University of Sioux Falls Athletics

Travis Traphagen enters his 19th season as the head coach of the University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball program in 2026-27, continuing a tenure that has established him as the winningest coach in program history and one of the most respected leaders in NCAA Division II women's basketball.

Over the last 18 seasons, Traphagen has transformed USF Women's Basketball into a model of sustained success both on and off the court. Entering the 2026-27 season, he owns a career record of 314-204 with a 192-161 mark in NSIC play. Under his leadership, the Cougars have earned two NCAA Central Region appearances, 11 NSIC Tournament berths, six 20-win seasons, and 13 winning campaigns. USF has also captured the 2016 NSIC Tournament Championship and the 2019-20 NSIC South Division title while putting together an impressive eight-year stretch of consecutive winning seasons from 2014-15 through 2021-22.

Known for his ability to develop student-athletes, Traphagen has coached some of the most accomplished players in program history. His teams have produced 24 All-NSIC selections, four All-NSIC Defensive Team honorees, one NSIC Player of the Year, one NSIC Tournament MVP, one NCAA Division II All-American, and one D2CCA All-Central Region selection.

Among the many standout players to emerge under his guidance, Sam Knecht developed into one of the premier players in Division II basketball. After earning NSIC Freshman of the Year honors in 2014, Knecht went on to become a First Team All-NSIC selection and an NCAA Division II All-American. Taylor Varsho authored one of the finest individual seasons in program history during the Cougars' 2015-16 conference championship campaign, earning NSIC Player of the Year and NSIC Tournament MVP honors while leading USF to its first NSIC Tournament title. Kaely Hummel became one of the league's elite guards, earning First Team All-NSIC and D2CCA All-Central Region honors during the 2019-20 NSIC South Division championship season.

More recently, Traphagen has overseen one of the most impressive stretches of young talent development in program history. Kamryn Wadsworth was named the 2024 NSIC Freshman of the Year before becoming a First Team All-NSIC selection and CSC Academic All-American. Alexis Rose followed by claiming NSIC Freshman of the Year honors in 2025, and Krista Langager continued the streak in 2026 after earning both NSIC Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-NSIC recognition. The three consecutive Freshman of the Year awards are a testament to Traphagen's reputation as one of the premier recruiters and player developers in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Academic excellence has become a hallmark of the program under Traphagen's leadership. His student-athletes have accumulated more than 100 NSIC All-Academic selections, including 42 NSIC Team of Excellence honorees. The program has also produced eight NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction recipients, 16 CSC Academic All-District honorees, one CSC Academic All-American, three NSIC Britton Kelly Scholar-Athletes, three Butch Raymond Scholarship recipients, and an NSIC Elite 18 Award winner. In 2024-25, the Cougars ranked No. 22 nationally in the WBCA Academic Top 25 with a team GPA of 3.703.

The 2025-26 season continued the program's tradition of competitive and academic success. The Cougars finished with a 13-16 overall record and a 10-12 mark in NSIC play while averaging 71.0 points per game. Anna Vaaler earned First Team All-NSIC honors and Krista Langager was named NSIC Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-NSIC. Off the floor, the program recorded nine NSIC Team of Excellence selections, and four CSC Academic All-District honors..

Before taking over at Sioux Falls, Traphagen spent seven seasons as the head assistant women's basketball coach at Augustana College from 2001-08. During his tenure, the Vikings compiled a 111-69 record and advanced to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. He began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wayne State College, where he earned his master's degree in sports administration.

A native of South Dakota, Traphagen's coaching philosophy is rooted in his own decorated playing career at Black Hills State University. As a three-year standout for the Yellow Jackets, he was a two-time all-conference selection, team co-captain, and co-MVP in 1999. He helped lead Black Hills State to three consecutive South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference championships and still holds the school's single-season record with 97 made three-pointers during the 1997-98 season.

Throughout his career, Traphagen has become synonymous with USF Women's Basketball. Through nearly two decades of leadership, he has built a program centered on player development, strong relationships, and sustained success, leaving an enduring legacy as one of the most influential coaches in University of Sioux Falls athletics history.

Traphagen and his wife, Ann, reside in Sioux Falls with their three children, Grayson, Rylie, and Luke.

USF Records and Accomplishments

• 314 career victories (winningest coach in program history)
• Six 20-win seasons
• 13 winning seasons
• Eight consecutive winning seasons (2014-15 through 2021-22)
• Two NCAA Division II Central Region appearances
• One NAIA National Quarterfinal appearance
• 2016 NSIC Tournament Champions
• 2019-20 NSIC South Division Champions
• Led all of NCAA Division II in three-point field goal percentage in 2024-25 (.382)
• Led all of NCAA Division II in fewest turnovers per game in 2019-20 (10.5)
• One NSIC Player of the Year (Taylor Varsho, 2015-16)
• One NSIC Tournament MVP (Taylor Varsho, 2015-16)
• Five Conference Freshman of the Year honorees
  • Laura Johnson (GPAC, 2010-11)
  • Sam Knecht (NSIC, 2013-14)
  • Kamryn Wadsworth (NSIC, 2023-24)
  • Alexis Rose (NSIC, 2024-25)
  • Krista Langager (NSIC, 2025-26)
• Three consecutive NSIC Freshman of the Year recipients (2023-24 through 2025-26)
• One NCAA Division II All-American (Sam Knecht)
• One D2CCA All-Central Region First Team selection (Kaely Hummel, 2019-20)
• 12 All-GPAC honorees
• 24 All-NSIC honorees
• Four NSIC All-Defensive Team selections
• More than 100 NSIC All-Academic selections
• 42 NSIC Team of Excellence honorees
• Eight NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction recipients
• 16 CSC Academic All-District honorees
• One CSC Academic All-American (Kami Wadsworth, Third Team)
• Three NSIC Britton Kelly Scholar-Athletes
• Three NSIC Butch Raymond Scholarship recipients
• One NSIC Elite 18 Award winner
• No. 22 national ranking in the 2024-25 WBCA Academic Top 25 (3.703 team GPA)

*USF won the NSIC South Division title for first time in 2019-20.
**Covid shortened season

Updated 6/17/2026