When the Western Carolina Catamounts took the field against Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, Aug. 29, the energy inside E.J. Whitmire Stadium was electric. The Catamounts delivered on the turf with a thrilling 45-21 victory to open the season, but part of the buzz surrounding Saturday’s contest centered high above Bob Waters field as the university officially debuted its brand-new, four-story west-side press tower and football operations facility.
Representing the university’s largest athletic facility overhaul in over 50 years, the $37 million project marks a monumental leap forward for Catamount Athletics. Rising above the west stands, the multi-level complex blends modern architectural design with the natural beauty of Western North Carolina, topped by the “Western Skybox” which offers panoramic sightlines of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
The top floor boasts hospitality spaces complete with concession stands, multiple flat-screen monitors for live broadcast tracking, and custom seating decked out with purple and gold Catamount logos. The structure also houses high-tech, modern coaching suites and team rooms, and a dedicated Emergency Operations Center. The third floor of the building, where the coaching offices are located, also presents a wall of Catamount football players who played in the National Football League.
The transformation of the facility stems from the university’s broader Fill the Western Sky campaign, which funded the construction through alumni philanthropy, Catamount Club contributions, and student support.
Ben Pendry, Vice Chancellor for Advancement, emphasized that athletic facilities have been a central pillar of the campus-wide vision.
“Athletic facilities have been a significant priority for this campaign, along with academic excellence, new program endowments, scholarships, and a comprehensive effort to support students, our student-athletes, our faculty, and staff here at Western Carolina,” Pendry said for WLOS.
Hours before kickoff, the excitement for the 2026 season was already showing across campus grounds. Tailgate lots, including the west-side lot, transformed into a sea of purple and gold canopy tents, lawn chairs, and cornhole boards as alumni, students, and families gathered under sunny Cullowhee skies. The lively tradition set the tone for the afternoon, bringing the spirit of Catamount gamedays high intensity energy.
Glass double doors lead into the new Crawford Football Operations Suite, featuring centralized conference rooms, coach suites, and team meeting spaces inside the complex.
For the personnel working above the gridiron on Saturday, the upgraded facility delivered an immediate boost to their game-day workflow.
Bailey Johnson, the lead video coordinator for Catamounts football, noted that the dedicated video production platforms completely transformed their work. Student video assistants Nate Wallace and Lane Stroup pointed out how the practical enhancements made long hours much more comfortable, explaining that having reliable air conditioning, ample workspace, and new sightlines make the new press box a massive step up from the old environment. From an administrative standpoint, Braden Erwin, Assistant General Manager for Catamounts Football, praised how centralizing coaching booths, offices, and prep areas under one roof makes gamedays much more enjoyable and efficient from the box.
Named in honor of longtime sports information director and Hall of Famer Steve White (‘67), the new media level seamlessly supported a plethora of broadcasters, journalists, and athletic personnel during its first official test.
Between the hard-fought 45-21 victory on the field and the debut of a premier facility overhead, Western Carolina kicked off its 2026 season by establishing a modern standard for Southern Conference athletics.
