Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita State University Athletics and the Shocker Baseball program are proud to announce a $600,000 planned gift – restricted to future support of the baseball program - by 2014 National College Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and former Shocker head coach Gene Stephenson.
In addition to the planned gift, Gene Stephenson has committed $20,000, as an annual gift to the Wheat Shock Collective, intended to supplement Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) opportunities for Shocker Baseball student-athletes. By successfully matching Coach Stephenson's annual minimum $20,000 commitment to Shocker Baseball NIL, Shocker Nation can help secure consistently strong annual contributions to NIL, allowing Shocker Baseball to retain and recruit elite-level talent.
"Wichita State Baseball is our life's work," Stephenson said. "From the very beginning in 1977 with no facilities of any kind, no team, not even a baseball, each foundational goal was entirely centered on the academic and athletic success of Wichita State Baseball student-athletes, developing national championship caliber teams, and establishing first-class baseball facilities at WSU. In conjunction with our planned gift of $600,000 – along with recurring annual gifts to support Shocker Baseball NIL – we extend our deepest appreciation to President Rick Muma and Director of Athletics Kevin Saal for their leadership and commitment to returning Shocker Baseball to its rightful place. We are so thankful to our coaches and staff, fans, and the greater Wichita business community for embracing our mission and providing vital assistance in achieving the support essential to past, present and future success. We know that Wichita will accept the challenge of NIL, as we have, providing championship-level resources for our program. Yes, 'Through These Portals Pass College Baseball's Greatest Fans.' GO SHOX!"
Stephenson, now a trustee of the College Baseball Foundation/National College Baseball Hall of Fame, was head baseball coach for the Shockers from 1978-2013. In 2018, he was inducted into the Pizza Hut Shocker Sports Hall of Fame, was a three-time NCAA Coach of the Year and 11-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year. Stephenson led the Shockers to the College World Series, winning the National Championship in 1989, and seven College World Series appearances overall. He also guided the Shockers to 27 NCAA Regional appearances, two NCAA Super Regional appearances, 20 Valley regular-season titles and 17 Valley tournament championships.
Coach Stephenson directed Wichita State to more wins than any NCAA Division I program in the country eight times and coached 33 players at Wichita State who played in the Major Leagues. He also coached three players named NCAA Player of the Year and one named NCAA Pitcher of the Year. Stephenson coached two players named NCAA Academic Player of the Year and 54 players at Wichita State who earned All-America honors.
He coached 33 Freshman All-Americans, 20 players who earned Academic All-America honors a total of 27 times, 15 conference Players of the Year and 12 conference Pitchers of the Year. He is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Team and coached 13 MLB first-round draft picks. Stephenson won 60 or more games five times and collected 50 or more wins 19 times.
"We are incredibly humbled by these generous gifts from Shocker legend Gene Stephenson," said Director of Athletics Kevin Saal. "The Shocker Baseball program, the men who developed within it, and Tyler Field at Eck Stadium represents Gene Stephenson's life's work. His commitment, countless sacrifices, and unprecedented success over 35 years as head coach has positively impacted thousands of people and defines Shocker Baseball today. These two distinct gifts are a clear indication of Gene's intent to continue pouring into our baseball program, contributing to its success well into the future. We are appreciative of Gene's lead gifts to support the future of Shocker Baseball and urge Shocker Nation to consider matching Coach Stephenson's annual $20,000 commitment to Shocker Baseball NIL, by donating to the Wheat Shock Collective."
Individuals interested in donating to the Wheat Shock Collective may do so at www.wheatshockcollective.com and/or through the pathways identified in attached file. For more information on donating to the baseball program and/or the Wheat Shock Collective in conjunction with Blueprint Sports, a 501 (c)(3) organization, contact the WSU Development Office at 316.978.5499.