Senior of the Month: Sam Ognibene

Sam Ognibene won the Men’s Singles National Championship title at the National Senior’s Games for table tennis in the age group 75-79 in May of 2003 at the University of Norfolk in Virginia. Athletes from across the Nation gathered there to compete in a multitude of events in a variety of sports. Although Sam is pleased to have won the National title, he has so much more to be proud of in his life.

Sam was born in Medina, NY, a small town on the Erie Canal. In his youth, he competed in several sports and later played semi-pro football as a defensive guard for an undefeated team in New York. His association with table tennis began when he moved to Panama in the 70’s and started his career as a high school instructor. Sam, with help from his students, renovated the upper floor of an abandoned school building and converted it into a table tennis center. Using his own money, Ognibene purchased six tables, a table tennis robot and even air conditioning. The students at Baloa High School were able to play before school, during lunch and after school. Ognibene encouraged and mentored the students as they made tremendous progress. The facility was then made available for players from Panama City for two nights a week. The popularity of table tennis in the area blossomed.

Ognibene, in order to become more knowledgeable about the sport, attended D.J. Lee’s table tennis clinic in Ohio and was certified as a coach by Lee. Sam remembers fondly the time that D.J. played him with the back of a hairbrush.

Sam’s interest and love of table tennis continued as he traveled all over the world. He especially remembers the time in Guatemala when he was looking for a place to play table tennis. He decided to go out to the street and hold up his table tennis paddle as the cabs drove by. One of the drivers, who knew about table tennis, stopped and took Sam to a place to play. Also in South America, Sam once played in a thatched open-sided hut on a concrete table. In another event to remember, Ognibene played the daughter of a local tavern owner. The owner was so thrilled with the opportunity that he actually closed the tavern after the match and took Sam safely to his awaiting ship.

When Sam retired, it was a natural course of events to continue playing table tennis. He lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas for three years and finally moved to Sun City, Florida, where he is now active at the table tennis facility located there. Since he has retired, he has won the West Virginia Seniors Singles and Doubles Championships and the Florida Seniors and Doubles Championship. The National title win over H.B. Barlow from California (-9,12,-7,7,7) was a crowning event for Ognibene’s table tennis career.

At the age of 76, Sam considers table tennis a great asset to his life. When asked about defending his title in Pittsburgh in 2005, Sam said he has not decided, but you can tell by the gleam in his eyes that he will be there. He will also be at the U.S. Open to greet the players from Panama who still gather around to show him their appreciation.