Monday, April 29, 2019

T&F Championships

Thursday, April 25, 2019

10 Questions for WCU's New Chancellor-Elect

Introducing Chancellor-Elect Kelli R. Brown


Upon the recommendation of University of North Carolina System Interim President Bill Roper and following approval earlier today by the UNC Board of Governors, the WCU Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Kelli R. Brown as our 12th chancellor. 

Provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Georgia, Dr. Brown distinguished herself as a top candidate in what I would characterize as an extremely deep pool of exceptionally well-qualified potential leaders for our university. Her appointment concludes an extensive national search that included opportunity for public input from all of Western Carolina University’s various constituencies – students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members, and fellow members of the Board of Trustees.



Monday, April 22, 2019

Chase Walter

 Western Carolina redshirt sophomore RHP Chase Walter was today named Southern Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Week by the league office for games played April 15-21. Also on Monday, Walter collected National Player of the Week plaudits for a second-consecutive week from Collegiate Baseball newspaper.


Thursday, April 11, 2019

WCU Spring Football: #5

“Today was probably our worst practice of the spring – and it wasn’t that it was a bad practice, I just didn’t think we had the effort level and the focus that I’d seen through our first 11 practices,” said WCU head coach Mark Speir.

“To this point, I’m very pleased with where we are for the spring. I think we’ve gotten a lot done. Our offense has done a really good job of running the football, the offensive line has really come along. I think that our defense all spring has done a really good job of playing hard – and that’s something that we’ve been emphasizing that we didn’t always do last year.”

“It’s been smooth,” said Speir. “Coach (John) Holt and Coach (Tyler) Carlton have done a really good job with the organization part as far as the molding of the offense and where its headed. Their strengths really complement each other. I’ve been excited with what Coach (Arketa) Banks has been doing with our running backs and tight ends – Connell Young has really looked good in the backfield this spring. And Coach (Phillip) Eli is doing a really good job with Tyrie (Adams) and developing Will (Jones) and those other young quarterbacks.”

Again, not fully satisfied with Thursday’s practice, Speir informed the squad following the session that they would alter Friday’s practice. Originally slated for a helmets and spider pads – foam pads that simulate shoulder pads but don’t allow for as much contact – to a helmets and shoulder pads – or shells – day to enable a little more contact ahead of Saturday’s fully-padded scrimmage, which has a new start time of 11:15 am. Speir reiterated, “Today wasn’t a bad day – but it just wasn’t up to par. These guys have set a standard and an expectation of what we’re going to do, and we’re going to hold each other to it. But overall, for the whole spring, I’m excited about where we are now.”

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

NCAA Baseball Photo of the Week


Hurdle at Home - sophomore infielder Will Prater tries to hurdle his way home on a squeeze play.


 Ashley Evans, WCU PR         

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

We win !!!!!!!!

Spring Football Update #3

Luke Robinson on the Buster Posey Award Watch List

Western Carolina junior catcher Luke Robinson appeared on the initial watch list for the 2019 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award Watch List released on Tuesday afternoon. Previously known as the Johnny Bench Award, the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award honors the nation’s top NCAA Division I catcher as voted on by head coaches and sports information directors and is administered by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.

A combined 79 catchers were nominated for the 2019 Buster Posey Award and appear on the initial watch list. Of those 79, WCU will play – or has already played – eight catchers that appeared on Tuesday’s list. Robinson is joined by Bryce Leasure of The Citadel and Anthony Mulrine of Samford from the Southern Conference. A product of McLeansville, N.C., Robinson has been in the starting lineup in all 24 games this spring making the bulk of his starts coming behind the plate, while also finishing games at catcher. He is currently tied for the team lead with eight multiple RBI games and is second on the squad with his single-season, career-best 26 runs driven in. Thirteen of his 27 seasonal base hits have gone for extra bases including six doubles, a triple, and six home runs, also second on the Catamount squad to give him nine career round-trippers. Robinson has already matched his single-season career-high with eight HBPs.

Robinson was selected as this year’s Leggett No. 7 Legacy, wearing the No. 7 jersey – the ninth player all-time and third Catamount catcher to receive the honor and just the second underclassman. National semifinalists will be announced on May 17 with the list to be narrowed down to the finalists on June 3. The award presentation will be held in Wichita, Kansas, on June 27.