. Trey will be a great
leader, and he is a man of character on
and off the field. These players are going to
absolutely love him.”
– Coach Speir
Brad Glenn joined
the Western Carolina
University football
coaching staff after
having just completed
his seventh year at
Appalachian State. He will
work with the Catamount
quarterbacks while also
serving as the program’s offensive coordinator.
finishes in 1999 and 2000. He got his start at
the collegiate ranks in 2001 at Elon coaching
tight ends before spending the next two seasons
at North Greenville College as the offensive
coordinator. He returned to the high school ranks
for a season in his hometown at Seneca High
(2004) before being hired at Appalachian State.
Glenn is a 1995 graduate of Clemson University.
He is married to the former Anna Thompson and
the couple has two daughters, Zoey and Landry.
Arketa Banks is
entering his fourth
season at WCU. He
arrived in Cullowhee
after having spent 2008
at Brevard College,
where he coached the
defensive secondary
and was the program’s
recruiting coordinator.
“I have known Arketa since his playing
days at Elon. He has always been a leader
and a positive energy guy. I am excited that
he has decided to stay in Cullowhee. He is
a great recruiter and coach. I look for big
things out of Arketa.” – Coach Speir
Under new head coach Mark Speir – who
coached Banks for three seasons while at Elon
– Banks returns to coaching the Catamount
running backs, a position he held during the
2009-10 seasons before coaching the wide
receivers in 2011. During his previous stint with
the running backs at WCU, Banks mentored
Michael Johnson to 2009 Southern Conference
Freshman of the Year accolades. In addition to
coordinating WCU’s football camps, Banks also
serves as the team’s community service liaison.
Banks is no stranger to Southern Conference-caliber
football. A 2003 graduate of Elon, the
Warrenton native was a four-year letter-winner
for the then “Fighting Christians,” playing from
1999-2003. He led Elon in receiving from 2000
through 2002, amassing 1,371 yards on 54
catches with 17 receiving touchdowns during
that same span. His seven touchdowns and
42 points led the Elon squad in 2001. Banks
continues to hold the ninth-longest reception
in Elon history with a 75-yard catch in 2002
against East Tennessee State. Going into his
senior season at Elon, The Sports Network
deemed Banks the “fifth-best kick returner”
in NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) football.
FOOTBALL STAF F
“Brad has an excellent offensive mind, as
good as anybody in the country in running
the spread offense. He also is a great teacher
and innovator of quarterback play. Brad also
is a great family man who will be an asset to
this community and university. WCU is very
fortunate to have the Glenn family here in
Cullowhee.” – Coach Speir
Glenn spent the past three seasons as the
quarterbacks coach while also serving one year
as tight ends coach (2005) and three working
with the slot receivers (2006-08). He comes to
Cullowhee with coordinator experience at two
different high schools as well as two seasons
at North Greenville College (2002-03).
While at ASU, Glenn coached six All-
Southern Conference honorees, most notably
mentoring the last two SoCon Offensive
Players of the Year in Armanti Edwards
and DeAndre Presley. Edwards additionally
garnered the Walter Payton Award honoring
the nation’s top NCAA Division I FCS player.
A native of Seneca, S.C., Glenn started his
coaching career as the offensive coordinator
and quarterbacks coach at Greer (S.C.) High
School from 1995 through 2000, helping lead
the program to a 25-3 overall record and back-to-
back South Carolina Upper-State runner-up
12 | CAT’S PAUSE
Elder, a four-year letter winner at quarterback
from 2004-07, returned to his alma mater
in 2010 as the wide receivers coach. In his
first season on staff, he coached a trio of
receivers – Matt Cline, CoCo Hillary and Brian
Quick – who rank among ASU’s all-time top
10 in receptions and receiving yards. Quick
was a two-time All-American, earning his
second honor under Elder after leading the
Mountaineer receivers with 71 receptions for
1,096 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2011.
Elder’s coaching experience also includes one
season at his high school alma mater, Byrnes
High in Duncan, S.C., where he served as
the wide receivers coach in 2009. He helped
lead the Rebels to a 13-2 record and an
appearance in the South Carolina 4A Division
I state championship game. Under Elder’s
tutelage, Byrnes receivers caught 284 passes
for 4,655 yards and 60 touchdowns in ’09.
Elder, who was South Carolina’s Mr. Football as
a senior at Byrnes in 2003, began his coaching
career as a student assistant at ASU in 2008.
A 2008 graduate of Appalachian State, Elder
spent much of his career backing up the two
greatest signal-callers in Mountaineer history,
Richie Williams and Armanti Edwards. However,
he excelled when given the opportunity, posting
a 7-1 career record as a starter. He helped
lead the Mountaineers to the team’s third-straight
national championship by going 4-0 as
a starter in 2007 and played an integral part
in ASU’s first national title in 2005, when he
replaced an injured Williams early in the national
semifinals versus Furman and led Appalachian
to a 29-23 come-from-behind victory.
John Holt joined Mark
Speir’s coaching staff
at Western Carolina in
January 2012. He will
serve as the program’s
offensive line coach,
coming to Cullowhee
from his alma mater,
Appalachian State,
where he worked the
four previous seasons. Holt spent three of his
four years on staff at ASU working with the
Mountaineer tight ends, including coaching
four-time All-SoCon selection Ben Jorden during
three of his four all-conference seasons.
“John is a high-energy offensive line coach
with a lot of passion for the game and
players. He is a great motivator and teacher
of young men. He is also an excellent
recruiter and evaluator of talent. WCU
is going to love him!” – Coach Speir
In 2008, Holt began his coaching career by
serving on head coach Jerry Moore’s staff in
an offensive quality control capacity. His duties
included assisting the offensive staff with
day-to-day noncoaching duties, specifically
offensive line coach Shawn Elliott. Thanks in
large part to Holt’s efforts, ASU’s offense ranked
among the nation’s top 10 in scoring, rushing,
pass efficiency and total offense in ’08.
A native of nearby Leicester, Holt played in 55
of ASU’s 56 games during his four-year career
(2004-07), including all 15 games as a senior
in 2007, serving as a team captain while also
earning third-team All-America honors from The
Sports Network. A versatile offensive lineman, he
saw significant playing time at right guard and
both tackle positions during his collegiate career.
The son of Michael Joe and Susah Holt, he
graduated from ASU in 2008. His brother,
Sherman, followed him to Boone, playing
for the Mountaineers from 2007-11.
Mark Rhea came to
Western Carolina in
mid-March 2010 as
the defensive line coach
and was promoted to
the program’s recruiting
coordinator during the
spring of 2011. Under
new head coach Mark
Speir, Rhea will continue
to hold both positions entering the 2012 season.
“We are excited that Mark decided to stay
with our program. I have found him to be a
motivator and a difference-maker to these
players. He is a very professional and detail-oriented
coach and recruiter.” – Coach Speir
A four-year starter at the University of Toledo
from 1988-91, Rhea got his start on the
Rockets’ staff serving as an administrative
assistant and graduate assistant from
1992-94. He has served as a defensive
line coach at four different institutions and
most recently was the defensive coordinator
last season at Tiffin University in Ohio.
Rhea coached for six seasons at Idaho State
before returning to his alma mater. During his
tenure at Idaho State, he coached a defensive
line that had all four linemen earn All-Big
Sky honors four years in a row and earned a
combined 22 all-conference honors, including
eight first-team All-Big Sky picks and seven
academic All-Big Sky selections. Prior to his stint
at Idaho State, Rhea was on the staff at Austin
Peay and before that coached at the United
State Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut.
In his career, Rhea has mentored three players
who have gone on to the professional ranks.
In 2006, he coached J.P. Bekasiak, who later
became a first-round pick of the Hamilton Tiger-
Cats of the Canadian Football League. Rhea
continued on page 14
SUMMER 2012 | 13
also coached two players at Idaho State
who went on to the NFL in Jared Allen of
the Minnesota Vikings and Jeff Charleston,
who played for the Super Bowl champion
New Orleans Saints last season.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in athletic
administration from Toledo in 1992, Rhea
assisted the Rockets’ coaching staff before
working two seasons as a graduate assistant
at Michigan State. The Beavercreek, Ohio,
native had a standout playing career at Toledo
that saw him named the team’s outstanding
defensive lineman as a senior and play a
pivotal role on the Rockets’ 1990 Mid-America
Conference (MAC) co-championship team.
Rhea and his wife, Stacey, have a
daughter, Madeline.
Chris Collins joined
the Western Carolina
coaching staff as a
defensive assistant prior
to the spring drills in
2011, after spending
the previous season as a
student assistant. He has
worked primarily with the
linebackers, a position he
played for the Catamounts during his collegiate
career, and under new head coach Mark Speir
will assist with the defensive secondary.
“Chris is a young coach who has a big future
in this profession. Being a former player, he
brings a lot of ideas and history to the table.
He has a lot of desire and passion for this
program to be successful. We are excited
that he is going to be a part of this staff.”
– Coach Speir
Collins, a four-year letter-winner, closed his
career by being named All-Southern Conference
by the voting members of the SoCon Sports
Media Association as a senior after tallying a
career-high 109 tackles, including 63 solo
stops. He added 12.5 tackles for loss playing
the “hybrid” linebacker position in WCU’s
4-2-5 scheme.
Through 44 career games, the High Point native
finished with 303 career hits, including 166
solo tackles and 19 tackles for a combined 93
yards in losses. A ball-hawk, Collins finished
with nine forced fumbles with a SoCon-leading
six coming during his junior season. He also
was credited with five pass break-ups.
Collins played in 10 or more games in each
of his four seasons in Cullowhee. Off the
field, Collins was named to the 2007 fall
academic All-Southern Conference team.
Daniel Gibson
enters his seventh
season working with the
Catamount football staff.
He is entering his first
season as the director of
football operations after
having spent the past two
as the defensive assistant.
“We are extremely excited that Dan Gibson
has decided to stay on as director of football
operations. He is a true Catamount and
certainly bleeds purple. He has a wealth of
knowledge and relationships on this campus
that will make our transition as a staff
smooth. He is a very hard worker with great
professionalism. I am personally ecstatic that
he will be a vital part of our staff.”
– Coach Speir
Gibson, who played prep football at Wakefield
High School, worked his way up from video
coordinator to having more of a coaching
role with the Catamounts. As the director of
football operations, Gibson will manage all
aspects of the team from roster maintenance
to travel. He also will serve as the academic
liaison for the WCU football team. Gibson,
who worked with the Catamount Club in the
summer of 2006, has become a fixture around
Catamount athletics with his willingness
to assist any staff member or coach.
A native of Wake Forest, Gibson graduated from
Western Carolina with an undergraduate degree
in psychology in 2007. He then earned his
master’s degree in sport management from
WCU in 2009.
Pat Mills is a 2010
graduate of Appalachian
State University, where
he played varsity
football for four years.
He was a member of
the 2006 and 2007
national championship
teams as well as five SoCon championship
teams, from 2006-10.
“We are very excited about the addition of
Pat Mills, our tight ends coach. He will bring
a lot of energy and passion to the Catamount
Program. He is a young coach with great work
ethic and energy. He will bring a positive
mentality of winning to our team.”
– Coach Speir
Mills earned ASU’s Media All Conference
Award as a player for the 2009 and 2010
seasons. Upon graduating, he accepted a job
at Concord University as an assistant coach,
working with the tight ends and the offensive
line. During the 2011 season, Concord went on
to win the WVIAC Conference Championship
and was selected to the NCAA playoffs for
the first time in more than 20 years.
Mills is the son of Dean and Gail Mills,
and he was born and raised in Charlotte,
where he started his football career at
Providence High School. In his free time,
Mills enjoys the outdoors and spending
quality time with his friends and family.
Steve Sisa is joining the Catamount staff
as a secondary coach. A native of Manassas,
Va., Sisa most recently served two years at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
where he worked with player development
and safeties.
continued from page 13
14 | CAT’S PAUSE
“Steve comes to WCU via the University
of North Carolina, where he spent last
year as the Tar Heels’ safeties coach.
He has an excellent defensive mind.
Steve brings a wealth of knowledge and
experience to the Catamount program.
He is an excellent recruiter with a lot
of ties to the area.” – Coach Speir
Prior to his work with the Tar Heels, Sisa served
two seasons (2008-09) as a graduate assistant
at Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles made back-to-
back appearances in the New Orleans Bowl
during his tenure. Sisa helped tutor the Southern
Miss secondary under defensive coordinator Todd
Bradford and head coach Larry Fedora. He also
was responsible for opponent scouting reports,
scout team film study and practice scripts.
Sisa was a quality control coach at the
University of Illinois in 2007, where he worked
primarily with the team’s linebackers. Illinois
was 9-3 that season and advanced to the
Rose Bowl for the first time since 1984.
Sisa began his coaching career at Ed White
High School in Jacksonville, Fla., under head
coach Dan Disch, who is now the defensive
coordinator at Southern Miss. He was the
secondary coach in 2003 and the defensive
coordinator from 2004-06. Sisa served as the
team’s NCAA recruiting liaison for prospective
student-athletes and also was the Shrine
Bowl defensive coordinator in 2006.
A linebacker at perennial Division III power
Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Va., in
1997, Sisa’s career was cut short by a shoulder
injury. He transferred to Virginia Tech, where he
earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in
2001. He received a master’s degree in sports
management in 2009 from Southern Miss.
Steve will be making the transfer to Cullowhee
with his wife, Lisa, who is an elementary
school teacher.
Curtis Walker will
join Speir and his staff as
the defensive coordinator
and linebackers coach.
Prior to coming to WCU,
Walker served as the
defensive coordinator
and linebackers coach
for Coastal Carolina
University’s football
program for 10 seasons under head coach
David Bennett.
“Curtis will serve as our defensive
coordinator and linebackers coach. Curtis
has spent the past 10 years coordinating
a defense at Coastal Carolina University
that has won four Big South Conference
Championships and has had two FCS playoff
appearances. He is a very detailed and
sound football coach. Curtis also is widely
respected as a recruiter.” – Coach Speir
Under Walker’s tutelage, the Coastal Carolina
defense helped the Chanticleers capture three
consecutive Big South Conference titles in the
program’s just second, third and fourth seasons
of play, a berth in the 2006 NCAA Division
I Football Championships and final top-25
rankings in three national polls all three years.
In 2010, the defense once again played a key
role in Coastal winning its fourth Big South title.
From the outset, Coastal Carolina’s defense
has set the tone. In the program’s first year, it
ranked first in the league and eighth nationally
in turnover margin while ranking second in the
Big South in total defense. From 2004-07, the
Chants’ defense ranked first in the league in pass
efficiency defense, while ranking first or second in
sacks and tackles for loss from 2005-09 with the
exception of 2008, when Coastal ranked third.
Walker got his coaching start at Salisbury High
School as the linebackers coach. He then served
under Bennett (whom he followed to Coastal
Carolina) for seven years on the staff at Catawba
College, where he was linebackers coach
from 1995-2000 and promoted to defensive
coordinator in 2001, his final season there. With
Walker as defensive coordinator, the Indians
ranked first in the nation in scoring defense, 11th
in rushing defense and 22nd in total defense.
During his tenure at Catawba, the program
made the NCAA Division II playoffs three straight
seasons, including a 2001 semifinal berth.
A native of Burlington, Walker was a two-time
All-Conference selection at Graham High School.
A 1988 graduate of the school, he held the
school’s record for career tackles for 14 years.
Walker and his wife, Sheka, have two
sons, Jalon (7) and Curtis Jr. (5).
SUMMER 2012 | 15
Q. What is your football philosophy?
A. “The main thing is: number one, you have to surround yourself with
quality people, both as a coaching staff and the players you recruit on
board. I want to have a hard-nosed, tough, and well-conditioned football
team. I want players with speed. I recruit playmakers who can run and
make plays. We are going to be a football team that controls the tempo
of the game, and we also want to be a football team that protects and
secures the football on offense, and creates turnovers on defense.”
Q. What is your typical Tuesday football practice?
A. “A typical Tuesday practice will usually start off with the kicking
game. We want to work our players before they get into their position
mindsets. Special teams are a team unit, so we want to stress the
importance in the beginning of practice while their minds are fresh.
From there, we will separate offense and defense and try to perfect our
individual techniques and position groups. Then, we will do a lot of group
work and will finish up with total team offense and defense, and finish
strong with conditioning.”
Q. How can you change the football status from that of a
losing program to a winning program?
A. “Hard work. Anything special does not come easy. I need to get my
players to buy into being a part of something bigger than themselves.”
Q. How did you gain the players’ trust? Get them to buy
into your philosophy?
A. “It is a continual process in gaining my players’ trust. It does not
happen overnight. They have to see that we, as coaches, care about them
as people and not just players. By treating the players right and building
relationships with them. They need to know and understand that we have
a plan, and know that as a team, what we are willing to do to execute the
plan. Take care of business and win!”
Q. How will you generate community interest in
the program?
A. “I think you have to get out and engage with the community. We
require every one of our players, each semester, to do two hours of
community service. I think then the community feels like it’s like a
relationship with the individuals, instead of just a University student-athlete.
The community can build a relationship with the players, and
ultimately it will draw a bigger and better fan base when they come and
watch them play. We are very excited about the upcoming season and it
is critical that the fans get out there and support this football team. Our
players are buying into being a championship program, and we just ask
that the fans buy in as well and support these student-athletes. We want
to create a game day environment that is second to none. Finish strong.
GO CATS!”
Q. How do you communicate with your athletes?
A. “I communicate with the team by being very straightforward and blunt
with them. Those young men have been brought up in a strong society and
we have to be politically correct. I don’t want to hurt their feelings, but
sometimes they need to know what their expectations and responsibilities
are, without sugar coating.”
Q. What are the biggest improvements from the spring?
A. “I have been pleased with the work habit. The biggest thing that I
have noticed is that I am starting to see some leadership surface that I
didn’t see in the spring. Offensive Players Ed Sullivan, Teddy Rhoney,
and Deja Alexander have been holding their teammates accountable
both on and off the field. Defensive players Rock Williams, Eli Martinez,
and Brian Johnson have also stepped up their leadership skills from the
spring. During the summertime, we cannot coach the team, which makes
it difficult to keep everyone in the proper shape to get ready for season.
The team has been having player-only practices, and they are holding
each other accountable with going to the weight room and conditioning
practices. They have also participated in team cookouts. Bonding is a big
part of a team and what builds team chemistry. Success comes from a
player-driven team, where the players are each other’s coach.”
We had a chance to sit down with Coach
Speir and staff to talk about the new strategy
and mindsets of the WCU football team.
16 | CAT’S PAUSE
Q. How will you get the student body excited about
supporting the football team?
A. “Number one, we want to create a game day atmosphere.
We want the whole day to be an event, and not just the football
game. We want to create an event where families, the student
body, the community, and the alumni can all come together and
share something in common: Purple & Gold spirit. The structure
of the game day environment is going to be changed, and we
will have a team that plays exciting hard-nosed football.”
Offensive line coach John Holt was asked a
few questions about pre-season and gave us
a little insight to his new strategy.
Q. What is the Offensive Philosophy?
A. “To control the football at all times. This means no turnovers or
negative yardage plays. On each drive our goal is to put points on the
board. We want to control the line of scrimmage and execute plays to
increase the possibility of a game-changing play or series of plays. We
will be in top shape in order to give ourselves a chance to wear out our
opponents and take advantage of any weakness they may display. Our
number one goal is to play with the character, passion, and integrity
that represents the students, alumni, and supporters of Western Carolina
University to the best of our ability.”
Q. What are the biggest improvements of the offense
from the spring?
A. “We learned to use better fundamentals, and started acting as a
cohesive unit. A huge improvement was our ability to use endurance
in conditioning to our advantage. We developed a lot of character as
an offense line and our players have a better understanding of the new
offense we are running.”
Q. Who will be the leaders on offense?
A. “Eddie Sullivan, Ryan Moore, Mike Johnson, and Teddy Rhoney are our
offensive leaders. My expectations of these players are to make the plays
and do the right things to help us become a successful football team on
and off the field.”
Defensive coordinator and linebacker coach
Curtis Walker talks about his philosophy and
expectations of his defensive players.
Q. What is the WCU defensive philosophy?
A. “To be a great defense, there must be a team concept of defense.
There must be an overall philosophy which prevails at all times, and
an individual goal which everyone strives to achieve. They must have
tremendous pride in being a member of the defensive team, and more
important, each individual must respect and take pride in his teammates.
It is necessary that each individual earn and maintain this respect, and
have confidence in his teammate. It is this chemistry that evolves amongst
a team that enables them to be great and achieve the goals they have set.
But it is only through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication that this
can be accomplished.”
Q. What are the defense’s biggest improvements from the
spring?
A. “The biggest improvements are getting our guys to play as one. We
are unified as a group and have done a lot of drills as far as getting them
in to situations where they can rely on one another to make plays. We
must improve upon in the fall two stats that were glaring, which were
rush defense and a scoring defense. We need to improve to get better,
and we will.”
Q. Who are the leaders on defense?
A. “We are counting on leadership from Brian Johnson, Eli Martinez,
and Rock Williams to lead our defense to help us be successful and
achieve our defensive goals. They all work very hard and hold their
other teammates accountable.”
With football season right around the corner, the Catamount football
team will continue to improve and work hard to become successful.
Catamount
Compliance
Corner
Welcome to a new and exciting academic year where great things
are happening at WCU. The Compliance Office at Western Carolina
appreciates the support of every donor to our program. However,
our priority is to maintain the integrity of each of our programs and
uphold all NCAA legislation, while achieving the greatest experience
for our student-athletes. Please remember that fans and boosters
may not provide anything to prospective or enrolled student-athletes
(or their families) without prior approval from the Compliance Office.
In addition, boosters and fans may not provide free or reduced-rent
housing on- or off-campus to student-athletes or potential student-athletes.
If a student-athlete or his/her family accepts any benefits of
special consideration (e.g., transportation, meals, money, etc.) based
on his/her athletic skill, the student-athlete will lose his/her eligibility
and WCU will be subject to NCAA penalties. Please feel free to contact
the Compliance Office if you have any questions. Thank you for your
continued support of Catamount Athletics.
For more infor mation
Contact Stacey Miller, Assistant Athletic Director of compliance
828.227.7338 or Srmiller@wcu.edu
SUMMER 2012 | 17
Kevin Murphy
What is the first image that comes to mind
when you think of “selling groceries”? For some
people it could mean an image of the bag boy
at the local supermarket. Former Catamount
Kevin Murphy, however, brings a new meaning
to the phrase “grocery handling.” Kevin Murphy,
co-owner of Concepts Food Group, founded
in 2008, is the ultimate businessman in the
food industry. Concepts Food Group is a master
food brokerage company focusing on specialty
product sales in four categories: dressings and
sauces, seafood, poultry and beef. Since 2008,
annual sales have incrementally increased to
$36 million with a projected increase of more
than $54 million in 2012.
This success undoubtedly comes from his key
core values of hard work, determination and
leadership. These values are key to any success
and are usually instilled in people at young ages.
Fortunately for Kevin, he was able to develop
these characteristics through playing football.
Kevin was hardworking on the field starting at
a young age. He attended Byrnes High School
in Spartanburg, S.C., and was named second-team
All-State in South Carolina. Shortly after,
in 1987, he committed and signed with the
Western Carolina University football team. After
one year, he transferred to the University of
South Carolina and played three years of football
there while earning his bachelor’s degree in
marketing. He graduated in 1991 and has found
immense success in his career off the court as a
businessman and family man.
Kevin married Deidra Murphy in 2001, and they
currently reside in Concord. They have five kids:
Andrew (21), Kevin (10), Chloe (9), Sydney (4),
and Ella (3). With four young children and a
multimillion dollar company, day-to-day events
can become quite hectic for Kevin. A day in the
life for this business executive could begin as
routinely as preparing his children for school or
as ritzy as catching a flight from Charlotte for a
face-to-face meeting with corporate clients such
as chief executive officers, vice presidents of
national account teams or corporate chefs.
However crazy his schedule and life may
become, Kevin always is willing to give back to
Western Carolina in the form of supporting the
Catamount Club or speaking to students about
the importance of using a great education to
its advantages. In fall 2011, Kevin was able
to come to WCU and speak to all of the senior
athletes about his life and how he adjusted from
being a student-athlete to being a “real grown-up”
in the business world. He sent a positive
message to the athletes: Whether your goal is
to find a job in corporate America, government,
education or the private sector, a solid education
is fundamental in establishing a professional
foundation and using networking to the best
advantage. It is obvious that Kevin is genuinely
interested and committed to giving back his time
and resources to help develop student-athletes
not only as Catamount athletes but as well-rounded
and successful individuals as well.
18 | CAT’S PAUSE
Join us as we celebrate the achievements
of many Catamount Alumni athletes.
This weekend will feature the: Official WCU Homecoming events, a “Meet
and Greet” at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel with past and present
Catamounts, and a special pregame tailgate prior to the Catamounts’ home
football game against Georgia Southern.
We are inviting back Catamounts who played on WCU’s current 16 teams,
plus participants of sports no longer in competition such as wrestling, men’s
soccer, men’s tennis, men’s volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming, rifle
and gymnastics – along with the former coaches, trainers, and managers from
those teams – for the initial event.
This will be a great way to catch up with old friends, meet new friends of
similar sport interests and share in the honor of “bleeding purple and gold!”
For more information visit the website www.CatamountSports.com. For immediate details,
contact Stefanie Conley, director of special events, at 828.227.2401 or e-mail slconley@wcu.edu.
Financial investment advisers warn against
individuals investing with their hearts.
Bob and Susie Ray definitely listened to their
hearts when they established the Robert G.
Ray Basketball Scholarship Fund, but they also
looked at it as a smart investment with more
than monetary gains.
The endowment was funded in 2006 to
honor Bob Ray and his parents, Clifford S. and
Vannie Allen Ray. That initial gift was doubled
in 2009 and was substantially increased in
recent months.
A scholarship from the endowment is to be
awarded annually to a member of Western
Carolina University’s men’s basketball team
as recommended by its head basketball coach.
Keaton Cole, a senior guard on WCU’s
2011-12 team, is the most recent recipient of
the Ray Scholarship.
Bob Ray, an inductee into WCU’s Athletics
Hall of Fame in 2009, is unique among former
WCU student-athletes as the first individual to
play, coach, teach and serve as the head of an
academic department for his alma mater.
He was raised in the Barnardsville area of north
Buncombe County and came to WCU in 1951
as a walk-on basketball player. He was soon
awarded a scholarship by WCU’s legendary
coach Jim Gudger, and he became Gudger’s
assistant coach 11 years later.
“I was offered a full scholarship by Mars Hill
College but turned it down as I had dreamed
of playing for Western Carolina,” said Ray.
“My love for this school started a long time ago
and is part of the motivation for my desire to
give back.”
Ray was a four-year starter on Western’s
basketball teams (1952-54 and 1957), was
an All-North State Conference selection and
finished his intercollegiate career ranked second
on the Catamounts’ all-time career scoring list.
He became WCU’s first-ever assistant basketball
coach in 1962, a position he held until 1969,
when he took leave to complete his doctorate at
Rays Cont inue to Increase
Funding for Endowed
Basketball Scholarship
“My love for this school
started a long time ago and
is part of the motivation for
my desire to give back.”
the University of Georgia. After a distinguished – Bob Ray
career as a teacher in WCU’s Department of
Health, Physical Education and Recreation, he
became the department’s chairman in 1982. He
retired after 11 years in that position and
began a new career as a public servant and
community leader.
Today, the Rays are regulars at all Catamount
sporting events as they cheer the players and
support the athletics program and university in
myriad ways.
“We challenge former players, coaches, alums
and fans to join us in investing in the future of
our basketball program and all the young people
who attend and would like to attend Western
Carolina University,” Ray said. “A school like
WCU has a much more critical need than
the larger, well-heeled institutions to provide
scholarships for our future leaders.”
Another WCU Hall of Famer, Ron Rogers, a
three-time All-America basketball player in
the early 1950s, already has answered the
challenge with a significant gift to the Rays’
endowed scholarship fund.
Much of Ray’s early motivation to further his
education came from Hugh Tomberlin, a former
WCU student-athlete and his high school
basketball coach and classroom teacher. “It is
our wish that our current student-athletes can
one day motivate and inspire other young men
and women, much like Coach Tomberlin did, to
live out their dreams and perpetuate leadership,”
Ray said. “Yes, it is an investment from our
hearts, and maybe one that some might not
consider smart in terms of personal monetary
return, but it is a wise investment in terms of the
future of education and our young people.”
“WCU is grateful for the tremendous generosity
shown by the Ray Family through the support of
this scholarship,” said Gorham Bradley, director
of WCU’s Catamount Club. “Coach Ray and
his family’s motivation to give back by creating
scholarship opportunities for current and
future young men in our basketball program
is truly inspiring.”
For more information on how to
contribute to the Robert G. Ray Endowed
Basketball Scholarship or how to create
an endowed scholarship, please contact
Gorham Bradley at 828-227-3794 or
email bradley@wcu.edu.
20 | CAT’S PAUSE
Jamaal Mayo is entering his sixth year as a member
of the Western Carolina University Department of
Athletics, serving most recently as the Assistant
Athletics Director for Academic Services.
He is the sport supervisor for volleyball, women’s
tennis and softball. In addition, Mayo serves as the
gameday administrator for the men’s and women’s
basketball programs and track & field.
As of July 1, 2012, Mayo began a new role as Assistant Athletic Director
for Facilities and Operations. In this new role, Mayo has been charged
with galvanizing Western Carolina’s Facilities and Operations unit. This is
an effort to ensure that positive experiences of WCU’s student athletes,
coaches and fans are equal from venue to venue, game to game and
practice to practice. This deals with pre-game preparation, field/arena
maintenance and overseeing the day-to-day operations for all of Western
Carolina’s venues and facilities.
In his role as Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Services, Mayo
oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Student-Athlete Academic
Support Services and also coordinated the NCAA Student-Athlete Affairs
Program - formerly known as CHAMPS Life Skills - for the athletic
department. Prior to being promoted to Academic Services, Mayo served as
the Coordinator of Student-Athlete Academic Support.
The Hillsborough, N.C., native is a 2003 graduate of Western Carolina
University, Mayo earned his bachelor’s degree in Sport Management while
also playing football for the Catamounts. Mayo returned to his alma mater
in August of 2007 after a brief stint with the Durham Bulls as the team’s
group ticket sales associate.
Mayo is also pursuing his master’s degree in College Student Personnel
from WCU.
Jamaal Mayo
What makes WCU and being a Catamount special?
“To me, being a Catamount epitomizes the concept of family. Being a
small and nurturing community, it really creates an atmosphere of family.”
What does it mean to you to work at an institution
where you not only earned your degre but competed
for the university?
“I am extremely privileged to be able to come back and work at the
institution that has afforded me so many personal and professional
opportunities. I see this as a way that I can attempt to pay WCU back
for all that it has done for me. I also love coming in every day and
being somewhat of a mentor to the students here. Individuals such as
myself, Anquell McCollum, Gorham Bradley, Eric Wilson and Brigham
Waginger have somewhat of a blueprint to success here as it relates to
being a Catamount student-athlete and earning a degree from WCU so
we take pride in the fact that we are able to somewhat advise the current
Catamount student-athletes.”
What is your favorite thing about WCU?
“I have a number of things that I love about WCU, but the thing that
stands out the most to me is, regardless of the division you work in
(athletics, academic affairs, student affairs, etc.) or whether a student is
an athlete, Greek or in the band, there is a common theme of support and
encouragement for each other campus wide.”
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is made up of student-athletes
assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience.
Representatives from every sport here at Western participate on the
committee to offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that
affect all student-athletes’ lives on campuses around the country. The
representatives are elected by their coaches from certain criteria such as
academic excellence, responsibility and displaying leadership qualities. At
the beginning of every month, SAAC meets to discuss the student-athlete
life and possible changes to be made.
The committee isn’t just concerned about bettering the student-athlete
experience. They are dedicated to giving back to the community in a
variety of ways, including mandatory community service hours outside of
their respective sports. This past school year, the committee raised more
than $4,000 for breast cancer awareness research with the Pink Zone
games taking place throughout every sport. The committee will continue to
support breast cancer awareness with Pink Zone games this school year.
WCU SAAC is building to promote more service to the outside community
by also teaming up with Relay for Life.
SAAC has reached out to fellow student-athletes and fans by creating
the @WCUSAAC Twitter page this year. Also, student-athletes in the
committee update their personal Facebook and Twitter pages with
upcoming events taking place on campus.
Awards are given through the committee and to student-athletes to
promote improvement of each team and the university. The Golden Paw
Award is given to a team who is the best within certain criteria such as
community service hours, cumulative academic GPA, percentage of wins
versus Appalachian State and – new this year – collecting tabs from cans
for recycling. This competition helps prompt sports teams at WCU to push
for all-around success. Each month, the SAAC voting committee votes
on Player of the Month and Spotlight Athlete of the Month for those who
have displayed excellent qualities on and off the field/court/track. At the
end of the year, SAAC hosts the A-Cat-Emy Award Show for the Athletics
Department, rewarding those who excelled throughout the year.
This committee is essential to
the advancement of student-athletes,
the community and
the university not only at
WCU but around the country.
SAAC is determined to work
hard for positive change to
be made and success to be
implemented.
Together
We Achieve More
Written by
Nancy Thacker
Women’s Basketball
SUMMER 2012 | 21
CASH GIFTS Cash and checks are the most
common types of donations. Please make your
checks payable to the WCU Foundation and note
“Catamount Club” in the memo section.
CREDIT CARDS The Catamount Club
accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express
and Discover for pledge payments. For your
convenience, the Catamount Club offers online
giving at www.catamountsports.com.
SCHEDULED PAYMENTS The new
scheduled payments option is an easy way to
fulfill your contribution to the Catamount Club.
Arrange a monthly, quarterly or semiannual
contribution through a bank account or credit/
debit card draft to pay your annual contribution
to the Catamount Club and never worry about
it again. To set up scheduled payment, call the
Catamount Club at 828.227.3047.
SECURITIES Appreciated stocks are excellent
options to make a gift to the Catamount Club
because the donor may avoid capital gains taxes
and still receive a charitable income tax deduction.
MATCHING GIFTS Many companies and
corporations provide matching gift programs
for employee contributions. Check out the new
MATCHING GIFT SEARCH ENGINE on the
Catamount Club website to see whether an
employer matches gifts and how to increase gift
and benefit levels.
GIFTS IN-KIND Rather than a monetary gift,
the Catamount Club may accept goods and
services that assist in reducing expenditures to the
athletics budget.
Methods of Giving
ENDOWMENT GIFTS An endowment
may be established in honor or memory of an
individual, family or organization to provide a
perpetual gift for WCU Athletics. Gifts to the
endowment fund are invested, and a portion
of the return is used to fund scholarships
each year. As the principal is never spent,
this gift will create an eternal legacy of your
support for Western Carolina Athletics.
PLANNED GIFTS Planned deferred gifts
are an increasingly popular way to make
a significant contribution to Catamount
Athletics. Insurance policies, real estate,
annuities, bequests and trusts are among
the ways to leave a legacy to WCU.
Trophy Club $20,000
out-of-state tuition each year for
4 years
Champ ions Club $11,500
in-state tuition each year for 4 years
I-Cat $5,500
Vars ity Club $3,000
Coaches Club $1,850
Cullowhe Cat $1,250
Top Cat $750
Super Cat $400
Purp le Cat $200
Gold Cat $100
Catam ount $50
stu dent Catam ount $15
Young Alumni FREE
for the first year upon graduation
Trip for 2 with Team of Choice
Season Sideline Passes for Football 2 2
Complimentary Tickets to Paw's Porch 4 4 2
Invitation to Annual Scholarship Dinner Comped Comped
Exclusive Catamount Club Apparel
Invitation to Football Purple Zone
Invitation to Basketball Purple Zone
Catamount Club Gift
Priority Football Parking
season ticket holders only Stadium Stadium Stadium Stadium Stadium Creek Creek Creek Creek
if available
Priority Football Season Tickets
Priority Basketball Season Tickets
Tax Deduction
Cat's Pause Magazine
Catamount Club Email Bulletin
Game Program Recognition
Catamount Club Decal
CATAMOUNT CLUB Benefits 2012-13
memb ers hip
Levels
Benefits
For more information contact Gorham Bradley, Associate Athletic Director and
Catamount Club Director at 828.227.3407 or email bradley@wcu.edu
22 | CAT’S PAUSE
2012 Football
Schedule
Mars Hill – Aug. 30
Catamount Club Day
at Marshall – Sept. 8
Huntington, W.Va.
at Wofford* – Sept. 15
Spartanburg, S.C.
Samford* – Sept. 22
Family Weekend
at Furman* – Sept. 29
Greenville, S.C.
Georgia Southern* – Oct. 6
Homecoming
at The Citadel* – Oct. 13
Charleston, S.C.
at Elon* – Oct. 20
Elon, N.C.
Appalachian State* – Oct. 27
Battle for the Old Mountain Jug
Chattanooga* – Nov. 3
Senior Day - Hall Of Fame Weekend
at Alabama – Nov. 17
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
NCAA FCS PLAYOFFS – Nov. 24
*Denotes Southern Conference games
THE PURPLE ZONE
Looking for a place to connect with Catamount friends?
The Purple Zone is a pre-game event held on the patio of Jordan-Phillips Field House prior to each kickoff
at E.J. Whitmire Stadium for donors at the TOP CAT membership level ($750) and above. Each qualified
member is entitled to four (4) admissions to the PURPLE ZONE and must have a game-day ticket to receive
access to this exclusive area. Amenities include upscale dining and beverages, television, air-conditioning,
private rest rooms and the opportunity to have an outstanding view of the pre-game, on-the-field action.
Paws’ Porch at the Purple Zone
Paws’ Porch offers a location to be up-close all season long as you cheer on Catamount Football from
the Purple Zone. Tickets may be purchased for the season or on a single-game basis by Catamount Club
members eligible to receive admittance into the Purple Zone.
Priority Seating and Parking
Catamount Club members receive top priority in seat and parking assignments. Active Catamount Club
members who purchase season tickets have the opportunity to select reserved seats in the exclusive
Catamount Club section located on the 50-yard line. Priority parking is determined by current Catamount
Club giving level and CATS POINTS rank within membership level. For more information, please contact the
Catamount Club at 828-227-3047 or email jfisher1@wcu.edu.
SUMMER 2012 | 23
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #1
CULLOWHEE, NC
28723
Western Carolina University | Ramsey Center
92 Catamount Road | Cullowhee, NC 28723
WCU is a University of North Carolina campus and an Equal Opportunity Institution. 800 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $2,186.25 or $2.73 each. Office of Creative Services | August 2012 | 12-581
Message from the Catamount Ticket Office
It’s not too late to buy your ticket mini packs and guarantee
your seat for the Battle of the Old Mountain Jug!
Single-Game tickets
are now on sale
Purchase by going online at CatamountSports.com,
giving us a call at 828.227.2401 or by coming
into the ticket office located in the bottom of the
Ramsey Center.
All Catamount Club members can begin purchasing
single game Appalachian State tickets September 1.
Make sure to watch for Men’s and Women’s
Basketball season tickets going on sale the
beginning of September!
Corinne Hahn
Ticket Operations Coordinator
Western Carolina Athletics
92 Catamount Road | Cullowhee, NC 28723
828.227.2401 tel | 828.227.7688 fax
Option 1
Mars Hill ��� Aug. 30
Appalachian State – Oct. 27
Chattanooga – Nov. 3
$80 (adult) / $45 (youth)
Option 2
Samford – Sept. 22
(Family Weekend)
Appalachian State – Oct. 27
Chattanooga – Nov. 3
$80 (adult) / $45 (youth)
Option 3
Georgia Southern – Oct. 6
(Homecoming)
Appalachian State – Oct. 27
Chattanooga – Nov. 3
$80 (adult) / $45 (youth)
‘Whee
Three
Pack