Shocker Basketball Awards Celebration

Early Life and Education

The Shockers have been around since 1926 as Municipal University of Wichita. Ross McBurney became its inaugural player, playing three seasons from 1926-1929 while leading them to 49-14 records and earning All-American honors during that span. At that time they competed as part of the Centipede Indoor Conference while facing both NAIA schools and NCAA D-II programs as opponents.

As they continued on their path to success, however, a scandal surfaced in 1982 in which they were accused of providing extra financial aid, entertainment, transportation to tryouts and illegal inducements to players – among other offenses – resulting in one year TV/postseason ban and two year probationary status for their operation.

Professional Career

Wichita State alumni have enjoyed great success on and off the court since graduating, many making an impactful mark in European leagues such as Cliff Levingston. He made headlines as an integral member of Antoine Carr and Wichita State Shockers’ bookend frontcourt that won them a share of MVC regular season title in 1981; later joining Detroit Pistons he went on to rank fifth on their all-time scoring and rebounding totals respectively.

Conner Frankamp, Darral Willis and Kadeem Coleby are also notable graduates making headlines this season: Conner has joined Zenit St. Petersburg of Russia to play in the EuroLeague while Darral has joined Enisey in Russia1s top league; Darral made an immediate impactful debut playing with Enisey while Kadeem is part of Akita Northern Happinets in Japan’s top league league.

Achievement and Honors

Wichita State fans, coaches and players reflected on an incredible season at Koch Arena during the Shocker Basketball Awards Celebration hosted by Don Hall and featuring special guest appearances by Wichita Mayor Jeff Blubaugh, County Commissioner Tim Norton, Coach Gregg Marshall and Wichita Eagle Columnist Fred Cannon as well as Shocker Radio host Tekele Cotton.

Bob Hodgson was an integral player on winning teams at Wichita State during the mid-’80s before competing on AAU teams in Nickerson and Hutchinson. Later he started Lisa on her path toward success on the court – she earned two All-Gateway Conference selections as well as Kodak All-District V honors; eventually joining Olympic-trained Pat Summitt’s Colorado Springs roster as one of her teammates, becoming one of the top women’s basketball players during that period; making many friends along the way.