His sport is not played with the familiar pigskin or bright orange ball,

but rather a small green one. He does not display his talent in front of

record-breaking crowds of beer-breathed fans, but rather enclosed in a

glass court. Battling against his opponent and ultimately himself, he

instinctively moves around the court.

His racket, like an extension of his arm, seems magnetized to the ball.

Speed, agility and determination team up and prepare him for victory. Never

losing sight of the ball, he transforms his energy into the force of his

racket. Striking it mercilessly, he sends the ball low and hard to the

wall. Unable to return the strategic shot, his opponent collapses in a

sweaty heap of defeat. Pleased with his athletic dominance, he takes a deep

breath and as his heart rate slows, a smile emerges from within. He is a

champion.

It was this display of talent and skill that led Tennessee’s Mike Gillespie

to a gold medal in No. 1 singles at the 1998 Intercollegiate Racquetball

Championships. The event, held in Phoenix, Ariz., over Spring Break,

brought together the nation’s finest racquetball players for a week of

intense competition. Joining Gillespie were two of his teammates, who also

found success on the court. Derek Jarrard teamed with Gillespie, making it

to the quarterfinals in the doubles event, while James Mosley placed fourth

in singles.

“When I think of all the great players that were there, it really blows me

away that I won a gold medal” said a humble Gillespie.

Gillespie, a senior from Johnson City, began playing racquetball five years

ago and has been dominating the courts ever since. He is now sponsored by

Ektelon and had fourth and sixth place finishes at the 1996 and ’97 U.S.

Opens. Gillespie’s impressive accomplishments stem from his love of the

fast-paced sport.

“I have played almost every sport, and racquetball is definitely the

fastest,” Gillespie said. “It is a complete rush.”

Sounds of the ball smashing the walls mingles with the swish of the

racquets, but speed dominates the scene. Fast is the only word to describe

the experience. According to Gillespie, the name of the game is kill or be

killed.

“It’s controlled chaos,” Gillespie said. “It’s like playing chess at 200

miles per hour.” But rather than using a knight to capture his opponent’s

queen, he must use his racket to make shots low enough and with enough

force to prevent the opponent from responding. It is this combination of

speed and strategy that draws him to the court. Though the balls ricochet

off the walls at upwards of 200 mph, it is a mental game.

“You have to be thinking two shots ahead,” Gillespie said. “If you know

what you have to do, your body will just react.”

Though his talent is evident in the shiny gold medal he just won, Gillespie

remains grounded. While he is an intense competitor on the court, he does

not lose sight of his goals.

“I feel so blessed just to be healthy,” said Gillespie, who plans to attend

medical school when he graduates. “There are so many people who don’t even

have the opportunity to swing a racquet; to have this much success is

wonderful.”

In the future, Gillespie plans to share his love and knowledge of the game

with children. This generosity will be sampled as Gillespie and his

teammates host a racquetball clinic on April 29. The event, slated to begin

at 6:30 p.m., will be an opportunity to witness the intensity of the sport

and the expertise of the UT athletes. All are welcome to participate and

will have a chance to sample the equipment and perhaps spark a passion for

the game.

Gillespie and his top 25-ranked team will be in action again in early May

when they travel to Athens to take on the Georgia Bulldogs. Propelled by

his love of the fast-paced sport, Gillespie will attempt to uphold his

title as the top collegiate player in the nation.

When thinking of Tennessee’s national champions, an array of athletes come

to mind. They dominate the lanes both on the track and in the pool; they

run, jump, swim, swing and, of course, shoot baskets. However, in the

shadows created by these traditional athletes lies a less publicized sport

and a less celebrated athlete, but certainly a no less deserving

champion.