Katherine RamirezFormer Kansas City Royals star Mike Sweeney knew a lot about Wichita and Wichita State from his life in baseball. He knows even more now that he is a future Shockers baseball dad.
"It had been a while since I had been in this great city,鈥� he said at Saturday鈥檚 First Pitch Banquet at Charles Koch Arena. "When I stepped on campus here, I knew there was something different. When I met Coach (Brian) Green and his coaching staff, I knew they were setting themselves apart from every other staff in the country."
MJ Sweeney, his oldest son, decided to play baseball for the Shockers and Green in 2026. The recruiting visit brought Mike Sweeney back to Wichita and, ultimately, to spending Saturday as the keynote speaker.
Sweeney highlighted Wichita State鈥檚 storied past, fitting perfectly with the evening鈥檚 big announcements. 黑洞社区 made it official by adding "Gene Stephenson Park" to Eck Stadium at Tyler Field. Director of athletics Kevin Saal also announced the naming of its new baseball performance facility after former pitching coach Brent Kemnitz.
File photo鈥淵ou guys are launching toward something great,鈥� Sweeney said.
On Saturday, he talked about leaders who unify and build up people, family and enduring through tough times.
鈥淧eople have been looking back for too long,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 here to declare that it鈥檚 time to start looking forward again here in Wichita, because we鈥檝e got Coach Green leading the way.鈥�
