Many variables keep good students in Wichita State's athletic program, including first-class locker rooms. Athletes spend a lot of time in them studying films, preparing for practices and strategizing for games. The men's basketball locker rooms have not been completely renovated since 2003 during the transformation from Levitt Arena to Charles Koch Arena — until now.

A generous Shocker alumnus has stepped forward to meet this need with a donation of $250,000. He is underwriting the renovation of the Shocker men's basketball locker room, which is scheduled for completion by the end of this summer.

The investment, according to the donor, was of interest to him because it is something that always will be a part of Wichita State.

Eric Sexton

"It is our responsibility to our programs and our athletes to be on the cutting edge in every fashion possible," said WSU Athletic Director Eric Sexton. "Recruiting is a facility arms race. We are fortunate to have the financial support that we have to utilize in keeping up and hopefully setting the bar, and look forward to also renovating our additional team locker rooms in Charles Koch Arena."

The new area will have decorative elements centered around a new Final Four theme and will include a trophy case, which will house the Regional Championship trophy the Shockers won this past spring.

In addition, each new locker will have an iPad dock. The space will be reconfigured and new carpet will be laid.

"The individual who has generously provided the funding for this project is an extraordinarily successful alumnus who lives in another state, but follows Shocker men's basketball faithfully," said Elizabeth King, president and CEO of the WSU Foundation. "He's a winner, both personally and professionally, and he appreciates the effort Coach Marshall and his coaching staff devote to making ours a winning program."

This type of support is important to the future of the Wichita State men's basketball program and its impact on the university, city and state.

"It shows once again that Shocker Nation is firmly behind us and continues to support us physically — by coming to games, and fiscally — by helping us be the best," said Gregg Marshall, Shocker men's basketball coach.