Mike Kennedy is recession proof

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

That should be the first words out of Mike Kennedy’s mouth if he should ever decide to ask for a raise.

As the Voice of the Shockers for the past 30 years, Kennedy has become as much a part of the Wichita State baseball team as the players themselves.

Along with longtime head coach Gene Stephenson, Kennedy is one of the few to personally watch generations of Shockers play at Eck Stadium.

After meeting with Kennedy up in his booth before a big game against K-State, one thing is for certain; his love for the game and for the Shockers is what makes him such an entertaining play-by-play announcer.

Yes, having all the technical aspects down, like a strong voice and proper diction, makes for a good career in radio.

Kennedy’s skills go far beyond that.

He has an uncanny knowledge for the game. Kennedy said baseball is a statistically driven sport, and he spends hours everyday digging and compiling those statistics to add to his plat-by-play.

As long as radio waves travel across the Plains, Kennedy will have a job as the Voice of the Shockers. Just ask longtime (and now retired) KU basketball commentator Max Faulkenstein, dedicated sports fans do not like change. Faulkenstien kept his gig for 60 years, and he stepped down when he felt it was time.

I believe Kennedy will be able to share that same opportunity, and it will not be any time soon.