Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina football opens its annual spring drills on Monday, March 3, with the first of 15 NCAA-regulated practice sessions on the turf at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field culminating with the annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 5.
 
The Catamounts are slated for three practices over the first week of March – two in helmets only as part of the NCAA acclimation period. Once the team returns from the University’s Spring Break (March 8-16), the remaining 12 sessions are spread over the next three weeks. The team has three helmet-only practice sessions with six in uppers – or helmets and shoulder pads – and six fully-padded practices with full contact. Each of the final three Saturdays – March 22, March 29, and April 5 – will include scheduled scrimmages on the turf in Cullowhee.
 
Each weekday practice is scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m., with the first two Saturday scrimmages to start at 10 a.m. The annual Spring Game on April 5 will begin at Noon ahead of the Catamount baseball home game against Gardner-Webb. (practice dates and times are subject to change)
 
Unless otherwise noted, each WCU spring football practice is open to the public. It is respectfully requested that spectators observe from the stadium seating area and avoid being either on the field or the sidelines.
 
Entering its second year under the direction of Rylan Wells, will wear white jerseys with the quarterbacks in protected red tops, while the defensive unit under second-year coordinator Jerry Odom, will practice in purple jerseys this spring. Each helmet will be outfitted with the protective Guardian caps through spring drills.
 
Fifth-year head coach Kerwin Bell – who received a five-year contract extension back in mid-December – believes the way this year’s spring drills are laid out with the three practices before Spring Break benefiting a squad with several new faces.
 
“We’re a lot bigger, but we’re also a lot younger with guys that don’t know our system,” said Bell. “Those first three days of install will be important as we’re going to throw a lot at our guys in the beginning before having that pause before coming back to finish up after the break.”
 
Season tickets for the six-game home 2025 schedule are on sale now through the Catamount Athletics ticket office and start just $96 for adults and $66 for youth 12 and under. A Catamount Family Four Pack that includes two adult reserved season tickets, and two youth reserved season tickets is just $250 – that’s less than $11 per ticket. Fans can purchase tickets through the Catamount Athletics Ticket Office, located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, or by phone Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased online at CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets.
 
The unofficial opening of the 2025 SoCon football schedule begins with SoCon Media Day on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Greenville, S.C. Details regarding the event will be released on a future date.
 
Keep track of everything related to Catamount football and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/CatamountSports), Twitter (@Catamounts, @CatamountsFB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts).
 
Catamount Football – Spring Practice Schedule:
Practice 1: Monday, March 3 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm – (helmet only)
Practice 2: Tuesday, March 4 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (helmet only)
Practice 3: Thursday, March 6 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (uppers)
 
University Spring Break – March 8-16
 
Practice 4: Monday, March 17 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (uppers)
Practice 5: Tuesday, March 18 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (full pads)
Practice 6: Thursday, March 20 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (uppers)
Practice 7: Saturday, March 22 – 10:00 am – Noon (full pads/scrimmage)
Practice 8: Tuesday, March 25 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (full pads)
 
March 26, 2025 – One Day for Western
 
Practice 9: Thursday, March 27 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (uppers)
Practice 10: Friday, March 28 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (uppers)
Practice 11: Saturday, March 29 – 10:00 am – Noon (full pads/scrimmage)
Practice 12: Tuesday, April 1 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (full pads)
Practice 13: Thursday, April 3 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (uppers)
Practice 14: Friday, April 4 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (helmet only)
Practice 15: Saturday, April 5 – Noon – SPRING GAME (full pads/scrimmage)