The 1983 Western Carolina Catamounts team was an American football team that represented Western Carolina University as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their 15th year under head coach Bob Waters, the team compiled an overall record of 11âÂÂ3âÂÂ1, with a mark of 5âÂÂ0âÂÂ1 in conference play, and finished second in the SoCon. Western Carolina advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game and were defeated by Southern Illinois.