Kristy Bayer was named the Director of Athletics at Rockhurst University in July 2021.
Bayer has overseen the growth of athletics at Rockhurst with the addition of seven new athletic programs and developing an Athletics Facility Master Plan. Rockhurst saw the addition of an athletic performance program, including new staff and weight room enhancements. She also helped secure sports medicine partnerships with Sano Orthopedics and F.I.T. Muscle & Joint Clinic.
Bayer helped start the Kansas City Crown rivalry with William Jewell, signed a deal with BSN Nike, spearheaded a corporate sponsorship program, partnered with Hometown Ticketing for improved ticket sales, guided the fan enhancements inside Mason-Halpin Field House, and led the way in the Hawks continuing to receive the Division II Presidents' Award of Excellence in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, 2025. Rockhurst was also awarded the NCAA DII Award of Excellence for the GLVC in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 for their community engagement efforts. In 2023, Rockhurst Athletics underwent a new logo launch and re-brand efforts. She also revamped and brought back the Rockhurst Hall of Fame ceremony. Bayer led the effort for turf replacements and new LED lighting at Bourke Field. Other facilities enhancements implemented were the softball seating projects and menâs lacrosse locker room.
Bayer serves on the GLVC Steering Committee in addition serving on the Business of Small College Athletics Executive Board. She also participated as a mentor in the National Association of College Directors Athletics (NACDA) DII ADA Mentor Program. Bayer was named to the NCAA DII Management Council in 2024. This year, she was elected as chair of the NCAA Degree Completion Committee, which she has served since 2024. She currently serves on the NCAA Convention Planning Committee.
Prior to coming to Rockhurst, Bayer was the deputy director of athletics and senior woman administrator at Emporia State University from 2017 to 2021.
A 2020 graduate of the NCAA Pathway Program, a selective training opportunity for emerging leaders. She currently gives back by serving as a mentor in the NCAA Pathway program. Bayer held a number of leadership positions, including serving on the NCAA Championships Committee, and the NCAA Board of Governors Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity. She has also served on the NCAA Volleyball Rules Committee, NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, and NCAA Softball Committee, in which she served as chair in her final year. She has also served on many regional advisory committees.
Bayer spent 14 years at Arkansas Tech University as the associate athletic director/senior woman administrator and head coach of the volleyball team. She had a career coaching record of 364-132 and won seven conference tournament or regular season titles at ATU. In her final season, Bayer was named the AVCA Central Region Volleyball Coach of the Year after leading ATU to a 35-1 record in 2017. She was a five-time Conference Coach of the Year honoree.
Bayer is active in Women Leaders in Sports (WLS), the NACDA and the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA). In 2025, she was recognized as WLS Legends and Leaders honoree. Bayer is a longtime Rotarian and serves on the Downtown Kansas City Rotary Board of Directors, in which she is currently President Elect.
A graduate of Grand Valley State University, Bayer was a four-year starter on the GVSU volleyball team and still holds the school record for career assists with 5,441 from 1997-2000. An All-American selection her senior season, the former Kristy Kale was inducted into the Grand Valley State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.
Bayer holds a Master of Education in higher education from GVSU. She has two children, Brooks (17) and Sloane (11). She is a native of Jackson, Michigan.
