A History of Wichita State University Football
The Wichita State Shockers football program represented Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas, from 1897 to 1986. As members of the Missouri Valley Conference, the Shockers played their home games at Cessna Stadium. Although the program was discontinued, its history is filled with notable moments, pioneering figures, and a tragic event that deeply impacted the university and the wider community.
Early Years and Innovations
The Wichita State football program began in 1897, with the team then known as Fairmount, coached by T. H. Morrison. An early innovation occurred during the 1905 season when the Coleman Company provided temporary gas-powered lighting for a night game against Cooper College, now known as Sterling Warriors.
In December 1905, Fairmount participated in an experimental game against the Washburn Ichabods, testing a set of new rules under the supervision of Washburn's head coach, John H. Outland. David M. Nelson later described the experiment as a failure in his history of football.
The 1970 Plane Crash
One of the darkest chapters in Wichita State football history occurred on October 2, 1970. A plane carrying members of the football team crashed en route to a game against Utah State University. This tragic event resulted in significant loss of life and had a profound impact on the university and the Wichita community. The event is remembered through the "Memorial '70" commemoration.
A Pioneer in Coaching
Willie Jeffries made history when he became Wichita State's head coach in 1979. He was the first African-American head coach of a Division I-A football program.
Read also: Wichita Collegiate Details
Program's End and Aftermath
The Wichita State Shockers football program was discontinued in 1986. Financial considerations played a significant role in the decision to end the program.
In 1992, a study of Cessna Stadium was conducted to assess its compliance with I-A football standards, but the program remained defunct.
Attempts to Revive the Program
In 2006, Wichita Mayor Carlos Mayans suggested using public funds to revive the football program at Wichita State, but the proposal did not gain traction. Discussions about reinstating the program have surfaced periodically, with cost being a major consideration.
Wichita State in the American Athletic Conference
Wichita State's move to the American Athletic Conference in 2017 highlighted its unique position as the only full member of the conference without a football program.
Wichita State Football in Popular Culture
A fictionalized version of the Wichita State football program appears in the Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso.
Read also: Explore Wichita State University
Notable Seasons and Reunions
The 1962 season saw the Shockers, under head coach Marcelino “Chelo” Huerta, achieve a 3-7 record, including wins over Arizona State, Louisville, New Mexico State, Dayton, Cincinnati and Tulsa. Former Shocker football players reunited on campus for a series of events hosted by WSU Athletics and assisted by the WSU Alumni Association.
Read also: Wichita State Mascot History
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