Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: SPORTS

Media Credit: Clinton Lynch In a competitive racquetball game, computer science junior Emanuel Gilstrap serves to assistant coach Steven Ondak at Tuesday's Racquetball Club practice in the Physical Education Building.

A coach, known to his players by his nickname "Nacho," is hoping that his prestigious background and work ethic can rub off on his players.

Ignacio "Nacho" Jaimes has been the head coach of the NT Racquetball Club for two years. He is originally from Mexicali, Mexico, and moved to the United States four years ago.

Jaimes said his nickname is common for people with the name Ignacio, and he grew up with family and friends calling him that.

"It became interesting when I moved to the U.S. about four years ago," Jaimes said. "People were afraid of calling me that, believing the nickname could be disrespectful."

Jaimes comes from a decorated background in racquetball. He has played for 20 years, competed in five Mexican National Championships, was a member of Team Mexico for four years and was the Elite Division Champion at the 2006 U.S. National Championships.

Neither the university nor the members of the Racquetball Club pay Jaimes for his coaching services; he assists club president Rhonda Ragsdale, an education senior, voluntarily.

"I love the sport and want to support the great work Rhonda has been doing promoting racquetball," Jaimes said. "Not just at UNT, but in all North Texas."

The club practices inside NT's Physical Education Building Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m., but Jaimes said he appreciates players putting in more practice at other venues.

"I love when players go outside the UNT facilities and play against other players," Jaimes said. "This is the best way they will improve their game as they can learn form different playing strategies as well as different playing styles."

Ragsdale does not limit herself to playing on campus.

"I practice at the LA Fitness Center on Glade 121 in Grapevine, and I lead a shootout the first Saturday of every month at the Maverick Center in Arlington just for ladies," Ragsdale said.

The club's next tournament will be the Aggieland Maroon'em Out Shootout on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 in College Station, hosted by Texas A&M. It also will feature Texas Tech University and The University of Texas at Arlington, Ragsdale said.

"This tournament will help us gauge our team against TAMU and other players from the region," Jaimes said. "And to make the necessary adjustments toward the U.S. Intercollegiate Championships next year."

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