Riverside businessman and land developer Nick Tavaglione and his wife Sallie are two of the community’s most active sports boosters and fundraisers for local schools, charities and service clubs. Nick, whose family has a long history in Riverside, played football and baseball at Poly High School and Riverside City College, where he was the first RCC player selected to the All-American Football Team. He graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in 1952 and continued his education at Pepperdine University.
Returning to Riverside, young Tavaglione began a successful career in the building industry and from the start, he was extensively involved with his community, serving on various boards and committees at RCC and other local organizations. Nick has also taught and coached at various levels, including elementary and high school.
Two of Nick’s major accomplishments have been founding the Riverside Little League and the Riverside Poly Booster Club. He has also served as Director of the Riverside County Olympic Committee, Chairman of the Board of Riverside National Bank, member of the Riverside County Planning Commission, trustee for Riverside Community Hospital, and President of both the RCC Foundation and the Tiger Backers. In 1992, Tavaglione was named Humanitarian of the Year by the Riverside Recovery Resources, and in 1994, the Riverside Police Officers voted him Citizen of the Year.
Of his appointment as RCC Alumnus of the Year in 1995, now retired Vice President of Student Services Richard Ramirez praised Nick’s continuing dedication to RCC. “He can’t do enough for the College,” he said.
In 1997, Poly High School was also the recipient of Tavaglione’s generosity. Not only did he install a much-needed field for the girls’ softball team, but a graduation night tragedy led to his building a memorial to the three young women who perished in a car accident.
Nick and Sallie have two children: Nick L. Tavaglione and Donna Luginbill.
