Game, set, checkmate

She just may be the one UTD student by which all others can be judged slackers.

Katie Roberts-Hoffman is studying electrical engineering, while still finding time to compete on the tennis team. Oh yeah-she is also ranked among the top 50 women chess players in the nation.

"I know people see chess as uncool, but I love it," Roberts-Hoffman said. "Being involved in all these different activities really made my time at UTD a lot of fun."

Roberts-Hoffman was born in South Korea in 1985 and grew up in Fort Colins, Colorado, which is about an hour north of Denver. She has one sibling, older sister Tory, who practices massage therapy. Robert-Hoffman's parents taught her to play chess at the age of 10.

She honed her skills playing at chess clubs and went on to win the Colorado Scholastic Championship five times. Roberts-Hoffman also participated in the World Youth Chess Championships in Spain. That same year she graduated from Rocky Mountain High School at age 16 and came to UTD on an engineering scholarship.

In addition to the scholarship, Roberts-Hoffman said UTD's nationally renowned chess program enticed her. She is currently the only female player on the top-ranked college team in the country and was the chess club president for 2003-04.

"Being the only girl was a bit odd, but I never felt out of place," Roberts-Hoffman said. "The chess team has allowed me to meet a diverse group of people and travel all over."

Head Chess Coach Rade Milovanovic said Roberts-Hoffman displays good tactical skills and excellent concentration during competition. Those abilities led to a No. 47 national ranking among all women, according to the U.S. Chess Federation.

"Katie is very independent and well organized," Milovanovic said. "I am proud of her as a student, chess player, tennis player and friend."

In addition to competing, Roberts-Hoffman also teaches children how to learn and play the game. Chess is not her only passion, though. She also plays tennis for the Comets.

"Katie is a thoughtful and competitive tennis player. She is great to have on the team," Head Tennis Coach Bryan Whitt said. "My next challenge will be to play her in chess. It may not last very long."

She had not played tennis until her arrival at UTD, but Roberts-Hoffman quickly realized her ability and excelled. She is currently ranked No. 3 in singles and No. 2 in doubles for the women's team.

The highlight of Robert-Hoffman's tennis season came during the ASC individual championships, during which she won two matches.

"Katie is obviously intelligent, but also down to earth and fun to be around," Assistant Women's Tennis Coach Jenny Dunn said. "She is the kind of person who can get along with anyone."

Robert-Hoffman is scheduled to complete her degree in electrical engineering next month and plans to attend graduate school. She has already been accepted to Columbia, but is also interested in attending Cornell or Stanford.

"I was a little intimidated when I first arrived here, but getting involved really helped," Roberts-Hoffman said. "I learned that southern hospitality is not just a myth."