Southern Utah University Athletics

The Southern Utah University Athletic Department and Interim Athletic Director Debbie Corum announced the addition of Travis Illian as the Director of Sports Performance in November of 2017. 

"It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Travis and his family to SUU and to Cedar City," SUU Interim Athletic Director Debbie Corum said. "Travis has a wealth of knowledge regarding training and preparing the athletic body for competition, and his unique approach to sports performance and his level of education will provide a great resource for every student-athlete. He is a man of great character and commitment, but the number one reason I am excited about Travis being here is that he truly cares for the student-athlete and will work hard to help them be the best they can be, not only as athletes, but also as individuals."

As a strength and conditioning coach Illian has helped multiple teams win NCAA National Championships, including the UConn men's basketball team that claimed the NCAA title in 2014. He also aided Alabama's women's gymnastic team in winning back-to-back National Championships in 2011 and 2012.  

"After meeting many of the coaches and athletes, I was encouraged by their desire for a high standard of excellence, for their genuine care for each other, and the family-oriented atmosphere," Illian said about the transition to Southern Utah. "I have a deep respect and admiration for Debbie Corum. I look forward to coming alongside administration and sport coaches to serve student-athletes and challenge them to become their best. I am excited about the vision for Thunderbird athletics."

During his time with Southern Utah, Illian has developed training programs for the Thunderbird football, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s track & field, women’s volleyball, and women’s soccer programs. He also played a primary role in both the planning and designing of SUU’s new Eccles Sports Performance Center. 

Illian helped the men’s and women’s cross country teams achieve Big Sky Championships. The women secured the title in 2018 while the men accomplished the impressive feat in 2021.

Illian has also served as the sports performance coach for the Southern Utah men’s basketball team, helping them win their first-ever Big Sky Conference Regular season championship in the 2019-20 season. 

Prior to joining the SUU Atheltic Department, Illian was the Director of Sports Performance at the Second Baptist School in Houston, Texas. His primary responsibilities included program design, implementation, and instruction of all strength and conditioning activities that went on inside the program.

Before his time in Houston Illian spent a handful of years with UConn, where he served as a Sports Performance Coach for the men's basketball, and men's and women's tennis programs. Along with counseling the athletes on nutrition and meal planning while with the Huskies, he was also a part of planning, designing, and organizing a new weight room for the men's and women's basketball programs.

Prior to his time in Connecticut, Illian spent time at both the University of Alabama and Mississippi State University as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach. While at Alabama he worked with their football, gymnastics, women's rowing, women's soccer, and field events, and while at Mississippi State he worked with their football, softball, and women's tennis teams along with several professional track and field athletes.

Illian received a Bachelor of Science from Texas Lutheran University, before receiving both a Master's Degree and a Ph.D. in Human Performance from the University of Alabama. Illian completed his doctoral program in 2011.