In its 50 year history, the Wichita State men's tennis program has evolved as the most-dominant in the Missouri Valley Conference’s rich history. With an unprecedented 22 team titles, 12 more than the school with the second-most wins (Washington [Mo.], 10), WSU holds the reign as the Valley's all-time winningest program. 



Since 1959, the Shockers have won an astounding 22 MVC team titles, including 12 consecutive crowns from 1978-89.  Six Shocker coaches have won two or more MVC men's team titles during this 47-year era.  Val Woodard started the run, coaching the Shockers to Valley titles in 1959 & 1961. Neil Roush became the first coach to guide a team to back-to-back MVC titles in 1964-65.  Stan Kardatzke’s teams followed suit,  winning back-to-back titles in 1978-79, but Rex Coad’s squads may be the most notorious of all, winning nine-straight MVC championships in a span from 1980-1988. Coad became the Shockers most successful coach ever, with 152 wins.  Bill Nichols coached Shocker teams to five MVC titles (1989, 1991, 1994, 1997-98).  Coach Kevin Kowalik also won back-to-back titles in 2003 & 2004.

On the courts, Wichita State has been a breeding ground for premier players.  In the program’s 50-year history, 86 Shockers have been crowned MVC conference singles champions, including 20 at the #1 position and 35 doubles championships at #1 position.  Two Shockers have been named All-Americans and two other players have won NCAA Consolation singles titles.

Shocker tennis success began in 1959 when a Jim Carter led the University of Wichita to its first-ever Missouri Valley Conference team title.  Carter claimed the MVC #1 singles title, and teamed with Norris Baker to win the #1 doubles crown. Bill Potter claimed the #3 singles championship, and joined Pete Piper to claim the #2 doubles championship.

After losing the core of the 1959 team to graduation, 1960 proved to be a  rebuilding year for the Shockers, who finished third in the Valley. Sophomore Neil Roush led the squad with a 13-2 record. Roush fell short in his quest for a Valley championship at #1 singles, falling in the final match.

The Shockers finished the 1961 season as MVC co-Champions in 1961. For the second-straight season, Neil Roush posted a 13-2 record, but lost in the #1 singles final, but he had a supporting cast, as Norris Baker and Pete Piper each won singles titles in their respective positions. Baker won the #2 singles crown, while Piper claimed the #3 championship.