The Barton Community College Athletics Department celebrated its community engagement with local schools recently by inviting a large number of elementary students and their families to join the Cougars at the Feb. 8 basketball games vs Cloud County. Between games, children and student-athletes joined hand-in-hand to form a human chain on the gym floor.
“We have a number of teams engaged in initiatives/activities with Barton County elementary schools,” said Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs. For the past 12 years, teams have gotten involved at area schools with reading activities, recess activities and other initiatives. This was an opportunity to celebrate and publicly recognize these partnerships.
“Frankly, it was a very emotional and heartwarming celebration recognizing our department’s involvement in the local schools as a part of our community service efforts,” Rolfs said.
“There are a multitude of examples that show the priority of Barton Athletics as it relates to engagement in our communities, as our goal is to not only develop young men and women athletically and academically, but also socially. The proof is in the pudding, as Barton Community College Athletics is involved in well over 1,000 hours of community service annually.”
As the leader of Barton Athletics, Rolfs strongly advocates that coaches involve their student-athletes in the communities BCC serves.
“I’ve also always believed getting involved in elementary schools can have a profound impact on both the collegiate athlete, as well the elementary school-age children,” he said. “These engagement/enrichment activities help in making ‘connection’ with our community partners at the USD levels, while at the same time providing opportunities for social growth.
“We love seeing the smiles on their faces when encountering the many ‘larger than life’ figures we share with them. We are able to abundantly share our diverse athletic programming population with elementary students, while engaging in worthwhile educational initiatives with young people, benefitting all involved. Each engagement project serves as a great lesson for both young and old, providing social enrichment beyond anything you can imagine.”
Rolfs said he’s grateful to his coaching staff for not only believing in the benefits of social engagement but making it ring true inside every student-athlete that comes through Barton. “And, in the end, we must thank all of our community partners, specifically those in our school systems that also understand the importance of social interaction and cultural diversity. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you Barton County for allowing us to interact with you, making this place we call Barton Community College so special! ... GO COUGARS!”
