Oct. 31, 2008

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina will host a busy weekend of activities surrounding its annual Hall of Fame induction, including the school's first-ever home Southern Conference tournament opening round match on Sunday afternoon.

Festivities commence as Western Carolina will host a special, by invitation only reception for the Hall of Fame inductees on Friday night, while Saturday morning's induction ceremony is open to the public. Both events will take place in the first floor Hospitality Room in the Ramsey Center.

Five former student-athletes will join 86 other former student-athletes, coaches, administrators and friends of the department, along with four teams, in the WCU Hall of Fame. The Hall's five newest inductees include former football players John Ruta (1962-65), Alonzo Carmichael (1983-86) and Brad Hoover (1996-99), along with track and field star Tony McKennie (1986-90) and baseball standout Jason Beverlin (1992-94).

In addition to the inductees spending pre-game at the Chancellor's Rally in the Valley event, during pre-game, there will be a special reception for returning team members of the WCU 1983 Catamount Football team that is helping commemorate the 25th anniversary of its appearance in the NCAA Division I FCS (I-AA) National Championship game. Stan Pamfilis of WLOS-TV in Asheville - who was the play-by-play voice of the Catamounts in '83 - will be on hand recapping the historical run by WCU at the Catamount Club's "Purple Zone" pre-game event.

Between the first and second quarter, the members of the 1983 team will also be recognized on the field.

Also on Saturday, representatives from Bojangles' will be monitoring both the Field House and Stadium Tailgating Lots during the pre-game hours for the most passionate and well organized tailgaters to win a tailgating package, courtesy of Bojangles'. The prize package will include 20 pieces of chicken, 10 biscuits, 4 large fixins, and a gallon jug of ice tea.

Ticket prices for Saturday's football game are $20 for adults and $10 for youth in the purple areas, while the gold sections are $15 for adults and $8 for youth.

On the gridiron, WCU will look to snap a 20-game conference losing skid which spans the past three seasons, while also trying to end a five-game slide this season and a two-game drought against Chattanooga. The Catamounts trail in the all-time series with the Mocs, 15-19, while the series in Cullowhee is tied all-time at eight apiece.

Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm from Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. Saturday's game will be broadcast by the Catamount Sports Network and can be heard locally in Cullowhee on WWCU-FM, Power 90dot5 or in Sylva on 680 AM WRGC. Fans can also tune in on 920 AM WPTL in Canton; 1480 WPFJ, the Dove in Franklin; 1590 AM WBHN in Bryson City; and 1600 AM WTZQ in Hendersonville. Air time is 12 Noon.

The weekend will culminate on Sunday afternoon as the Western Carolina women's soccer team, seeded second after a runner-up regular season finish, hosts the seventh-seeded Elon Phoenix at 4:00 pm at the Catamount Athletic Complex in Cullowhee. WCU is coming off a 3-2 win Thursday night against rival Appalachian State, as the Catamounts won 10 of their last 12 matches to post a school-record nine regular-season SoCon wins.

College student tickets are only $1 with valid ID, with adult admission $5 and youth $3. WCU students wanting Loyalty Points must purchase the tickets from the WCU ticket website - for this special event, students will receive four loyalty points. Also, as a special note, fans are reminded to set their clocks back one hour on Saturday night in advance of Sunday's soccer match.

The winner of the WCU-Elon match will advance to the SoCon semifinals against the winner of the No. 6 College of Charleston at No.3 Samford match on Friday, Nov. 7 at 7:00 pm.

Schedule of Weekend Events:

Friday, Oct. 31
7:00 pm - 2008 Western Carolina Hall of Fame Reception (By invitation ONLY)
Ramsey Center Hospitality Room

Saturday, Nov. 1
9:00 am - 2008 Western Carolina Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (open to the public)
* Be on hand as WCU inducts its five newest members

10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Tailgating for the Western Carolina-Chattanooga game
* Bojangles' representatives will be judging the most passionate and well-organized tailgate to win a tailgating package, courtesy of Bojangles'

11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Catamount Club "Purple Zone" (Open to membership, Top Cat and above only)
Porch of the Jordan-Phillips Field House
* Special meet-and-greet with members of the 1983 WCU football team; also, Stan Pamfilis of WLOS-TV in Asheville will relive the magical run to the NCAA Division I-AA National Championship Game.

1:00 pm - Kickoff of the Western Carolina - Chattanooga football game
* Special recognition of the 2008 Hall of Fame inductees, as well as a special recognition of the 1983 National Runner-up team during the game.

NOTE: Don't forget about the to set your clocks back one hour *

Sunday, Nov. 2
4:00 pm - Western Carolina women's soccer vs. No. 7 Elon
Catamount Athletic Complex
* Opening round of the 2008 Southern Conference women's soccer championship ... the Catamounts host their first-ever, first-round match at home on Sunday afternoon.

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