National Collegiate Table Tennis Association

Nov/Dec 2003

NCTTA Team Feature: Hoosiers with a Paddle?
By Tzu-Wei Lin, Public Relations Director, NCTTA 

To celebrate its tremendous progress, NCTTA would like to feature one of the Cinderella teams that made it to the semifinals at the 2003 Championships. We interviewed Mr. Gurhan Gunduz, the director and a valuable member of Indiana University’s table tennis club. 

How was the Indiana University’s Table Tennis club formed?

GG: After I transferred to Indiana University from Florida State University, I started a table tennis club in spring, 2002. Club president Mehmet Ozturk and I are also currently working towards establishing a 1-credit table tennis course at the university. 

What environment do club members practice in?

GG: We play in the University gymnasium twice a week. The place is big enough to fit five to six tables. We are planning to have regular competitions like leagues to incite more excitement school-wide.  

Can you tell us more about your players on the very successful Indiana team?

GG: I am originally from Turkey and trained there. I am a two-wing attack player.  Villy Andreeva is from Bulgaria, where she trained and was a member of the Bulgarian National Team. She is a chopper with long pips on one side.  Zuchi Algaa is from Mongolia but has also spent one year training in Korea.  Michael Golde is our U.S. representative, born and raised here. 

What are your thoughts on NCTTA?

GG: I appreciate NCTTA for organizing college tournaments and promoting table tennis in the U.S.  It brings seriousness to table tennis at the college level. Thanks to them, we have a chance to meet many college level table tennis players and fans. Table tennis clubs also get more support from the universities by playing in regional and national level competitions.  I thank NCTTA for what they are doing and I believe they will continue to do a good job.