March 17, 2003
Cullowhee, N.C. - Second-year Western Carolina head coach Kent Briggs got his first look at the 2003 edition of his football team as the Catamounts began spring practice today. Western will have a total of 15 practice sessions with spring practice ending on April 12 with the annual Purple-Gold Game at a time to be determined.
"I am excited for the opportunity to see where this football team is after a good off-season weight training and conditioning program" Briggs said. "I feel we have grown as a team. I like the intensity and enthusiasm today. We came out with the right attitude and it was a work day.
"Obviously we have a long way to go to reach our goals for the spring. If we continue with great attitude, we will have a good spring with a lot of improvement."
Western Carolina returns several key players of its 2002 team. On offense, the Cats have first team All-SoCon tight end Todd Bargella and second team All-SoCon guard Jason Whaley returning , while two-year starting quarterback Brian Gaither will be back under center and three-year starting wide receiver Lamont Seward, already one of the school's all-time leading pass catchers, is back. The offense will also feature returning starters Linden Ryan (center), Manny DeShauteurs (running back), John Bush (fullback) and Jon Vaughan (tackle).
The WCU defense will be led by a trio of returning All-SoCon performers in Michale Spicer, Nick McNeil and Rod Dunlap. Spicer, an All-American last season, ranked among the NCAA and SoCon top 10 in sacks and tackles for loss last season. McNeil, the 2001 SoCon sacks leader, ranked second on the team in tackles behind Dunlap. Other key returning starters on defense includes Luis Herron (defensive tackle), Jada Sullivan (linebacker), B.J. Jessup (cornerback) and Lamont Reid (free safety).
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