With the help of the athletic department and the Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization, the Wichita State basketball team paid tribute to their past by bringing back more than 15 players and their families to recognize the MTXE era. It started with a reception for players and family on January 2. Players were reunited with former teammates that some had not seen in 30 years. On Sunday, January 3 the men’s basketball team wore “throwback” jerseys in a win against Bradley that mirrored the jerseys worn by the players in that era. The game worn jerseys were auctioned off after the game to raise money for student-athlete scholarships.
Following the game, a dinner was held in the Champions Club in Charles Koch Arena. Fans lis
tened to a panel of former players discuss some of their proudest moments in a Shocker uniform. The weekend’s events raised more than $28,000 for the Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization, which funds scholarships for Wichita State student-athletes.
“This event and weekend was a total success,” said Brian Morris, Associate Athletic Director for Development. “We were able to get some former players back to Wichita State who have not been here since they finished their playing career. It was also a great way to embrace our former players and thank them for their contributions to Wichita State basketball.”
The MTXE era took place from the 1978- 1984 when then-head coach Gene Smithson created the slogan MTXE which stood for, “Mental Toughness Extra Effort.” It was an era that Wichita State showcased players such as Antoine Carr, Cliff Levingston, Cheese Johnson, and Xavier McDaniel.