Tom Broadwater - Hall of Fame

The 26th class induction of the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame will be enshrined in the morning of November 7, also  a special on-field recognition will be conducted during the Catamounts’ football game against Furman that day.

In this spot, we'll take a look at the three individuals being inducted in the the 2015 class, Tom Broadwater (Football, 1957-60), Lonnie Galloway (Football, 1990-94) and Charlie McConnell (Men’s Basketball, 1962-66). Today, we'll highlight Tom Broadwater.

Tom Broadwater (1957-60) was a four-year letter winner who was a part of what was billed the “Million Dollar Backfield” with fellow Hall of Fame member, quarterback Tobe Childers, fullback Jamie Wilkes and running back Boggy Bass.

Broadwater recorded 23 career rushing touchdowns. which ranks tied for seventh with former running back Brad Hoover (1996-99) in the record books. Broadwater rushed for 13 touchdowns in 1959, the most in program history at the time and a mark that continues to rank tied for second in WCU’s single-season ledgers. Broadwater scored a school-record 86 points in 1959, adding four, two-point conversions to go along with his 13 rushing TDs. That single-season benchmark stood nearly 20 years.

Leading the Catamounts in total offense, Broadwater collected both All-State and All-North State Conference honors in 1959. A year later in 1960, Broadwater returned a kickoff 95 yards in a win over Catawba which represented the program’s longest kick return for a score at the time.

Purple & Gold congratulates Tom Broadwater on his upcoming induction into the Western Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. 


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36 Days 'till Kickoff - #36 Jeremiah Young

It's now 36 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University 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 Preseason Football Roster, #36 is Jeremiah Young

#36 Jeremiah Young

Class: Incoming Freshman

Hometown: Franklin, N.C.

High School: Franklin HS

Height / Weight: 6-0 / 220

Position: RB/LB




Prior to Western Carolina: A two-time 2-A All-State selection who earned WNC Athletic 2-A/3-A Offensive Player of the Year accolades in 2013 and 2014 ... Was a four-year starter and four-year all-conference performer ... Rushed for 2,078 yards and 36 TDs as a senior, posting 215 yards and three scores on the ground in the regional finals ... Added six catches for 66 yards and was credited with a team-high 111 tackles including three sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery ... Holds the Franklin High school records for career rushing yards (4,479), points scored (444) and tackles (367.5) ... He also holds single-season rushing touchdowns with 36 and the mark for TDs in a single-game (six) ... Rushed for a WNC Athletic Conference-leading 1,788 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior, adding a conference-best 101.5 tackles on defense ... During his sophomore season, rushed for nearly 1,800 yards and 28 touchdowns while amassing over 100 tackles on defense ... Was a part of 46 career victories at Franklin High, the most wins by any varsity player in a career ... High school coach was former Catamount quarterback, Josh Brooks (1993-97).

Personal: Is the son of Parish and Debbie Young ... Jeremiah is the youngest of five children.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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37 Days 'till Kickoff - #37 Tra'von Ricketts

It's now 37 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University 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 Preseason Football Roster, #37 is Tra'von Ricketts

#37 Tra'von Ricketts

Class: Incoming Freshman
Hometown: Pilot Mountain, N.C.
High School: Mallard Creek HS
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 225
Position: DE







Prior to Western Carolina: Played two seasons at East Surry High before transferring to Mallard Creek High for his senior season ... Was a part of the Mallard Creek squad that finished 15-1, winning both the MECKA 8 and North Carolina State championships ... Was one of the top defensive linemen at the VTO Elite 100 event ... In two seasons at East Surry HS, tallied 22 tackles including 16 solo stops with five tackles for loss with a sack ... High school coach was Mike Palmieri, North Carolina's AP Prep Coach of the Year ... Also ran track as a prep, competing in the relays, as well as the 100 and 200-meter dash.

Personal: Full name is Tra'von Emmanuel Ricketts ... Is the son of Matt Chapman ... Has one sibling, Jalleah Chapman ... Was born in Fayetteville, N.C.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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2015 Football Preseason Previews

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold has previewed all of Western Carolina's 2015 football opponents.  We've enjoyed getting to know Western's opponents a little better and we hope you've enjoyed reading about them.

In case you missed any of the previews, here's a listing -

Game #1 - Mars Hill 

Game #2 - The Citadel

Game #3 - Tennessee

Game #4 - Presbyterian

Game #5 - Mercer

Game #6 - Wofford

Game #8 - Chattanooga

Game #7 - Samford

Game #9 - Furman

Game #10 - Texas A&M

Game #11 - VMI

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38 Days 'till Kickoff - #38 Parker Swaringen

It's now 38 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University 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 Preseason Football Roster, #38 Parker Swaringen.

#38 Parker Swaringen

Class: RS Sophomore
Hometown: Concord, N.C.
High School: Concord HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 215
Position: RB




2014 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action ... Converted to running back during 2015 spring drills ... Playing for the Gold squad, rushed four times for 11 yards in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2013 (Freshman): Redshirted.

Prior to Western Carolina: As a senior, named All-SPC Conference SPC and selected to the Cabarrus News All-Counry Football team ... Named All-South Piedmont Conference selection in helping guide CHS to a North Carolina 3-A state championship finals appearance ... Was the leading receiver in 2012 NCHSAA State 3-A championship game ... Was also tabbed first team All-Region by the Charlotte Observer ... Made 49 catches for 744 yards and eight scores ... Honored with the CHS Coaches Award ... Also played baseball as a prep where he was a two-time all-conference selection, named to the Cabarrus News All-County team and twice tabbed as the CHS Pitcher of the Year ... Additionally lettered twice in swimming.

Personal: Is the son of Dori and Scott Swaringen ... Has a sister, Jessica.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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39 Days 'till Kickoff - #39 Randall Emerson

It's now 39 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University 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 Preseason Football Roster, #39 is listed twice, Randall Emerson is also #39.

#39 Randall Emerson

Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Wilmington, N.C.
High School: Hoggard HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 190
Position: WR




2014 (Freshman):  Redshirt

Prior to Western Carolina: Played both football and basketball at Hoggad High, earning Star News Player of the Week on the gridiron as a senior after throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass on a first quarter trick play and added an 8-yard TD reception as a part of a six-catch, career-high 93 yard receiving day.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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39 Days 'till Kickoff - #39 Shane Samuels

It's now 39 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University 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 Preseason Football Roster, #39 is Shane Samuels

 #39 Shane Samuels

Photo not available

Class: RS Sophomore
Hometown: Duncan, S.C.
High School: Byrnes HS
Height / Weight: 5-7 / 160
Position: DB




2014 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Named to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll ... Playing for the Purple squad, credited with one tackle in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2013 (Freshman): Redshirted.

Prior to Western Carolina: Named to the Region II-4A All-Region team ... A ball-hawking defensive back, finished with 63 tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, eight pass breakups and three interceptions as a senior ... Was a three-time Max Preps Defensive Player of the Game in 2012 ... As a junior, had 36 tackles including one for loss, 10 pass breakups and seven interceptions, returning two for touchdowns against rival Riverside ... Named to the Spartanburg Herald-Journal All-Area football team as well as an All-Region selection.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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Mitchell named to National Performer of the Year Watch List

Troy Mitchell is one of 32 returning players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to be named on the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) 2015 FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy Watch List.


Mitchell is one of three quarterbacks from the SouCon to be named to the list. Chattanooga’s Jacob Huesman and Mercer’s John Russ join Troy on the watch list.
As you may recall, Mitchell and Huesman were both also named to the preseason watch list for the 2015 FCS Offensive Player of the Year.

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2015 Football Preseason Preview: VMI

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western's 2015 football opponents. Today we look at our final team in the regular season, the VMI Keydets.

In game eleven of the 2015 season, the Catamounts remain on the road, this time, traveling from College Station, Texas to Lexington, Virginia.

Western Carolina currently leads the series with VMI, by an 18-3 margine. The Cats and Keydets first played in 1978, and the Cats currently own a twelve game winning streak over VMI. Western has 9 straight wins over the Keydets in Lexington, and the Keydets last won in at home in 1988.




Virginia Military Institute  

When: Saturday, November 21st at 1:30 pm

Where: Foster Stadium (10,000), Lexington Virginia

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV / video: ESPN3

Head Coach: Scott Wachenheim 
Scott Wachenheim was named VMI's newest head football coach on Dec. 14, 2014. Wachenheim comes to VMI from the University of Virginia where he has served the past five seasons and as Cavaliers offensive line coach since 2011. Prior to his tenure in Charlottesville, Wachenheim was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Liberty University for three seasons (2006-08).


Last Year's Record: 2-10 overall (home 2-3, road 0-7), 1-6 SoCon

Offensive starters - Returning/Lost:  9 / 2
-The Keydets lost: OL – Emmanuel Cooper and OL - Andy Marcotte to graduation.

Defensive starters - Returning/Lost:  7 / 4
-On defense, the Keydets lost the following starters - DL -John Washington, ILB -Miller Williams, CB -James Fruehan, OLB – Logan Staib to graduation

Offensive Formation:  Triple Option  (out with the spread and in with VMI former offense, the Triple option)
- It looks like we are now back to facing three triple option offenses in the SoCon, add VMI to The Citadel and Wofford that will run a variation of the triple option.

Defensive Formation:  Multiple 3-4

Last Season's Game vs. VMI  (Nov, 15,2014): Offense, Seniors Lift Catamounts to 42-27 Victory over VMI -  Quarterback Troy Mitchell accounted for six touchdowns including a career-best five TD passes and added a 55-yard touchdown run to highlight a strong offensive performance for the Catamounts on Saturday afternoon as Western Carolina closed the home portion of its schedule with a 42-27 Southern Conference victory over VMI on Hall of Fame Day at E.J. Whitmire Stadium.

2014 Keydets Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 1243 yards
Yards per game: 103.6
Yards per rush: 3.4 yards
TDs rushing: 16
Passing Offense: 3250 yards or 270.8 yards per game
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 285-472-12
Total Offense: 4493 yards or 374.4 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 159
Rushing 1st downs: 71
Fumbles-Lost: 19-12
Penalties-Yards: 58 - 479 yards
3d Down Conversions: 73 of 174
4th Down Conversions: 7 of 20
Field Goals - Attempts: 7 of 13
Red-Zone Scores: 32 of 39 (82%)
Red-Zone Touchdowns: 28 of 39 (72%)
Punts : 56
Avg. per punt: 34.6 yds
Sacks: 14
PAT-Attempts: 33 of 36 - 92%
Field Goals-Attempts: 7 of 13
Time of possession per game: 30:42

The Keydets, led by new head coach Scott Wachenheim, were picked to finish eight in the preseason coaches & media polls released Wednesday. VMI kicker Dillon Christopher was named to the Second Team Preseason All-SoCon team as the Keydets only representative,

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40 Days 'till Kickoff - #40 Tra Hardy

It's now 40 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University 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 Preseason Football Roster, #40 is Tra Hardy

#40 Tra Hardy

Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Vidalia, Ga.
High School: Vidalia HS
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 185
Position: DB




2014 (Freshman): Saw action in six games on special teams and as a defensive reserve … Finished with two tackles, both solo stops … Made his collegiate debut in the home-opener against Brevard (Sept. 6), recording his first career tackle in the win … Matched his career-best tackle with one against The Citadel (Oct. 25) … Playing for the Purple squad, credited with three tackles including a sack while also recording an interception and a pass break-up in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: A solid, all-round performer who is a three-sport standout ... Was named to the AJC AA All-State team and the 2-AA Offensive Player of the Year ... Named to the Georgia Coaches Association All-State team as a defensive back and Earned Enmark All-Star team honors as a running back ... Accounted for 30 total touchdowns during his senior season ... Rushed for 1,672 yards and 24 touchdowns with 10 catches for 218 receiving yards and two scores ... Defensively, finished with 58 tackles and two sacks ... Recorded five interceptions returning two for touchdowns including a 90 yard, pick-six against Atkinson County ... Started three years at cornerback ... Was also key in the Indians' special teams on kick returns, returning a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns in earning first team All-Middle Georgia honors ... Scored six touchdowns in a single game against Metter on Sept. 27, 2013, compiling 183 rushing yards on 17 carries with a 55-yard TD reception ... Also played basketball and baseball as a prep, starting for both squads ... High school coach was Lee Chomskis.

Personal: Full name is Travares Hardy, but prefers to go by Tra (pronounced Tray) ... Is the son of Gregg Hardy and Constance Durden.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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2016 WCU football prospect - Brennan Lewis

Brennan Lewis



Position:  QB
Hometown: Beauford, NC
High School:  East Carteret
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 202 lbs
Class:  2016


read more here                     hudl highlights  

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SoCon football anti-targeting rule changes

SoCon commissioner John Iamarino announced a couple of changes to the anti-targeting rules at the media day last Wednesday, These are changes which most, if not all the conference coaches has requested.

What is the anti-targeting rule? Simply put, the "anti-targeting" rule states if you intentionally hit a defenseless player above the shoulders, you're ejected.

According to the NCAA rule on targeting, a player that is ejected in the first half of a game for targeting, will be eligible to play the entire game the following week. A player ejected in the second half will miss the first half of the next game.

The new SoCon policy now states when a player is ejected for targeting in the first half of a game, conference officials have 10 minutes at halftime to review the play to make sure the proper call was made. If they decide the ejection was an error, the player will be allowed to return in the second half. Second-half ejections will be reviewed the following week.

The league has now removed the targeting penalty from the "unsportsmanlike" category. Unsportsmanlike penalties in the Southern Conference results in an automatic one-game suspension for the player, in addition to any on field penalty.

So, before this change, any ejection for targeting, even if it's on the opening kickoff, forced the offending player to sit out the rest of that game, and the next game as well.



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41 Days 'till Kickoff - Bobby Gibbs

It's now 41 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University 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 Preseason Football Roster, #41 is not currently assigned. We'll highlight another freshman: Bobby Gibbs

Bobby Gibbs

Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Randleman, N.C.
High School: Randleman HS
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 175
Position: DB




2014 (Freshman): Redshirted.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-year defensive starter for Randleman HS and a two-time All-Pac-6 Conference player ... Recorded three interceptions, had eight pass breakups, and made 35 total tackles as a senior ... Also scored three returns for touchdowns ... Averaged 23 yards on punt returns and 39 yard on kickoff returns, scoring on three returns for TDs .... Also contributed on the offensive side as a wide receiver and kick returner ... During his senior season, tallied 212 rushing yards on 20 carries with a touchdown, adding 161 receiving yards on 10 receptions with three scores.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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42 Days 'till Kickoff - #42 A.J. Newman Jr.

It's now 42 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University 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 Preseason Football Roster, #42 is A.J. Newman Jr.

#42 A.J. Newman Jr.

Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Ellenwood, Ga.
High School: Cedar Grove HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 190
Position: DB




2014 (Freshman): Played in 10 of the team's 11 games with a pair of starts ... Saw time in the defensive secondary, as well as on special teams ... Made his collegiate debut in the home-opener against Brevard (Sept. 6), recording his first career tackle and ultimately compiling a career-best five tackles including two solo stops ... Finished with 20 tackles on the year including eight solo stops ... Named to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll. ... Made his first career start and recorded his first career tackle for loss at home against Catawba (Sept. 13) ... Playing for the Purple squad, credited with six tackles and a pass break-up in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was named All-State and All-Region in his final year ... Finished with 93 career tackles including 53 hits as a senior ... Tallied five career interceptions, four in his senior campaign ... On offense, caught 13 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown ... Also ran track as a prep ... High school coach was Jermaine Smith.

Personal: Full name is Alphaeus Newman, Jr., but goes by "A.J." .... Is the son of Alphaeus Sr., and Tamiska Newman ... Has an elder sibling, Jazmin ... Was a high school teammate of current Catamount, Tyson Dickson.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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