Bluffton University Annual Athletics Awards

Kelly Armentrout (Lima, Ohio), Bill Hanefeld (Bluffton, Ohio) and Cole Kropka (New London, Ohio) received awards as outstanding athletes and contributors to Bluffton University athletics

A sport management and business administration double major, Kropka is the son of Roger and Collette Kropka. He has been Academic All-HCAC in each semester he has been eligible and currently maintains a 3.81 career GPA.

The A.C. Burcky Award is named for the late professor of physical education and coach who served Bluffton from 1922-68. A.C. Burcky was inducted into the NAIA Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. In 1970, the A.C. Burcky addition to Founders Hall was dedicated in his honor.

Kathryn E. Little Award

Kelly Armentrout of Lima, Ohio, received the 2024 Kathryn E. Little Award as outstanding senior female athlete of the year.

She was a four-year member of the volleyball team and served as team captain her senior season. This despite suffering a season-ending injury before her junior year. Throughout her rehabilitation, she demonstrated the resilience and leadership skills that embodies the Kathyrn E. Little award. She was American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) scholarship demonstrator recipient and received the conference sportsmanship award.

An exercise science major with minors in coaching, business administration and wellness, Armentrout has been on the dean’s list for multiple semesters. The daughter of Rob and Amy Armentrout, she also served as a President Ambassador, Bluffton mascot J. Denny Beaver, a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a founder of the spirit club.

Her award is named for Kathryn Little, who served in Bluffton’s health, physical education and recreation department and in athletics from 1958-74. Little was a member of the first class inducted into the Bluffton Athletics Hall of Fame.

Larry W. Jones Memorial Award

Bluffton’s Sports Information Director and 2005 graduate Bill Hanefeld received the Larry W. Jones Memorial Award. This award is presented “in recognition of interest, support and significant contributions to Bluffton University athletics” by a non-athlete.

Hanefeld began his career in sports information by working in Bluffton’s sports information office as a summer campus job. During his 19 years at the helm as SID, he has worked many hours running a one-person department and making sure statistics and records are correct, programs are available and recaps are accurate.

His family, wife Becca and daughters Adalie and Chloe, can often be seen in the pressbox or behind the scorer’s table supporting him and Bluffton’s student-athletes.

The award is named after Larry Jones, who graduated from Bluffton University in 1970. He participated in varsity basketball while at Bluffton and later served as an athletic official before being killed in an automobile accident in 1978.