By Michael Eldridge/reporter

A lifelong interest in sports brought the SE Campus intramural coordinator to his current position.

Starting his second semester as coordinator, Danny Aguirre deemed the fall semester a success.

“In just my first semester in this position, we have already reached the participant level of the previous fall and spring semesters,” he said. “We had a huge success in the intramural program in the fall 2009 semester and attribute this to all of those involved.”

Aguirre is not new to the intramural scene. While attending Texas Tech University, he participated in intramural sports taking part in flag football and softball, and he played baseball and football in high school.

“In playing, it always gave me a chance to meet new people and take part in a fun event each week,” he said.

“I have been able to take my experience from playing in the Red Raider intramural program and bring things that I thought worked here.”

Since taking over the intramural position, Aguirre has not only increased participation but expanded the assortment of events taking place monthly on campus.

While still including the favorites of flag football and basketball, the intramural program has added a closest-to-the-pin golf competition, disc golf, volleyball and an obstacle course competition.

“In expanding the assortment of events, we are able to increase not only the participation but the variety of events that we have here,” he said. “By having variety you are able to attract different crowds that may never have participated in other events due to them not having an interest in it.”

Aguirre’s office reveals his love of sports: Texas Tech flags and a few mementos and posters from other sports including hockey and baseball.

“I am a huge sports fan,” he said. “I enjoy going to as many Texas Tech games as I can. Seeing the Dallas Stars hockey team as well as the Texas Rangers in baseball are also favorites of mine.”

Aguirre said he does not plan to sit still this semester.

“I expect to meet goals of doubling participation in the next few years and in five years hope to even triple that,” he said.

Aguirre realizes that the success of the intramural program depends on offering students what they want.

“We will continue to figure out what students like to do and work to add new things each semester that can attract those with different interests.”

This semester, Aguirre has scheduled even more events for students including a six-on-six soccer league, three-on-three basketball and a swimming competition.

He will keep the closest-to-the-pin competition, the disc golf tournament and the obstacle course.

“Pending better weather, we look to grow in each of our duplicate events and grow the new ones for the spring,” he said.

Aguirre would like to hear from interested students.

“Those looking for information or that have questions about intramural events can always come to my office,” he said. “Or for a schedule, look on the intramural display board outside of the locker room.”

Aguirre graduated from Texas Tech with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sports management.

As a SE Campus instructor, he teaches a variety of fitness and athletic classes such as weights, golf and concepts in sports activity.