Executive Director’s Report

At the end of October, USA Table Tennis will move its headquarters eight miles to the east to another USOC-owned building. Accompanying us on the move will be USA Archery, Fencing and Field Hockey. The reason: USOC is consolidating its operations and has asked the four governing bodies, which do not use Olympic Training Center, to relocate. There is no extra cost involved our relocation, as the USOC will continue to extend to us a zero cost lease, nor will we incur any moving costs.

The move has its pluses and minuses. An advantage is that now we will gain additional office space in a modern building, with amenities like high speed phone lines. The major disadvantage is that now USA Table Tennis is off campus and "away" from the action. The invaluable spontaneous meetings in the hallway, or in the cafeteria now disappear, unless we make an effort to stay connected. Rest assured, USA Table Tennis staff will make that effort. Being a member of the Olympic family, and staying near to the people who have information and make decisions, is vital to the success of our sport.

My first year as Executive Director has gone by in a blur. There are so many opportunities in front of our sport and so many people within the National Governing Bodies (sports organizations like USA Table Tennis) and within the Olympic movement who have great ideas, information, know how, and decision-making authority. With all the information and resources at our fingertips, our organization rarely has to make a decision without knowing what the consequences and investment needs are up front. A recap of some of our efforts within the USOC-NGB network over the last 12 months include.

• A meeting at last October’s Olympic Congress with Joe Krycz of the Warren Company. The result: The inclusion of Table Tennis in an after-school program in the Rochester Community. This multi-sport program is set to expand into other New York State communities in 2001.
• A meeting with Tim Richardson, Program Director of the Boys and Girls Club of America. The result: A commitment to open space for table tennis in selected boy’s and girls club facilities around the country. A grant proposal for this program is now with several foundations and corporations for review.
• A meeting with the Olympic Properties People at the USOC. The result: Table Tennis is back on the sponsorship map with the USOC. We can provide value to most Olympic Corporate partners via exhibitions, corporate wellness programs and our international appeal in Asia and Europe. In 1999 and 2000, USA Table Tennis conducted programs and exhibitions with Texaco, McDonald’s and Anheuser Busch.
• A recent lunch with Steve Ducoff, Director of the Billiards Congress of America. The result: We are in preliminary discussions of partnering with Billiards and Darts on a combined club affiliation offering.
• A recent conversation with Michael Massik, Executive Director of Fencing. The result: none yet, but Fencing has doubled its membership in the last 10 years, primarily through a wealth of juniors in its ranks. This was accomplished by paying attention to recruiting coaches via its "Coaches College Program." Many of these coaches, through training by USA Fencing, then went on to opening clubs and starting programs. This model can be applied to USA Table Tennis.
• Recent Meetings with the New USOC Fundraising Division: The result: none yet, but don’t be surprised if someone from this new USOC department drops by one of our clubs to ask questions or explore fundraising opportunities with selected members of our Organization. (If you are interested in planned giving, endowments and/or estate planning for the benefit of a particular table tennis program, please give me a call.)

We will continue to follow through on opportunities, defend our sport when needed, and pursue a stepped-up media and press announcement campaign. The new restructuring at the USOC also presents opportunities. USA Table Tennis, along with all other NGBs, now report directly to a USOC Sports Partnership Director. Our sports partnership director is Chris Vadala, a 10-year USOC veteran, who knows his way around the organization. We have already had several meetings with Chris and we are looking forward to the partnership and opportunities created from this partnership.

Progress continues to move excruciatingly slowly. With a small but committed staff, we have our plate full with running events, programs and providing member services back to you. Nevertheless, I am encouraged by our progress. 2001 will be an interesting year for USA Table Tennis and one filled with potential – stay tuned!