Phill Talavinia enters his 23rd year at Bluffton University and fifth as the athletics director. He also carries duties as an athletic trainer and formerly served as the associate athletics director before taking his current post. In his first year as athletics director, Talavinia oversaw the implementation of TEAM Bluffton to help raise money for the athletics program. During the 2004-05 academic year, TEAM Bluffton met the first-season goal of $14,000 to help fund new medical and video equipment for the athletics department. Talavinia also serves as the track and field liaison for the Heartland Conference.
Talavinia graduated from Anderson University in 1985 with bachelor of arts degrees in athletic training and business management. He is also licensed by the state of Ohio to practice athletic training.
A native of Boston, Pa., he was inducted into the Elizabeth Township Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 for his work in sports medicine. He served as a student assistant at Anderson University and assisted the Chicago Bears athletic training staff for 10 years. Talavinia and his wife, Michelle, a Bluffton University graduate, reside in Bluffton with their one-year-old daughter, Avery.
As athletics director, Talavinia is responsible for all 16 varsity sports at Bluffton along with his medical duties. He also supervises a large number of student trainers and managers and works very closely with the team’s consulting doctors.
