GCCC Alumni Spotlight: Denim Rogers
[Garden City, KS] December 4, 2025 – When Denim Rogers enrolled at Garden City Community College in 2016, he did so in pursuit of a fresh start. “I was ineligible to go to a four-year university out of high school,” he shared. “GCCC gave me a second chance and a scholarship to compete while focusing on my grades, improving my chances of moving on to the next level.”
Rogers quickly became a standout for the GCCC Track and Field Team. During his time as a student-athlete, he earned the title of National Champion in Men’s Heptathlon at the 2018 NJCAA Championship. His athletic career went on to include eight All-American honors, five appearances at the USA Championships and the Olympic Trials, and multiple opportunities to represent Team USA.
Beyond athletic success, Rogers says GCCC helped him develop the discipline required for future opportunities. “Time management was very important,” Rogers said. “I didn’t have the best grades coming out of high school, but at GCCC, I learned the value of doing well not just in sports but in class. It made me more desirable to four-year colleges, as well as for job opportunities after competing professionally.”
Rogers graduated from GCCC in 2018 with an Associate in Science degree before continuing to Houston Christian University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Composite Social Studies/Coaching and a Master’s degree in Sports Administration. He has also completed business coursework through Texas Tech University.
Today, Rogers has returned to Garden City and serves as the General Manager of The Refinery Fieldhouse, a new multi-purpose complex offering sports, events, and community spaces under one roof. As General Manager, his role includes overseeing scheduling and event execution, maintaining the complex’s indoor and outdoor areas, ensuring guest and player safety, managing maintenance and construction, supporting and developing staff, and leading major business initiatives.
Reflecting on his journey, Rogers says GCCC played a critical role in his success. “It was instrumental,” he said. “I got to restart my GPA from high school, going from a 2.5 to finishing GCCC with over a 3.5. That earned me scholarships to continue my education and athletic career. Without that, GCCC might have been my last stop.”
His advice to current students is straightforward: “You cannot choose what aspects of life you win at. You either win at everything, or you win at nothing. If you’re going to do something—or you have to do something—you might as well do it with everything you’ve got.”
Rogers says the relationships he built at GCCC continue to shape his life today. “I met some of the most amazing people at GCCC,” he said. “Even after almost eight years, I still keep in touch with friends, former professors, and staff. I also met my wonderful wife in Garden City. What started as a stepping stone ended up becoming so much more.”
Garden City Community College is proud to have played a part in Denim Rogers' path. Make a difference for future Busters by starting your own Endowed Scholarship through the GCCC President's Scholarship Initiative!
From HERE, you can go ANYWHERE.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.