Shocker softball is in the midst of fall practices and assistant coach Elizabeth Economon joins the podcast to discuss Wichita State’s senior returners, Wylie Glover’s improvement during the abbreviated 2020 spring, how the team is compensating for pandemic restrictions and newcomers off to a good start.
Ted Woodward is the new public address announcer for Wichita State men’s basketball. We discuss his favorite Shocker names, how an announcer tries to stay out of the spotlight, the Kevin Costner baseball regional in 1996, Woodward’s low point as a track and field announcer in college and his love for Mr. Pibb.
The 2007 and 2008 Wichita State baseball teams advanced to the program’s first super regionals, both fueled by dramatic regional victories. Outfielder Ryan Jones and shortstop Dusty Coleman talk about those moments – vs. Arizona (2007) and vs. Oklahoma State (2008). We also discuss Conor Gillaspie’s video-game energy, outfield defense, a conversation with Buster Posey and hide-and-seek in a hotel during wacky weather in Illinois.
Terrell Benton played basketball at Wichita State from 1998-2002 after attending Derby High School. We talk about his views on what’s going on in the United States and how we respond, talk and listen while we work for solutions to racism. “This process is going to have to begin with love,” he said. “Love is not always roses and flowers. Love, sometimes, is sitting in front of someone and loving them enough to accept their realities and accept their truths, whether they are yours, or not.”
Wichita State pitchers Jaime Bluma and Shane Dennis talk about 1990s baseball. They pitched on the 1991 and 1993 NCAA runner-ups (and the 1992 team that also played in the College World Series). We discuss the rivalry with Creighton, favorite regional memories at Eck Stadium, favorite Dreifort (Darren and Todd) home runs, Billy Hall’s surprise season and how the 1990 regional loss stuck with the 1991 team.
The NCAA model is undergoing significant changes and Wichita State associate athletic director for compliance Korey Torgerson is here to update fans. We talk about what fans might see from image and likeness proposals, how returning seniors might affect rosters for spring sports, the progress on immediate eligibility for transfers and more. For more information on name/image/likeness, Torgerson recommends this interview with Blake Lawrence of @opendorse.
Shockers basketball graduate manager Kellen Marshall is back to discuss additions to the Roundhouse’s 2019 top 50 list. Some of his favorite recent games include the 2019 NIT victory at Indiana and the 2020 comeback at SMU. He discusses how he grew into a love of coaching, which opposing coach is best at disinformation on the bench and why he thinks guard Alterique Gilbert is an excellent addition to the Shockers.
Paul Miller and Ryan Martin of the 2005-06 Wichita State basketball team check in for updates and memories of that NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 season. Miller, the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, recalls the time a teammate neglected to wake him up on time and the importance of confidence to that team. Martin, a member of the MVC’s All-Bench team, talks about Miller’s 30-point performance in a win over Southern Illinois and the thoughts going through his mind before a dunk that sealed the NCAA win over Tennessee.
Nick Jones, director of player development, and video coordinator Jeff Chapman join the podcast to discuss the Twitter (@Nick_JonesWSU) project highlighting former Shockers such as Ron Baker, Joe Ragland, Markis McDuffie and others. We also learn Chapman’s role in a halftime superstition, their favorite advice from coach Gregg Marshall and how they explain Fred VanVleet’s basketball smarts.
2005-06 – the season the Missouri Valley Conference beat the system and helped change college basketball. Four MVC teams in the NCAA Tournament – two in Sweet 16. No. 6 in RPI rankings and No. 7 in Ken Pomeroy. Lottery draft pick. Fifth and sixth seeds in MVC Tournament earn at-large bids. MVC commissioner Doug Elgin gets the drop on Billy Packer. Three journalists who covered that season – Paul Klee, Lyndal Scranton and Dave Reynolds – join the podcast to reminisce. Thanks to all who contributed their thoughts and research, including Mike Reis and Art Hains for audio.
