Shocker football players returned to campus for an all-years reunion June 13-14. Of the more than 100 former players in attendance, there were at least two players representing every team since 1950 and at least three from every season since 1954.
Additionally, 16 teams had eight or more representatives back on the campus for festivities. The teams with the most returning members were 1978 and 1979 with 20, 1980 and 1982 with 19, 1977 with 18 and 1981 with 17.
Former offensive guard Jay Hull ’83 of Dallas led the volunteer organizing of reunion activities. “Each reunion has brought new former players out of the nationwide ‘woodwork,’” says Hull. “Many of their stories are inspiring and bless one another.”
Reunion festivities kicked off with a Friday evening Welcome Dinner at Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes in the newly renovated Rhatigan Student Center. On Saturday, reunion attendees had the opportunity to play golf at WSU’s Braeburn Golf Course, followed by a barbecue luncheon at the Marcus Welcome Center. A formal dinner that evening was a highlight of the reunion.
Held at Charles Koch Arena, the formal program featured special awards and remarks by former players, WSU President John Bardo, AD Eric Sexton ’87/92, Debbie Kennedy ’94, alumni association president and CEO, and “Voice of the Shockers” Mike Kennedy ’71, who says, “I enjoyed seeing players and coaches I knew when I was broadcasting the games, as well as having a chance to meet some guys who I watched growing up, when my dad would take me to the games. It was also fun to watch the players interact with each other, particularly those from different eras.”
Sharing memories was a key activity. “My favorite football memory is how proud I was of everyone restarting the season after the crash (Oct. 2, 1970),” noted Nick Barber, a member of the team from 1969-70. “That took a lot of courage, and I was privileged to be a part of it.” Russ Williams, who played Shocker football from 1981-82, recalls “besting KU in Lawrence, watching Jumpy Geathers flip the tackling sled like a rag doll and lots of good friends.” Jerry Crain, who played from 1958-60, says, “Cincinnati: Who can forget Cary Wyant’s catch and 10-yard water slide into the endzone? And Hank sending Bears back in after the half to put on their old, cold, wet uniforms from the first half. I loved playing offensive wide tackle on runs to the weak side. Got to go hunting downfield for LBs and safeties. Memories? Let me just say Craig Randall.”
Fittingly, reunion-goers were given copies of the alumni association’s Endzone to Endzone: Celebrating Shocker Football, a timeline and history of football at WSU.
Although the sport is no longer played at Wichita State, memories of fine fall days filled with the excitement of Shocker football remain vibrant and strong — as they certainly were at the 2014 all-years WSU football reunion.
