Students enjoy the ladder golf tournament during the Catamount Games at 2012 Homecoming.
Photo by Brandy Carl.
Laughter and music abounded on the University Center lawn as students played against one another in the Catamount Games on Wednesday evening as part of Western Carolina University’s 2012 Homecoming.
The catamount games consisted of five activities: ladder golf, cornhole, darts, kan jam, and tug-o-war.
Jonathan Johnston, new assistant director of intramural sports, bounced from station to station collecting scores and directing teams of students. Meanwhile, Jeff Hughes, director of the University Center, flipped burgers and hot dogs for a long line of hungry student competitors.
When asked how long the catamount games have been going on, Hughes, who started work at WCU in 1993, shook his head and smiled. “We’ve been doing this since before I got here,” he said.
Prior to the games, campus organizations and residence halls form teams and prepare for the competition. The winning team is announced during Spirit Night at the central quad at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5.
Teams may also earn points by participating in various other activities throughout the week. The team with the most points overall will win the Catamount Cup. The winning team will be announced during halftime of the Homecoming football game.
“I think it’s a great way to bring organizations together and get school spirit,” said Rebecca Bleich, a junior who participated in last year’s games with the winning team, Last Minute Productions. She’s back this year with LMP.
Sophomore Dylan Bowen stood with his brothers in Delta Sigma Phi while the rules of the games were announced. “I’m excited for the competition and hanging out,” he said.
Teams lined up for the chance to play cornhole, the most popular event. Megan Goebel and Dalton Scoles of the Walker Residence Hall team summed it up perfectly: “We’re here for the cornhole.”
