Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

Nixon Dorvilien Named Men’s Basketball Athletic Trainer

Glenn and Stacey Murphy Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Brey has announced the addition of Nixon Dorvilien as the athletic trainer for the University of Notre Dame men’s basketball team. Dorvilien replaces legendary athletic trainer William ‘Skip’ Meyer, who will retire officially from the University after 40 years of service at the end of August. 

“We had some big shoes to fill in this position,” Brey said. “And we found the right fit for our program. Nixon’s NBA experience will help prepare our guys for the next level and he is on the cutting edge of player treatment and rehabilitation.” 

Most recently the director of rehabilitation and assistant athletic trainer with the Utah Jazz (2016-19), Dorvilien has also been a member of the Milwaukee Bucks (2014-16), the Brooklyn Nets (2012-14) and the San Antonio Spurs (2005-11) athletic training staffs.   

“I am so excited to join one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world,” Dorvilien said. “I believe my experience can help make an impact on the program by teaching young athletes elite habits and elite behaviors that prepare them for future success.”

A 2001 graduate of Park University in Parkville, Missouri, Dorvilien also earned a master’s of athletic training from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2004. He spent part of 2004 and 2005 as an assistant athletic trainer at Texas Tech with the track and field and cross country teams before breaking into the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs in October 2005. He was with the Spurs organization for the 2007 NBA Championship season. 

In the summer of 2011, Dorvilien was a member of the USA Track and Field training staff for the World Championships in Lille, France. He also was the head athletic trainer, strength and conditioning coach and travel coordinator for the Austin Torros D-League championship team in 2011-12 (the team is now known as the Austin Spurs in the NBA’s G League). 

Dorvilien is married to the former Mary Foley, who has a number of ties to the Notre Dame area. Her mother, Ann McNeill (Foley) was born in South Bend and Ann’s father, Charles Edward McNeill, played football at Notre Dame and graduated in 1942. Nixon and Mary have three children, Andrew, Clare and Michael. 

Nixon Dorvilien MAT, ATC, PES, CES

  • Assistant Athletic Trainer / Director of Rehabilitation, Utah Jazz, 2016-19
  • Head Athletic Trainer / Assistant Athletic Trainer, Milwaukee Bucks, 2014-16
  • Assistant Athletic Trainer, Brooklyn Nets, 2012-14
  • Head Athletic Trainer / Strength and Conditioning Coach / Travel Coordinator, Austin Toros, 2011-12
  • Athletic Trainer, USA Track and Field, July 2011
  • Head Equipment Manager / Assistant Athletic Trainer, San Antonio Spurs, 2005-11
  • Assistant Athletic Trainer, Texas Tech University, 2004-05