Incarnate Word girls basketball coach suffers medical emergency at Missouri state championships

Dan Rolfes has led Incarnate Word to 12 girls basketball state championships

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI – Incarnate Word Academy girls basketball coach Dan Rolfes suffered a medical emergency in the parking lot on Friday evening outside of Mizzou Arena, according to multiple sources.

Rolfes was treated by medical professionals and rushed to the hospital. His condition is unknown.

Rolfes and his Red Knights team had just defeated Rock Bridge in the Missouri Class 6 semifinals for their 130th consecutive victory dating back to early 2020, a Missouri state record, and secured a spot in the championship game against Kickapoo at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday.

Missouri State High School Activities Association spokesmen Jason West offered the following statement at the conclusion of the six games on Friday.

"We all know what happened with Coach Rolfes," West said, "and while our thoughts and prayers are with the Incarnate Word Academy family, not just Dan's family, but the community itself. We are in consultation with the school. We have been talking with them about moving forward. At this moment, there are no changes to the schedule tomorrow. So if that does change we will certainly let everyone know as soon as we can, but just wanted to give you a heads up that we are talking with the school and moving forward as best we can with with them and we will let you know as soon as we can."

Incarnate Word has won six straight Missouri championships – Class 6 in 2021, 2022, 2023 and Class 4 in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Rolfes has led the Red Knights to 12 state championships since 2006. 

Rolfes, who also serves as Incarnate Word's athletics director, got his start in coaching as an assistant women's basketball coach at Saint Louis University from 1996-2000. 

He has also worked as a coach for USA Basketball, coaching the U16 team to the gold medal at the 2023 FIBA Americas Women's U16 Championship. He was set to coach with the U17 team at the 2024 FIBA Americas Women's U17 Championship this year.   

This is a developing story. We will keep this post updated as more information is available on Rolfes' condition.

IWA Athletics Director and Head Basketball Coach Dan Rolfes suffered a medical emergency while leaving the Mizzou Arena. Coach Rolfes is surrounded by immediate family and is receiving excellent care. IWA and the Rolfes family ask for your prayers. More information will be shared…

— IWA_Athletics (@Athletics_IWA) March 16, 2024

- Nate Latsch | latsch@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveMiz

Incarnate Word win streak reaches 130 games after victory over Rock Bridge in Missouri Class 6 girls basketball semifinals