Coach Kristi Bredbenner helps us celebrate ground-breaking on the indoor practice facility at Wilkins Stadium (10:30 a.m., Sept 14) with a description of the new building, why it is needed and the timeline for construction. We also talk about the rise in softball’s popularity and how WSU’s success set the groundwork for fundraising. Bredbenner updates us on fall practices, Lauren Lucas’ return and newcomers to watch. We also remember Phyllis Diller’s appearance at Wilkins Stadium’s groundbreaking in 1997 and muse about possible celebrity appearances on Saturday. The Shockers open their fall scrimmages against McLennan (Texas) Community College at 1 p.m. Saturday. How to donate.
Wichita State volleyball assistant coaches Katie Zimmerman and Ashleigh Houlton join the podcast to preview the season. We talk about the scrimmage against Kansas State, their thoughts on the AAC adopting a conference tournament and the rule change on double hits. We also discuss newcomer Sarah Barham and her play as a middle blocker, Emerson Wilford’s increasing role in the offense and Morgan Stout’s rise as a scorer in the middle. The Shockers open the season on Friday at Kennesaw State. Their first home match is on Sept. 19 vs. Cal Poly to open the Shocker Volleyball Classic.
Wichita State forward Ronnie DeGray III joins us to break down summer workouts and two of the newcomers who popped in his eyes. He discusses his late-season surge in 2024 and how coach Paul Mills boosted his confidence. DeGray also talks about how his father influenced his basketball career, why he wears No. 3 at Wichita State and his career goals in an NBA front office.
Matej Bosnjak, a 6-foot-9 center from Croatia, joins the podcast to talk about his home country, his favorite food and his passion for soccer club Hajduk Split and the Green Bay Packers. Bosnjak discusses choosing Wichita State, his adjustment to the United States and why he wears No. 17 for the Shockers.
Women’s basketball coach Terry Nooner updates fans on summer practices and the exhibition tour of the Virgin Islands. We talk about adding athletic ability and height to the roster and his desire to play faster. We discuss his options to play point guard, Taylor Jameson’s energy at practice and Jayla Murray’s hard work since last season. Nooner also describes summer activities such as financial literacy training and plans for assistant coach Antwain Scales to teach about car maintenance.
Wichita State baseball coach Brian Green walks fans through some of the top newcomers, outfielder Jaden Gustafson’s strong summer and how the team’s style of play will look different in his second season. We talk about the return of Grant Adler and Jace Miner, both all-conference picks in 2023, and how those additions might shape the pitching rotation. We also discuss how the Wheat Shock Collective and NIL money helps build the roster in a sport with partial scholarships.
Wichita State golfer Michael Winslow will play in the U.S. Amateur Championship from Aug. 12-18 at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Winslow won the Kansas Amateur in July in Topeka, part of a summer that included winning the Kansas City Amateur and advancing to the semifinals of the Missouri Amateur. We talk about the mental game that is fueling his hot streak and what he learned playing in the 2022 U.S. Amateur. We also talk about preparing for Hazeltine, what it means to add his name to the list of Kansas Amateur champions and his advice for young golfers.
Jasmine Peaks, Taylor Jameson and Princess Anderson continue our series on Shocker basketball newcomers. We talk about why they chose Wichita State, their favorite NBA and WNBA stars and summer workouts. Wichita State leaves for the Virgin Islands later this month where it will play two exhibition games.
AfterShocks coach Zach Bush gets us ready for The Basketball Tournament (which starts July 20 at Koch Arena). We break down newcomers to the roster and how the recruiting timeline works. We talk about returners such as Conner Frankamp, Rashard Kelly and Darral Willis. We also discuss Bush’s high school coaching career and why it would be fun and fitting for Joe Ragland to get a moment one summer as a member of the AfterShocks.The AfterShocks play July 20 at noon against Midtown Prestige at Koch Arena, televised on FS1. Midtown Prestige is also a Wichita-based team with several local athletes on the roster or coaching. The winner plays July 22.
Emily Hiebert, general manager of Wheat Shock Collective, joins the podcast to talk about her role helping Wichita State with name, image and likeness efforts. We discuss how she is working with Shockers on the community engagement part of NIL and how businesses can work with the collective and the Shockers. We talk about the importance of NIL and how Shocker coaches explain its role in building and maintaining their programs. We also talk about her volleyball days as a Shocker, her favorite story from coach Chris Lamb and her advice for athletes navigating the new world of college athletics.
