D3 for Life: Legacy, Leadership, and the Titan Bond

How does a high school football practice become a masterclass in legacy, leadership, and the unique magic of Division III? In this episode, Ava brings you inside Lincoln Way East, where legendary head coach Rob Zvonar, a leader who always brings his Illinois Wesleyan Titan family together, has turned tradition into something unforgettable.

Coach Z invites his fellow Titan alums back to the field, not just to reminisce but to show a new generation what D3 is all about. Alongside her dad, Justin Ahrens, Ava sits down with three remarkable Illinois Wesleyan alumni: Marc Talluto, Chris Bisaillon, and Deon Hornsby. Together, they dig into what makes Division III different and why that difference is an advantage for life.

No full rides. No bright lights. Just a choice: compete for your team, your school, and the pure love of the game. These stories prove that the real win is not a scholarship or a headline, but the bond that never fades, the lessons that shape you, and the brotherhood that endures long after the last whistle.

Whether you are an athlete searching for belonging, a parent considering the next step, or a sports fan who believes in heart over hype, this episode is your invitation to see D3 and Illinois Wesleyan through the eyes of those who lived it.

Topics Covered

• Why D3? The real advantage: connection, growth, and choice
• The Illinois Wesleyan legacy and how Titan bonds outlast the game
• Life after the scoreboard: careers, friendships, and leadership
• What it takes: juggling academics, work, and football for the love of it
• Fourth quarter lessons: endurance, teamwork, and finishing strong
• How D3 prepares you for life’s next chapter

Episode Highlights

• Division III is not less, it is more. More heart, more grit, and more for each other.
• Coach Zvonar brings us together because he knows the real win is in the relationships.
• At Illinois Wesleyan, I found my people, and that is a legacy that lasts.
• You do not get a scholarship, but you do get brothers for life.
• The difference is not the lights. It is the lessons you carry with you.

- Special thanks to Marc Talluto, Chris Bisaillon, and Deon Hornsby for sharing their Titan stories and their hearts.
- Thank you to Coach Rob Zvonar for building not just a team, but a lifelong family.

Behind every athlete, there is a story. Welcome to Ava’s Arena.

Ava's Arena is sponsored by Running Ahrens
Ava's Arena is an A6 Ventures production

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