Only one Southern Conference school can count among its alumni former athletes who are currently active in each of the three major professional sports leagues. Through early June, Western was the sole SoCon member with ex-players on rosters in the National Basketball Association (Kevin Martin, Sacramento Kings), National Football League (Brad Hoover ’00, Carolina Panthers, and David Patten, New Orleans Saints) and Major League Baseball (Jared Burton, Cincinnati Reds, and Mark DiFelice, Milwaukee Brewers).
“Having representatives in all three of the most successful professional team sports speaks volumes about the tradition, quality and commitment of Western’s athletics department,” said Southern Conference Commissioner John Iamarino. “Catamount fans should feel pride in this achievement.”
After coming to Cullowhee from Zanesville, Ohio, basketball standout Kevin Martin needed only three seasons to rack up 1,838 career points – and to catch the eyes of NBA scouts. Following his junior season, Martin was drafted by the Sacramento Kings as the 26th selection in the first round of the 2004 NBA draft, becoming the first Catamount ever selected in the first round of any professional draft. Martin’s playing time has increased each of his three seasons, and he has become a “go-to guy” for the Kings’ offense. This past season, Martin finished seventh in the NBA in scoring average, netting 23.7 points per game.
“Being at WCU was the best time of my life,” said Martin. “There were no major distractions, so I could focus on my goals. The student body, coaching staff, my teammates and the administration were all very supportive. Being in the NBA is a major accomplishment that my former coaches and teammates at WCU helped me achieve.”
On the gridiron, Thomasville native Brad Hoover became a favorite of Catamount football fans from 1996 until 2000 with his smash-mouth style of play. Hoover holds the single-game rushing record, with 251 yards in a 1998 contest against VMI. He finished his career at WCU with 3,616 net yards – second best all-time. Entering his ninth year with the Panthers, Hoover has served primarily as a blocking back, but also has made his mark on the NFL team’s record book, ranking seventh all-time with 852 rushing yards.
“It’s been one of those dreams come true, not only to be able to play in the NFL, but to be able to play here in my home state of North Carolina with the Panthers. It’s been a great ride so far,” said Hoover. “When I first came into the league, I was a little in awe because I came in as an undrafted rookie free agent. To be able to stick around and do all of the right things to play here has just been unbelievable. Hopefully, I still have a few good years left in me and I will be able to end my career as a Panther.”
Hoover was one of two former Catamounts on opposing squads in Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004, when his Panthers lined up against the New England Patriots and receiver David Patten, a four-year letterman at WCU after arriving from Columbia, S.C. Although Patten was an all-conference receiver during his senior year in 1995, he was not drafted and spent time working in the landscaping business, as an electrician and hauling coffee bags until he joined the Arena Football League in 1997. He quickly caught the attention of the New York Giants, and has played every season since in the NFL, also spending time with the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins. Now with the New Orleans Saints, he collected three Super Bowl rings with the Patriots.
Patton attributes his success and longevity in the NFL to hard work, dedication, sacrifice and commitment. “Despite the fact that I wasn’t drafted, I’m going to come in every day and give you what I have, and put it on the field day in and day out,” he said. “From the standpoint of having gone to a small school, you do not have as much exposure other than the great folks in Catamount nation. The support of the people there comes from the heart.”
The two newest members of WCU’s professional sports fraternity make their livings on the baseball diamond – pitchers Jared Burton and Mark DiFelice. A native of Westminster, S.C., Burton was 248th pick in the 2002 MLB draft, selected by the Oakland A’s. Burton’s dream of pitching in “the show” became a reality when he broke spring training camp with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. He has remained on the team’s 25-man roster since, being used as a relief pitcher. Through early June, Burton had pitched in 27 games for Cincinnati with a 2-1 record and a 2.93 earned-run average.
After twice being named All-SoCon pitcher for the Catamounts and compiling a 34-13 career record, DiFelice was taken in the 15th round of the 1998 MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies. Over the next decade, he spent time with farm teams of the Cubs, Orioles and Nationals, and two stints in the independent Atlantic League, before signing with Milwaukee in 2006. DiFelice’s perseverance paid off when he was called up to the majors by the Brewers on May 15. He appeared in four games in relief through early June.
“Being at WCU was a great experience,” said DiFelice, a native of Havertown, Pa. “Coaches Rodney Hennon ’93 and Keith LeClair ’89 prepared me to play professional baseball. Every year I spent in the minors was worth even just having a day in the major leagues. It is really hard to describe how amazing it is to play for the Brewers.”
It’s equally hard for fans of WCU athletics to describe how amazing it is to watch several former Catamounts playing professionally at the highest level possible. “To see former student-athletes from WCU competing in the NFL, NBA and MLB speaks highly of these individuals,” said Chip Smith, WCU director of athletics. “We are very proud of their achievements and of the part WCU has had in their careers.”