23 Days 'till Kickoff - #23 (Retired) Jerry Gains

It's now 23 days until kickoff of Catamount football at the Raymond James Stadium, home of the University of South Florida Bulls on August 30th in in Tampa, FL.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

On day 23, we come to our second retired football number, #23 worn by Jerry Gaines.

#23 is Retired (Jerry Gaines, 1970-75)

Football, Track & Field, and Baseball - (1970-75)  -An Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association All-America selection in 1974 ... Also earned All-America honors in baseball and track & field while at WCU ... Set WCU records with 3,449 career receiving yards, a 20.6 average yards per reception for his career and 15 games with over 100 receiving yards ... Only the second WCU football player to have his jersey retired.

Jerry Gaines is the only three sport All-American in WCU athletic history. He was an NCAA Division II All America Selection in 1974 and helped the Catamounts to a 9-1 record and the national playoffs. He is one of three football players to have his jersey and number - 23 - retired and established over 40 football records as he caught 187 passes for 3,449 yards in four season. A track and field All-American in long jump and triple jump in 1971 and 1972. His records still stood after the 1990 season. He batted .404 in 1975 and was named NCAA Division II All America and North Carolina College Athlete of the Year. He signed with the Texas Rangers in 1975.

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations