WICHITA, Kan. – Longtime Wichita State Athletics administrator Rege Klitzke will retire on January 7, 2023, Wichita State Director of Athletics Kevin Saal announced on November 14.
 
He has worked at Wichita State for 23 years as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations.
 
"It has been an honor to have served my two alma maters over the last 35 years," Klitzke said. "As the person who has been entrusted with the tremendous responsibility of being a good steward of the resources given to the athletics departments at both Universities, I take great pride in knowing that both were left in much better financial positions when I left than when I started in my positions. I was blessed to have worked with so many great and talented people over the years who were the biggest factors in any successes that I achieved. Those relationships are what I will miss the most as I enter the next phase of my life."
 
"Rege's contributions to Wichita State University and Shocker Athletics have positively impacted tens of thousands of Shocker student-athletes throughout their developmental journeys," said Wichita State Director of Athletics Kevin Saal. "Rege exudes character, integrity and selfless service. With mixed emotions we recognize the personal and professional hole his departure will leave, but remain incredibly appreciative, excited and grateful for Rege's time and service. We'd be remiss if we didn't also thank Kathy, Kaitlan and Jacob for supporting their Dad's career and transformative impact on so many."

Before coming to WSU, Klitzke was an Associate Athletics Director at Fort Hays State (Kan.) the previous 13 years. A WSU alumnus, Klitzke is responsible for all phases of the business operation for the Shockers athletic department, which includes development of the annual budget and supervision of daily business operations. He serves as the sport administrator for men's and women's cross country and track and field. He has also overseen the Ticket Office and Facilities/Operations during his tenure. He has directed the Kansas High School Track Championships many times as well as other conference and NCAA events.
 
During his 23 years overseeing the finances of the athletic department, he has seen the budget grow from $6 million to $22 million. He successfully managed to operate with positive balances in 20 of those 23 years.

Klitzke joined the staff at FHSU in July 1987 and administered all phases of the Tiger business operation, which included purchasing, accounts payable, team travel, and the preparation and monitoring of the department budget. In his duties, he also managed all phases of the ticket operation and administered several areas of the department, including equipment and financial operations of team camps.

He also served as tournament director for the Kansas State High School Activities Association Championship in volleyball, football, wrestling and basketball hosted by FHSU, and directed the operation of the 11-unit athletic department apartment complex.

Prior to joining the FHSU staff, Klitzke worked in the WSU ticket office as a ticket clerk while earning a master's degree in sports administration in 1988. He earned his bachelor's degree in finance from FHSU in 1983.

Klitzke, a two-time all-conference and all-district first-team honoree in basketball, was inducted into the FHSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 for his exploits on the court from 1979-83. He is still ranked in the Tiger top 10 career charts for scoring and rebounding.

A native of Russell, Kan., he was named the 1979 high school all-state in basketball and 4A Player-of-the-Year before playing in the annual Kansas-Illinois All-Star game in Levitt Arena.

Klitzke and his wife Kathy, have two children, Kaitlan Goetz and Jacob Klitzke, son in-law Matt Goetz and granddaughter Kennedy Goetz.