By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
In 2021, the NCAA passed a name, image and likeness policy, referred to as NIL. The policy allows student athletes to make money from their personal brand. NIL has made a huge impact on college athletics recruiting at the Division I level.
Barton Community College Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs said the effect of NIL is slowly trickling down to the community college level.
"We used to have to fight with Florida and Texas for athletes," said Rolfs. "I really believe that when we made the scholarship changes to align with Division I scholarship opportunities, that we would be where we are today. We want to make sure we remain compliant in what we do as the landscape continues to change with NIL."
Barton recently finished second in the nation for the National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrators Cup. The NATYCAA competition recognizes the combined excellence of two-year college athletics based on success in championships across all sports.
Rolfs said he has conducted a couple of meetings with Opendorse, a company that provides services to keep the college compliant while student athletes are accepting contracts or payment opportunities.
"This company, Opendorse, handles all of the ends and outs of those contracts," said Rolfs. "They know all the compliance regulations at the NCAA, NCAA II and NJCAA. That's what they do for a living. You eliminate risk of any compliance issues by signing with one of those companies."
Rolfs said there are 18 community colleges currently contracted with Opendorse, including three from Kansas.