National title team provides inspiration

John Priest was an aspiring mixed martial artist living in Florida. He knew he lacked the skills to fight professionally.

However, he liked to compete. So he turned to boxing. Priest, a 185-pounder, enrolled at UNLV two years ago, joined the school's boxing club and found himself at home in the ring. He could improve his footwork and polish up his skills to fight while he decided whether he wanted to try MMA again. For Priest, who is scheduled to graduate in May with a master's degree in kinesiology, switching to boxing was the best thing he ever did.

"(Boxing) helped me learn about discipline, about being accountable every day and about teamwork," Priest said.

Frank Slaughter, who along with Chris Ben-Tchatchavadze serves as the team's coach, said several fighters have a story similar to Priest's. They're at the core of UNLV's boxing club, which boasts approximately 40 members. Only 13 compete regularly against boxers from other schools. The team trains on campus in a converted storage shed adjacent to the Lied Athletic Complex.

"Some people do it for the exercise, to get in shape," Slaughter said. "Others, like John, are serious about boxing."

UNLV's boxing club began in 1998 under the direction of former pro Skip Kelp. In 2006, UNLV won the National Collegiate Boxing Association championship. Women have participated, and currently 132-pound Stacy Miller is on the roster.

"We've come a long way in a short time," Slaughter said. "We've built a winning tradition."

UNLV has fighters in 12 weight classes. The team had two boxers -- Jerome Foster (125 pounds) and Brett Rather (heavyweight) competing for individual national titles Saturday at the national collegiate championships at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. A third boxer, Cory Deal, lost in the quarterfinals Thursday at 156 pounds. UNLV met fighters from the three service academies, UNR, California, San Jose State, West Chester State and Arizona at the nationals.

"We've got some talented kids," Slaughter said. "They work hard and know how to fight."

While the team continues to enjoy success in the ring, the future for UNLV boxing is murky. The team has no operational money and each member has to pay $65 dues to be insured by USA Boxing. Slaughter said he knows times are tough, but for the boxing club to continue to function, it needs to raise between $25,000 and $30,000 a year to pay for travel, to host a tournament, to replace worn equipment and to help promote the club.

"Everyone's having bad times," Slaughter said. "But if they saw how talented these kids are, how hard they work, how respectful they are and how proud they are to represent UNLV, I believe they would step up."

Priest said the proof is in the results. Henry Namauu, a member of the 2006 national championship team, currently fights professionally as a cruiserweight. Namauu and his former teammates have been an inspiration to today's group of Rebels who hope to capture a second national crown.

"People still talk about the national championship team," Priest said. "Guys from that team still come over to work out with us and help out.

"Our talent and our coaching is second to none. We can compete with anyone."