Three years after its foundation, the future of the ACU Table Tennis Club is uncertain despite growing interest in participation.
With the impending graduation of its founding members Brady Campbell, senior psychology major from Abilene and Benjamin Hayes the club’s future is unclear.
“Whether the club grows to include it’s own designated space, intercollegiate competition, intramural games, and national tournaments or not depends on what happens next year when Benjamin and I are gone,” Campbell said. He is hopeful students and professors involved in Table Tennis Club will keep it alive after he graduates.
“We have a ton of interest,” Campbell said. “Between the dozens of students and professors, competition from visitors from other universities, and participation in Dallas tournaments, the club could become something very large. I know that several professors and many students will keep interest high after I’m gone. I hope that the club will eventually expand to provide for a larger community.”
“There used to be an even larger ping pong community at ACU, but the ping pong room, previously located in the campus center basement, was torn down despite constant interest,” Campbell said.
Table Tennis Club meets for casual play below the campus center, Monday nights, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday-Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., there are no membership fees and anyone is welcome.
“Our presence is felt anywhere there is a ping pong table. We just practice, compete, build community and enjoy the game.” said Benjamin Hayes, senior business processes management and information systems major from Richardson, and current president of the club.
Since 2009, Table Tennis Club has grown to include 45 total members, continues to hold regular practices and maintains a consistent playing schedule.
“It’s exactly what I wanted to do with my ping pong skills,” Hayes said.
“Whether you want to challenge the best on campus, you want to get a bit better or you just want to come hit around and talk you are welcome to join,” Campbell said.
For more information about Table Tennis Club, contact Benjamin Hayes (bph08a@acu.edu).
