WICHITA, Kan. – In conjunction with the American Conference, Wichita State has been selected to host the 2027 American Conference Softball Championship and 2028 American Conference Cross Country, Men's Tennis and Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Wilkins Stadium will once again play host to the American Conference Championship just three years removed from hosting the 2024 tournament. The respective championships in 2028 will be held at Clapp Cross Country Course, Ignite at K-96 tennis facility and Wichita State's newly named Crossland (previously University and Cessna) Stadium.

Next year when Shocker Softball hosts the conference tournament, it will be the sixth time the program has served as the host site, and only the second as a member of the American.

This marks the third time Wichita State has been awarded hosts for the American Cross Country and Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Wichita State cross country also served as the host school in 2020 at 4 Mile Creek Resort and in 2024 at Clapp Cross Country Course. The Shockers hosted the outdoor track & field championships in 2019 and 2022 with the men claiming the 2022 title and the women taking the 2019 team title.

Wichita State has never hosted the men's tennis championship as a member of the American. The last time Wichita State hosted a conference tennis championship was in 2016 as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. In total, Wichita State hosted the conference tournament five times (1995, 2003, 2010, 2013, 2016) in the MVC, winning the title in four of those years.

When 2028 arrives, Wichita State will be hosting the men's tennis and track & field championships at newly built and renovated facilities.

"Hosting championships at home is a key priority for Shocker Athletics," said Director of Athletics Kevin Saal. "The Tennis Complex at Ignite K-96 and Crossland Stadium represent significant investment and unprecedented, unique and collaborative fundraising, all of which enhances our student-athletes' day-to-day experience and ability to compete for championships."

About Ignite at K-96 (Men's Tennis)
Wichita State University is honored to be an invited partner to expand entertainment and tourism in Wichita in the development of a premier championship-level tennis facility located within the 35-acre "Ignite at K-96" major multi-sport athletic complex, on the southeast side of the K-96 and Greenwich corridor. 

The early stages of site construction are scheduled to begin this spring with 12 months of tennis facility construction beginning approximately this September. The proposed opening of the facility is set for the fall of 2027.
 
The six-acre tennis complex will be built to NCAA national championship specifications. The facility will feature 12 outdoor and six indoor courts, first-class team accommodations and a spectator capacity of 1,500.   
 
This project reflects a state and local vision that would elevate the WSU tennis program and positively impact student athletes. WSU's inclusion as an invited partner in this project is pending approval by the Kansas Board of Regents. Developed by Family Destination Development LLC (FDD), led by Marty Cornejo and Ashley Cozine, this project focuses on creating athletic and sporting venues, both indoor and outdoor family entertainment options, restaurants and a resort hotel.  This project continues to move through all approval processes, with the Wichita City Council approving the project on Dec. 16, 2025.
 
The proposed facility positions WSU within the top third of the American Conference and will allow for bids to host conference and national tournaments. The facility will include locker rooms, team rooms, an athletic training room, multiple offices and a pro shop for Shocker tennis.
 
"This new tennis facility is a true gamechanger for our student-athletes, who will now have the resources to train and compete at the highest level," said men's tennis head coach Darragh Glavin. "It will elevate every aspect of what we can offer, from development to recruitment to community engagement."
 
About Crossland Stadium (Outdoor Track & Field)
Construction continues for Phase 1B at Crossland Stadium, formerly University and Cessna Stadium, Wichita State's on-campus outdoor track & field facility. This phase of construction consists of widening the field to hold a regulation-sized artificial turf soccer field and installing a nine-lane track and internal stadium sidewalks that will connect the east and west sides of the facility. 

Improvements to the throwing area south of Charles Koch Arena were completed in April 2026. Additions included a longer javelin runway and warmup lanes. Shot put competition moved to this area from inside the stadium.

The renovation of Crossland Stadium took a big step forward Jan. 8, 2026 when the WSU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to invest $38 million into Phase 2 of the project.

Phase 2 will begin after the KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships May 29-30 with demolition of the west grandstand in June. Construction of the new west stadium will be phased to ensure that seating is available for the 2027 KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships. Construction is scheduled to be complete before the 2028 KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships.

Questions about either project and/or fundraising opportunities can be directed to Associate AD of Development/Revenue Generation Alex Johnson (ajohnson@goshockers.com).