Tom Dondlinger's family was in on the ground floor – no exaggeration – as Shockers basketball grew into a Wichita passion.
"Our family construction business built Henry Levitt Arena, the Roundhouse, in 1955-56," he said. "I have been attending the games since I can remember."
Wichita State selected, through a random ticket block selection, Tom and Colleen Dondlinger to represent the eight million fans who attended games at the on-campus arena, now known as Charles Koch Arena, since it opened in December 1955.
Tom Dondlinger, 67, remembers running around the upper rows with other children in the days when those seats weren't always filled.