Wichita State is recognizing three MVC champions during Saturday’s basketball game vs. Temple (5 p.m.). We chatted with two members from each team – Ed Southern and Steve Kalocinski from the 1976 Shockers, Ryan Martin and Kyle Wilson from 2006 and J.R. Simon and Evan Wessel from the 2016 team. Southern reveals that a chance meeting at a pickup game at old Kapaun High School started him on a path to WSU. Kalocinski talks about his relationship with assistant coach Ron Heller, who became a father figure to him. Wilson describes how he landed at Wichita State after transferring from Illinois, aided by a neighborhood conversation involving coach Mark Turgeon. Simon and Wessel discuss why that Shocker team played such great defense on its way to the MVC title and NCAA wins over Vanderbilt and Arizona.
Dave Dahl, Mike Kennedy’s partner on the radio for Shocker basketball since 1980, joins the podcast to discuss Mike’s career, the current state of Wichita State basketball and more. He tells us how he connected with Mike in 1980, why the chemistry clicked immediately and how that duo prepares for games. We also discuss Mike’s relationship with officials, the magic of the MTXE era and why Kennedy’s skills calling volleyball explain so much. We dive into the three MVC championship teams that will be recognized this weekend and former Shocker star Warren Jabali, who is in the spotlight thanks to an ABA documentary “Soul Power.” On Saturday, WSU plays Temple at 5 p.m. It is Mike Kennedy Night and he will be honored at halftime.
Get set for the week with the Roundhouse Rundown podcast, the fastest five minutes in collegiate promotions. Wichita State men’s basketball is in the American Conference title race. The Shockers play at ECU on Wednesday (6 p.m., ESPN+). Then it’s a big Saturday honoring Voice of the Shockers Mike Kennedy and the 1976, 2006 and 2016 MVC championship teams. Temple visits Koch Arena at 5 p.m. (ESPN2). Shocker baseball starts a series at Hawaii at 10:35 p.m., Thursday. All games are on KFH, 97.5 FM. All that, plus promotions, ticket specials, Shocker trivia and Shocker history.
Wichita State sophomore forward Dillon Battie is on a roll in American Conference play and coming off a 19-point, 9-rebound effort in a win over Tulane. The Shockers play conference co-leaders USF and Tulsa at home this week and Dillon joins us to talk about the team’s winning ways and how a crowd can influence a game. We talk about coach Paul Mills’ devotion to defense and how he challenged the Shockers after a loss in January. Dillon reveals his newest hobby – day trading – and why he wants to share what he is learning about making money. Wichita State is 15-9, 7-4 in the American Conference. It plays USF at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday and Tulsa at 6 p.m., Saturday as part of Pizza Hut Shocker Sports Hall of Fame Weekend.
Get set for the week with the Roundhouse Rundown podcast, the fastest five minutes in collegiate promotions. Wichita State men’s basketball has won five of six games to put itself in contention in the American Conference. The Shockers can take a big step toward that goal with games against USF (6:30 p.m. Wednesday) and Tulsa (6 p.m., Saturday), the teams tied atop the standings. Shocker baseball opens its schedule with a four-game series at Eck Stadium vs. Northern Colorado. The opener is at 3 p.m., Friday. The Pizza Hut Shocker Sports Hall of Fame weekend starts Friday and continues during Saturday’s men’s basketball game. Tickets are available at goshockers.com. All that, plus promotions, ticket specials, Shocker trivia and Shocker history.
Wichita State softball starts the season this weekend in Texas. Associate head coach Elizabeth Economon joins the podcast to set the scene. We discuss how the schedule balances tough competition with confidence-building games and how using the team’s new indoor practice facility helps build routines. Newcomers such as Johnna Schroeder and Mackenzie Rooney adapted during the fall and Economon muses about where they might fit in the spring lineup. We discuss how first base and designated player could shake out and how that is a key to the batting order. Returners such as Jodie Epperson and Brookelyn Livanec contributed last season and Economon talks where they fit in 2026.
Get set for the week with the Roundhouse Rundown podcast, the fastest five minutes in collegiate promotions. Wichita State men’s basketball plays Charlotte at Koch Arena on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.). The WSU women face Tulsa at 6 p.m., Tuesday at Koch Arena. The first 250 fans receive a shirt to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Shocker softball opens the season on Friday in Texas. Both Shocker tennis teams will play at their indoor homes this weekend. The Pizza Hut Shocker Sports Hall of Fame weekend (Feb. 13-14) nearing with tickets available at goshockers.com. All that, plus promotions, ticket specials, Shocker trivia and Shocker history.
Get set for the week with the Roundhouse Rundown podcast, the fastest five minutes in collegiate promotions. Both Shocker basketball teams can have a say at the top of the conference standings over the next week. The Shocker men, on a three-game win streak, travel to Tulsa on Sunday (1 p.m., ESPNU) and get Charlotte at home on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.). The WSU women are home with a two-game win streak after a win at second-place ECU. The Shockers play last-place UAB at 2 p.m. Saturday at Koch Arena on Scheel’s Junior Shocker Kids Club Day. Tuesday, third-place Tulsa visits Koch Arena for a 6 p.m. tip to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The Pizza Hut Shocker Sports Hall of Fame weekend (Feb. 13-14) nearing with tickets available at goshockers.com. All that, plus promotions, ticket specials, Shocker trivia and Shocker history.
Wichita State basketball assistant coach Iain Laymon updates fans on the three-game win streak after Saturday’s win over Memphis. We discuss how the Shockers regrouped with some real talk before playing USF, how coaches think about shot selection for Kenyon Giles and why they encourage Brian Amuneke to fire away. We also talk about how the Shockers use technology to improve foul shooting. Iain discusses why he got into coaching and his father’s influence on his career.
Former Wichita State softball All-Americans CC Wong and Sydney McKinney are still in the game at Wilkins Stadium. They work with hitters and pitchers, catch bullpen sessions, throw batting practice and scrimmage with the Shockers for their duties as graduate assistants. McKinney is playing professionally and leaves soon for Japan. She will play this summer for Oklahoma City in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, her fourth season in the AUSL. Wong plays for Team Canada with her sights set on the 2028 Olympics. We talk about working with the Shockers, improving their coaching techniques and why Wichita State coaches work so well with athletes. We also talk about the growth of professional softball and the importance of persistence when recruiting starts for young athletes.
McKinney, from Norborne, Mo., played shortstop for WSU from 2019-23. She earned All-America honors in 2021, 2022 and 2023. McKinney led the nation in batting average in 2022 (.522) and 2023 (.527). Wong, from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, played in 2024 for the Shockers and earned All-American honors after hitting .470 (second nationally) with 14 home runs and 14 doubles.
