Committed.

That is how Bob Powers described the first team in Wichita State University’s history to play in the NCAA Final Four.

“We would not quit,” Powers said of the 1964-65 team. “No matter how hard things got, we would not quit.”

With the 50th anniversary of the first WSU Final Four approaching this season, Powers takes a look back on his Shocker days.

“And if you were there in the ’60s, you would know what I’m talking about,” he said. “You just have to believe what I’m telling you.”

Powers and the 1964-65 men’s basketball team, led by head coach Gary Thompson, made history when Andy Griffith was on prime-time television and Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” made the Billboard hot 100.

The historic team also made waves during a time of war and racism, but Powers said the team was not influenced by outside distractions.

When walking to class, Powers said he and his teammates would frequently come across Vietnam War demonstrations. When traveling to different locations to play, Powers said racism was a huge issue in a lot of the towns the team would play in.

“As athletes, we didn’t know what was going on,” Powers said. “We had nothing to do with that stuff. We saw it happening, but we were caught up in our sports and our classes.”

With almost a 50-year gap, times have changed, but the Shocker mentality has not, Powers said.

“Every guy on our team was totally committed to the team, and that’s exactly how Coach Marshall’s men are,” he said.

Powers said he thinks the current team has all the necessary ingredients to get to the Final Four.

“I honestly believe that,” Powers said.

Powers, alongside his teammates who posted a 19-7 record and won the Missouri Valley Conference title, attended a recent practice with the 2014-15 team, which will open the season ranked No. 11 in the Associated Press Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll.

 “They are a unit,” Powers said about watching the men in action. “My blood started flowing. I’m 70 and I felt like a kid again.”

Powers believes the team is going to go far. He also had advice to give the team.

“I would say the words of Jimmy Valvano, ‘Always remember from whence you came,’ and never let all the other stuff get in your head,” Powers said. “Always remember how you got there.”