The Table Tennis Club is back. Sophomore history and political science major Samuel Mora, who serves as president of the club, revived it after five years of inactivity.
According to Mora, the club was discontinued because of a lack of leadership and interest. He decided to start it back up this year as a club for people of all skill levels, so everyone would feel welcome.
“I wanted to create an environment where people can come and play table tennis, and where skilled players have a proper place to play and beginners a place to learn,” Mora said.
Freshman medical laboratory science major Samuel Vargas said he enjoys the social opportunities the club provides.
“It’s really cool because I get to play and meet new people,” Vargas said.
Giancarlo Leonor, freshman general studies major, expressed similar sentiments.
“Table tennis for me has always been something that you don’t go play with random people,” Leonor said. “You get better with your friends; you get better together. You can form a community with a club because more people other than your friends come to play. … People become friends.”
Mora said table tennis is an underappreciated sport, and he wants club members to see that, in reality, table tennis is an intense, fast-paced activity.
Mora said before the Table Tennis Club came to be, people played either in the old student center or Talge Hall recreation room. So, if there were two dedicated players in the student center, many people would not get a chance to play.
“We’re basically trying to centralize table tennis, so all table tennis events can be hosted in one place,” Mora said.
Mora said 76 people signed up for the club during the first week of school, but only 21 paid the $7 club fee, and eight turned up for the events. Mora said he is still giving people time to pay their club fees.
“It’s a lower entry level and no high commitment. Regardless of entry level, you will have time to play,” Mora said.
Mora also said he understands that students should prioritize school first, and if someone is busy with responsibilities, they do not need to come. He said there is no due date to sign up for the club. Students only need to pay the $7 club fee for the semester, and it costs $1 to play at the tables during club hours.
Mora said a table tennis tournament is currently scheduled for November 7.
