Ken Tavani is in his 24th year as strength and conditioning coach. His responsibilities include developing and evaluating programs for each athlete in all 17 sports on the campus. The benefits of his structured programs can be seen through the new levels of physical development by nearly all LIU athletes within their first year of strength training at the school.

An associate professor in the School of Health Professions,Tavani played professional hockey for the New York Flyers in the Mid-Atlantic Hockey Association from 1965-72.

In recent years, he was still actively competing in weightlifting competitions. At an over-55, drug-free event in Washington, DC in 1996, he set a local record with a bench press of 405 pounds. He also attained a record in the reverse bench press with a lift of 340 pounds.

Dickinson University, from 1989-94
Suarez, 41, completed his M.ED in sports administration at East Stroudsburg University.