Travis Goff arrived at Northwestern University in 2012 and serves as its Deputy Athletic Director/Assistant Vice President (Development). He is a member of Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Jim Phillips’ executive staff, the team responsible for all high-level strategic decisions for the department, and is a sport administrator for the football, volleyball and baseball programs.
 
Goff has been an integral part of the department’s transformation in facilities and resource development. Over the course of his tenure as an administrative leader, more than $400 million of facility work has been completed, equating to a comprehensive portfolio of some of the finest facilities in college athletics, sport programs have been transformed via budget growth and a commitment to exceptional leadership in the coaching ranks, partnerships on campus have been bolstered, academic success have achieved new heights, and athletic success – measured in tournament appearances, conference and bowl championships and individual honors – have reached unprecedented levels of success. 
 
In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Goff leads Athletics & Recreation's fundraising initiatives, including a campaign goal of $450 million, comprehensive major gift and annual giving programs and a team of 11 dedicated development professionals. Since Goff’s arrival in 2012, more than $440 million has been raised in support of NU Athletics and annual fundraising outcomes have increased from an average of $6-8 million per year to an average of $70 million per year, including a University record of $97 million.
 
In recognition of the accomplishments of Northwestern Athletics during his tenure, Goff was named to Sports Business Journal’s “Power Players in College Sports” list (July 2019) and recognized as a College AD “Next Up” honoree, a list of 11 administrators ready to become an athletic director (June 2018).
 
Goff also serves on the leadership team for Alumni Relations and Development as an Assistant Vice President. These dual roles require consistent engagement with the President and his Senior Staff, along with department leaders from across other schools and units. Highlighting Athletics and Recreation's $450 million campaign are the lakefront athletics facilities, including Ryan Fieldhouse, Wilson Field and the Walter Athletics Center, which provide NU student-athletes with world-class training, support, and competition facilities. Located on the north end of Northwestern's Evanston campus and with spectacular views of Lake Michigan, the new complex includes nearly 500,000 square feet of new or renovated athletics and recreation space that serves not only intercollegiate sports and recreational activities, but also provides space for major University-wide events. Goff has also led the fundraising effort for the $110 million renovation of Welsh-Ryan Arena and McGaw Memorial Hall. This complete overhaul provides a state-of-the-art experience to Northwestern Athletics’ most used and versatile venue. In conjunction with the arena renovation, the recently-opened Trienens Performance Center creates a dedicated practice facility for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball, as well as an indoor training center for baseball and softball.
 
Prior to joining Northwestern, Goff served as the Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs at Tulane University. His tenure included the rebuild of the department following Hurricane Katrina and culminated with leading the $70 million athletics fundraising campaign entitled "Home Field Advantage" with a focus on raising funds to develop an on-campus football stadium. In Goff’s last year in New Orleans, Tulane Athletics raised nearly $30 million, a record-shattering result. His tenure at Tulane also featured oversight of external affairs for the department, including marketing, ticket sales and operations, sponsorships and communications. Goff served on the executive staff team for Tulane Athletics from 2006 until his departure.
 
Prior to joining the Green Wave staff, Goff worked in athletics development for his alma mater, the University of Kansas. A 2002 graduate with degrees in journalism and sociology, he completed his Master of Business Administration from Tulane University in 2007.
 
A native of Dodge City, Kan., Goff is married to the former Nancy Kockott, a 2005 Tulane alumna (MBA 2008) and former tennis standout for the Green Wave, and together they have two daughters, Ellie and Carly, and a son, Graham.