Ģ������Ƶ

 Ģ������ƵStories      June 13, 2025

By Bill Studenc

Back in 2012, Ģ������Ƶ graduates Jonathan Zapp and Brittany Bennefield provided a different interpretation of their alma mater’s status as “an engaged institution” when they had their engagement photographs taken on campus with Paws, the Catamount mascot.

Now, more than a dozen years later, the husband-and-wife team remain engaged alumni who have demonstrated their lasting affection for the university where they met during first-year orientation by providing philanthropic support for WCU’s athletics programs.

The Zapps recently made gifts and pledges totaling $125,000 to benefit Catamount student-athletes and renovations to the spaces where they train, practice and compete. Of that amount, $100,000 is designated for improvements to athletics facilities, which is a top priority of WCU’s ongoing “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign. The remaining $25,000 will go to the Catamount Club in support of scholarships for student-athletes.

Brittany Zapp, who was a member of the women’s soccer team during her time at WCU, said she knows firsthand the role that intercollegiate athletics plays in the lives of student-athletes. And, as an alumna and passionate fan of Catamount sports teams, she has seen the impact that athletics programs have on a university community.

“While being a student-athlete during my time at Ģ������Ƶ, the deep appreciation for dedication, discipline and spirit that student-athletes bring to the university has profoundly influenced our decision to support the Catamount athletic program,” she said. “Over the past 12 years, we’ve witnessed how athletics fosters community, pride and resilience among students and alumni alike. Our support stems from a desire to ensure that current and future student-athletes have the resources and facilities they need to excel both on and off the field.​”

That’s why she and her husband decided to add their financial support to the university’s plans to enhance its athletics facilities. The initiative is now getting underway with additions to E.J. Whitmire Stadium, which is among the settings for those engagement photos from 2012.

“State-of-the-art athletics facilities are crucial for the development and success of student-athletes. Upgraded facilities not only enhance performance and safety but also play a significant role in recruiting top talent and elevating the university's reputation,” she said. “Investing in these upgrades demonstrates a commitment to excellence and a dedication to providing student-athletes with the best possible environment to thrive.​”

Although not a Ģ������Ƶstudent-athlete, Jonathan Zapp frequently attended Catamount sporting events, often along with his fellow members of Kappa Alpha fraternity. He has continued to attend games as an alumnus and has been a longtime member of the Catamount Club and participant in golf tournaments and other fundraising activities.

He points to a combination of factors that led to the decision to make a leadership gift to the athletics renovations initiative at WCU.

“Our decision was driven by our enduring love for WCU, our belief in the transformative power of athletics and our desire to give back to an institution that has given us so much,” he said. “We were inspired by the ‘Fill the Western Sky’ campaign's vision to enhance the student-athlete experience and to bring WCU's athletic facilities to a standard that reflects the university's commitment to excellence. We hope our contribution will serve as a catalyst for positive change and encourage others to support this vital initiative.”

In addition to providing enhancements that will benefit Catamount student-athletes, the planned improvements also will have an impact on the game day environment for those who gather to watch them compete, he said.

“Upgraded facilities will significantly enhance the fan experience by providing more comfortable seating, improved amenities and a more engaging atmosphere during games. These improvements will foster greater community involvement, increase attendance and amplify school spirit,” he said.

“To our fellow alumni, fans and friends, the ‘Fill the Western Sky’ campaign is more than just a fundraising effort; it's an opportunity to invest in the future of WCU, to support our student-athletes and to strengthen the bonds that connect us all to this remarkable institution. We encourage you to join us in making a lasting impact,” he said.

Kyle Pifer, WCU’s newly appointed director of athletics, expressed gratitude to the Zapps for their ongoing philanthropy toward Catamount athletics and their latest financial commitment to athletics facilities improvements.

“As I take on this new role, I am inspired by the incredible support from Jonathan, Brittany and other members of the Catamount faithful. With the constantly changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics, it is more important than ever to have the resources necessary to field competitive teams in the Southern Conference,” Pifer said.

“I am thankful that Jonathan and Brittany have decided to join us as we move forward in our efforts to provide our student-athletes with the high-quality facilities they deserve,” he said. “Their gift should encourage others to get involved and move the Ģ������Ƶathletics program forward.”

A 2005 graduate of Ģ������Ƶwith a bachelor’s degree in communication and hospitality and tourism, Brittany Zapp has worked in the hospitality and tourism industry since shortly after her graduation. Following a brief stint in public relations with the WNBA, she joined the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. as a public relations and group sales assistant.

Later promoted to market research analyst and then group sales manager for Ritz-Carlton, she joined Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in 2013 as a senior group sales manager. Over the ensuing years, she advanced to become associate director of sales for the East Coast. She has served as Four Seasons’ account director for travel industry global sales since 2021.

Jonathan Zapp earned his bachelor's degree in management in 2006. He joined Lexjet, a printing equipment supplier headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, where he was a national accounts manager. He is currently chief revenue officer for Rent Ready, a Charlotte-based property management company.

He is a co-founder of the 101 Club: Big Cat Student-Athlete Annual Scholarship, established in 2019 to provide support for Ģ������Ƶstudent-athletes through money raised during an annual golf tournament.

Although their initial meeting came at orientation prior to their freshman year at WCU, the couple never dated until after college, Brittany Zapp said.

“We did our engagement photos at Ģ������Ƶin May of 2012 right before we got married July 7, 2012, in Asheville,” she said. “We did them on the football field with Paws, on the basketball court, at the Alumni Tower and just outside of campus. Ģ������Ƶhas always had a special place in our relationship.”

The Zapps reside in Fort Mill, South Carolina, with their daughter, Kylie. They attended the May 2025 PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Golf and Country Club in Charlotte, where they rooted fellow Ģ������Ƶalumnus J.T. Poston on to a top-five finish.

Their recent gifts come as Ģ������Ƶis in the midst of its “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign, an effort to raise a minimum of $100 million in philanthropic support for the university’s academic, student engagement and athletics programs. Only the third comprehensive fundraising campaign in WCU’s 136-year history, it is the first with an emphasis on seeking financial support for renovations to athletics facilities.

For more information or to make a contribution, visit , call 828-227-7124 or email advancement@wcu.edu.