Wichita State forward Ronnie DeGray III joins us to break down summer workouts and two of the newcomers who popped in his eyes. He discusses his late-season surge in 2024 and how coach Paul Mills boosted his confidence. DeGray also talks about how his father influenced his basketball career, why he wears No. 3 at Wichita State and his career goals in an NBA front office.
Women’s basketball coach Terry Nooner updates fans on summer practices and the exhibition tour of the Virgin Islands. We talk about adding athletic ability and height to the roster and his desire to play faster. We discuss his options to play point guard, Taylor Jameson’s energy at practice and Jayla Murray’s hard work since last season. Nooner also describes summer activities such as financial literacy training and plans for assistant coach Antwain Scales to teach about car maintenance.
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.
Wichita State women’s basketball assistant coaches Brooke Costley and Nick Bradford update fans on summer workouts, team building and bowling. We discuss Costley’s rise through NCAA Division II to Wichita State and her hobby as an artist. Bradford talks about his long friendship with coach Terry Nooner and how he learned to root for the Kansas City Chiefs and leave behind the Dallas Cowboys.
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.
Episode description: In this episode of Wichita State University’s “Forward Together” podcast, President Rick Muma talks with Kevin Saal, who was hired as director of athletics at Wichita State University in June. Kevin is leading Shocker athletics during a time of significant change – name, image and likeness, the transfer portal and conference realignment top the list.
The “Forward Together” podcast celebrates the vision and mission of Wichita State University. In each episode, President Rick Muma will talk with guests from throughout Shocker Nation to highlight the people and priorities that guide WSU on its road to becoming an essential educational, cultural, and economic driver for Kansas and the greater good.
Associate head coach Ewa Laskowska prepares fans for the upcoming season with a look at Shocker newcomers such as Curtessia Dean and Aniya Bell and returners such as Jane Asinde and Trajata Colbert. We discuss DJ McCarty’s role as point guard and how she fits as the Shockers rebuild their backcourt after the departure of three seniors. Laskowska also discusses the emphasis on adding scoring to the roster with seven newcomers. The Tipoff Luncheon is set for Oct. 14 with Shocker Madness on Oct. 27. The Shockers play on an exhibition game against Missouri Southern on Nov. 1. The opener is Nov. 9 vs. Alcorn State.
Wichita State’s Jacob Wilson, Gus Okafor and Jaykwon Walton talk about their early weeks as a Shocker, favorite NBA players and advice for college newcomers. Okafor reveals why he helped a young Shocker fan capture a roly poly during camp and how he is grabbing the role as vocal leader. They discuss teammate Jaron Pierre’s energy and personality and their early impressions of strength and conditioning coach Ryan Horn.
Brad Pittman, tournament manager for the NCAA Tournament women’s basketball regional rounds coming to Intrust Bank Arena on March 25-28, joins the podcast to discuss preparations. Pittman talks about ticket sales, hoped-for schools assigned to the bracket and the timeline for getting the arena ready for visitors and fans. We get into why the arena has been a success for luring NCAA events and how upgrades to the airport and hotels are also part of the competition. Pittman wraps it up with his memories of organizing the 2006 Rolling Stones concert at Cessna Stadium, which started with a phone call that was hard to believe.
The “Forward Together” podcast celebrates the vision and mission of Wichita State University. In each episode, President Rick Muma will talk with guests from throughout Shocker Nation to highlight the people and priorities that guide WSU on its road to becoming an essential educational, cultural, and economic driver for Kansas and the greater good.
Episode description: On this episode of the Forward Together podcast, WSU President Dr. Rick Muma and his guests discuss WSU’s priority of making higher education accessible and how it helps build a stronger community and a stronger Kansas. Special guests include John Rolfe, president and CEO of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Isaac Brown, WSU men’s basketball head coach.
