Elmhurst University Athletics

Ken Bartels is just the fourth Special Recognition Inductee of the Bluejay Backer Hall of Fame after serving as a senior administrator at Elmhurst College for nearly 30 years (1981-2009). He holds the title of Vice President for College Relations Emeritus at Elmhurst.
 
As the chief development, alumni relations and public relations officer for the College, Bartels played a significant role in fundraising for all of the athletic facilities constructed or remodeled during that time. He also had a significant role in the increased success of athletic fundraising through the Bluejay Backers. Bartels, who hired the College’s first full time Sports Information Director, also helped oversee the overall promotion of athletics through expanded sports information efforts and media outlet exposure. He also was instrumental in starting the broadcast of Elmhurst sporting events on local cable television which eventually led to the creation of BluejayTV.com. Bartels also lent his voice to the broadcasts, serving as a color analyst for Elmhurst football, basketball and baseball games.