Following a national search, Denning Gerig has been named director of broadcasting for Wichita State Athletics. In his role, Gerig will serve as the next Voice of the Shockers, assuming play-by-play responsibilities for men’s basketball and baseball beginning with the 2026-27 season.
In addition to his broadcasting duties, Gerig will help lead the development of original content, storytelling initiatives and coaches’ programming in partnership with Shocker Sports Properties and Wichita State Athletics, creating new opportunities for fans to connect with Shocker student-athletes, coaches and programs throughout the year.
Gerig succeeds Mike Kennedy, whose 46-year broadcasting career made him one of the most recognizable and respected voices in collegiate athletics and synonymous with Wichita State Athletics.
“Growing up in Wichita and listening to Mike Kennedy broadcast Shocker Athletics, I knew from a very young age what I wanted to do in life,” Gerig said. “I’m deeply honored to follow in Mike’s footsteps and promise to bring Shocker fans the same level of commitment, preparation, and love for this university with every broadcast. I know from experience how powerful the connection is between Wichita State and this community. There is no place I would rather be and no job I would rather have.”
A Wichita State alumnus, Gerig has been a familiar voice to Shocker fans for more than a decade. He first began broadcasting Wichita State events in 2015 as part of the university’s initial Valley on ESPN3 productions and has since called baseball, volleyball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball contests on ESPN+, in addition to serving as color commentator with Kennedy on the road for Wichita State baseball.
In addition to his collegiate experience, he spent five total years in professional minor league baseball with the Wichita Wingnuts and Cleburne Railroaders, earning American Association Broadcaster of the Year honors in 2021.
To celebrate this transition, there will be a public reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 12 at Social Tap in Braeburn Square. Fans will have the opportunity to meet Gerig and join the Wichita State community in honoring Kennedy as he concludes his historic broadcasting career.
