Ignit Basketball Leadership
Charles W. Zanders has accepted the position of Athletic director at Ignit Sports and Fitness in Grimes. Charles‘ main duties will be to oversee the main operations and development of Ignit’s clubs and competitive programs. He remains dedicated to the development of youth through athletics.
A product of Des Moines Hoover, Zanders was a standout basketball player and high jumper during his high school years. Zanders also has had an illustrious coaching career, including his role as the Head Basketball Coach at Hoover High School, where he led the team to the “2006” Boys State Basketball Championship with a 26-0 record, and was honored as the Class 4A State Coach of the Year. He also served as the Head Basketball Coach at Simpson College and Des Moines Roosevelt before transitioning to an administration role within the Des Mones Public Schools District.
Coach “Z” is a passionate sports fan and a staunch advocate for youth, Coach is known for promoting hard work, discipline, and doing things the right way.
“I’m thrilled to be involved with the Ignit organization and to have the opportunity to work closely with families in and outside the community. Together, we can provide exceptional experiences for our youth, helping them grow and succeed both on and off the playing fields and courts. I look forward to contributing to the growth of the Ignit programs and ensuring they continue to make a positive impact on the lives of young people.”
Coach Z.
Coach Zanders is married to Linda, and they have two sons, Austin and Kellen
Levi is a native of Burington, IA and played for the BHS Greyhounds in the Mississippi Athletic Conference. As a three year varsity starter for the Greyhound Levi was named all conference all three years receiving unanimous 1st Team selection both his junior and senior year. He was named to the 4A All State team during his final 2 high school seasons. Receiving dozens of scholarship offers to continue his career in college ultimately deciding to play for Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
During his time at Kirkwood Levi started all but 2 games for the Eagles becoming the Co-Captain his sophomore year. Surrounded by a highly talented team he focused on playing intense defense and took pride in his ability to rebound with the best in the country. As a result of the relentless effort he and his teammates played with, they compiled a 31-1 conference record over the two years there. In the 2000-2001 season Levi helped to lead the Eagles to the National Tournament in Danville, Illinois. Unfortunately they lost to the eventual National Champions but finished 5th in the nation and compiled a 30-7 record.
Levi was offered several mid-major D1 and D2 offers coming out of his final season with Kirkwood. Wayne State College, a high level D2 was where Levi chose to play his final 2 seasons of collegiate basketball. Although the team did have quite the success he had enjoyed in the past he stayed passionate about the game and received all conference honors while with the Wildcats. As his career was coming to a close in Wayne Levi received interest in Europe with a few different opportunities to try out to play professionally however he chose to forgo the opportunity to start a family instead.
Levi has been living and coaching youth sports in the Des Moines metro for the past 18 years. He resides in Urbandale with his 4 children. He has 3 sons 20, 18, 14 and 1 daughter who is 12. Levi has had the pleasure of watching his kids follow in his footsteps and share in his passion for basketball. His oldest son played in back to back state title games unfortunately coming up just short both times. However his second son won the state title in 2022 with the DCG Mustangs and took them to the state tournament for the 1st time in school history as a 4A contender in 2024.
Levi has a huge passion for helping to develop youth athletes and has taken on this role leaving a corporate career of 20+ years to share that with the Ignit family and program.
Coach Pace is entering into his 2nd season with Ignite Basketball. Pace most previous experience includes coaching Junior College Basketball at Victor Valley community college and high school basketball for Upland High School. With his impeccable eye for talent, he also recruited, trained, mentored and developed some of the top AAU players in the Inland Empire.
As a player, Pace played at Upland High School winning the CIF Championship in 2001 where Pace received league MVP. Continuing his basketball career at Chaffey Junior College where he was noted as “First Team all State” as a freshman. Pace then received a Scholarship to Southwest Baptist University where he was selected twice as a Two-time First Team All-MIAA and All-MIAA Defensive Team. He was also noted for the following: “Basketball Times” First Team All-American, Daktronics NCAA D-II Second Team All-American, NABC NCAA D-II All-American, NABC South Central Region First Team, NABC All-Star, MIAA Most Valuable Player, MIAA Tournament MVP and MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, Four-time MIAA Player of the Week, and Bob Cousy Award finalist as top point guard at all collegiate levels. Pace finished his two-year career with 433 assists, 133 steals, which was ranked sixth place of all-time and was a single season record holder for steals and assists.
After college Pace was drafted into the D league by the Colorado 14ers in 2006 and later received a contract to play internationally for the Beijing Aoshen Olympia Club.
Pace attributes his level of professional coaching technique to his worldly travels and experiences. He thrives on teaching beyond the fundamentals of the game but how to apply the life lessons the game can teach you along the way. Building character and excelling through life beyond basketball is his objective as he believes that the unseen hours one puts in as a player or coach, will pay off and this mentality is what he hopes to inspire in those he coaches.