The RoundHouse | 9/14/2022 4:20:00 PM

 
 
 
Ron Heller was a popular figure around Shocker basketball for decades – as a player, assistant coach and radio and TV analyst.
 
Doug Yoder, who played for the Shockers from 1972-76, understands why people gravitated to Heller's mix of friendliness and common sense. He recruited Yoder out of Newton High School to play for coach Harry Hiller at Wichita State.
 
"Great role model," Yoder said. "Everything was very genuine. He told you exactly the straight story. When he would call, we connected. He had been a player at Wichita State, and I related to that really well."
 
Yoder, from Newton, enjoyed the benefits of staying close to home.
 
"That was absolutely the best situation I could have asked for" he said. "I could go home and have a home-cooked meal and that was absolutely terrific."
 
Yoder arrived at Wichita State as Miller began to assemble the roster that would win the 1976 Missouri Valley Conference title and advance to the NCAA Tournament. He remembers that team building strong chemistry with leaders such as Cal Bruton and Robert Gray. The additions of Robert Elmore, Cheese Johnson and Bob Trogele completed the roster.
 
The Shockers went 18-10 and 10-2 in the MVC. They defeated No. 20 West Texas to start a seven-game win streak that gave them control in the MVC race and finished the season winning 10 of their final 11 games.
 
"We had the experience and were seniors - that made us stronger than we had been earlier," Yoder said. "People enjoyed each other. People appreciated each other."
 
The season ended with a 74-73 loss to eventual NCAA runner-up Michigan in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
"We played them toe to toe," Yoder said.
 
At Wichita State: Yoder, a 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 6.1 points and 5.3 rebounds as junior and 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds as a senior. He earned the Union National Bank Inspirational Player honor as a senior.
 
Update us on your current location and life status:
I graduated from WSU in 1976.  I've been living in Lawrence for the past 35 years and moved here from a position I held in Dallas for several years.  I work in healthcare as the executive director of a senior care consortium.
 
What was your major at Wichita State?
Business administration.  I went on to get master's degree in healthcare administration and worked in a hospital, and then senior care.
 
Why did you choose Wichita State?
Assistant coach Ron Heller made a compelling case for WSU and I looked up to Coach Heller.
 
Besides the sport you played as a Shocker, what was your favorite sport?
Football at the time.  I became good friends with several football players.  I became friends with a couple tennis players including Jay Louderback and got involved on the fringe of the tennis program.
 
Who was your favorite professor at Wichita State?
Dr. Graham and Dr. Hackett in the W. Frank Barton School of Business.
 
Which teammate helped your adjustment to college life?
Calvin Bruton, Jim McCollough, Neal Strom, Robert Gray.
 
What are your favorite memories from college athletics? Working hard in practice, and seeing the results in games.  Being in better shape, or being better prepared, than the other team. 
Getting to know some of the players on other teams in the conference.  And playing UCLA with John Wooden as coach during the 1974-75 season.
 
What advice would you give to a person starting their athletics career in college?
Go to class.  Make an effort and the teachers will help you.  The education you get will serve you well.  The studies are a burden at the time, and you'd rather be playing basketball, but it's wise to keep them both in balance.
 
What book you would recommend to current college students?
Franklin Graham's book about faith.  David Jeremiah and Robert Morris are also excellent and have several good books available.