A proud North Carolina native and graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Leslie Matz spent over ten years full-time with the Panthers. In addition to creating and serving as the inaugural director of the TopCats program, Leslie also oversaw the mascot program and game day entertainment and special events for the team. She remained involved with the Junior TopCats program and TopCats auditions after retiring in 2005.

Leslie joined the Panthers in October, 1994, following almost 12 years with the Philadelphia Eagles, where she directed the cheerleading program, in addition to serving as the team’s marketing director.

Working for the Panthers is a family affair as Leslie’s husband, Chris, has been with the Panthers on game days, as well as two years full-time, since 1995, overseeing the visiting football team locker room for all Panthers’ home games and supporting other stadium events. Chris named both Sir Purr and the TopCats. Chris and Leslie’s incredible son, Connor, lives in New York City and was a frequent fixture at the stadium as a child.