KANSAS ATHLETICS DIRECTOR AIMS FOR THE STARS AD ASTRA SOCIETY AND GATEWAY PROJECT PUT PHILANTHROPY AT CENTER FIELD BY EMILY BECKER
A native of Dodge City, Kansas, Goff’s first job in Kansas Athletics was with the Williams Education Fund as a student. He graduated from KU in 2003 with a bachelor’s in journalism and a bachelor’s in sociology. After working in athletics at Tulane University and Northwestern University, Goff returned to Lawrence in April 2021 with his wife, Nancy, and their three children, Ellie, Carly and Graham. His first two years as athletics director saw the KU men’s basketball team claim their first NCAA championship title in 14 years, the hiring of three new coaches, including football coach Lance Leipold, and the creation of new roles to support Name, Image and Likeness for student-athletes. For Goff, these accomplishments are just the beginning.
T
here’s never a dull moment for Kansas Athletics Director Travis Goff. In
addition to his day-to-day duties, Goff is spearheading a major renovation to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and overseeing a strategic plan for the athletics department that highlights the role of philanthropy in a new way. He’s also looking ahead to what he hopes will be winning seasons for all Jayhawk student-athletes.
12 KU
| Fall 2023
What are you most excited about for the future of Kansas Athletics? We’re working on so many different things, but at the core is building comprehensive excellence across the department that’s not just showing up on the field, in the water or on the court. Our student-athletes are having a better experience now than arguably ever through medical support, mental health support, life after sport and being ready for the career world. What will the Gateway District do for Kansas Athletics and the university? The whole vision behind the Gateway District is to make sure it drives real impact. In Lawrence, you think about the impact this project will have on businesses and the community. We think it far extends beyond Douglas County and Lawrence; it’s a state asset that will drive economic impact. For the university, it’s going to be a catalyst for activity on campus. It will truly be a gateway into KU, and every student has a chance to benefit from what that means.
