Words from the Shocker family: Neil Baker, father of Ron

Neil and Ranae Baker know the 235-mile drive from Scott City to Koch Arena. For three seasons, Neil picked up Ranae at the grade school, where she taught kindergarten, at 2:47 p.m. They head east on K-96, stopping in Great Bend for food and a restroom break, arriving at Koch Arena at 6:55, a few minutes before tip.

I still don’t think it’s sunk in yet. It probably will in 10 years. We just enjoy going and watching the guys play and meeting their families and all the friends and the coaches. It’s been a good, fun ride for us.

I don’t get too nervous. I just like relaxing and watching the guys play. My wife, on the other hand, she’s got to put her hands in front of her face, can’t watch, then she’ll look through her fingers. We were out eating lunch the other day and she said, “I’m getting really nervous already.”

I still think the one that really sticks in my mind was the Louisville game. We were that close to winning it all. I’ve watched that game probably 10 times on YouTube.

I think he made the right decision (to return for his senior year). The pros will always be there, if he gets there, and he has one more chance to win a national championship.

I think the coaches and the city adopted him and us well. We go everywhere in Wichita and every time we turn around, a fan is complimenting us and congratulating us and wanting pictures. Just wanting to visit. I think it’s been a good fit for us, maybe because it’s a smaller staff. The coaching staff has been very positive and helpful. We’ve been with them so much it’s like family.

The seniors are really excited about the newcomers, they think they’re a very talented group. I think they’re expecting a lot out of them.

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 2:48 AM with the headline "Words from the Shocker family: Neil Baker, father of Ron."