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.
Bob Powers and Robert Litan are the co-authors of a new book about Wichita State All-American basketball player Dave Stallworth. Powers was a teammate of Stallworth’s with the Shockers and a member of the 1965 Final Four team. Litan grew up in McPherson and Wichita as a Shocker fan watching the great teams of the early 1960s. All royalties from the book will be donated to the WSU Foundation for the David Stallworth Memorial Scholarship.
Wichita State women’s basketball is 6-1 entering Saturday’s game against New Orleans at Koch Arena. Guard DJ McCarty and forward Jane Asinde join the podcast to discuss the camaraderie and communication that are helping the Shockers. We also discuss the international flavor of the team, the best dancer and how McCarty improved her foul shooting. DJ stakes her claim as the team’s funny person and Jane explains the pride she feels representing Uganda as a college basketball player.
Connor Phelps, director of marketing and fan engagement, joins the podcast to talk about music, promotions, food and more as Shocker basketball season arrives. Phelps, a Wichita State graduate, discusses how the game-day staff organizes music and promotions, what’s new for fans at Koch Arena and what he learned from his time as a student working in the athletic department.
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.
Shocker assistant Butch Pierre joins the podcast to get fans ready for basketball season. He discusses practices and why he thinks the Shockers will score more this season and the talents of newcomer Jaykwon Walton. He reminisces about his exposure to Shocker basketball in 2006 and 2007 when he coached at LSU and his impression of the atmosphere in Koch Arena. We also talk about playing in the SEC against Charles Barkley and Dominique Wilkins, a recruiting trip to Houston on a private plane and his love for fishing.
Alabama transfer James Rojas and freshman Trevor McBride join the podcast to talk about their first month at Wichita State. We discuss Rojas’ travels around the SEC, why he chose Wichita State and Shocker coach Isaac Brown’s emphasis on defense in summer workouts. McBride details the decision to walk on at Wichita State, his views on playing point guard and his track and field performances in high school.
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.
