Wichita State Shockers facts for kids

The American Athletic Conference logo in Wichita State's colors

The Wichita State Shockers are the sports teams that represent Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. They compete in NCAA Division I, which is the highest level of college sports in the United States. The Shockers are part of the American Athletic Conference, also known as "The American." Their mascot is WuShock, and their nickname is "Shockers." There are 15 different sports teams at Wichita State.

What Sports Do the Shockers Play?

Wichita State University has many sports teams that compete in the NCAA. These are called "varsity sports." Being a member of the American Athletic Conference, Wichita State offers teams in seven men's sports and eight women's sports.

A Sad Day in Shockers History

On October 2, 1970, a plane carrying players and staff from the Wichita State University football team had a terrible accident. The plane was flying to Logan, Utah, for a game against Utah State University. After refueling in Colorado, it flew into a mountain valley that was too narrow. The plane crashed into a mountainside, about 40 miles (64 km) from Denver.

This sad event resulted in the loss of 31 people, including players, coaches, and fans. The President of the United States at the time, Richard Nixon, sent a message to the university president. He wrote, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in this time of sorrow." This day remains a very important and sad part of Wichita State's history.

Shockers in Bowl Games

Even though the football team is no longer active, the Wichita State Shockers football team played in several "bowl games" in the past. Bowl games are special football games played at the end of the season, usually between two strong teams. Here are some of the bowl games they played in:

See also

In Spanish: Wichita State Shockers para niños