Dear Shocker Nation, 
 
Today is the first day of classes at Wichita State and we are excited to have all our student-athletes back on campus!
 
In May we announced that our student-athletes set an all-time athletics program record with a 3.406 cumulative grade-point average for the Spring 2023 semester! It was also the 36^th-consecutive semester of earning higher than a 3.00 cumulative grade-point average.

In August of 2022, Wichita State Athletics established a bold and aggressive set of five-year strategic objectives. Academically, we achieved all three benchmarks last semester (3.0 10 of next 10 semesters, 3.3 five of next 10 semesters and 3.4 once in the next 10 semesters) with the school-record GPA of 3.406. We also reached 1,200+ community service hours - contributed by all athletics student-athletes, coaches and staff - more than the 1,000 annual goal. We collected two conference championships (softball and men's track and field) as we look to achieve 15 conference championships by June of 2027. We look forward to achieving more of these goals in 2023-24!
 
At the end of July, we announced "Your House on the Prairie", a marketing campaign focusing on providing Shocker fans a sense of ownership, belonging and pride within the program. This campaign was collaboratively designed based upon direct feedback from our fan base and paired with innovative fan experience practices throughout the sports entertainment industry.
  
We are committed to continuing our efforts in support of season ticket holder appreciation, prioritizing affordability for families, and an emphasis on collaboration and innovation to consistently enhance the fan experience. Specific information on these initiatives will be announced in the coming months including season ticket holder benefits, concession menu enhancements, arena improvements, fan friendly ticket pricing and enhanced game presentation/fan experience elements.
 
Here are some exciting things happening at Wichita State:

• Volleyball had its exhibition on Aug. 17 and the season officially starts this weekend! Chris Lamb and the team bring high expectations into the 2023 campaign after reaching the postseason a year ago. Last season the Shockers finished 18-13 and qualified for the NIVC, a campaign highlighted by the program's first win over Iowa State and thrilling comebacks against Tulsa, Memphis and SMU. The all-conference trio of Natalie Foster, AAC Preseason Co-Player of the Year Brylee Kelly and Sophia Rohling is back in 2023, headlining a veteran, experienced roster that boasts nine juniors or seniors. Lamb has also added one of the region's most impactful transfer classes, including the reigning junior college player of the year and pair of players with power five experience. The Shockers open the regular season on August 25 against Notre Dame as part of the Under Armour Challenge in Lubbock, Texas. Season tickets are available by calling the Shocker Ticket Office at (316) 978-FANS or online at GoShockers.com.
• Cross country is set for the 2023 season and will open with the 75^th Annual J.K. Gold Classic on Sept. 2 at Wichita State's brand-new Clapp Cross Country Course. The teams return three of the six all-conference runners from last season with Adrian Diaz Lopez and Trey Rios leading the men and Sarah Bertry being the top female returner. Miranda Dick also returns for the women after a breakout season in the steeplechase, while head coach Kirk Hunter is excited about transfers, Lucy Ndungu and Adam Rzentkowski making an immediate impact for the Shockers. The men plan to remain one of the best teams in the conference, as the women are looking to become a top-three team this season.
• We hosted our inaugural Black and Yellow Gala on Aug. 19 at Charles Koch Arena where we had more than 400 supporters in attendance as well as coaches, student-athletes and staff. We thank you for all of your support for our programs and helping us match resources to expectations.
• The men's basketball team just returned from a 10-day international trip to Greece where they went 3-0. Both non-conference schedules for the men and women have been announced and we are hoping to announce the American Athletic Conference schedules in the middle of September. Season tickets are available for both the men and the women and fans can call (316) 978-FANS to purchase tickets or go online at GoShockers.com. If you don't already have your tickets, please consider joining us for the journey during the 2023-24 season!  Thank you for your consideration!
• In fall of 2022, we unveiled a 4-phase master plan/renovation project for Wilkins Stadium – home of Wichita State softball. In July, the Wichita State University Board of Trustees voted, unanimously, to invest $3 million into Phase 1 of the project.
  Phase 1, a $9.65 million endeavor, features the construction of an indoor practice facility, which includes a 12,000-square-foot team complex, housing a team locker room, coaches locker room, classroom, team room, athletic training room, staff offices, break room, work room, umpire locker rooms and laundry area. It will also feature a 14,400-square-foot indoor practice facility containing a full indoor infield, batting cages and storage areas.
  With the $3 million gift from the WSU Board of Trustees and the previously received gifts, we are currently in the design phases for Phase 1 and believe we will have an opportunity to break ground on the indoor practice facility (Phase 1A) by the end of the 2023-24 academic year. Click here to learn about getting involved in this exciting project!
• We have three new head coaches for this season and we are excited about the relationships they are already building with Shocker Nation. Men's basketball coach Paul Mills comes to WSU from Oral Roberts where he transformed the Golden Eagles from conference bottom dwellers to undefeated champions over a six-year span with NCAA Tournament bids in two of the last three years including a Sweet 16 appearance. Women's basketball coach Terry Nooner comes to WSU from Kansas, where he was associate head coach and helped lead the Jayhawks to the 2023 WNIT title. Baseball head coach Brian Green comes to WSU after four seasons at the helm of Washington State, where he improved the Cougars win total and attendance in each of his four campaigns. We can't wait for you to meet all of them!

Letter From the AD Big 3
Here are today's Big 3 ways to help the Shockers: 

1. Our volleyball home opener is Sept. 7 vs. in-state rival Kansas. It is Jam the Gym and a Yellow Out! Come support our student-athletes and wear yellow. Here is our volleyball promotional schedule:

Sept. 7 vs. Kansas – Jam The Gym & Yellow Out: First 1,000 fans receive yellow "There's No Place Like Home" t-shirt
Sept. 9 vs. Colorado – Taylor Swift Night: Get ready to "Shake It Off" as we set the stage for a night of Taylor's chart-topping hits echoing throughout the arena! Enjoy themed photo ops, trade friendship bracelets, make your own "Shockers" friendship bracelet and compete in Taylor Swift Trivia between the 2^nd and 3^rd sets.
Sept. 23 vs. Charlotte – Youth/Junior Shocker Kids Club Night and Postgame Autographs: All Kids 12 & Under receive free admission to the match. Registered Jr. Shocker Kids Club Members will receive exclusive VIP treatment that includes pregame snacks & drinks on the Shocker Way Mezzanine and the opportunity to form a tunnel for the team as they take the court before shagging balls during final pregame warmups.
Oct. 6 vs. Temple – Student Giveaway: The first 250 Wichita State students receive a Shock Block t-shirt
Oct. 8 vs. South Florida – Wichita Eagle Family Day Ticket Bundle: Purchase 4 or more adult tickets and receive vouchers for 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, 4 bags of popcorn for only $32.
Oct. 20 vs. Tulsa – Dig Pink: Shocker Volleyball continues its annual Dig Pink match as we raise awareness and funds for breast cancer awareness and research. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Sideout Foundation. Giveaway - The first 500 fans will receive a pink rally towel.
Oct. 21 vs. Tulsa – Camper Reunion: All Shocker Volleyball Summer Campers receive free admission to the match & Postgame Serves on the Court
Nov. 3 vs. North Texas – Educator Appreciation Night: We recognize local teachers for the work they do to prepare future generations for success. Educators receive free admission with school employee ID.
Nov. 4 vs. North Texas - Wichita Eagle Family Day Ticket Bundle: Purchase 4 or more adult tickets and receive vouchers for 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, 4 bags of popcorn for only $32 & Postgame Serves on the Court
Nov. 10 vs. UTSA – Fan Appreciation Night: All GA Tickets are only $5.
Season Ticket Holder Giveaway - Pick up your replica of Charles Koch Arena at the Shocker Ticket Office
Nov. 11 vs. UTSA – Hometown Heroes Day: Join us in recognizing our Hometown Heroes on Veteran's Day! FREE admission for all Military, Police, Fire, EMS and Healthcare Personnel
Nov. 22 vs. Memphis – Senior Night & High School/Club Team Night: Teams that RSVP and submit their roster by Monday, Nov. 20 at 5pm will receive FREE admission to the match
 

2. Spend the holiday season with us in Kansas City! Travel packages are available for the Dec. 21 game vs. Kansas State and the Dec. 30 game vs. Kansas. Packages include transportation, meals, lodging and special experiences. To purchase or for more information, call (316) 978-FANS.

 

3. Our student-athletes are active in the NIL space and now have multiple pathways to consider. For more information on all Wichita State NIL opportunities go to GoShockers.com/NIL.

 
Thank you for your support at our inaugural Black and Yellow Gala and we look forward to seeing you this fall!
 
Go Shocks!
 
 
 
Kevin Saal
Director of Athletics