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.
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.
Softball coach Kristi Bredbenner talks about outfitting the addition to her family in Shocker colors, keeping the team connected through check-ins and regular questions. She has three talented seniors who will return next spring and she details what that means for her roster. Track and field’s Steve Rainbolt misses the rhythm of accomplishment and team competition he usually experiences during the spring. He is a newcomer to Netflix and offers a few movie recommendations, led by “Bull Durham.”
Wichita State graduate manager Kellen Marshall discusses his view of the Roundhouse’s list of top 50 wins from 2007-March 1, 2019. Marshall, son of Shockers coach Gregg Marshall, details why NCAA wins over Pitt (2013) and Dayton (2017) mean so much and his affection for the 2015 ESPN GameDay win over Northern Iowa and the GameDay crew. We disagree about hoodie warmups, agree on respecting Gonzaga and he reveals the referees who deserve a break from Shocker fans.
