Good morning, Shocker Nation. Wichita State lost a basketball pioneer with the passing of Gene Wiley, 88, who died last Monday in El Dorado. The 6-foot-11 center played for the Shockers from 1959-62, earning All-Missouri Valley Conference honors twice and helping lift the program back into the national rankings and NIT for the first time in years

Coach Ralph Miller called him probably the best shot-blocker in America outside of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, and Wiley's single-game block record and his 1961-62 season total of 80 blocks both still stand in Wichita State history. Drafted by the Lakers in 1962, he played alongside Jerry West and Elgin Baylor and appeared in three NBA Finals before a life spent largely in California pursuing his true passion: painting.

What else are we mixing into today’s piping hot edition of the Shocker Brew? Find out below!

🏀 Welcome Back, Alumni
🌾 And much, much more!

🌾 ONE BIG THING

Wichita State was well represented at the 28th annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet, with five members of the Shocker family taking home honors. Freshman Kinzey Woody earned College Female Athlete of the Year after winning American Conference Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, while senior Kenyon Giles took College Male Athlete of the Year after setting three Wichita State single-season three-point records and earning First Team All-Conference honors.

Volleyball coach Chris Lamb and former baseball pitcher Shane Dennis were inducted into the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame, and legendary pitching coach Brent Kemnitz received the Excellence in Sports Award.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 The Roundhouse Podcast. Catch former Shocker Xavier Bell on the latest episode of The Roundhouse Podcast. He's back in Wichita this summer and sitting down to talk life in Tbilisi, playing in the Georgian Superleague and what's next for the 2020 Mr. Kansas Basketball.

🔼 Welcome Back, Alumni. Wichita State Athletics and the Shocker GOLD Alumni Network are offering recent graduates discounted men's basketball season tickets, annual networking events inside Charles Koch Arena, priority points and concession gift cards, all designed to keep alumni connected to Shocker Nation within 10 years of graduation. Visit the enrollment page or call 316-978-FANS to learn more.

🔼 Welcome to Wichita. Wichita State softball head coach Kristi Bredbenner has hired Sara Driesenga as pitching coach after seven seasons at Central Michigan, where she was promoted to associate head coach in 2025. Driesenga brings elite playing credentials: a 71-26 record at Michigan, three Women's College World Series appearances and six Big Ten championships, plus a track record of developing talent, including two-time All-MAC honoree Grace Lehto and a 2026 CMU staff that led the Mid-American Conference in strikeouts.

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🌾 SHOCKER TRIVIA

How many blocks did Gene Wiley record in a single game against Purdue in 1961, a record that still stands at Wichita State?

Think you know the answer? Scroll to the bottom to find out!

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📆 ON THE DOCKET

*All times CT

Monday, July 20
🏀 TBT AfterShocks vs. The Enchantment (Game 1) | Charles Koch Arena | 8 p.m. | Tickets

Thursday, July 23
🏀 TBT AfterShocks vs. The Enchantment (Game 2) | Charles Koch Arena | 8 p.m. | Tickets 

Friday, July 24
🏀 TBT AfterShocks vs. The Enchantment (Game 3 if necessary) | Charles Koch Arena | 8 p.m.

🌾 Click here to see the full Wichita State Athletics Calendar

🤓 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 15.

🌾 Have a great Monday, Shocker Nation!