By Cory Spaugh
Western Carolina University and the Appalachian State Mountaineers have long battled for the Old Mountain Jug. This year the two schools have something new to fight over- The Power of Purple Challenge.
The challenge is a contest between the athletic teams and student bodies of each university. When the Catamounts and Mountaineers play each other in any sport the winner will be awarded one point for winning. At the end of the academic year the school with the most points will be deemed the winner of the challenge and claim yearlong
bragging rights over their archrivals.
The official launch of the Power of Purple Challenge will be on the WCU football game against the Furman Paladins, Oct. 1.
Students at the first football game of the year show their Purple Pride! (Photo Credits to Jarrett Frazier)
The first head to head matchup between the Catamounts and Mountaineers will
occur when the Lady Catamount Volleyball team travels to Boone to take on their rival October 12.
“Hopefully this will create a new level of excitement around campus,” said Lindsey Lessing, WCU’s Director of Athletic Marketing. “We want students to be proud to wear purple and gold.”
The challenge was created by WCU Student Government Association President TJ Eaves and ASU Student Government Association President Lauren Estes. The two leaders developed the idea for the competition over the summer. Each president decided to place something on the line. The losing SGA president will wear the winning university’s apparel around campus for one week as well as post a picture wearing the other schools colors on Facebook.
The Power of Purple Challenge should not remain exclusively between the SGA presidents. Students at both schools are being encouraged to take up the challenge and make their own arrangements with friends at Appalachian State.
For more information and updates about the challenge check their Facebook page throughout the year.
Be Proud! Be Loud! Wear PURPLE!
