Feb. 15, 2008

Western Carolina Tentative 2008 Spring Football Roster
Updated Spring Roster to be released prior to spring practice, March 31

Cullowhee, N.C. - Just over a week after announcing his first official signing class at Western Carolina, first-year head coach Dennis Wagner and his new coaching staff have shifted their combined focus from the recruiting trail to preparing for the 2008 season.

Since returning to campus following the winter break, the focus of WCU's football student-athletes has been on strength and conditioning. Wagner has implemented 6:00 am workouts which mostly include running sessions as well as weight room activities.

"We are amidst the first phase of our off-season strength and conditioning program which we began when the players arrived back on campus," said Wagner. "The players run four days a week and are lifting in groups of four in and around their various class times."

The strength and conditioning regiment will continue through the end of next month when Wagner and the Catamounts will commence spring practice.

Spring drills for the returning Catamounts is set to begin on Monday, March 31. The NCAA regulated 15-days of off-season practice will be spread over a 20-day period, culminating with the annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 19th at Whitmire Stadium/Waters Field in Cullowhee.

Wagner plans on practicing five days a week during that span, taking both Wednesday's and Sunday's off.

"During our spring practices, we will focus on becoming more fundamentally sound on the field, as well as relaying the structure we want to have as we approach next season. We will spend some time implementing our basic offense and defensive systems, but will not go into any great detail," said Wagner.

Fans of Catamount football can meet Coach Wagner and the new staff this coming Tuesday, Feb. 19, at a meet-and-greet social to be held at Nick & Nate's in downtown Sylva. The event, which is free to the public, will run from 5:00 until 8:00 pm. For more information, contact the WCU Athletics Department at (828) 227-7338.