Tavani returning to Lebanon Catholic in administrative role
Frank Tavani is coming home. To his roots, to his alma mater and to a new challenge.
Tavani, a 1971 Lebanon Catholic grad and the head football coach at Lafayette College for 17 seasons before retiring last November, is heading back to his alma mater to take the new job of Executive Director of Strategic Planning for Athletics and Advancement, the school announced in a press release on Thursday.
According to the release, Tavani quickly accepted when approached about the position by Lebanon Catholic's Board of Directors.
Also an alum of Lebanon Valley College, where he starred at running back and was twice named LVC's team MVP, Tavani spent a total of 40 years coaching football at the college level.
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He began his gridiron coaching career at Franklin and Marshall in 1976, ultimately serving as the Diplomats' offensive coordinator for 10 seasons before moving to LVC as defensive coordinator, and then to the staff at Lafayette for three decades. He became the Leopards' 27th head coach in December of 1999 and guided the program to seven Patriot League titles and four NCAA Tournament berths before stepping down in November.
At Lebanon Catholic, Tavani will work closely with new athletic director Joseph Shay and Director of Advancement Lori Kostow.
“It is truly an honor and privilege to return to your alma mater and give your talents and abilities to a place that helped shape you into the person you have become," Tavani said in a press release. "I look forward to this new chapter in my life. I relish the opportunity to help mold the lives of young people and drive this school to the forefront of our community."
In addition to being a member of Lebanon Catholic's Hall of Fame, Tavani is part of the Central Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, having been inducted in November 2006.
“We are so excited to welcome Mr. Tavani back to his alma mater," Lebanon Catholic principal Rose Kury said in the press release. "He brings with him a wealth of experience as a coach, educator, mentor and a graduate of a Catholic school, which has prepared him to lead our school into the future. Nothing demonstrates the sense of community more than the pride of alumni who return to Lebanon Catholic to share their knowledge and give back to the place that set the course for their life.”