Sunday, May 31, 2015

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was, How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns? ------ All three missed it ---




Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?

21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?

21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3. Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb.
After his march across the path, he executes an about face
and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed?

Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30". 


Other requirements of the Guard:
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.
They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn.
The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.
Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV.
All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, 'No way, Sir!' Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can
be afforded to a serviceperson. 


The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.


God Bless and Keep Them

Duty - Honor - Country
IN GOD WE TRUST








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2015 football commit - Tyrie Adams

Tyrie Adams

Position:  Quarterback

Hometown: Petersburg, FL
High School: Dixie Hollins High School
Height/Weight:  6'4" 190 lbs
Class:  2015

Tyrie Adams has committed to Western Carolina to play both football and Track & Field. This past season, he threw for 2,802 yards and 30 touchdowns. In the season finale against Tarpon Springs, Adams threw for a county-record 598 yards and six touchdowns."

Read more here            hudl highlights        

Track leads to new recruiting possibilities for Dixie Hollins QB Tyrie Adams


Courtesy WCU Media Relations

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97 Days 'till Kickoff - #97 Ezavian Dunn

It's now 97 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill College Lions in E.J. Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

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

Utilizing the 2015 Spring Football Roster - #97 is assigned to Derrick Davis

#97 Ezavian Dunn


Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Carrboro, N.C.
High School: Carrboro HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 315
Position: DT




Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-time All-Carolina 10 2A/1A Conference lineman ... In 2012, was named All-Area as an offensive lineman ... Also played basketball as a prep ... High school coach was Jason Tudryn.

Personal: Is the son of Beverly Thompson.


Courtesy WCU Media Relations

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Saturday, May 30, 2015

98 Days 'till Kickoff - #98 Derrick Davis

It's now 98 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill College Lions in E.J. Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

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

Utilizing the 2015 Spring Football Roster - #98 is assigned to Derrick Davis

#98 Derrick Davis

Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Lexington, N.C.
High School: Central Davidson HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 285
Position: DT





Prior to Western Carolina: A three-year varsity letter winner ... Was a two-time All-Mid-Piedmont 3-A Conference along the defensive line and three-time all-county ... Finished his senior season with 87 tackles including 37 solo stops and two sacks, often drawing double-team blocks ... Recorded 244 career tackles including 21 career sacks and forced five fumbles ... Holds the CDHS all-time tackles for loss record ... Won the Defensive Line MVP award at the National Underclassmen (NUC) five star camp held in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in March of 2013 ... Also participated in track & field as a prep, earning all-county, and all-state honors as a junior ... High school coach was Chad Tedder. 

Personal: Is the son of Derrick Sr., and Bobbie Jo Davis.


Courtesy WCU Media Relations

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Friday, May 29, 2015

2016 football prospect - Isaiah Laster

Isaiah Laster


Position:  Safety
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
High School:  Panther Creek
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 205 lbs
Class: 2016 (High School)

Laster has six scholarship offers in addition to the one from Western

read more here                  hudl highlights



Courtesy WCU Media Relations

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99 Days 'till Kickoff - #99 Phillips Marshall

It's now 99 days until kickoff of Catamount football against Mars Hill College Lions in E.J. Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

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

Utilizing the 2015 Spring Football Roster - #99 is assigned to Phillips Marshall

#99 Phillips Marshall


Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Charleston, S.C.
High School: Porter-Gaud HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 260
Position: DT




Prior to Western Carolina: Played along both the offensive and defensive line ... Named to the High School Sports Report (HSSR)-South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) Class AAA All-State team ... Credited with 61 total tackles as a senior including 22 solo stops and 8.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks ... High school coach was Rick Reetz.

Personal: Is the son of Alex and Sarah Marshall.


Courtesy WCU Media Relations

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

100 days until football kickoff in Cullowhee

Welcome to the sixth annual Catamount Sports Forum's "100 days to Football Kickoff Countdown".

We hope you enjoy the countdown as much as we do bringing it to you. During the countdown, we'll highlight the player's number that corresponds with that day's number.

Since the 2015 roster has not yet been posted, we'll use the 2015 Spring Roster until the new roster is posted on the athletic site.

Since there is no player is assigned the #100, here's the traditional head coaches posting.

Head Coach Mark Speir



Hometown: Kannapolis, N.C.

Position: Head Football Coach

Alma Mater: Clemson / WCU



Mark Speir, who has spent much of his 23-year coaching career at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, was named head football coach at Western Carolina University as announced by Director of Athletics Randy Eaton during a press conference held in the Ramsey Center on Dec. 22, 2011..

Speir (pronounced "spear"), who got his coaching career start at Western Carolina under former Catamount head coach Steve Hodgin from 1991-96, becomes the 13th head coach of the WCU football program all-time..

"When I stood at my introductory press conference last week, I told the Catamount nation that I was looking for four main attributes of our next head football coach: a love for the student-athlete and an unwavering commitment to their success, both on and off the field; a track record of success at the FCS level; pre-existing relationships with local and regional high school coaches; and someone who is a `fit' in the athletics department, on campus and in the community. I have found all four in Mark Speir," said Eaton..

Speir returns to Cullowhee after spending the past nine seasons at Appalachian State where he was a part of three-consecutive FCS National Championships from 2005-07, serving as the program's recruiting coordinator since 2004 while also most recently coaching the inside linebackers. He has also coached the Mountaineers' running backs (2003-04), defensive line (2005-08) and defensive ends (2009-10)..

In 2009, Speir was tabbed as the NCAA Division I FCS Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The award has been handed out every year since 1997 at the five levels of football including the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), FCS, Division II and III, as well as NAIA levels..

Prior to Appalachian, Speir also made coaching stops at both at Presbyterian (1997-99) while the Blue Hose were a NCAA Division II member institution, and at Elon (2000-02) the year after the program made the transition to a NCAA Division I school..

A native of Kannapolis, N.C., Speir broke into coaching while an undergraduate at Clemson University, working as a student assistant from 1986 through 1989, helping the Tigers to three Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championships during his four years. Following his graduation with a bachelor's degree in secondary education in 1990, Speir landed on Hodgin's staff in Cullowhee, first working with the running backs from 1991-93, then the linebackers in 1994 before coaching the defensive line and serving as the program's recruiting coordinator from 1995-96..

Throughout his collegiate coaching career, Speir has made a name for himself through the recruiting process. He has held the title of recruiting coordinator at three NCAA FCS institutions (WCU, Elon and ASU), most recently organizing the efforts that landed Appalachian State six-consecutive crops of freshmen that have been widely considered to be among the top in NCAA Division I FCS recruiting classes and that helped the Mountaineers to three-straight national titles..

On the field, Speir has coached multiple All-Southern Conference selections in five of the past six seasons. In all, he has coached nine all-conference honorees that have earned the distinction 13 times in his nine seasons on staff..

Six of Speir's position players have garnered All-America honors during his tenure at ASU including the most recent recipient, linebacker Jeremy Kimbrough, who was selected to the second team by The Sports Network. Additionally, defensive ends Jabari Fletcher, Jason Hunter, Marques Murrell and Gary Tharrington and defensive tackle Anthony Williams combined for All-America honors a total of six times..

Speir's most notable pupils, Hunter and Murrell, tied for the SoCon lead with 13 sacks apiece and accounted for six defensive touchdowns between them in 2005. Murrell also led the nation with 13 sacks in `06. Both have enjoyed productive NFL careers, with Hunter entering his sixth pro season this year with the Denver Broncos..

Off the field, Speir is involved in many charitable causes. He has raised more than $30,000 to help rebuild the Memorial Christian Hospital in Bangladesh by training for and participating in the 2008 Music City Marathon in Nashville, which he finished in 4:01; the 2009 Boston Marathon, which he completed in 3:59; and the 2010 Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. In 2009, he traveled to Bangladesh to provide much-needed medical supplies and volunteer at the hospital for 10 days..

In 2011, Speir turned to organizing and participating in motorcycle tours as a way to continue to raise funds for the worthy cause..

Speir is married to the former Paige Holt of Pickens, S.C., and the couple has two sons -- Zeb and Jackson..

SPEIR AT A GLANCE
Coaching Experience
1986-89: Clemson (Student Assistant)
1991-93: Western Carolina (Running Backs)
1994: Western Carolina (Outside Linebackers)
1995-96: Western Carolina (Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator)
1997-99: Presbyterian (Defensive Line/Strength and Conditioning)
2000-01: Elon (Running Backs/Special Teams/Recruiting Coordinator)
2002: Elon (Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator)
2003-04: Appalachian State (Running Backs)
2005-09: Appalachian State (Defensive Line)
2004-11: Appalachian State (Recruiting Coordinator)
2009-10: Appalachian State (Defensive Ends)
2011: Appalachian State (Inside Linebackers)

Alma Mater: Clemson, 1990 (Master's -- Western Carolina, 1994)
Hometown: Kannapolis, N.C.
Wife: Paige (Holt)
Sons: Zeb and Jackson

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Athlon Sports Top 25 preseason poll

It's been a while since Catamount fans have seen a top 25 football poll that includes Western Carolina, well, the wait is over.


Athlon Sports Top 25

1. North Dakota State
2. Illinois State
3. Sam Houston State
4. Jacksonville State
5. Villanova
6. Eastern Washington
7. Coastal Carolina
8. Chattanooga
9. New Hampshire
10. Youngstown State
11. Northern Iowa
12. Liberty
13. Montana State
14. James Madison
15. Eastern Illinois
16. McNeese St
17. Montana
18. Idaho State
19. South Dakota State
20. Richmond
21. Eastern Kentucky
22. Harvard
23. Western Carolina
24. California Polytechnic State
25. Indiana State


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WCU Athletic Logo - Which do you prefer?





Which of these two WCU secondary logos do you prefer?

   Vote your choice in the Catamount Sports Forum's poll  -   http://catamount.boards.net/thread/7070/which-wcu-athletic-logo-prefer
















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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

2016 football prospect - Jeremy Level

Jeremy Level  


Position: Safety
Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
High School:  Page
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 193 lbs
Class:  2016

Jeremy has 6 offers in addition to Western Carolina's offer

read more here                     hudl highlights

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Sunday, May 24, 2015

A Soldier Died Today


Just a Common Soldier: A Tribute for Memorial Day






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2016 football prospect - Andrew Goldsmith

 Andrew Goldsmith

Position:  Running Back
Hometown: Jackson, TN
High School:  Trinity Christian
Height: 5-11
Weight:  201 lbs
Class: 2016

Andrew has four other offers in addition to an offer from Western Carolina.

read more here                  hudl highlights  


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Friday, May 22, 2015

2016 football prospect - Nate Johnson

Nate Johnson 


Position:  Wide Receiver
Hometown: Thompson's Station, Tennessee
High School: Independence
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 174 lbs
Class: 2016

In addition to Western's offer, Nate has 10 other scholarship offers.

 read more here               hudl highlights 


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Thursday, May 21, 2015

2016 football prospect - Joseph Scowden


Joseph Scowden

Position: Offensive Guard
Hometown: Nashville, TN
High School: Montgomery Bell Academy
Class:  2016





read more here                    hudl highlights       

           
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Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Baseball SoCon Tournament Preview


Video courtesy WCU athletics                   


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Tuesday, May 19, 2015

2016 football prospect - Gilbert Whiteside

Gilbert Whiteside


Position:  Cornerback
Hometown:  Asheville, NC
High School:  T.C. Roberson
Height: 5'10"
Weight:  155 lbs
Class:  2016



 read more here               hudl highlights   




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Monday, May 18, 2015

Three Cats earn SoCon Honors

Three Catamount baseball players were selected for All-Southern Conference honors announced by the league office.

Senior second baseman Bradley Strong was a unanimous first team All-SoCon selection at second base by both the head coaches and voting members of the SoCon Sports Media Association. He was joined by junior catcher Danny Bermudez on the coaches second team with sophomore designated hitter Matt Smith earning second team plaudits from the media.


Courtesy Western Carolina Athletic Department      
Congratulations to all three from Purple & Gold.

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2016 football prospect - Mike Murphy

Mike Murphy

Position:  Cornerback
Hometown:  Spartanburg, SC
High School:  Spartanburg HS
Height:  6'0"
Weight: 172 lbs  
Class:  2016

read more here                             hudl highlights 



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Sunday, May 17, 2015

2016 football prospect - Tanner Hall

Tanner Hall


Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia
High School: Lambert
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 184 lbs
Class: 2016


read more here           hudl highlights 



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Saturday, May 16, 2015

The Completed SoCon Baseball Championship Bracket



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Congratulations to J.T. Poston

Western's own J. T. Poston won a playoff round in the Chapel Hill Regional to qualify for the NCAA golf tournament. Poston defeated Dawson Armstrong of Lipscomb University in the two-hole playoff.

Poston started the third and final day of play at the regional in the lead. He had shot par (68s) in the first two rounds, however, on Saturday, he shot 73 to finish with a 54-hole total of 209, 7 under par, and was tied with Armstrong. Both had finish two shots behind medalist Maverick McNealy (who shot 70 and finished at 207).

Poston and Armstrong were both playing as individuals, playing for that one spot set aside for the individual player with the best score, a player not affiliated in the team competition. “It was a tough day out there,” said WCU coach Bryant Odom. “J.T. had to rally to get in the playoff but he made a long putt to get in. It was a thrill.”

“I forced it a little bit,” Poston said, “knowing that I had to finish in the top-3 or top-5 to have a chance. This year I tried to stay patient and treat it like any other tournament.”

Poston was playing in the regionals for the third time, but this will be his first time moving on to the national tournament, to be held at The Concessions Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida.






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Baseball honors seniors


Prior to Friday's second game, Western Carolina honored its three members of its senior class - Jacob Hoyle, Tyler Powell and Bradley Strong - in a special pregame ceremony.





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Friday, May 15, 2015

Poston moves into the individaul lead at NCAA Chapel Hill Regional


At the end of day two of the Chapel Hill Regional, J.T. Poston posted a 68 for the second day, placing him in the lead, one stroke ahead of Stanford's Maverick McNealy (the #1 seed) in the regional.  





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Clark signs with Seattle



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2016 football prospect - Zach Welch

Zach Welch 


Position: Safety, Athlete
Hometown: Reidsville, NC 
High School: Northwest Guilford
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195
Class:  2016





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