Good morning! Let it be known this morning that Europe gained another solid hooper yesterday. Former Shocker basketball player Markis McDuffie joined the Turk Telekom, and will represent WSU well as a pro overseas.

What else are we tossing into today’s Brew?

🥎 Feeling Forties
🎙️ Welcoming in the Newcomers
​🌾 And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Feeling Forties. Step aside Dirk Nowitzki, there’s a new number 41 making noise in the sports world. This week, D1 Softball is releasing its top 100 players from this past season, and our very own Addison Barnard came in at No. 41 in the rankings. The three-year starter has shown time and time again why she was one of the Shockers’ best hitters, and we are glad to see that D1 Softball feels the same.

🔼 Game Day Visionary. The newly appointed head cheerleading coach, Dr. April Banwart has some big plans when it comes to enhancing the overall experience come game day.

🗣️ “I am excited to bring the competition to a new level and bring that heightened atmosphere to game days for all sports.” - Dr. April Banwart

After pursuing private cheer instructing for the past 15 years, Dr. Banwart is diving in head first to college cheer, which she is no stranger to. Previously, she cheer with Northwest Missouri State and was a member of four consecutive DII top-10 cheerleading teams.

🔼 Save the Date! The inaugural Black and Yellow Gala will be later this summer on August 19th at the Charles Koch Arena. The event will go directly toward the support of all Shocker student-athletes and teams. Join us for this fantastic fundraising event by purchasing tickets down below.

🤔 SHOCKER TRIVIA

The Power of 41. Addison Barnard has certainly hit her fair share of over-the-fencers during her time with the Shockers. In her three years at WSU, Barnard has contributed significantly to the scoreboard.

Our question today — how many total home runs do you think Addison Barnard has hit since she first stepped foot on WSU’s diamond?

Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

🌾 ONE BIG THING

Big things are coming for the American Athletic Conference. As of July 1st, the conference will introduce North Texas, Rice, UTSA, Charlotte, UAB, and Florida Atlantic into it’s AAC family. The six schools combined for a a total of 15 tournament or regular season titles, including an impressive Final Four showing out of Florida Atlantic.

Listen in with the Roundhouse Podcast as they dive into a series looking at each of the six schools individually. First up, the University of North Texas as they dive into the history of the ‘Mean Green’ nickname, the basketball program coming off an NIT title, and the historic golf program.

📬 STICK WITH US

Did someone send you the Shocker Brew? Well, the first thing you should do is thank them. The next thing you should do is subscribe here and get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning just in time for your first cup of coffee!

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 69!

Highlighted by the monster 33 home run season in 2021, Barnard is averaging 22 home runs per season, and she still has one more to go. It will take a season like she had in ‘21 to reach the 100 homer milestone, but when it comes to the Baddie, we have no doubts.

Have a great Wednesday, y’all.