Western Carolina Catamounts Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Division I FCS

Head Coach: Kerwin Bell

Team Mascot: Paws

Year Opened: 1974

Capacity: 13742

City / State: Cullowhee / North Carolina

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

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Western Carolina Catamounts vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers

Rival Team: East Tennessee State Buccaneers

The rivalry between Western Carolina and East Tennessee State was rekindled in 2016 after the Buccaneers return to the Southern Conference. The Catamounts have a slim 23-22-1 lead in the all-time series, so come on out and cheer WCU onto victory when they take on ETSU.

Western Carolina Catamounts Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

The Western Carolina campus offers plenty of room to tailgate ensuring you’ll have a lot of fun before the game. All over campus, you’ll see people tailgating and grilling out before the game creating a fun and festive atmosphere that any college football fan would enjoy.

Tailgating at Western Carolina starts three and a half hours before kickoff meaning you’ll want to get here early to make the most out of your trip. The fans come out bright and early to get started on their barbecue, so get here early and bring something to share to join in the fun.

Finally, one of the cool things about attending a Western Carolina football game is that the university offers a visiting fan tailgate area. If you’re a fan of the visiting team, you’ll make a lot of fans in the visitor’s lot creating a memorable game day experience.

Arrive at Western Carolina early so that you can tailgate to your heart’s content before the game.

Traditions

Ramsey Center

It may not be much to look at, but take a minute to see Western Carolina’s Ramsey Center. The Ramsey Center is home to the Catamounts basketball team, so take a minute to see it before entering the game.

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Where to tailgate

Western Carolina Catamounts Stadium Guide

In Game

Western Carolina may not be the biggest name in college football, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a lot of fun taking in a Catamounts game. Fans from all over the area come back to Cullowhee on game days creating a festive atmosphere. Everyone in the crowd loves their university and the football team making a Western Carolina game a great time for any college football fan.

The good fan support isn’t the only thing you’ll enjoy when attending a Catamounts game. The Pride of the Mountains band puts on a great show and is a big part of any Catamounts football game. Get to your seat early, so you don’t miss the Pride of the Mountains pregame show and make sure to stick around for the halftime show as well.

Additionally, you’ll enjoy the pageantry put on by Western Carolina’s spirit squads. The cheerleaders, dance team, and mascot are all fun parts of the game and will keep you entertained even when the action on the field isn’t going your team’s way.

You’ll have a good time taking in a Catamounts game, so plan your trip to Cullowhee today.

Things to check out

Pride of the Mountains

Western Carolina’s Pride of the Mountains put on a fantastic show you won’t want to miss. The band’s pregame and halftime performances are a must-see part of any game, and their in-game music creates a great atmosphere. Enjoy the Pride of the Mountains when taking in a Catamounts football game.

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Catamount Cheerleaders

The Catamount Cheerleaders rile up the crowd with their routines and chants. Join in the cheers and chants to show off your WCU pride and give the Catamounts as much of a home field advantage as possible.

Paws the Catamount

Fans young and old won’t love Paws the Catamount. The beloved mascot is a big part of the WCU gameday experience and gets into all kinds of antics. Keep an eye out for Paws as you wouldn’t want to miss.

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WCU Dance Team

Enjoy the performance of the WCU Dance Team. The WCU Dance Team puts on an incredible show and will dazzle you with their routines, so don’t leave your seat when they take the field.

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Fight Songs

  1. Fight On! You Catamounts

    Fight on! You Catamounts,
    Fight for purple and gold.
    Fight on to victory,
    True warriors bold.
    Wave the royal banner high,
    And let it fill the Western sky.
    So, fight on! you Catamounts,
    Fight to vic-to-ry!

    Western, Western, Go-Western! Go–Cats!

    Fight on! You Catamounts,
    Fight for purple and gold.
    Fight on to victory,
    True warriors bold.
    Wave the royal banner high,
    And let it fill the Western sky.
    So, fight on! you Catamounts,
    Fight to vic-to-ry!

  2. Western Carolina Alma Mater

    Hail to thee, our Alma Mater
    Faithful, kind, and true;
    Every son and every daughter
    Offers praise to you.

    Hail to the dearest spot of all;
    Hail to WCU!
    Light and life and fond devotion
    All to thee are due.

    Purple robes and colors golden,
    Streaming everywhere,
    Swell our hearts with pride for olden
    Days and friendships dear.

    Under shade trees’ friendly bowers,
    Voices, ever gay,
    Mingles with breath of flowers
    And the song birds’ lay.

    Shout aloud with one loud chorus,
    Voices clear and true,
    Lifted high in praise and honor,
    All for WCU!

Western Carolina Catamounts Bars & Restaurants

  1. The Cut Cocktail Lounge

    The Cut Cocktail Lounge

    The Cut is an cocktail lounge in Sylva, NC. We serve fancy late night bites til 2am, craft cocktails and cheap beer.

    486 W Main St, Sylva, NC 28779, USA

    Bar website

    american - $

  2. City Lights Cafe

    City Lights Cafe

    We provide a wide array of crepes, paninis, soups, salads, desserts, beer, wine & coffee.

    3 E Jackson St, Sylva, NC 28779, USA

    Bar website

    american - cafe - $$

  3. Lulu’s On Main

    Lulus On Main

    From certified black angus handcut steaks, to fresh North Carolina seafood, to vegetarian tofu stir-fry, to pasta salad ala greque, Lulu's on Main is known for its out-of-the-ordinary eclectic fare, great service, and consistency, provided in an edgy, retro atmosphere.

    678 W Main St, Sylva, NC 28779, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. Speedy’s Pizza

    Pizza Palermo Subs Missys Village

    Good-quality, tasty pizzas and great service.

    285 W Main St, Sylva, NC 28779, USA

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  5. El Patron Mexican Restaurant

    La Isla mexican El Toro Bar Grill

    El Patron is family-run restaurant that takes pride in serving authentic Guadalajaran style Mexican food using only the freshest meats, vegetables and cheeses using beloved family recipes.

    170 Walmart Plaza, Sylva, NC 28779, USA

    Bar website

    mexican - $$