Dr. David Giovagnoli graduated from Taylorville High School in 1959 and while a standout basketball and track athlete during his high school career, he is being honored as a Friend of Sports for the work he did in promoting Taylorville athletics and for his tireless effort to improve facilities at the high school.
During the early years of the Biddy Basketball program (1970’s – 1984) Giovagnoli coached and administered the program for 5th and 6th grade boys. He also served as a “color analyst” on the radio broadcasts for Taylorville High School Boys and Girls Basketball games as well as some football games.
In 1994, he spearheaded a community effort to improve the athletic facilities at Taylorville High School. The first project was to organize a group of interest citizens and secure private funds for the construction of an all weather track. With the assistance of the Hopper Foundation, service clubs, professional groups, the THS student council and many individuals, he accomplished this task with no financial assistance from the Taylorville School budget. A six lane rubberized track now allowed the Tornado track squads to not only have the opportunity become more competitive, but to also entertain conference teams in home meets. As an added result of his successful campaign, the football field irrigation system was improved and the field was aerofied, seeded and fertilized. The entrance gates were refurbished and the entire area was landscaped with trees and bushes. To complete the project, Giovagnoli convinced the school board to fence in the entire athletic field and to provide a permanent fence for the baseball diamond.
Dr. Giovagnoli served on the Taylorville Board of Education from 1995 to 2003. During his term on the board, he encouraged the board to raise their standards and expectations not only in athletic facilities, but also in academics and educational facilities.
Dr. David Giovagnoli has recently retired from Dentistry and is currently living in Hayward, Wisconsin.