Robert Black

Geopfert To Be Inducted Into The IATC Hall of Fame

AMES, Iowa – Arkansas men’s track and field assistant coach Travis Geopfert has been selected as an inductee for the Iowa Association of Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame 2016 class.

The event which will feature four former Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) student-athletes and two former coaches is set for Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Gateway Center in Ames.

Named the National Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year in 2013, Geopfert’s track and field beginnings can be traced all the way back to 1985 when his grandparents introduced him to one of the most prestigious and respected meets in the country, the Drake Relays. He fell hard for the sport during his days in primary school and credits the Panorama community in which he grew up with cultivating and affording him opportunities to increase his knowledge about track and field.

Set to be recognized this weekend for his athletic accomplishments during his time as an IHSAA student-athlete, Geopfert especially credits his parents Gary and Theresa Geopfert as well as his former coach Ken Janvrin for their selflessness in support of his physical, mental and emotional growth within the sport.

Following his time at Panorama High School, Geopfert attended Northern Iowa where he thrived under the tutelage of his current colleagues Chris Bucknam and Doug Case. There he was also guided by former UNI and current Kent State coach, Bill Lawson who was instrumental in igniting the flame that led the accomplished decathlete into the world of coaching.

Currently embarking on his 14th year as a collegiate coach, Geopfert continues to nurture relationships with all who have helped him along his athletic and professional career paths and remains thankful for his family foundation maintained by his wife Nicole who encourages his mission to pay it forward to a new generation of impassioned and eager athletic minds.

Panorama HS C/O 1997
• Anchored 3 relays that set state meet records
• Anchored 3 state champion relays in 1997. Team won state title in 1997
• Three-time state meet finalist in 200M and Discus
• 15-time state qualifier and 15X state meet finalist
• Seven-time state champion
• 12-time Drake Relays qualifier in high school
• Held six records before he graduated

Northern Iowa C/O 2002
• All American at UNI
• Three-time Missouri Valley Conference champion
• Four-time member of USA National team in decathlon
• Two-time Drake Relays decathlon champion
• Held four records before he graduated

Arkansas 2009 – Present
• 3 Olympians
• 1 Jamaican National Champion
• 8 NCAA Individual Titles
• 69 Conference Champions
• 1 NCAA Championship Career Event Leader (Long Jump)
• 3 Arkansas records (Decathlon, Heptathlon, Hammer Throw)
• 65 First Team All-America Honors

For more information on Arkansas track and field including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter.