K-State names new Track and Field head coach

MANHATTAN, KS. (KSNT) - K-State track and field has found its successor for head coach Cliff Rovelto after 32 years at the helm.

Kansas State Athletics announced Thursday it will be hiring Arkansas Assistant Travis Geopfert as the new leader of the Wildcats. He signed a five-year contract to take over the program.

"Travis’ recent success at one of the top track and field programs in the country certainly speaks for itself, but he also has strong Midwest roots, head coaching experience and a tremendous ability to recruit globally," K-State athletic director Gene Taylor said in a press release.

Geopfert has 22 years of coaching experience, a bulk of it at Arkansas, where he was most recently the Associate Head Track and Field Coach from 2021-24. In his time with the Razorbacks, he was four times named the National Assistant Coach of the Year.

Arkansas, a national track powerhouse, saw six national titles with Geopfert on staff.

“My family and I are thrilled to become part of the Kansas State community,” Geopfert said in a press release. “Just look at every named facility on campus and it’s obvious that family and community are the framework of Kansas State. That may be the biggest thing that attracted us to Manhattan."

Geopfert will officially be introduced as the new Director of Track and Field/Cross Country on Monday, July 15 at 11 a.m.