Emily Hiebert, general manager of Wheat Shock Collective, joins the podcast to talk about her role helping Wichita State with name, image and likeness efforts. We discuss how she is working with Shockers on the community engagement part of NIL and how businesses can work with the collective and the Shockers. We talk about the importance of NIL and how Shocker coaches explain its role in building and maintaining their programs. We also talk about her volleyball days as a Shocker, her favorite story from coach Chris Lamb and her advice for athletes navigating the new world of college athletics.
Wichita State basketball newcomers Corey Washington, Zane Meeks, AJ McGinnis and Justin Hill talk about their journey to Wichita State, early impressions of practices and favorite NBA players. They agree on the NBA’s GOAT, dispense advice to the youngsters and discuss football as a second sport. Washington is a 6-foot-6 forward from Little Rock, Arkansas. He transferred to WSU from St. Peter’s University in New Jersey. He has two seasons of eligibility at WSU. Meeks is a 6-foot-9 forward from Prairie Village, Kansas. He transfers to Wichita State from Arizona State, where an ankle injury limited him to five games. In 2023, he averaged 10.3 points while starting at the University of San Francisco. McGinnis is a 6-foot-4 senior guard who transfered from Lipscomb, where he averaged 13.2 points and 2.3 rebounds. Justin Hill is a 6-foot senior guard from Houston. He transfers to Wichita State after two seasons at Georgia, where he averaged 9.5 points and 3.2 assists in 2024.
Wichitan Patrick Harrison is the new assistant women’s basketball coach. We talk about playing at Campus High School for his father and a coaching journey through junior colleges, an NAIA stop, and other places before returning to WSU. Harrison, a Shocker graduate assistant under former coach Jody Adams, discusses lessons from those successful seasons and why he wants to work for Terry Nooner. We also discuss his favorite James Bond movies and favorite Bond actor.
Hurdler Joseph Holthusen, a senior from Bishop Carroll, is wrapping up a standout career with the Shockers. We talk about his football roots, the importance of family and Luke Holthusen, his brother and future Shocker. We discuss how Holthusen worked through an injury that cost him much of the 2022 season. We also talk about “Survival,” a board game he developed and sells, a recruiting snub and the generation gap he encounters as a redshirt senior. The AAC Championships begin Friday in San Antonio and Holthusen ranks first in the conference in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.84 seconds.
Infielders CC Wong and Krystin Nelson join the podcast to prepare fans for the AAC Championship this week at Wilkins Stadium. They discuss how pitching and defense is coming together in recent weeks to lift the Shockers on a hot streak. They talk about pitcher Chloe Barber and how she’s improved over her freshman season. Wong tells us about her aspirations to play for Canada this summer. Nelson reveals why she gave up No. 12 and now wears No. 21. We also talk about Addison Barnard’s career with the Shockers and their advice for choosing a college.
Wichita State’s Harlond Beverly joins the podcast with the story of why his dad wanted him to wear No. 20 and the NBA player who also wore that number. We discuss Beverly’s admiration of LeBron James and his growing affection for UFC. We also talk about why the Shockers improved over the season’s final weeks. He describes how coach Paul Mills challenged him to be a better offensive player and how Mills’ work building relationships pays off. We wrap up with movie talk, diving into Beverly’s favorite films by Christopher Nolan.
We check in on spring volleyball with libero/DS Katie Galligan and outside hitter Emerson Wilford. They update us on the two newcomers, goals this spring and how the NIVC title helped set a high standard in the gym. We also talk about contentious game nights at the Galligan house and how their family lives shaped their college careers. We wrap up with a Morgan Weber appreciation segment before discussing Katie’s future as an influencer and plans for the team’s trip to Brazil in May.
Assistant coaches Katie Zimmerman and Ashleigh Houlton update us on spring volleyball practices. We look back at the NIVC title and how the trip to El Paso motivated the Shockers. We discuss newcomers Sarah Musial, a freshman setter, and outside Alyssa Gonzales, a transfer from TCU. We dive into Morgan Stout’s improvement in 2023, what’s ahead for Emerson Wilford and candidates to break into regular playing time in 2024. We wrap up with a conversation about favorite coffee places in Wichita and coach Chris Lamb’s regular order at Fairmount Coffee Co.
Wichita State golfers Blake Lorenz and Michael Winslow get us started on the spring. We talk about the good vibes emanating from the opening tournament in Cancun. Lorenz defends his musical choices and describes competitive ping pong games with his brother. The golfers detail their practice routine and how the variety of courses around the Wichita area helps their preparation. We also dive into their advice for young golfers and the importance of family support.
Wichita State softball opens this weekend in Texas and associate head coach Elizabeth Economon gets fans ready with a look at the likely batting order. We talk about Addison Barnard’s recovery from a shoulder injury and newcomers such as third baseman CC Wong and pitcher Chloe Barber. We discuss how the Shockers thrive in the transfer portal and Economon reveals which player she thinks is the biggest Kansas City Chiefs fan.
