ĚđąĎĘÓƵapp

 WCU Stories      January 16, 2026

By Bill Studenc

Longtime ĚđąĎĘÓƵapp supporters and friends have come together to honor the legacy and dedication of the university’s former sports information director, Steve White, a man many affectionately refer to as “the walking encyclopedia of Catamount athletics.”

WCU alumni David and Joy Wiggins have made a lead gift to the university’s “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign and chosen to direct their gift toward the naming of the football stadium’s new media center in the Western Skybox in White’s honor. The WCU Board of Trustees unanimously approved the naming as part of its regularly scheduled meeting Dec. 12.

The Wigginses, who reside in Seneca, South Carolina, recently made gifts and pledges totaling $325,000 to support the university’s athletics program. The commitment includes $250,000 toward long-awaited improvements to facilities used by WCU student-athletes and an additional $75,000 for the Catamount Club, the university’s athletics booster organization.

While gifts of this amount typically result in the naming of a facility or program in honor of the donor, the Wigginses asked that their contribution apply toward an initiative to raise $500,000 and name the new media area after White.

“Steve White embodied passion and humility in his service to Catamount athletics, and his mentorship left a lasting impact on my college experience,” said David Wiggins, who was a student worker in White’s office for two football seasons. “Directing our donation to naming the press box in his honor is a way to say thank you and ensure that his legacy continues to inspire future generations at WCU.”

Part of a $37 million expansion on the west side of E.J. Whitmire Stadium dubbed “the Western Skybox,” the new media center will accommodate approximately 155 people and will include game day coaching booths. It will replace an outdated press box located on the east side of the stadium that is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is lacking in modern amenities and communications equipment.

Alumni and friends who would like to be part of recognizing White and his impact on Western Carolina can make a gift in his honor by Feb. 28 at the university’s . The Steve White Media Center will be dedicated in August 2026 with the opening of the Western Skybox.

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than 50 years since I first stepped onto the sidelines at ĚđąĎĘÓƵapp,” White said. “What began in 1969 as a way to stay close to the games I loved quickly became a lifelong commitment to WCU athletics and the student-athletes who wore the purple and gold. I’m humbled by this gesture, and I see it not as recognition of one person, but as a tribute to a community—of coaches, players, fans and friends—who have made Catamount athletics what it is today.”

White, a 1967 graduate of WCU with degrees in history and political science who began a four-decade career with Catamount athletics in 1970, actually helped design the current press box as part of the construction of the stadium, which opened in 1974.

Sports editor of the student-run Western Carolinian newspaper as an undergraduate, White also served as the first executive director of the Catamount Club, originally called the Big Cat Club. Although he retired in 1998, he remains active with the university through his ongoing involvement with the Catamount Sports Network, the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame selection committee and the recently launched “Tracking the Cats” podcast.

He is known as WCU's de facto sports historian and serves on the Catamount Club's Board of Directors. White has been inducted into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame and Western North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, and he received WCU's and the Southern Conference's Distinguished Service awards. The College Sports Communicators announced Jan. 12 that White is among six inductees to the association’s hall of fame for 2026.

“One of my favorite memories of Steve was how he trusted people from the very beginning,” David Wiggins said. “He would give you a task, provide clear direction, and then let you solve the problem in your own way and nudge you back in line when necessary. That approach not only built confidence but also taught me valuable lessons about leadership and accountability. I carried his style of delegating and empowering others with me after graduation.”

The Wigginses said they think it is important to recognize the contributions of longtime employees who have helped pave the way for the success the university enjoys today, including in athletics.

“Honoring individuals who have dedicated their careers to WCU is vital because they embody the spirit and tradition that connect alumni back to Cullowhee,” Joy Wiggins said. “Their commitment not only strengthens the athletics program but also creates lasting  opportunities to recognize others whose contributions have anchored the Catamount family and enriched the student‑athlete experience.”

That’s one reason the Wigginses decided to make their latest gifts to their alma mater through the “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign, an effort to raise a minimum of $100 million for the university’s academic, student engagement and athletics programs.

“As alumni, WCU will always hold a special place in our hearts. As first‑generation college students, the education we received at WCU opened the door to rewarding careers in public accounting for both of us, and shaped the trajectory of our lives,” said Joy Wiggins, a 1993 accounting graduate. “With me growing up in Cullowhee and David in nearby Bryson City, our ties to the university and the community run deep.”

The couple’s previous contributions include gifts to the College of Business in support of its programs in accountancy, now named after the accounting firm from which they both recently retired after careers of more than 30 years each. Their donations, along with those from more than 50 other alumni employed at what was at the time called Dixon Hughes Goodman, resulted in what is now the FORVIS Accountancy Programs. The gifts also provide an endowed source of scholarships and experiential learning for students studying for a career in accounting.

“We are proud to have supported academics through the naming of the accounting department and providing an endowed resource for students, and we felt it was time to extend that commitment to athletics in a more significant way. Athletics have always been a meaningful part of what brings us back to campus, and this gift is our way of honoring that connection while helping provide facilities that current and future student‑athletes can be proud of and enjoy,” said David Wiggins, a 1991 accounting graduate.

“We felt it was time to invest in Catamount athletics because our facilities have been overlooked for too long. By directing support toward these improvements, we hope to create an environment that attracts and retains championship‑minded student‑athletes who want to call Cullowhee home. More than just bricks and mortar, these facilities represent pride in our program and a commitment to giving our athletes the tools they need to succeed,” he said.

Joy Wiggins agreed. “Our goal is for them to feel proud of where they train and compete and to see Cullowhee as the place where they can build their college careers and lasting memories. Strong athletics programs also serve as a powerful way for alumni to remain connected to the university, bringing generations together to celebrate achievements, share traditions and continue the legacy of Catamount pride,” she said.

In addition to the gift to fund athletics facilities improvements and the Steve White media center initiative, the Wigginses are also increasing their support for the Catamount Club to help recruit and retain student-athletes in an evolving world of collegiate athletics that includes the emergence of the transfer portal and payments for name, image and likeness.

“We have been proud supporters of the Catamount Club for many years because we believe deeply in its mission to provide a first‑class experience for our student‑athletes. This contribution is a continuation of that commitment. In today’s new era of NIL, smaller schools like WCU face unique challenges, and financial support is more critical than ever to remain competitive at a championship level,” said David Wiggins, a former member of WCU’s Alumni Association Board of Directors, Board of Visitors and College of Business advisory board.

“By investing in the Catamount Club, we’re helping ensure that our student‑athletes have the resources, opportunities and support they need to thrive both on and off the field and to carry the pride of Cullowhee with them throughout their college careers,” he said.

The couple says they are looking forward to witnessing the outcomes from their gifts to athletics facilities improvements and support for Catamount student-athletes.

“Our hope is that these new facilities will serve as a visible reminder to our student‑athletes of the tremendous support and appreciation they have earned from alumni and fans for the sacrifices they make each day in pursuit of championships for WCU,” said Joy Wiggins.

For more information or to make a contribution to the “Fill the Western Sky” campaign, visit , call 828-227-7124 or email advancement@wcu.edu.