Wichita State basketball needed a big boost in 2000 when 35-year-old Mark Turgeon arrived at Levitt Arena. His seven seasons rebuilt the program, highlighted by a Sweet 16 trip in 2006, and helped athletic director Jim Schaus rejuvenate the fan-base and an entire athletic department.
Radio voice of the Shockers Mike Kennedy and Bob Lutz, host of “Bob and Jeff” on KFH radio and former Wichita Eagle columnist chronicled the Turgeon era from start to finish. They will take us through that time and what it meant to Shocker basketball.
Turgeon will be honored at Thursday’s Northern Iowa-Wichita State game in recognition of his induction into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. He coached Wichita State from 2000-2007 before spending four seasons at Texas A&M and 11 at Maryland. He compiled a 128-90 record in those seven seasons with three trips to the NIT and the 2006 MVC title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
We wrap up fall practices for Wichita State softball and baseball. Associate head coach Elizabeth Economon discusses how middle infielders Taylor Sedlacek and Sami Hood are on the rise as juniors. We also talk newcomers in the outfield, freshman pitcher Ava Sliger and the return of Lauren Lucas. Baseball coach Brian Green gets into Jay Bilas’ theories on playing a role on a team, how the weekend rotation might look and the skills of newcomer Owen Washburn.
Get set for the week at your favorite Shocker venue with the Roundhouse Rundown podcast, the fastest five minutes in collegiate promotions. Shocker basketball is home on Saturday after winning their openers and volleyball is on the road for a crucial AAC match on Friday. All that, plus promotions, ticket specials, Shocker trivia and Shocker history.
Wichita State guard Bijan Cortes joins the podcast to talk about Sunday’s exhibition win and how the Shockers are changing their defensive approach. We discuss building a connection with center Quincy Ballard on lobs and why that play is exciting. We also talk about why he wears No. 55, why college athletes are paying more attention to their clothes and which Shocker might win a game of HORSE. The Shockers open the season at Western Kentucky on Monday at 7 p.m. The home opener is Nov. 9 against Montana State at 6 p.m.
Get set for the next week at your favorite Shocker venue with the Shocker Calendar podcast, the fastest five minutes in daily planning. Basketball gets started, volleyball is home on Sunday and the AAC will decide its cross country champion in Wichita on Friday. All that, plus promotions, ticket specials, Shocker trivia and Shocker history.
Wichita State junior pitcher Caleb Anderson talks about fall scrimmages and teammates to watch in the five-game fall series. We also talk about his journey from football punter who planned to play for Vanderbilt to college pitcher and how he kept a positive attitude during tough times.
Wichita State’s Salese Blow joins the podcast to talk about following up on standout freshman season. She discusses the origins of her nickname, why she stuck with WSU after a coaching change, and her impressions of freshman KP Parr as defensive pest. We also dive into her basketball family and how it goes when she critiques her mom’s work as a college and NBA G League referee.
Wichita State pitchers Nick Potter and James Umbarger give us a look into their first months at a new university and new baseball program. They talk about their roots in baseball and their journey to Wichita State. Both are former catchers, so we discuss how playing that position helps them on the mound. They reveal their best days fishing and Potter shares his story about the bass that escaped. Potter is a transfer from Crowder (Mo.) College. Umbarger is a freshman from Lansing High School.
Wichita State outfielder Lauren Lucas and first baseman Cam Compton update us on fall practices and their rebound seasons after injuries sidelined both in 2024. They talk about staying engaged as unofficial hitting coaches last spring and how they leaned on teammates and family while out of uniform. They discuss outfielder Ellee Eck, one of the newcomers making a strong impression this fall, and freshman Ava Sliger. We also dive into growing up in a family of athletes, restaurants in Southeast Kansas and their advice for the younger Shockers.
In a bonus episode, we talk with former Arizona coach Dave Rubio about Shocker volleyball coach Chris Lamb and his coaching roots. Lamb, entering his 25th season at Wichita State, met Rubio as a club coach in California and formed a friendship. Lamb coached as an assistant under Rubio for two seasons at Arizona before taking the job at WSU in 1999. We talk about Lamb’s love of statistics, why he chose to start his coaching career at Wichita State and why other jobs didn’t lure him away. Rubio discusses how his mentorship helped guide Lamb, why he compares Lamb to Tom Landry and how he adopted some of Lamb’s”birdbrain ideas.” We also dig into their shared love of cars and the coaching text thread filled with volleyball discussions.
