Cathy Wall was born in Pinehurst and grew up in Ellerbe. A graduate of Richmond County High School in 1976, she was All-Conference for four years (1973-76) in basketball. She was a member of the East team for the N.C. East-West All-Star Game in 1976 and named MVP twice at Richmond County High School.

At Barton College, Wall was a basketball standout. She scored 1,727 career points for an average of 18.8 points per game. She was named MVP for the 78-79 and 79-80 seasons and was co-captain of the 1979-80 team that won the Carolinas Conference championship.

She was All-CIAC her junior and senior years, NCAIAW All-Division for four years and Kiwanis Female Athlete of the Year in 1979-80.

After graduating from Barton in 1980, Cathy worked in the Wilson area as a substitute teacher and recreation counselor for two years before taking a job as admissions counselor at Barton from 1982-1984. In 1985 Wall joined the military where she was very active in various athletic events. In 1987 she was named Fort Bragg Female Athlete of the Year.

Wall is married to Harry D. Battle, and lives in Fayetteville.