Jim Roufs attended St. Cloud State University from 1967 through 1970. During those years Roufs could be found on Selke Field playing football for the mighty Huskies. During that time the Huskies went 20-20-2 including two Northern Intercollegiate Conference Championship. After graduation, Coach Roufs stayed in the Great Lakes area a number of years to teach and coach.
In 1982, Coach Roufs said good bye to the lakes and moved with his family to the riches of the west and Sublette County School District #9. The next twenty-five years Jim Roufs established himself, as both an outstanding teacher and a coach for the school district.
As usual, Coach Roufs’ first coaching assignment was not what was expected but was that of a seventh grade girls’ volleyball coach. In the fall of 1983, a more suitable position became available as an assistant high school football coach. The next twenty-four years, Coach Roufs roamed the Puncher sideline as the defensive coordinator for teams that won over 145 games including nine Conference/District Championships, one Wyoming State Runner-up and six Wyoming State Football Championships.
As a result of his efforts, his longevity and his success Coach Roufs was selected by the Wyoming Coaches Association, as their Assistant Football Coach of the Year. He was also selected as the winner of the AFLAC Insurance Company Coach of the year. At the conclusion of his career, Coach Roufs was presented the game ball of the 2006 State Championship. Despite not being at the title game due to the loss of his father, Coach Roufs’ defense stymied an undefeated top ranked Tongue River team to claim the State Title. The presentation was a true representation of his coaching abilities and the respect of his team members.
Football was not the only sport that Coach Roufs spent a considerable amount of time coaching. During his entire tenure at SCSD#9 he was also the Big Piney Middle School Head Track Coach and helped establish the foundation for the successful track teams of Big Piney High School during those many years.
Coach Roufs retired in the spring of 2007 and moved back to his home state of Minnesota where he has taken up residency, mostly on his lake.