Men's Basketball | 6/23/2026 3:09:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Cleo Littleton's mark on Wichita State basketball starts when fans enter Charles Koch Arena. Littleton starred for the Shockers in the early 1950's and prompted the construction of the 10,000-seat on-campus arena.
 
Without Cleo in uniform, what path does Shocker basketball take? That road is an unknown. Littleton's foundational contributions are on the record and visible at the corner of 21^st and Hillside.
 
Littleton's mark on life outside basketball is just as – perhaps more – significant. His family and friends demonstrated that during Tuesday's memorial service at University United Methodist Church, located on Yale Ave., a short walk from the arena where a banner hangs to honor his career as a Shocker.
 
"He was a great provider," said Barry Littleton, his youngest son. "He was a great supporter. He was selfless in giving himself to his family, especially."
 

Littleton, 93, passed away on May 31 in Wichita from congestive heart failure. He played for the Shockers from 1951-55 and is the program's career scoring leader with 2,164 points. He earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors four times and numerous All-American honors in 1954 and 1955. His No. 13 is retired.

His children, grand-children and friends remembered his role with the Shockers. They spent more time remembering the relationship, friendship and guidance.
 
Cleo Littleton sat at Barry's bedside when his son awoke after a car accident. He helped Barry recover from the brain injuries sustained and Barry later became Cleo's caretaker. Barry, who delivered the eulogy, didn't wear a tie because it was his father's job to tie the neckwear.
 
Cleo Littleton sent Taylor Littleton, a volleyball player, money while she was in college because she wore his No. 13.
 
"He's like 'That's a huge thing for me,'" she said. "'Don't tell your (grandmother). That's our secret.' Those were the type of memories I'm going to miss."
 
Friends and family spoke of his lunch group who got into "good trouble." Pastor Yolanda White-Oliver pointed out Littleton loved Wichita and elected to stay after basketball and build a life, family and career. He wore his familiar black Wichita State tie in his open casket. Cleo Littleton and wife Eloise were the grandparents who came to all the concerts, games and events for the youngsters - except sometimes when a Shocker game called for his attention. When life took children away from Wichita, they called their grandfather to check in.
 
"He never hesitated to let us know how important we were," granddaughter Minta said. "There wasn't a time when my grandparents did not show up."
 
Cleo Littleton left his mark as a businessman, entrepreneur, Army veteran and mentor to many. He hired young people to work at his service stations and later as a banker. He left his mark as a pioneer in the days when college athletics was not fully integrated. Along with former Shocker football star Linwood Sexton, he served as a role model for showing grace and determination during those difficult times.
 
"He opened up so many opportunities for others," said Pastor Allen Gilkey, a cousin. "He endured quite a bit. He kept going. A lot of doors were closed on him. But you know what? He would make another way. He kept smiling and he kept a good attitude."
 

When Gilkey and Littleton worked together, Gilkey watched as people asked for autographs. Littleton often carried pictures to sign.
 
"They would come and shake his hand, and others were just amazed," Gilkey said. "That was the kind of man Cleo was. They were glad to see your dad."
 
Former Shocker coach Ralph Miller brought Littleton, a 6-foot-3 forward, with him from Wichita East High School after winning the 1951 state title. They elevated the Shockers into national prominence as the program transitioned from its small-college status after World War II.
 
"We got a good start without ever playing a game by recruiting Cleo Littleton," Miller said in his autobiography, "Spanning the Game." "The first time I saw Cleo back at East, it was like looking at (future NBA star) Gary Payton. I knew we had a player."

With Miller building the program and Littleton starring, the Shockers began their hold on the community. They recorded their first winning season in seven years in 1952-53. In the 1953-54, the Shockers climbed into national prominence by making the Associated Press rankings for the first time and playing in the National Invitation Tournament, their first appearance in the post-season as a major college.
The Forum, located in downtown Wichita with a capacity of around 4,000, could no longer hold all the fans. The WU Field House, later known as Henry Levitt Arena and now Charles Koch Arena, opened for the 1955-56 season with a capacity of more than 10,000.

"My father was a lot more than just a 2,164-point record," Barry Littleton said. "You know, son, he said to me many times, 'I left my mark.'"
 
As a scorer, pioneer and role model, Cleo Littleton left a mark that no other Shocker can match.
 
 

Here is your chance to check out Cleo Littleton in action in a 78-67 win @GoShockersMBB over Houston at the Forum in 1955. Love the underhand free throws. Roster in replies if you want to check for other Shockers. pic.twitter.com/qVHUkPRT9m

— Paul Suellentrop (@PaulSuellentrop) June 2, 2026

 
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.