23 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #23 Jerry Gains

It's now 23 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

 

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

No player is currently assigned #23.   This number is retired, it was assigned to Jerry Gains

Jerry Gaines - Football, Track & Field, and Baseball - (1970-75)

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 two 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 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.

Coach Waters and #23 Jerry Gains