When University of Idaho President Chuck Staben came to campus last year, he made a deal with students: Beat me at racquetball, I”ll buy you lunch.
Many have stepped up to the challenge, but all have failed. That is, until Tuesday Nov. 3, when former UI tennis player Cristobal Ramos Salazar defeated Staben in two games.
Staben picked up racquetball in college 41 years ago. Salazar has spent the last four years playing for the UI men”s tennis team. The first game was close, with Salazar beating Staben 15-14. By the second game, Staben said he was tiring, and ultimately fell 15-4.
“As it turns out,” Staben said. “I”m 57 and he”s 22.”
Staben said Salazar came to his office to challenge him, and they met at the Kibbie Dome early in the morning of Nov. 3 to play on the courts.
He said he hasn”t reconnected with him since then, but said he plans to buy Salazar and a few of his friends lunch, as promised.
Staben said the challenge still stands, and any student, faculty or staff member is welcome to meet him on the court.
“I”m always surprised more people don”t play racquetball,” Staben said. “It”s a very fast, competitive fighting sport.”
Racquetball isn”t the only sport Staben has practiced on campus. On wednesday, Staben became the first UI president to compete at an intramural swim meet, where he placed second individually and third out of three in breaststroke. Staben said it was his first time swimming competitively since high school.
Staben said it was a fun, informal meet, and said good-humoredly he isn”t sure whether or not he will compete again.
“I don”t know,” he said. “I was a little tired afterward. I might do it again.”
For Staben, the friendly competition is about more than fitness.
“I enjoy that sort of fellowship of competition,” he said. “I think it”s a way to really reach out to people and participate in their activities.”
Hannah Shirley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @itshannah7