### K-State Football Coach Chris Klieman Helps Recruit New Track Coach Travis Geopfert
Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman had a busy spring. Besides running football camps, recruiting, and preparing for the upcoming season, he was also involved in recruiting a head coach for the track and field team.
After Cliff Rovelto retired from his 32-year tenure as K-State’s Director of Cross Country and Track and Field, Klieman identified Travis Geopfert as the ideal replacement. Geopfert, a four-time national assistant coach of the year at Arkansas, was recruited with Klieman’s help, along with K-State athletics director Gene Taylor. On July 15, Geopfert was introduced as the seventh full-time track and field/cross country head coach for K-State.
Taylor praised Klieman’s recommendation during the press conference, saying, “Coach Klieman was one of the first ones to reach out to me and recommend Travis. When a coach you respect highly makes such a recommendation, it’s essential to listen. Travis has an impressive track record at Arkansas.”
Geopfert also credited Klieman for initiating the process. “Coach Klieman reached out to me about the opportunity at K-State. I have always admired his genuine nature and what he has achieved with his programs. My family and I are grateful for his time and the conversations we’ve had about what Kansas State represents.”
With 22 years of coaching experience, including 12 at Arkansas, Geopfert’s resume is impressive. He contributed to two NCAA Championship teams (2013 and 2023 men’s indoor), 21 top-10 NCAA team finishes, and 25 SEC Championships during his tenure.
Klieman and Geopfert first connected at Northern Iowa, where they shared training facilities. Geopfert noted, “We often coordinated our training schedules in the UNI-Dome. Coach Klieman was always gracious and approachable.”
David Boyce is a contributing writer to K-State On SI. He can be reached at davidboyce95@gmail.com.
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