Every college nickname has a story, and Western Carolina's came down to a close finish. In 1932 the Catamount became the school's mascot, narrowly beating out "the Boomers." If you want to carry a piece of that history with you, a custom jersey with a number tied to the school's timeline is a simple way to do it.
This article was written by an AI editor using facts from Western Carolina University's own websites.
A school older than its mascot
Western Carolina opened in 1889 as Cullowhee Academy, and the first day of classes fell on August 5. The Catamount did not show up for another four decades. That gap is worth remembering, because it gives you two very different numbers from the school's early history.
Today the mascot is Paws, and the university's brand guide sets the colors precisely: WCU Purple (#592C88) and Catamount Gold (#C1A875). If you have ever wondered why some gold accessories look slightly off next to a Catamounts flag, the answer is that Catamount Gold is a softer tone than bright athletic yellow.
Five numbers every Catamounts fan can use
A custom jersey asks one simple question: which number goes on the back? Western Carolina's history answers it better than any random pick.
32: the mascot
The Catamount became the mascot in 1932, narrowly ahead of the Boomers. Wearing 32 is a quiet nod to the moment the nickname became part of school identity, and it gives you a story to tell when someone asks about the number.
89: the beginning
For 1889, the year Cullowhee Academy opened. It is a strong choice for alumni and for families with several generations of Catamounts.
74: the stadium
E.J. Whitmire Stadium hosted its first game on September 14, 1974, and was dedicated on October 5 that year. Bob Waters' 1974 team also advanced to the NCAA championship playoffs, so 74 does double duty.
83: the second playoff run
Waters' 1983 team advanced to the NCAA championship playoffs as well. Pair 83 with a family name and you have a jersey that celebrates a specific team.
116: the wins (as a conversation starter)
Bob Waters won 116 games as head coach from 1969 through 1988. A three-digit number may not fit your plans, but it is a great line to share when someone asks why the field is called Bob Waters Field. That name dates to its 1988 dedication.
Names that work on the back
The name panel is where the jersey becomes personal. A few approaches:
- Family surname: classic, readable from the stands and easy for gift buyers to get right.
- Hometown: good for students far from home and for alumni who moved away.
- Group nickname: fun for tailgate crews who want a matching set with different numbers.
- "Cullowhee": a nod to the original academy name for history-minded fans.
Short names stand out more clearly. Whatever you choose, read it back letter by letter before ordering, because a custom jersey reproduces exactly what you type.
The jersey itself
The Western Carolina collection at Robert Henrys centers on one design: the Custom Western Carolina Catamounts Jersey 2026 Name and Number Black Stitched. According to the listing description, the letters and numbers are stitched tackle twill, and most listing descriptions in this collection list a 100% recycled polyester body. It comes in Men, Women and Youth versions, with sizes from S to 3XL.
A black base is practical. It pairs with purple, with gold and with denim, and it hides the marks of a long tailgate better than a white jersey would. For layering on cold nights, I'd suggest going one size up from your usual T-shirt; for wearing it on its own, start with your normal size.
Making it a gift
A Catamounts jersey makes a good graduation, birthday or holiday gift, and the history gives you a ready-made card message. Explain the number: "32, for the year the Catamount won." If you are unsure of the recipient's size, compare with a T-shirt they already wear, and pick the Youth option for younger fans so the fit is right.
Where the stadium story fits in
If you are planning a trip to Cullowhee, a little stadium trivia helps the day along. E.J. Whitmire Stadium is named for a WCU trustee who served from 1949 to 1972. Its record crowd of 15,247 came for a 1994 game against Appalachian State, and a 2003 expansion added a 4,000-seat west grandstand. Point at that grandstand while wearing your 74 and you are telling the stadium's story twice.
Building a matching set for a group
If your tailgate crew or family wants jerseys that look like they belong together without being identical, a custom design makes that simple. Everyone shares the same black base, and each person chooses a different number from the Catamounts timeline: one person wears 32, another 89, another 74, and a younger fan in a Youth size takes 88. Put the same family name across every back, or let each person use a first name, and the group photo tells the story of the program in four numbers.
If the group includes kids and adults, order the Youth and adult sizes at the same time so nobody is left out on game day. Write the list of names and numbers down first, then enter them one by one; it is the easiest way to avoid a spelling slip on one jersey out of six.
Wearing it beyond football Saturdays
A black jersey is not only for the stadium. It works at a watch party, on a road trip to an away game or at a campus event during alumni weekend. Pair it with jeans and a purple or gold cap and you are dressed for most fan occasions. In warmer weather, wear it on its own over shorts; in cooler months, add a long-sleeve layer underneath so the number still shows.
Caring for it is simple common sense: follow the care label, wash it inside out with similar colors and let it air dry if you can.
Ready to choose?
Start with the number that means the most to you, add a name that people will recognize, and pick the size you will actually wear. You can see the design and its options in the Catamounts custom jersey collection at Robert Henrys. A jersey built around 1932, 1889 or 1974 says you know where the purple and gold came from.