Caleb Allen, a sophomore in sports broadcasting, returns the ball in the Student Act.: Morgan Thacker / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR
The faint pitter patter of ping pong balls can be heard echoing through the Student Activity Center every Monday and Wednesday night.
No, it’s not an underground beer pong tournament. It’s the Auburn table tennis club.
Group leader Clark Kennedy, a sophomore in civil engineering, hopes to get more people involved in table tennis this year. Kennedy said this semester’s turn-out has not been as big as last year.
“Last year, we had 10 or 12 people every night,” Kennedy said. “This year, only about six to eight of us have been showing up regularly.”
Kennedy said the group plays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday, and the playing structure is flexible.
“You can just come and go as you want to,” Kennedy said. “And as of now, there aren’t even any club dues.”
Ryan Miller, a junior in marketing and a club sports employee, said club sports are not just for the University students.
“Club sports are open to faculty members, too,” Miller said. “We have three or four faculty members come out regularly to play table tennis.”
It is free to play, but there is one requirement.
“You need to bring your own paddle,” Kennedy said.
William Latta, a sophomore in civil engineering, explained why paddles are not provided.
“I personally paid about $140 for my paddle,” Latta said. “Some people are pretty particular about their paddle.”
Usually, Latta said, multiple tables are playing at once. The format for competition is first player to 11, best three out of five. The serve alternates every two shots.
Latta, along with many others in the group, got involved at table tennis at a young age, playing at local churches and at his friends’ houses.
This group, however, is not only frequented by lifelong players. Kennedy said there is usually a variety of skill levels around, beginners included, and older players are always willing to pass along some of their knowledge.
“If you are willing to learn some new things, they will help you,” Kennedy said.
Auburn does not have an SEC table tennis team. A few members within the club, however, are interested in taking table tennis competition to the next level.
Four or five of these players compete in the regional competition every year for a chance to go on to nationals, Latta said.
Regular group member Sagar Gururaj, who has 14 years of table tennis experience and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, said he has competed in the nationals event before.
“I got to play in nationals at Ohio State University two years ago,” Gururaj said. “We didn’t win, but it was still a lot of fun competing.”
Jishnu Saha, a junior in chemical engineering, said the Auburn team was defeated by Western Texas, a school with a different approach to table tennis.
“They take it real serious out there,” Saha said. “They even have table tennis scholarships and a real coach.”
The group competed in the regional tournament in Atlanta last Saturday against such teams as the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Emory.
Those hoping to play should report to SAC 207 in the Student Activity Center during the group’s scheduled playtimes.
For more information, visit the recreational Web site, http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/student_life/recreation/ausportsclubs....
