Wichita State basketball assistant coaches Quincy Acy and Chris Hollender talk about their relationship with coach Paul Mills and why they joined him. Acy reveals how playing with former Shocker Cleanthony Early introduced him to Shocker basketball and how Acy’s seven-season NBA career can influence his players. We wrap up by talking about his wife’s salsa. Hollender talks about wearing the sleeves at Evansville, his definition of pouring himself into players and why he recommends his players watch video of Kenneth Faried.
Seniors Orel Ovil and Zach Grueber discuss their careers at Wichita State, their advice for young college athletes and why they are involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Ovil talks about his future in coaching and how he used his life experiences in Israel to help the team. Grueber reveals his favorite Wichita pizza and both come prepared with several book recommendations. The Shocker tennis teams play their final home matches of the season on Saturday vs. Creighton.
Farrah Miller joins the podcast to talk about the challenges of running the 800 meters, how her practice run at Cessna Stadium led her to Wichita State from New York and her advice for sight-seeing in the Big Apple. We talk about carbon-plated shoes and how they are changing the sport and more before Friday’s K.T. Woodman Classic at Cessna Stadium.
Wichita State center fielder Lauren Lucas and catcher Lainee Brown talk about last weekend’s series win at UCF and the elements that make that rivalry matter. We discuss the upside of national rankings, who they text after a big game and which Shockers give positive energy. We also break down Brown’s offensive surge, how Lucas deals with catches at the wall and the potential for a 2023 “Give me your best impression of Coach E” video.
Wichita State pitching coach Mike Pelfrey joins us to talk about Payton Tolle’s two-way brilliance, Grant Adler’s roaming and Clark Candiotti’s slider. We discuss statistical measurements for pitching and how a good catcher can steal strikes. We wrap up by arguing whether Pelfrey’s gone soft, or if he is smartly learning new ways to work with his pitchers.
Wichita State is in the national rankings and ready to play at Wilkins Stadium this weekend. Pitching coach Presley Bell and pitcher Lauren Howell join the podcast to discuss the staff’s hot start, how video plays a role in preparation and how the pitchers complement each other. We also talk about Jefferson City’s famed Central Dairy, how Howell chose to transfer to Wichita State and travel tips.
Wichita State’s Trajata Colbert and Jane Asinde discuss the convincing victory over Tulsa, how they work together on the court and why Colbert sometimes wants to tell Asinde to slow down in practice. We talk about Colbert’s love of “The Golden Girls” TV show and why coaches consider her an “old soul.” Topics also include senior memories, advice for freshmen and travel tips.
Outfielder Jordan Rogers and pitcher Caden Favors discuss uniform choices, falling in love with baseball and best and worst walk-up songs on the team. Favors explains his many roles on the staff, including last season’s run as the “opener.” Rogers talks about “energy vampires.” We also break down airplane comforts, newcomers to watch and how the Shocker coaches provided support during a time of transition.
Libero Lara Uyar, a native of Turkey, discusses the current crisis in her country caused by an earthquake near the border with Syria. We learn how she is handling the emotions of being far away from family and friends during the difficult time and how her teammates offer support. We also talk about sports in Turkey, her adjustment to the United States and spring volleyball practices at Wichita State.
Wichita State softball coach Kristi Bredbenner takes fans through the roster, which positions she is watching closely as opening day approaches, and how the revamped pitching staff might look. We talk about the recent reveal of plans to improve Wilkins Stadium, why those efforts are important and how the rise in softball’s popularity is helping. A discussion of the home schedule is also included, highlighted by the story behind Stanford’s visit to Wilkins Stadium in March.
