Following the retirement of former Voice of the Shockers Mike Kennedy, who signed off the air at the end of the 2025-26 season after 46 years behind the microphone, Wichita State led a national search to fill the role.
That search has come to an end.
Thursday morning, Wichita State Athletics announced alum Denning Gerig was named Director of Broadcasting, and would become the new Voice of the Shockers. In his new role, Gerig will announce the play-by-plays of men’s basketball and baseball starting in the 2026-27 season.
In addition to broadcasting, he will also be responsible for creating original content and developing new ways for fans to connect with WSU’s student-athletes, coaches and programs in collaboration with Shocker Sports Properties and Wichita State Athletics.
This isn’t Gerig’s first time being on the air, however.
Gerig first broadcasted WSU events in 2015 as a part of the initial Valley on ESPN3. He continued to call baseball, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball with ESPN+, and served as color commentator with Kennedy for Wichita State baseball games on the road.
Gerig also spent five years with professional minor league baseball teams such as the Wichita Wingnuts and the Cleburne Railroaders, and earned American Association Broadcaster of the Year honors in 2021.
Shocker fans will be able to meet Gerig before his season starts on June 12, from 5-7 p.m. at Social Tap in Braeburn Square, as they honor Kennedy’s legacy one final time, and usher in a new era for the Voice of the Shockers.
