There are sixty-five universities represented in the five largest and most powerful conferences in NCAA Division I athletics. These conferences are often referred to as the Power 5 conferences. With the official hiring last week of Dodge City native Travis Goff (class of 1998) as Athletic Director at Kansas University – former Red Demons now hold two of the most coveted leadership positions in the Power 5. Ross Bjork (class of 1991) is currently the Athletic Director at Texas A&M – a position he has held since 2019.
Goff and Bjork were both raised in Dodge City and still have plenty of ties to their home town. Goff is the son of Greg and Linda Goff. Linda taught French at Dodge City High School while Greg owned and operated Goff Motors which eventually became G&G Motors. Bjork is the son of Carl and Linda Bjork. Linda still serves as a real estate agent in Dodge City while Carl worked for many years in the car business.
Bjork was a standout athlete in both baseball and football for the Red Demons and played for legendary coach Dick Masters. He eventually played football collegiately at Emporia State University. Goff played quarterback for the Red Demons before heading to KU for his undergraduate degree. Both fondly remember their time in Dodge City and the values learned while growing up in southwest Kansas.
Goff and Bjork have become close friends through their choice of professions and their Dodge City bond. It was a unique opportunity for Bjork to comment on the hiring of Goff at KU.
“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. Travis has developed a sterling reputation in college athletics. 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.” – Ross Bjork on the hiring of Travis Goff
In a true illustration of the Dodge City High School motto: “Know Where You are Going, Remember Where You Came From” – both Goff and Bjork were willing to comment on their Dodge City roots and how it has impacted their lives even in their current roles.
Ross Bjork – “I am so proud that Dodge City is my hometown and that I am a Red Demon! As a family, we have been fortunate to live in some great places in this journey of college athletics. No matter where we have been, I always treasure the experience of growing up in Dodge City and constantly reflect on the platform that I was given. I look back at those formative years and wonder where else I would have learned to understand someone else’s opinion, communicate in a diverse environment, and work towards a common goal with other people who didn’t look like me. It isn’t just the reminders of the smell of dirt and grass, but the essence of leadership and teamwork that was being taught. Those lessons carry me every single day and I am blessed with a great family and an amazing opportunity to work in college athletics. My dreams started on the playgrounds, ball fields and hallways in Dodge City and I will always be a Red Demon!”
Travis Goff – “Dodge City provided me an exceptionally strong foundation to build upon. Growing up in a family of educators, coaches and small business owners taught me the value of education, teamwork, commitment, work ethic and the pursuit of excellence in every facet of your life. The teachers, coaches and mentors I had through my journey from Central Elementary School through DCHS have been critical in my growth. The lessons I learned on the field or court stay with me every day and the lifelong friendships I made have been transformational. I could not be more proud to be from Dodge City and to call myself a Red Demon!”
Texas A&M is currently a member of the Southeastern Conference. Kansas University is a member of the Big Twelve conference. The schools have not competed against each other in football since A&M left the Big XII conference in 2012. On the basketball court, the last meeting was the SEC vs Big XII Challenge in 2018. There is no indication that a friendly rivalry could develop between the former conference foes, but it is certain the Dodge City community would enjoy watching the games and waiting for the announcers to bring up the connections regarding Goff and Bjork – and of course the mention of their hometown!
