by Andrew Sharp

Hesston College Vice President of Student Life Lamar Roth has announced the hiring of Joel Kauffman, a 1980 Hesston graduate, to replace Art Mullet – who will retire this spring – as athletic director. Kauffman currently serves as Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid at Hesston, a role he will continue until his responsibilities in the athletic department begin this summer. A search for a new Vice President of Admissions will begin immediately.

“Joel brings a wealth of experience in athletics, academics and administration to this position,” Roth said. “His understanding of current trends in student athlete recruiting will benefit him well, and his coaching tenure has given him a window into the Hesston College student experience.”

“I’m honored to have this opportunity to give back to a college that is so unique and special in what it offers students,” Kauffman said. “Our athletes are students first, and I’m looking forward to working with others on campus to provide a holistic experience that connects academics and athletics in ways that will give our students the best start possible.”

Following high school teaching and coaching appointments in Nevada and California from 1982 to 1987, Kauffman moved to Hesston in 1987 and assumed coaching duties for the Hesston College women’s basketball program, a post he held until 2007. Kauffman was named National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) District B Coach of the Year following the 1996-97 season in which the Larks advanced to the NJCAA Division II national tournament. Kauffman’s teams won five NJCAA regional championships during his time as coach.

During Mullet’s sabbatical year of 1993 to 1994, Kauffman served as co-athletic director and baseball coach. In the 1996-97 academic year, Kauffman coached the softball team.

Aside from his time on the court, Kauffman has taught humanities courses at Hesston since 1990. He holds an associate degree in liberal arts from Hesston College, a bachelor’s degree in history from Fresno (Calif.) Pacific University and a master’s of education degree from Wichita (Kan.) State University.

Kauffman has made a career of being a positive involvement in students’ lives on the Hesston campus, both in academics and athletics. His many years of relationship building and mentoring among students and co-workers alike make him an ideal fit for what he describes as his ‘dream job’.”

“Joel was one of those coaches whose influence on his players reached far beyond the court,” said former Hesston basketball player and assistant coach Joy Smith Yoder ’96, Cassopolis, Mich. “He challenged me to creatively explore life and to not allow my thoughts to be reigned in by societal norms. Joel allowed us to process our lives with a supportive listening ear, yet would provoke us to explore choices we were making. As a former player who then had the opportunity to assist him coaching for seven years, I am honored to have been a part of his teams, yet more honored to call him a friend.”

“Joel has a broad understanding of the mission of Hesston College given his experience as an administrator, instructor and coach here,” Roth said. “I am confident in Joel’s abilities to lead as he assumes the athletic director role from Art Mullet who has provided 30 years of service at Hesston College.”

Kauffman and his wife, Ariana, also a Hesston graduate, live in Hesston and attend Hesston Mennonite Church.

Hesston College athletics compete in Division I and II of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Located 30 miles north of Wichita, Hesston College is the two-year liberal arts college of Mennonite Church USA.