Shocker volleyball scrimmaged Saturday and associate head coach Sean Carter joins the podcast with his impressions of the action. Brylee Kelly continued her strong fall and several freshmen played well. Carter details about how the program is handling the pandemic, the candidates to take over at libero and his best and worst birthday presents.
Shocker softball is in the midst of fall practices and assistant coach Elizabeth Economon joins the podcast to discuss Wichita State’s senior returners, Wylie Glover’s improvement during the abbreviated 2020 spring, how the team is compensating for pandemic restrictions and newcomers off to a good start.
The 2007 and 2008 Wichita State baseball teams advanced to the program’s first super regionals, both fueled by dramatic regional victories. Outfielder Ryan Jones and shortstop Dusty Coleman talk about those moments – vs. Arizona (2007) and vs. Oklahoma State (2008). We also discuss Conor Gillaspie’s video-game energy, outfield defense, a conversation with Buster Posey and hide-and-seek in a hotel during wacky weather in Illinois.
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.”
Wichita State pitchers Jaime Bluma and Shane Dennis talk about 1990s baseball. They pitched on the 1991 and 1993 NCAA runner-ups (and the 1992 team that also played in the College World Series). We discuss the rivalry with Creighton, favorite regional memories at Eck Stadium, favorite Dreifort (Darren and Todd) home runs, Billy Hall’s surprise season and how the 1990 regional loss stuck with the 1991 team.
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.
2005-06 – the season the Missouri Valley Conference beat the system and helped change college basketball. Four MVC teams in the NCAA Tournament – two in Sweet 16. No. 6 in RPI rankings and No. 7 in Ken Pomeroy. Lottery draft pick. Fifth and sixth seeds in MVC Tournament earn at-large bids. MVC commissioner Doug Elgin gets the drop on Billy Packer. Three journalists who covered that season – Paul Klee, Lyndal Scranton and Dave Reynolds – join the podcast to reminisce. Thanks to all who contributed their thoughts and research, including Mike Reis and Art Hains for audio.
Softball coach Kristi Bredbenner talks about outfitting the addition to her family in Shocker colors, keeping the team connected through check-ins and regular questions. She has three talented seniors who will return next spring and she details what that means for her roster. Track and field’s Steve Rainbolt misses the rhythm of accomplishment and team competition he usually experiences during the spring. He is a newcomer to Netflix and offers a few movie recommendations, led by “Bull Durham.”
The Roundhouse podcast returns with Shockers telling us how they’re coping with the pandemic. Hurdler Joseph Holthusen talks about the difficulty of keeping a competitive mindset. Softball’s Ryleigh Buck lets us in on the “Question of the day” and how that helps the Shockers learn about their teammates. Alexandra Lazarova, of the women’s tennis team, passes the time by reading and playing acoustic guitar. Golfer Dawson Lewis describes how Kobe Bryant is helping his team stay mentally sharp.
Wichita State coaches Keitha Adams (women’s basketball) and Danny Bryan (men’s tennis) join us remotely. Adams updates fans on three new Shockers, tells a few Don Haskins stories and discusses what she misses the most about pre-pandemic life (Hint: Social distancing is tough for Adams). Bryan describes the abrupt end to the season, how his international athletes adapted and his pick for TV documentaries to watch.
