9.30.24
Shocker football alums return to campus
Last Friday’s kick-off event to the WSUFAE-hosted All-Years Shocker Football Reunion was a night of smiles, handshakes, hugs and plenty of gridiron memories. Former offensive lineman and key reunion organizer Jay Hull ’83, along with Reuben Eckels ’91, who during his four years as a starter for the Shockers (1980-1983) caught a school record 11 touchdown passes, welcomed more than 80 former players back to campus.
“I wouldn’t have missed this,” said James “Jumpy” Geathers fs ’84, who traveled from his home in South Carolina to be with his fellow teammates. Geathers, a defensive tackle, is one of several Shocker players who went on to impressive careers in the National Football League. He played 13 seasons in the NFL as a member of the New Orleans Saints (1984-1989), Washington Redskins (1990-1993), Atlanta Falcons (1994-1995) and the Denver Broncos (1996). He was a part of the Redskins team that won Super Bowl XXVI and was on the roster on injured reserve when the Broncos won the Super Bowl in 1997 for the first time in their franchise history.
Geathers wasn’t the only Shocker at the reunion with at least one Super Bowl win to his credit. Anthony Jones ’84 is another. After his senior season as a tight end with the Shockers, Jones was picked in the 11th round of the 1984 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins and went on to play eight seasons for the team, helping to win the Super Bowl championship in 1987. He finished his pro playing days with the San Diego Chargers in 1988 and then entered the coaching field, serving as head coach at Morehouse College, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University and, most recently, for the Elizabeth City State University Vikings in North Carolina.
Mike Kriwiel ’83, Kelvin Middleton ’88, Dave Newcomer ’73, David Unruh ’84/88, Bobby Weston ’83, Todd Wessel ’90 and Chris White ’81 were just a few of the other Shocker football players among reunion-goers at the opening get-together on the lower level of the Rhatigan Student Center. After dinner and reminiscing, attendees viewed a screening of the documentary “Success Has No Zip Code,” about Willie Jeffries, who was head coach for five seasons at Wichita State (1979-1983). When hired at WSU, he became the first Black head coach of an NCAA Division I-A football program. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
“Seeing so many Shockers here tonight is truly heart-warming,” Stacie Williamson ’05 said. Reunion festivities continued on Saturday with campus tours, golfing and a formal dinner at which a commemorative Shocker football timeline was presented to players in attendance. The timeline opens with these words:
“Few collegiate sport histories can match the highs and lows of Wichita State University’s football program. For 90 years, from 1896 to 1986, fall football games were rallying points for many in the Shocker community. Although the sport is no longer played at WSU, football still holds a very special place at our university. Football, and all those who played and coached it, are still on the Shocker playing field.”
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