Wichita State News: Athletics

Shockers win All-Sports Trophy

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:44:00 CST

Wichita State is the 2012-13 Missouri Valley Conference all-sports champion. It marks the seventh crown in the past 10 years for Wichita State, which has a league best 19 all-time.

Wichita State finished in the Top 3 in 14 of the 15 sports it sponsors (with softball the lone exception). The Shockers won four team championships (women's basketball, women's indoor track & field, men's golf, and women's tennis) and finished second in eight others.

Read full story

MGolf: WSU wins MVC by record margin

Wed, 1 May 2013 09:19:00 CST

Cape Girardeau, Mo. – The Wichita State University men's golf team captured its sixth-straight Missouri Valley Conference Championship with a record-setting 32-stroke victory at Dalhousie Country Club. Rafael Becker took the individual title with a 6-under 210 (74-68-68), four strokes ahead of teammate Hunter Sparks.

The Shockers' margin of victory was easily the largest since the conference tournament went to a 54-hole format in 1990. Tulsa's 26-stroke victory in a rain-shorted tournament in 1995 was the previous high. The Shockers carded a 3-under 858 to cruise past second place Illinois State (890) and third place Southern Illinois (896) to record the 18th Valley Championship in school history.

Read full story.

Shocker rowing reaches semifinals in SIRA Championships

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:10:00 CST

Wichita State men's and women's varsity rowing teams competed in the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships April 20 and 21, at Melton Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

The Shocker women's varsity eight team advanced to the semifinals and finished fourth, placing sixth overall out of 24 teams. The women also competed in the petite finals, where they finished first and were crowned SIRA champions in the event.

The men's varsity eight team also advanced from its heat into the semifinal round, finishing fifth and qualifying for the C final, where it finished second. Overall, the Shocker men placed 14th out of 27 teams, an improvement from 2012.

WSU men's varsity four team also competed, but did not reach the semifinals.

Awards celebration for men's basketball team set for Monday

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:01:00 CST

Wichita State will hold its 2013 Men's Basketball Celebration at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 15, at Charles Koch Arena.

The celebration will be open to the public and free of charge.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

During the awards program there will be comments from host Mike Kennedy, head coach Gregg Marshall, assistant coaches and selected players.

The event will also include video highlights from the NCAA Tournament on the video board.

The spirit squad, dance team and band will also be recognized.

The Charles Koch Arena Shocker Locker souvenir shop and concession stands will be open.

Because of the volume of requests, coaches and players will not be available for autographs. This event replaces the annual banquet.

Get your Final Four Shocker gear at University Bookstore

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 14:57:00 CST

The Wichita State University Bookstore, located in the Rhatigan Student Center, has plenty of official WSU NCAA Final Four merchandise arriving daily.

Shocker Nation can count on the official fan shop that offers a wide selection of Shocker apparel, including t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats to outfit Wu supporters everywhere.

We only carry officially licensed Wichita State apparel, so you know you'll be representing your favorite school in valid Shocker style.

"We love the excitement of this Shocker mania and want to make sure no one is left behind," said Andi Stipp, assistant director of University Bookstore. "Since last week, we have been traveling at 4 a.m. in order to pick up WSU merchandise literally right off the press. We plan to keep up with demand."

Stipp said any items that are sold out are likely to be back in stock the next day.

If you can't make it to campus, go to www.wsubooks.com to purchase merchandise.

Shockers make it to Final Four - and continue to make headlines

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:00:00 CST

It was a night many Shocker fans have been waiting for their entire lives. Not since 1965 has the Wichita State University basketball team made it so far into the NCAA Tournament.

The dream finally became reality Saturday, March 30, when the Shockers beat No. 2 seed Ohio State University to reach the Final Four.

This, after already exceeding most expectations: WSU beat Pittsburgh, Gonzaga - ranked No. 1 in the nation - and finally La Salle, to make it into the Elite Eight.

Now the spotlight is firmly planted on the 9th-seeded Shockers, the lowest ranked team left in the tournament.

Here's a look at just a few of the stories about Wichita State's historic performance:

Wichita State Upsets Ohio State to Emerge From Topsy-Turvy West
(New York Times - March 30)

One phone call changed it all for Final Four-bound Wichita State
(CBS Sports - March 31)

Wichita State upsets Buckeyes to reach Final Four
(ESPN - March 30)

Wichita State fights off Ohio State rally to reach Final Four
(USA Today - March 31)

Wichita State going to Final Four after beating Ohio State, 70-66
(LA Times - March 30)

MBB: Shockers Marching on to Atlanta, Final Four
(goshockers.com - March 31)

Bob Lutz: Where there's a will, there's a Shocker
(The Wichita Eagle - March 30)

Internship opened the door for Shocker grad; led him to 49ers

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:04:00 CST

Less than four years after graduating from Wichita State University, Dan Beckler found himself where many men dream of being someday: the SuperBowl.

No, he wasn't there as an athlete. In fact, Beckler used to play basketball, not football.

The Wichita native was working as manager of public relations for the San Francisco 49ers. Some of his duties include facilitating media requests for players and coaches, as well as generating positive publicity for the organization.

It's a job he got after several years of hard work in and out of the classroom.

'Took the time to get to know me'

Beckler, who attended Trinity Academy, began college at Oklahoma Baptist as a basketball player. But after one year, he started researching schools with strong sports programs. He landed right back where he came from.

"WSU had one of the best in the country," Beckler said. "It was home and was an easy decision."

Once he decided to go the public relations route at Wichita State, Beckler was encouraged to work with the sports information director's office to see if it was exactly what he was looking for.

"The professors were very instrumental as I was trying to decide the specific field in sports I wanted to pursue," he said.

Beckler applied for the sports public relations internship at Disney and got the job, exposing him to invaluable on-the-job training while still a WSU student.

"I continued to stay in touch with professors who were always available to offer advice," he said.

That experience opened the door for Beckler's career.

"In the sports world, it's all about who you know," he said. "I met a lot of great people during my time at WSU and at Disney that had connections all over the sports industry."

Beckler went on to earn a Bachelor of Sports Administration in 2007 and Master of Sport Management in 2009.

He's grateful for the time spent guiding him toward his career goal.

"WSU really helped shape me and push me in the right direction," Beckler said. "There are so many fields in sports that it can often be overwhelming when you are trying to decide which way to go. The staff at WSU was very knowledgeable and could offer advice based on the questions they asked me. They took the time to get to know me and really tried to align my interests with a specific field."

Shockers' NCAA run brings national attention

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:40:00 CST

The Wichita State basketball team has made it to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament, putting the university and the city of Wichita in the national spotlight.

Here is a sampling of stories and commentary about the Shockers' success from local, regional and national sources.

Elite 8 bound

Wichita State scores an outsized victory over La Salle, 72-58
(Los Angeles Times column, March 28)

Carl Hall living a dream in Elite 8 run
(ESPN, March 29)

NCAA Tournament: Wichita State dispatches La Salle, 72-58
(LA Times, March 28)

Wichita State out-muscles La Salle to reach Elite Eight
(USA Today, March 29)

To the Elite Eight: Wichita State pounds La Salle 72-58
(The Wichita Eagle, March 28)

Wichita State moves on the final 8
(Kansas City Star, March 29)

Shockers make it to Sweet 16

Wichita State not shocked by Sweet 16 run
(ESPN Blog, March 27)

Wichita State, mistaken for Cinderella, has Final Four potential
(USA Today, March 27)

Cinderella Watch: Is the shocking over for Wichita State?
(USA Today, March 26)

Like La Salle, Wichita State is battle-tested
(Philadelphia Inquirer, March 26)

Gregg Marshall's success at Wichita State isn't a Shocker to him
(Los Angeles Times, March 26)

National media attention good for Wichita State
(KWCH-TV, March 25)

After knocking off Gonzaga, No. 9 seed Shockers turn attention to La Salle in NCAA tournament
(The Washington Post, March 25)

Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall knows how to celebrate a shocker
(Yahoo Sports, March 24)

Wichita State Put Attitude on Display Against Gonzaga
(New York Times, March 24)

NCAA Tournament: Wichita State shocks No. 1 seed Gonzaga
(The Salt Lake Tribune, March 24)

Gonzaga shocked: Wichita State pulls biggest upset of NCAA Tournament
(Sporting News, March 24)

Wichita State Shockers live up to name, stun top-seeded Gonzaga to make Sweet Sixteen
(New York Daily News, March 24)

Wichita State's mascot is … interesting
(Washington Post blog, March 23)

Shocker Men defeat Pittsburgh, 73-55

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 CST

Malcolm Armstead scored 22 points, Cleanthony Early added 21 and ninth-seeded Wichita State defeated eighth-seeded Pittsburgh 73-55 Thursday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Wichita State advanced to play the winner of Thursday's game between No. 1-seeded Gonzaga and No. 16-seed Southern on Saturday.

Read full story

Shocker men to play Pitt in NCAA Tourney

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:40:00 CST

The Wichita State men's basketball team will travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second round of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Thursday, March 21.

The No. 9 seed Shockers will take on the No. 8 seeded Panthers at 12:40 p.m. at the EnergySolutions Arena Central. The game will be televised on TBS.

Wichita State takes a 26-8 overall season record into its second-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Pittsburgh (24-8) won the College Basketball Invitational last season after barely missing the NCAA Tournament with a 22-17 record.

Read full story

WSU women win first MVC tournament title

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 00:00:00 CST

Wichita State topped Illinois State 69-65 to win the MVC Tournament and earn the team's first-ever bid to the NCAA Tournament. Sophomore forward Alex Harden was named MVP.

Read full story.

Stephenson wins No. 1,800 in 9-5 victory

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 10:54:00 CST

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Wichita State head coach Gene Stephenson won his 1,800th career game with a 9-5 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock.

Stephenson is the second Division I baseball coach to reach 1,800 wins and is the fastest to do it in just 36 years.

Casey Gillaspie went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a home run, while Erik Harbutz went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Starter A.J. Ladwig earned the win. He went five innings and gave up four runs and tied his career-high with six strikeouts. TJ McGreevy picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless 2.1 innings of relief.

Read full story

Shocker track women burst into the Top 25

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 16:05:00 CST

Following its team win at the Varsity Apartments Invitational, the Wichita State Women's Track & Field team now finds itself in the Top 25.

The poll by the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association voted the Shockers the 23rd best team in the nation for the week of Feb. 4.

This marks the highest ranking that any Shocker Track & Field team has held in the USTFCCCA poll. The Shockers previous highest ranking was 25th in May 2011. WSU last reached the Top 30 in the final poll of the 2012 indoor season, when they were ranked 28th.

Read full story

Shocker rowing meet now includes chance at scholarships

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:41:00 CST

For the first time, high school rowers will get the chance to win a scholarship to Wichita State University during the Shocker Sprints Indoor Rowing Race next month.

The race, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at WSU's Heskett Center, will be a scholarship competition for high school athletes.

The best male and best female rower of the 2,000-meter distance on rowing machines will win a $250 scholarship to Wichita State and the opportunity to be part of Shocker Rowing.
The scholarship is only open to those new to rowing.

Each athlete competing at Shocker Sprints is represented by a boat on a screen that is visible to all. Spectators and competitors have real time information on who is winning and by how much.

There will be 2,000-meter events, 1,000-meter team events in which four rowers compete as one boat, and a new 30-minute event. These events have registration fees.

The event is free to watch.

For more information or to register, go to www.wichita.edu/shockersprints.

February event to honor five WSU basketball greats

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:01:00 CST

Five Wichita State basketball greats — Dave Stallworth, Antoine Carr, Xavier McDaniel, Cleo Littleton and Cliff Levingston — will be honored at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at WSU's Marcus Welcome Center.

The special "#42 #35 #34 #13 #54" breakfast is part of the WSU Alumni Association's centennial celebration and 2013 Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series.

Tickets are $18 for alumni association members and $20 for nonmembers. To register, go to www.wichita.edu/alumni; contact Mandy Fleming at mandy.fleming@wichita.edu with questions. The hour-long event will also include a question-and-answer session with Carr, McDaniel, Levingston and Littleton.

Dave "The Rave" Stallworth, No. 42, entered Shocker hoops history averaging 24.2 points a game during his career, ranking third on the Shocker all-time scoring list with 1,935 points and first in scoring average in NCAA Tournament games with a 29.5 average.

Antoine Carr, No. 35, finished his career as the fourth leading scorer in WSU history with 1,911 points. He also set the Shocker single-game scoring mark of 47 points in his last collegiate game against Southern Illinois in 1983.

Xavier "X-Man" McDaniel, No. 34, ended his career as the Shockers' all-time rebounding leader with 1,359 rebounds and second on the all-time scoring list with 2,152 points. He led the nation twice in rebounding and, as a senior, became the first player in NCAA history to lead the country in both scoring and rebounding in the same season.

Cleo Littleton, No. 13, a third team All-American selection in 1955, is the first player west of the Mississippi River to score more than 2,000 career points. His 2,164 points still rank as WSU's all-time leading point total.

Cliff "Good News" Levingston, No. 54, teamed with Carr to form the "bookend forwards" duo that led the Shockers to national prominence in the early 1980s. During his three-year career at WSU, he scored 1,471 points and grabbed 965 rebounds, ranking eighth on the all-time scoring list and fourth in rebounding. His 53.8 career field-goal percentage ranks third in school history.

Other events scheduled for the alumni association's spring 2013 speaker series are "Koch's CFO: Overseeing a Global Financial Framework" with Steve Feilmeier on Thursday, March 14, and "Shocker Diva: Beautiful Performer" with Joyce DiDonato on Tuesday, April 9.