<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617663142424.png" alt="Travis Goff courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Travis Goff courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE
 – The University of Kansas has selected Travis Goff to serve as its next
 director of athletics, Chancellor Douglas Girod <a href="http://faninfo.kuathletics.com/r/?id=h42d1af48,e181ca83,e188c912">announced today</a>. Goff
 currently serves as the deputy director of athletics and assistant vice
 president at Northwestern University. In this role, he is a member of the
 executive staff responsible for all high-level decisions and is a sport
 administrator for the football, volleyball and baseball programs. Before
 joining Northwestern, he served as associate athletics director for external
 affairs at Tulane University. Prior to that, he worked in athletics
 development at KU, where he also earned his undergraduate degree. (<a href="http://faninfo.kuathletics.com/r/?id=h42d1af48,e181ca83,e188c913">Read his professional biography on the Kansas Athletics
 website</a>.)“Our
 search for an athletics director during the past several weeks resulted in
 conversations with a number of outstanding candidates, which speaks well of
 KU on the national stage,” Girod said. “Travis stood out among the candidates
 due to his experience, his reputation as a man of integrity, and his
 demonstrated ability to connect with faculty, staff, alumni and donors. I am
 especially impressed with Travis’ vision for KU. Travis understands the
 challenges we face and the changing landscape of collegiate athletics. At the
 same time, he is well-positioned to help us build on our recent successes in
 student-athlete healthcare, diversity and inclusion, and student-athlete
 academic achievement. The fact that he is a Jayhawk is an added bonus and
 will undoubtedly serve him well as he moves Kansas Athletics forward.”Girod was
 advised in the search process by KU alumni Linda Ellis Sims, Wayne Simien,
 Ray Evans and John Ballard. “It truly
 is an honor and a privilege to steward the next chapter of Kansas Athletics,
 and I am extremely grateful to Chancellor Girod for his belief in me and our
 shared vision for the future,” Goff said. “With a long history of success,
 unwavering partnership with campus leaders, and the unparalleled passion of
 the Jayhawk fanbase, this is one of the most humbling responsibilities and
 opportunities in college athletics. Our purpose will remain focused on
 fostering our student-athletes’ academic, social and athletic development;
 supporting our talented coaches and staff; connecting with alumni and donors;
 and, most importantly, building a culture that allows 16 proud programs to
 compete for Big 12 Conference and national championships while representing
 our department, our institution and our community. As a native Kansan and
 Jayhawk alumnus, I’m thrilled to return to Lawrence with my family and to
 continue to make this department a point of pride for our entire university.
 I cannot wait to get started!”&nbsp; Goff will
 begin his new role immediately. Girod
 will introduce Goff to the KU community at a news conference Wednesday, April
 7 at 10 a.m. at the Lied Center. The event will be livestreamed on the <a href="http://faninfo.kuathletics.com/r/?id=h42d1af48,e181ca83,e188c914">Kansas Athletics homepage</a>. Attendance
 will be limited due to public health restrictions, and journalists interested
 in attending the event should <a href="http://faninfo.kuathletics.com/r/?id=h42d1af48,e181ca83,e188c915">RSVP online</a>.What they're saying about travis goffKurt
 Watson, Interim Director of Athletics“We are
 thrilled to welcome back to Kansas Travis Goff as the new Director of
 Athletics. Travis has a dynamic leadership ability and an exceptional vision
 for KU that will benefit our campus, athletics department, alumni, donors as
 well as the entire Lawrence community. This is a great day for KU and I am
 excited for what the future holds.”Bill
 Self, Head Men’s Basketball Coach“We are
 fortunate to have Travis return to Lawrence to lead our department and after
 speaking with him, it is clear he is exactly what we need. He will be a
 tremendous partner to all of our head coaches and sports programs and will
 ensure that our student-athletes have a world-class experience during their
 time at KU. I am thrilled to have Travis and his family rejoin our Jayhawk family.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Jim
 Phillips, ACC Commissioner“Kansas
 has made an exceptional hire in Travis Goff as its next Athletics Director.
 Travis is an extraordinary leader that was involved as a decision maker in
 all areas at Northwestern. He is a servant leader who will work tirelessly
 for all Jayhawk student-athletes, coaches, administrators, alumni, and fans.
 His vision, work ethic and high intellect will serve Kansas well. I wish
 Travis, Nancy and their amazing family all the best as they go home to embark
 on this new chapter.”Ross
 Bjork, Athletics Director, Texas A&amp;M“When you
 grow up in Dodge City like Travis and I did, you get to know everyone. I have
 been fortunate to know Travis and his first-class family for more than 30
 years, and it is so exciting to see him become the Athletics Director at
 Kansas. As both of us have evolved in college athletics, we have become great
 friends. I have always known this day would come for Travis at the right time
 and the right place.&nbsp;“Travis
 has developed a sterling reputation in college athletics. He represents a new
 era in leadership as we modernize the collegiate model. The University of
 Kansas has hit a home run by hiring Travis as its new Athletics Director. I
 could not be more proud to call Travis a lifelong friend, and now fellow AD.
 Congratulations to Travis, his wife, Nancy, and their children, Ellie, Carly
 and Graham, on returning home to Kansas.”

Travis Goff named Director of Athletics at KU