Chico State Athletic Training Staff

Meet Our Athletic Training Staff

Devin Tacla, MA, ATC

Head Athletic Trainer

Phone: 530-898-5873
Email: dtacla@csuchico.edu

Tacla joined the Chico State Athletic Training staff as a full-time assistant in the Fall of 2006 and in the Summer of 2023 he succeed retiree Scott Barker as the Wildcats' Head Athletic Trainer. Prior to Chico State he spent a year each working as the only athletic trainer at Notre Dame de Namur (2005) and as a staff athletic trainer in Sacramento State's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (2006).

He began his education at Santa Rosa Junior College where he earned his Associate of Arts degree in 1999. He transferred to Chico State and earned his Bachelor of Arts in physical education with an option in movement studies in 2002. He stayed at Chico State and earned his Master of Arts in kinesiology with an athletic training education option in 2004.

Tacla has been a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) since 2002. He is currently certified in CPR/AED and First Aid for the Professional Rescuer through the American Heart Association.

A lecturer in the department of Kinesiology since 2006, Tacla teaches Kinesiology 485-Seminar in Sports Medicine. The course is designed to explore the diseases and injuries typically encountered in sports and exercise. A native of Sonoma County, Tacla married his wife, Melissa, in 2016. They currently reside in Chico with their son Rocco and family dog Hazel.

ulian Buchanan, MA, ATC

Athletic Trainer
Phone: 530-898-5873
Email: jbuchanan3@csuchico.edu

Julian joined the Chico State Athletic Training staff as a full-time assistant in August 2024. He brings a strong educational and clinical background in athletic training, with experience across collegiate and professional sports settings.

Julian earned his Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies—emphasizing Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Sociology—from San Diego State University in 2019. He later completed his Master of Science in Athletic Training, with a concentration in Biomechanics, at Point Loma Nazarene University in 2024.

During his graduate studies, Julian gained valuable hands-on experience working with San Diego State University’s football program, the San Diego Loyal Soccer Club, and MiraCosta Community College.

Meet Our Team Physicians

Dr. Phillip Jones, M.D.

Dr. Phillip Jones, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgeon

Orthopedic Associates of Northern California,

131 Raley Blvd., Chico, CA 95928

Phone 530-897- 4500

John Gunel, D.O Headshot for ATC pages

John Gunel, D.O

Physician

WellCat Health Center - SHC 101

Phone: 530-898-5241

Chico State Athletics

Scoreboard

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Chico State Athletic Training Staff