Even at the Division II level, college basketball is a big deal in the state of Kansas. The Emporia State Hornets are an important but often overlooked reason why. The program has undergone highs and lows, but last-minute Emporia State basketball tickets are still a hot commodity. The fact that the Hornets compete at the Division II level makes it a little easier to find cheap Emporia State basketball tickets. But the Hornets are very much a program on the rise with a bright future and a fanbase that has always been loyal.

Rare Company

The history of Emporia State basketball includes a small collection of coaches doing great work. Between 1927 and 1998, the Hornets only had four different coaches. Gus Fish and Ron Slaymaker did the bulk of the work during that time, with Fish coaching from 1945 to 1970 and Slaymaker taking the reins from 1970 to 1998. In fact, it was Slaymaker who took the Hornets from the NAIA level to the Division II level in 1988, exposing Emporia State to a new level of competition and helping to put the Hornets on the map. Eventually, it would be David Moe guiding the Hornets to their first two appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 2004 and 2007.

The Journey Continues

Emporia State basketball entered a new era in 2018 with the hiring of Craig Doty as the head coach. Doty previously won two Division III national championships and an NAIA national title before taking over the Hornets. He brought a championship pedigree to Emporia State, setting the Hornets on a path to accomplish bigger and better things in the future.