GREAT BEND, Kan. — Barton Community College Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs will retire in June 2027, bringing an end to a 16-year tenure leading the Cougars’ athletic department.
Rolfs took over the department in the summer of 2011 and has overseen a period of success in competition, academics and community involvement.
“My time at Barton serving as Athletic Director has been special to say the least and has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional career,” Rolfs said. “While I will certainly miss all those associated with athletics here at Barton internally and externally, I am excited about what the next chapter of life has in store.”
During Rolfs’ tenure, Barton teams have won seven NJCAA national championships, including two this past spring. The Cougars have also captured 42 conference titles, 39 region championships and 10 district titles, while the department has earned more than 100 championships when national academic titles are included.
Barton has also ranked among the nation’s top junior college athletic programs, finishing in the top three of the NATYCAA Daktronics Cup standings for seven consecutive years through the 2023-24 academic year.
Success in the classroom has been another focus under Rolfs. Barton’s athletic department has consistently maintained a grade point average above 3.0, including a KJCCC-leading cumulative GPA of 3.34 during the 2022-23 academic year. Student-athletes also contribute more than 3,000 hours of community service annually.
Barton President Dr. Marcus Garstecki thanked Rolfs for his service and credited the department for developing student-athletes who have represented the college both academically and in the community.
“I want to thank Trevor for his sixteen years of service to Barton Community College and Barton athletics,” Garstecki said. “Most importantly, our student-athletes have excelled in the classroom and have been great representatives of Barton in our communities.”
Rolfs has also overseen significant upgrades to Barton’s athletic facilities, securing more than $3.3 million in donor gifts. Improvements during his tenure include a 15,000-square-foot indoor practice facility, turf for the baseball and softball fields and the first phase of a facilities master plan completed in fall 2025.
That phase included upgraded locker rooms, a Champions Hallway, new concessions area, Cougar Den and Hall of Fame Room. Future plans call for a new strength training facility and improvements to the track and soccer complex.
Rolfs will remain in his position through June, giving the college time to identify his successor. Garstecki said the advance notice will help Barton find the right person to continue the athletic department’s tradition.
“Finishing the race strong are words we hear in this profession often,” Rolfs said, “and I plan to do just that!”
