Participating in the CSCCa Mentoring Booklet Revisions Forum
Raychelle Ellsworth is one of the most highly regarded strength and conditioning coaches in the nation, and in 2007 the Texas A&M volleyball strength and conditioning coach received the most prestigious honor awarded in her profession by being named Master Strength and Conditioning Coach by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches association (CSCCa). At the time, she was one of only 60 in the country to hold the esteemed honor, and she remains one of only a few select females to have earned the distinction.
A member of the Texas A&M Class of '94, Ellsworth returned to her alma mater in the summer of 1996 to assist in the strength and conditioning of the Aggie athletes. In addition to volleyball, Ellsworth directs the strength and conditioning program for the nationally ranked Aggie softball team. Ellsworth, who is strength and conditioning coach certified, also is the practicum coordinator for strength and conditioning in the A&M kinesiology department's master's exercise physiology program.Throughout her 20-year association with the A&M athletic department, Ellsworth has earned tremendous respect from the A&M coaches, as well as the student-athletes, and she was recognized for her leadership, dedication and inspiration by being voted the 1999-2000 Texas A&M Coach of the Year by the student-athletes. With the award, Ellsworth became the first non-head coach to receive the honor.
Ellsworth's athletes also have been recognized nationally for their accomplishments in the weight room. Under her instruction and guidance, A&M volleyball, softball and basketball athletes have received the All- American certificate from the NSCA and from the CSCCA’s Hammer Strength All-American Athlete Award.Ellsworth returned to a full-time position at A&M after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Washington from 1995-96. While with the Huskies, Ellsworth was responsible for the softball team, which won the Pac-10 championship and was the runner-up at the '96 NCAA Women's College Softball World Series. She also was responsible for men's and women's track and field and tennis, as well as women's gymnastics and soccer.
A standout on the A&M volleyball team from 1989-92, Ellsworth was noted for her power and strength. Fans nicknamed her "The Cannon" because of her booming serves, and she still shares the school record for service aces in a match with six. Upon the completion of her eligibility, Ellsworth served as a student assistant strength and conditioning coach in 1993 and was promoted to a restricted earnings position a year later.Born and raised in Schulenburg, Texas, the former Raychelle Michalke earned all-state honors in volleyball as a senior and earned all-district citations all four years at Schulenburg High School. A versatile athlete, Ellsworth also earned all-district honors in basketball and lettered in track and field.
Ellsworth received her bachelor's degree in kinesiology with a minor in health in 1994. She has two children, a son, Tucker Jamison Ellsworth, born July 6, 1998, and a daughter, Jenna Raye Ellsworth, born April 10, 2001.
