Wichita State softball pitching coach Courtney Oliver is at the microphone to talk about facing Shocker hitters from the opposite dugout, how her time as an athlete at Hofstra shaped her career and her pitching philosophy. Oliver, hired in June, came to Wichita State from Houston and also coached at ECU.
More memories from the 2013 Final Four season with Nick Wiggins and Demetric Williams. We talk about how coaches set the tone for that season off the court, the wacky win at Redbird Arena and how injuries shaped that season. We also discuss their affection for teammate Carl Hall and his beastly style of play, the emotions behind a senior night loss to Evansville and the scene in Atlanta.
Radio voice Mike Kennedy and former Wichita Eagle columnist Bob Lutz join us to reminisce about the 2012-13 Shockers basketball season, culminating at the Final Four. We talk about Cleanthony Early’s star turn on that team and his place in Shocker history, the importance of depth and the wacky win at Illinois State. We discuss the significance of the win over No. 1 Gonzaga, torment Bob with trivia questions and reveal some of our favorite moments. Many of those Shockers are in town this week for the alumni reunion at Friday’s AfterShocks game and dinner at Mark Arts on July 22.
We dive into the 2013 Final Four reunion with Ron Baker and Zach Bush by testing their memories on Tekele Cotton’s defense, Staples Center locker assignments and more from that run to Atlanta. We talk about which Shocker will lead the good times at the reunion, how the addition of Malcolm Armstead helped and how a tough stretch in MVC play shaped the season. We wrap up with a look at the AfterShocks roster.
FAU is one of six schools which will join the American Athletic Conference on July 1. Ken LaVicka, radio voice of FAU football and men’s basketball, updates us on the Owls after a run to the Final Four and their expectations for 2024. LaVicka discusses how coach Dusty May built the Owls and how a football school is learning to love hoops. We talk about how FAU baseball succeeds in spite of modest facilities and why LaVicka thinks the incoming schools from CUSA bring considerable pop to the American.
Charlotte is one of six schools which will join the American Athletic Conference on July 1. Hunter Bailey of the Hwy 49 podcast and Charlotte Observer joins the podcast to discuss recent upheaval in the basketball program, the potential for a growing rivalry with ECU and fighting for attention in a pro city. Bailey talks about the growing football program and Charlotte’s strong basketball success in its early days as an NCAA Division I program.
UAB is one of six schools which will join the American Athletic Conference on July 1. Evan Dudley covers UAB athletics for the Alabama Media Group. We discuss the work of Blazers AD Mark Ingram putting the school in a good position as it joins the American, the barbecue-based trophy at stake when UAB plays Memphis and the school’s relationship with Alabama and Auburn. Dudley also talks about basketball coach Andy Kennedy and his success building through the transfer portal. The legacy of former coach Gene Bartow and the importance of basketball at UAB are also topics.
UTSA is one of six schools which will join the American Athletic Conference on July 1. Greg Luca covers UTSA athletics for the San Antonio Express-News. We talk about football’s fast rise and basketball’s facility challenges. We discuss the tenure of McPherson’s Steve Henson as men’s basketball coach, the university’s growing support of athletics and the challenge battling the Spurs and the Dallas Cowboys for attention.
Rice is one of six schools which will join the American Athletic Conference on July 1. Matthew Bartlett, director and managing editor of The Roost, talks about renewing old rivalries, the state of Owls basketball and resurrecting Rice baseball under coach Jose Cruz Jr. We discuss the best Owl in the new conference and the strength of women’s basketball and volleyball at Rice.
North Texas is one of six schools which will join the American Athletic Conference on July 1. Brett Vito of the Denton Record-Chronicle discusses Mean Green basketball under new coach Ross Hodge after an NIT title, the history of the “Mean Green” nickname and the school’s great golf history. He describes the school’s excitement at joining a conference with several Texas rivals, its journey as a member of several conferences and the success of the softball program in recent years.
