Former 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,” he said at Saturday’s 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’s storied past, fitting perfectly with the evening’s big announcements. WSU 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.

“You guys are launching toward something great,” Sweeney said.

On Saturday, he talked about leaders who unify and build up people, family and enduring through tough times.

“People have been looking back for too long,” he said. “I’m here to declare that it’s time to start looking forward again here in Wichita, because we’ve got Coach Green leading the way.”

Read more on Mike Sweeney's talk and honoring Gene Stephenson at the First Pitch Banquet