For most University students, the notion of table tennis (or "ping-pong" as the cool kids call it) is closely associated with another very well known game that involves red plastic cups and yes -- a ping pong ball.
The University's Table Tennis Club, however, takes this familiar game much more seriously. Saturday the club will be hosting a tournament for the Virginia conference of the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) at Slaughter Gym. In addition to the University, eight other Virginia colleges, including Virginia Tech, James Madison, Liberty and William & Mary, will take part.
"We are the strongest team in the regional league," head coach and two-time Olympian Sean O'Neill said. "If we beat James Madison, we will surely qualify for the nationals in California in April."
The club also is involved in the Associations of College Unions International which holds annual championships for recreational sports. Virginia students will be taking part Feb. 21 in the regional qualifiers for singles and doubles with high expectations.
"Kathy Wong, our top player, was one of the U.S. Junior National champions before she came here," O'Neill said. "She has a 95 percent chance of making it to the nationals."
He emphasized the role of top players in bringing the University's team to a new level.
"With Kathy's addition to the team, the University has taken a big leap forward," O'Neill said. "I have been active in the club since 1997, but this year has been a success."
He said the team attends the advanced class offered on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. at Slaughter, but any of the "first timers" can join the beginner class at 6:45 for $55.
"We also have open play on Fridays from 7 until 10 o'clock," instructor Louis Brack said. "We have 20 to 30 people show up, and not everyone's from U.Va. We have many different kinds of people."
O'Neill also stressed the diversity of table tennis.
"Obviously it is not a NCAA sport, but it's very unique because of the international appeal," he said. "Everyone has played it or will play it at some point, wherever they are from."
Even though O'Neill said he is happy that .table tennis is well known, he said he wishes his sport was perceived differently.
"Everyone thinks that it is not physically demanding, but when you play world-class against great players it really is," he said.
O'Neill also mentioned another lesser-known aspect of table tennis.
"We can't actually call the game 'ping-pong' officially, because that is a trademark name like Kleenex or Band-aid," he said.
Call it whatever you want, the University Table Tennis Club is eagerly waiting for new players. Forrest Gump loved it, so why wouldn't you?
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