The late Ivan Geiger graduated from Bluffton where he majored in biological science in 1932. He then entered The Ohio State University for additional training in health and physical education, which led to a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1933. He continued his studies at The Ohio State University graduate school and completed requirements for the master of arts degree in health and physical education.
He started his coaching and physical education career in Van Buren, Ohio, where he coached football and basketball and taught health and physical education from 1933 to 1937. He then served as director of athletics and physical education at Van Buren until 1942.
In high school, Geiger won three letters in football, two in basketball, two in track and was elected captain of football and track in his senior year. At Bluffton he won letters in football and track as a freshman and was awarded three varsity letters in football and track, and one in basketball. He was selected second All Conference one year and All Conference end two years in the Northwestern Ohio College Conference. He was also active in swimming and water polo for three years.
