Taylor Eldridge, a 2011 communications graduate from Wichita State, is the Shocker athletics beat writer for The Wichita Eagle, a position he has held since 2017. Eldridge joins the podcast to discuss his popular video breakdowns, how his job changed over the years and his advice for young journalists. He discusses the Shockers, the impact of Morris Udeze and Tyson Etienne’s rise. We wrap up by talking about his favorite stories, his favorite pickup basketball spots and how he handled the time-honored tradition of a sportswriter locked in a stadium late at night.
The Shockers are 2-2 after Tuesday’s win at Tulsa and we have radio voice Mike Kennedy to give us his thoughts. We discuss how improved practices and a full roster are helping and how newcomers such as Craig Porter Jr., and Alterique Gilbert are fitting in. Mike talks about how the pandemic has changed his work life and his long break in between March and the fall.
Steve Strain and Bob Hull join the podcast to break down the early results for Wichita State women’s and men’s basketball. The women are off to a 3-1 start and Strain details the improvements he sees and how the Shockers can improve. Wichita State’s men are 1-1 and Hull talks about the new faces and how they might help as the roster returns to full strength.
Shockers assistant Chester Nichols – a former pass-rushing defensive lineman – updates us on the 2020-21 season. He discusses Wichita State’s newcomers and leadership progress by returners such as Carla Bremaud and Seraphine Bastian. We wrap up with Nichols recommending some of his favorite books.
Emani Jenkins, Asia Strong, Rachel Johnson, Ene Adams and Shamaryah Duncan join the podcast to discuss their choice in uniform numbers, WNBA favorites, Halloween candies and teammates helping them adjust to college.
Wichita State freshmen Jaden Seymour, Chaunce Jenkins and Ricky Council IV and junior Trevin Wade discuss movie and TV recommendations, which Shocker veterans are guiding them, favorite NBA players and passing time during the pandemic.
Wichita State basketball newcomers Clarence Jackson, Craig Porter Jr., and Alterique Gilbert talk about their adjustment to the new program, flipping tractor tires to keep in shape, Gilbert’s experience as a make-you-miss running back, best shooters on the team and favorite TV shows.
Ted Woodward is the new public address announcer for Wichita State men’s basketball. We discuss his favorite Shocker names, how an announcer tries to stay out of the spotlight, the Kevin Costner baseball regional in 1996, Woodward’s low point as a track and field announcer in college and his love for Mr. Pibb.
Terrell Benton played basketball at Wichita State from 1998-2002 after attending Derby High School. We talk about his views on what’s going on in the United States and how we respond, talk and listen while we work for solutions to racism. “This process is going to have to begin with love,” he said. “Love is not always roses and flowers. Love, sometimes, is sitting in front of someone and loving them enough to accept their realities and accept their truths, whether they are yours, or not.”
The NCAA model is undergoing significant changes and Wichita State associate athletic director for compliance Korey Torgerson is here to update fans. We talk about what fans might see from image and likeness proposals, how returning seniors might affect rosters for spring sports, the progress on immediate eligibility for transfers and more. For more information on name/image/likeness, Torgerson recommends this interview with Blake Lawrence of @opendorse.
