Today: Stories 8-10
8. Morgan Stout came to Wichita State with tremendous athletic ability. She was uncertain if she could turn that into a good career. When coach
Chris Lamb offered her a scholarship, she hesitated.
"His exact words were 'How would you feel if I placed a full-ride scholarship on the table now?'" Stout said. "I was like 'Well, I wouldn't think I was good enough.'"
While a foot injury slowed her progress, Stout had no reason for doubts. Lamb recognized her potential. Hard work, passion and that athletic ability combined to turn Stout into a star.
"We've never had a better competitor than Morgan," Lamb said. "That doesn't exist."
Stout ended her Shocker career last fall by leading WSU into the NCAA Tournament. In the American Championships, she averaged 4.67 points per set, hitting .345 with a team-high 35 kills on her way to Most Outstanding Player honors.
She also earned all-conference and All-Central Region honors after leading middle blockers nationally with 3.15 kills per set. The Vegas Thrill took Stout with the 25
th pick in the Pro Volleyball Federation draft and she recently completed her first season with the team.
9. P.J. Couisnard played a prominent role in basketball's revival at Wichita State in the early 2000s. Now he is back in Wichita as an assistant coach to help
Paul Mills take a similar path.
"He loves the game," Mills said. "He wants to invest in kids. All those things made it a huge match."
P.J. Couisnard
Couisnard, a swingman, played for the Shockers from 2004-2008, highlighted by the 2005 NIT and the 2006 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. He averaged 10.3 points and 5.4 rebounds for his career. He earned All-MVC Defensive team honors three times and twice was an honorable mention All-MVC pick.
He comes to Wichita with a coaching background from his roots in his hometown of Houston.
Couisnard is the founder of Cooz Elite, a basketball program in Houston for grade school and high school boys. He worked as head coach at Legacy The School of Sports Sciences, a charter school in Houston, starting in 2018.
"Houston and Wichita are kind of the same for me," he said. "I think of both of them as home. It was time to elevate and take on the next step."
Mills and Couisnard share strong connections to Houston. Mills coached two of Couisnard's players at Oral Roberts. Their positive experiences with Mills provided a good start to the relationship.
"He's a great guy, a great person," Couisnard said. "That's the first thing I look at."
10. Wichita State athletics looks different each year. New or renovated facilities are part of that continual growth.
The Wilkins Stadium renovation project got started with the indoor practice facility that opened this spring. The 14,400-square-foot practice facility contains a full indoor infield, batting cages and storage areas.
University Stadium (formerly Cessna Stadium) debuted new east stands, concession, restrooms and ticket areas during the KSHSAA Track and Field State Championship in May. Construction on a nine-lane track is underway.
Also in May, "Gene Stephenson Park" was added to Eck Stadium, home of Tyler Field, at a ceremony and unveiling. WSU also added Stephenson's No. 10 and the No. 24 worn by former pitching coach Brent Kemnitz on the Wall of Honor in left field.
Wichita State's women's bowling program will enjoy new locker rooms and offices this fall. Construction is underway at Shocker Lanes in the Rhatigan Student Center.
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
Season tickets are on sale now, and season ticket renewals are available as well. To purchase, visit GoShockers.com/Tickets, dial 316-978-FANS (3267) or stop by the Shocker Ticket Office, located inside Charles Koch Arena, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
