Often, teachers are the butt of a narrow-sighted statement that says “those who can’t do, teach.” Dr. Tim Baghurst, assistant HPER-AT professor at Henderson State University does because he teaches.
Five years ago, when Baghurst came to the United States to teach, he had never heard of the sport of racquetball. Two years ago, when he was asked to teach it, he decided he better learn it himself before he was trying to show students how to play.
“I have played sports all of my life. I love sports and that is why I teach physical education. I first got into it (racquetball) when I was asked to teach it because I can’t ask my students to do something I can’t. I live what I teach,” Baghurst said.
Baghurst not only learned the sport, but quickly excelled, and now trains two hours a day on weekdays. “Racquetball can be played year-round. It is inexpensive, and I stay fit without having to realize I am exercising. I don’t like running on a treadmill. Racquetball is both fun and healthy.” One hour of his workout is used for fitness training and the other hour is often spent on the court with Spud Buscher, an avid racquetball player and professor at Ouachita Baptist University.
Recently, Baghurst received an email that caught his attention. The email pertained to the upcoming Racquetball World Championships to be held in Seoul, South Korea, August 11-22. “Someone emailed me trying to gain support for Team India and I saw that one of the Team India competitors was someone who I had beaten and I thought ‘why am I not considering competing at this level,’” Baghurst said. “I’ve competed at the national level before, but not until then had I considered representing my country at international tournaments.”
Fortunately for Baghurst’s racquetball conquests, he is British and therefore does not have to go through the qualifying process of larger countries that include professional players. “Since so few British play (racquetball) and I am British,” Baghurst said, “I can go (to the World Championships) by applying for approval through the International Racquetball Federation. They (the IRF) still want to make sure that you are going to be competitive.” And since the IRF deemed him a worth adversary to the rest of the racquetball world, he was accepted.
Unfortunately, since he is not part of team supported financially by a country, Baghurst must come up with $3,000 for travel, room and board, and entry fees before end of July. “I already have some support from my family and friends, but I only have so much family. To make the trip a reality, I will have to find sponsorship from local businesses and individuals,” Baghurst said. “This may be the only chance I get to represent my country. I am not getting any younger.”
Also, Baghurst started a racquetball intramural club at HSU in the fall of 2009 and hosted a sanctioned tournament at HSU in January. He plans to host another tournament on July 17 in which anyone of any skill level is invited to compete.
If interested in sponsoring Baghurst or for more information about the racquetball tournament he plans to host at HSU, contact him at (870) 230-5140.
