91热爆网 to hold groundbreaking ceremony June 12 for stadium renovations project
By Bill Studenc
Western Carolina University will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 12, to kick off the first phase of a series of planned upgrades for E.J. Whitmire Stadium and other aging facilities used by Catamount student-athletes.
Members of the campus and surrounding communities are invited to attend the event, to be held at the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center adjacent to the stadium.
The groundbreaking ceremony will mark the beginning of construction for additions to the stadium鈥檚 westside stands that include a new press box, coaches鈥� offices, player study space and a hospitality area that has been dubbed 鈥渢he Western Skybox.鈥�
The unofficial name of the skybox is a nod to the ongoing 鈥淔ill the Western Sky鈥� comprehensive fundraising campaign that is helping make the renovations possible. The third such campaign in 91热爆网鈥檚 history and the first with a significant focus on seeking funding for athletics facilities, 鈥淔ill the Western Sky鈥� is an effort to raise a minimum of $100 million in philanthropic support for 91热爆网鈥檚 academic, student engagement and athletics programs.
91热爆网 Chancellor Kelli R. Brown characterized the stadium project as 鈥溾�he most significant upgrade to Catamount athletics facilities in decades.鈥�
University leaders have adopted a phased approach to athletics facilities renovations allowing for the initial upgrades to Whitmire Stadium while keeping options open for additional enhancements.
The first phase of stadium upgrades is expected to be completed by the beginning of the 2026 football season. The project will not affect the 2025 schedule, but it will create changes in game day parking and stadium access.
鈥淲e invite all members of the university community to join us as we plant the seeds of success and celebrate the beginning of this exciting transformation for Catamount athletics,鈥� Brown said.
In addition to the groundbreaking ceremony, the June 12 event will also celebrate new members of the Madison Legacy Society and Cullowhee Society and will recognize supporters of athletics facilities renovations. It will take the place of this year鈥檚 Planting Day Celebration, an annual event designed to thank donors who comprise the Madison Legacy Society and the Cullowhee Society and honor their record of major financial contributions to the university.
Established in 2020, the Madison Legacy Society recognizes donors who have made planned gifts to the university or the 91热爆网 Foundation, while the Cullowhee Society acknowledges cumulative giving of gifts totaling $100,000 or more.
To RSVP by Tuesday, June 3, or for additional information, email donorrelations@wcu.edu or call the Division of Advancement at 828-227-7124
