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.
Shocker pitchers Robert Cranz and Matt Wilkinson update us on fall baseball. We discuss their uniform preferences, their path to Wichita State and how often it’s appropriate for a coach to call when recruiting. We also talk about teammates who are making a good impression this fall and why Cranz thinks he matured over the summer entering his sophomore season.
Wichita State softball’s dinner and auction is Saturday and the Shockers open their fall schedule with a scrimmage on Sunday. Associate head coach Elizabeth Economon is here to update fans on newcomers making a good impression this fall, how the program’s success changes recruiting and how the coaches challenge returners such as Addison Barnard and Sydney McKinney. We also discuss the opening at first base, Jessica Garcia’s career arc and the new batting cages built next to Wilkins Stadium. We wrap up by breaking down the accuracy of the “Coach E impressions” video directed by McKinney and featuring her teammates, sunglasses and a bucket hat.
Episode description: In this episode of Wichita State University’s “Forward Together” podcast, President Rick Muma talks with Julius Thomas III and Amy Baker Schwiethale — two graduates of the WSU School of Performing Arts. Julius Thomas III is an actor, singer and dancer with credits in movies, television and stage — including starring roles in traveling productions of “Motown: The Musical” and “Hamilton.” Amy Baker Schwiethale performed on Broadway including a national Broadway tour of “42nd Street” and “Honk!” Schwiethale is currently a Wichita State professor and program director of musical theatre.
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.
Wichita State men’s tennis coach Darragh Glavin talks about his journey from Ireland to the United States to play college tennis and how youth sports differs in the two countries. He discusses why he missed tennis during a year away from the sport and why he chose coaching as his profession. Glavin, hired at Wichita State in June, also talks about his team, his coaching mentors and the importance of the connection between his program and the Wichita tennis community.
Shocker cross country gets rolling on Sept. 3 (Saturday) with the JK Gold Classic. Ben Flowers and Clayton Duchatschek discuss the expectations for the men’s team, favorite running paths in and around Wichita and their training routines for the summer. Flowers talks about how his teammates and coaches helped him work through an injury that cost him almost two years of running. Duchatschek takes us back to last spring’s clinching points in the American Athletic Conference outdoor track championships. We wrap up by choosing a favorite book about running.
Kevin Saal joins the podcast to talk about one of the biggest topics in college athletics – name, image and likeness. He discusses the specifics on how the policy works and how Wichita State is navigating the new environment. He describes how fans can get involved with Shockers of all sports through Armchair Strategies Collective, Opendorse Marketplace and direct connections. We talk about Shockers such as softball’s Sydney McKinney as an example of how NIL can work and the business and branding lessons student-athletes can learn.
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.
