Ignacio Ortiz is from Mejia, Ecuador and has played soccer since he was 5 years old. He played in semiprofessional club teams throughout High School and he trained with the U-16 S.D Quito professional soccer team. After a back injury, with his soccer career on hold, Ignacio decided to study at the Word of Life Bible Institute in Argentina. While in Argentina, he met Lauren Pugh from Alabama and 2 years later they were married. In the fall of 2009, Ignacio transferred in as a senior at Tennessee Temple University and finished his college career playing soccer at TTU until he graduated with his B.S. in Bible in December 2010. After graduating, he became a graduate assistant to the head soccer coach at TTU and served at Highland Park Baptist Church doing soccer clinics for the inner city kids in the Highland Park area. He recently graduated with his Masters in Ministry and is currently pursuing his Masters in Christian Education.