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.
Wichita State’s Quincy Ballard, Colby Rogers and Henry Thengvall join the podcast to talk about their first weeks as Shockers, teammates making a big impression and alternate sports choices. We discuss how returner Craig Porter Jr., is helping the newcomers, Jaron Pierre’s potential to juice the offense and Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors. Thengvall talks about his favorite Shockers as a youngster, experiencing the crowd at Koch Arena and playing for coach Steve Eck in high school.
Three of Wichita State’s basketball newcomers join the podcast with their thoughts on their new teammates, favorite NBA players, their introduction to strength and conditioning coach Ryan Horn, alternate sports and advice for freshmen.
Ryan Horn is the new strength and conditioning coach at Wichita State. He will oversee the department and work with men’s basketball. We discuss his path from football fullback to his profession, one that includes a chat at a Kentucky football camp, a talk with his dad and injuries. He discusses his love language with athletes, how he plans to coach them with relentless positivity and high expectations and how building relationships is the most important part of his job. He reveals his favorite movie and the importance of selecting the musical playlist for workouts.
P.J. Couisnard, a member of Wichita State’s 2006 NCAA Sweet 16 basketball team, talks about the docuseries “A Cooz Story.” The film is about Couisnard’s work in Houston’s Third Ward helping children through sports and academics at Cooz Elite Sports. We talk about the influence of his parents and how their ministry shaped his life, how his own academic struggles played a role and why he returned to Houston to do this work. We wrap up by indulging in 2006 reminiscing about a big game against Bradley and the NCAA Tournament win over Tennessee that sent the Shockers to the Sweet 16.
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.
Shockers center Kenny Pohto joins the podcast to discuss his freshman season, learning basketball in Sweden, his former life as a soccer player and how practicing against Morris Udeze helps him. We talk about his 14-point performance on Tuesday and why the Shockers offense improved. Pohto also talks about his favorite NBA players, his desire to be one of the faces of basketball for Sweden and how the emphasis on fundamentals and defense in Europe helped shape his game.
Radio voice Steve Strain discusses why the Shockers are scoring more, how improved post play is helping, Seraphine Bastin’s leadership role and how the AAC race is stacking up.
Voice of the Shockers Mike Kennedy joins us to discuss Wichita State’s volleyball win streak, the start of basketball season and the additions to the American Athletic Conference. He talks about the effectiveness of Shocker middles Natalie Foster and Morgan Stout, what he likes about basketball newcomers Joe Pleasant, Qua Grant and Kenny Pohto and the upside of new conference members such as North Texas, Rice and Charlotte.
Sophomore DJ McCarty and freshman Ella Anciaux stop by to discuss the Shockers progress three weeks before the opener. They talk about the emphasis in practice on defense and the summer work on shooting. McCarty reveal’s Anciaux’s nickname, her belief that Kobe Bryant is the GOAT and discusses working to act as more of a vocal leader on the court. Anciaux tells us why she enjoys the diverse nationalities on the roster and how she acts as a tour guide around Wichita.
