23 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #23 Jerry Gaines, Retired

It's now 23 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

#23 worn by Jerry Gaines is retired.  

Jerry Gaines

Class: 1975
Sport: Football
Induction to WCU Hall of Fame: 1990

Jersey Retired: His jersey and number - 23 - was the second to be retired in Western Carolina's athletic history

Jerry Gaines was 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 Western ... Set WCU records with 3,449 career receiving yards, a 20.6-yard per reception average for his career, and recorded 15 games with over 100 yards receiving ... Only the second Western Carolina football player to have his jersey retired ... Inducted into Western Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990, WCU's first-ever induction class.

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 four football players to have his jersey and number - 23 - retired. He established over 40 football records as he caught 187 passes for 3,449 yards in four seasons. A track and field All-American in the 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. 

Western Carolina Head Coach Bob Waters, left, talks to All-American wide receiver Jerry Gaines, 23, during a home game in 1974.