By TODD MOORE
Barton Sports Info
This past Saturday, the Barton Community College Athletic Department welcomed three new members to its prestigious Hall of Fame in its annual induction ceremony held at the Kirkman Activity Center on Barton's campus.
Established in 2000, the 2025 inductee class included local natives Tim Weiser and Lacy (Frees) Draznik, along with Natchapol "Putter" Srinoon, in joining over eighty-four previous inductees.
Master of ceremonies and Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs, joined on stage by presenters and inductees, led the induction ceremony in front of family and supporters, former Barton athletes and coaches, booster club members, and current student-athletes and coaches.
Rolfs' opening remarks included his excitement of Hall of Fame Day. "We're able to see, we're able to hear, and we're able to share today in the incredible culture that developed these inductees." Later adding, "People is what makes this place special, and the people that we're going to meet today are going to make it very clear why that is."
Ken "Doc" Henderson, a 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee and current President of the Cougar Booster Club, introduced its Board of Directors while offering brief remarks.
"Each of these individuals have excelled in their chosen careers and have left an indelible mark on their respective Cougar teams and in our Barton Athletic Department."
The inductee portion of the program was kicked off by Barton Cheer Coach Amanda Schnoebelen.
"It is with much pride and honor to present, not only the first ever dancer into the Hall of Fame, but also a very talented, incredible, and all-around amazing human being that is Lacy Draznik."
Recalling her enduring history of friendship and Draznik's many accomplishments, Schnoebelen concluded, "I admire Lacy for all of her continued success in educating and sharing her love and passion with the world."
Formerly Frees of Ellinwood, Kansas, Draznik began her love of dancing at a young age, with mentors such as former Cheer/Dance Head Coach Debbie Warren and assistant Cheyla Clawson guiding her, leading into becoming a dance line performer at Oklahoma State University, Barton, and concluding her collegiate career graduating from Wichita State University.
"Being an athlete at Barton was an incredible feeling," Draznik recalled. "Every team here striving for excellence every day. We would come practice next to national championship basketball, volleyball, baseball, cheer, and Olympic runners all within this building. The passion was contagious."
Spending eight summers teaching hundreds of high school and college dancers through the National Dance Alliance, Lacy's extensive professional dance career led to Tulsa and eventually to San Francisco, where she also had the opportunity to share her knowledge and skill with underprivileged students in the Philippines.
"My college experience, where I've lived and traveled with all my jobs, practically every friend that I have, my network, and even my husband," said Draznik. "I met all because of dance."
In 2011, Lacy achieved another dream, owning the Miami County Dance Movement south of Kansas City, a thriving dance and acrobatics academy with two locations in Paola and Louisburg. Under her leadership, it has become an award-winning studio, catering to students of all ages and abilities, from toddlers to seniors.
Draznik concluded, "My time at Barton solidified what I knew in my heart was the right path for me. A life of consistently challenging myself every day to find my next level of excellence. Never giving up and always reaching higher."
Next up was the welcoming back of 2002 Barton Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Ray Bechard as Weiser's presenter.
"I do have the unique experience of being a former student-athlete here and also being able to coach here for 15 years. And the student-athlete experience for me was extremely valuable. I met people like Tim Weiser, like Rob Bowman, and Alan Clark."
Bechard, who recently retired as the winningest coach in the University of Kansas Volleyball history after 27 seasons, reflected on his appreciation for the relationships built and still exist today, with people met while at Barton.
"This place has allowed me to develop relationships that will be long-lasting. One that I'll cherish and cherish to this day is the one that developed with Tim Weiser."
Although each had separate paths, the friendship between the two has prevailed through time even though each represented rival colleges. Bechard at KU while Weiser spent seven years at Kansas State University as the Athletic Director before becoming Deputy Commissioner for the Big 12 Conference until retirement this past December.
Bechard remarked on Weiser's impact during his time with the Big 12 Conference during a dynamic time of history.
"There's been one consistent voice in that office and that's Tim Weiser. He's always done what's right for our conference, he's always done what's right for the student-athlete, and he's always done what's right for his coaches."
A workhorse member of the pitching staff for his hometown Cougars from 1976 to 1978 before moving on to Emporia State University, Weiser helped lead the Hornets to a pair of conference and NAIA District Championships. Following graduation, Tim then spent the next 41 years in athletic administration.
Weiser began using the analogy of a three-legged stool, that without one of the legs, the stool serves no purpose hence each leg has made his career possible.- Faith in God and thankfulness for the blessings.- Family. Beginning with his parents and mom in attendance recently celebrating her 96th birthday, his twin sisters who were part of the first class of cheerleaders at Barton, his wife and children, along with, the many extended family's support along the way.- Friends. Being fortunate to work with great coaches and really good people along the way.
"If you want to go fast, you go alone. But if you want to go far, you join with others," Weiser quoted in his closing remarks. "For me, you can tell which of those two choices I made. Because without question, I would not have had the opportunities to do and be part of many things that I've had without the support of all the people that are here today and have been in my career."
Weiser was previously inducted into the Emporia State University Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Great Bend High School Hall of Fame in 2009.
Srinoon, nicknamed "Putter" as youth by his father, was the last inductee of the afternoon, being introduced by his former and current Barton Golf Coach Doug Kaiser.
Kaiser recalled the late Thursday evening of picking up Srinoon from the Wichita airport and bringing him to Great Bend. Paraphrasing, 'I wondered what was going through his mind but he stuck to his commitment. Srinoon dressed like a professional and would play like a professional, setting a program two-round record of 9-under par.'
Srionoon captured the 2015 KJCCC Championship his freshman season, concluding his Barton career winning a pair of tournaments and being named to the 2016 PING All-District team presented by the Golf Coaches Association of America recognizing top NJCAA golfers.
Unable to attend the Induction due to still playing on the professional tour, Srinoon recorded a video that was played for the ceremony crowd.
Srinoon's list of appreciation began with Coach Kaiser and his family, Barton professors, and to his teammates.
"What a ride it has been. Golf brought us together, but the memories we made off the course are just as unforgettable."
Reflecting on the times, mostly off the course, regarding his teammates, Srinoon said, "They all made this journey one of the best times of my life. They were so nice and took really good care of me for those two years while I was at Barton. We are still keeping each other in touch. The bond we built will always be special to me, obviously."
Continuing at Arkansas Tech University, Srinoon helped the squad to consecutive berths in NCAA Division II Championship Tournament with multiple clutch performances along the way.
After earning his degree from ATU, Srinoon returned home to Bangkok, Thailand, in turning professional winning the first of his two tour championships in 2021, his second in 2023, and has three Top-10 finishes in nearly 25 professional events.
Srinoon concluded, "This honor isn't just about me. It's about every person who played a role in my U.S. journey in the first two years. It's about lessons learned through hard work, discipline, and the friendships that last a lifetime. I have so much good memories there in Barton. I'm so proud to be a part of it. I am so filled with gratitude, knowing that none of this would be possible without the people who I have mentioned before. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I really am. Once a Barton. Always a Barton."
In addressing the crowd in conclusion, Rolfs remarked, "The most important pillar to me is your development socially. Every year I am reminded why that pillar is so important seeing that in all three of these candidates that have spoken before you today. And that pillar of your social growth will remain, for me, the most important because this world needs good people.
The inductees were again honored and recognized later in the evening between the women's and men's basketball games versus Dodge City Community College.