President's Report

March/April 2005

By Sheri Soderberg Pittman

As in past years, life gets extremely busy for the USATT president every December. This year a number of activities also occurred in January. In this “association primer series,” I will update you about where I’ve been and what’s new with USA Table Tennis. Doru’s report on the next page provides you with additional information.

ITTF Board Meeting in Beijing
This year I will finish my term as Continental Vice President for North America, so the recent ITTF meeting I attended in Beijing basically concluded my service as an ITTF Vice President. At our meeting held in conjunction with the Olympics last August, I had made a proposal that the ITTF commit to drafting written strategic plans. The ITTF leadership in December confirmed that the proposal was well-received and approved a timeframe for completing a number of the plans. In addition, ITTF President Adham Sharara expressed appreciation for the feedback that I provided as a female regarding the ITTF’s effort to increase the number of women involved in ITTF matters. All in all, besides being a time-consuming position, it was a good experience and gave me many opportunities to learn more about what steps it will take to professionalize our sport in the U.S. I will be grateful, however, to be able to focus more exclusively on USATT-specific matters throughout the rest of my term as USATT president.

U.S. Nationals
After a two-day rest, I headed to Las Vegas where the tournament was already underway. Years ago it didn’t seem possible that one day we could all take for granted that everything would run like clockwork. Yet that’s the case! USATT’s decision to hire NATT for operations continues to work in everyone’s best interest. Thanks to all who contributed to the success of the event. I especially thank Martin-Kilpatrick/Butterfly. Their table sponsorship contract with us expired at the end of 2004. I look forward to working with the company to fashion a new USATT sponsorship opportunity for them.

Tsunami Relief
At the end of 2004, the world was shocked by the devastating tsunami. The ITTF quickly mobilized to create a special fund to help the affected countries’ national associations. Specific information about how you can contribute to that fund is on page 9.

Potential Nationwide School Template
In mid-January I received a phone call informing me that an organization had received a large federal grant. Included in the organization’s proposal was a school-age table tennis program. USATT sent Ben Grigore to conduct an in-service workshop of physical education teachers at the end of January. If the teachers embrace our sport, we can look forward to USATT being involved with its second Community Olympic Development Program within the next year.

BumperNets Wins Most Innovative Sports Retailer Award

Homer Brown shows off his award with USATT President Sheri Pittman.

Patrick Griffin of Escalade Sports had encouraged me to attend the Super Show, which was held in Orlando in January. I appreciate that Escalade was able to get me a pass to the event. The timing was especially great because just days before the Super Show Homer Brown informed me that the Sporting Goods Business Magazine would be presenting BumperNets with the 2004 Horizon Award, which is given to the most innovative sports retailer. Only companies with sales below $10 million are eligible to receive the award. Other award recipients were brands familiar to any American, so it was great to hear every award recipient after Homer start their speech with, “Homer, we’ll be calling you. We think it’s time to get into the table tennis industry!”

Homer, a long-time equipment dealer, sponsor and promoter of the sport, started BumperNets in Alabama almost six years ago. Mark Sullivan of SGB said: “BumperNets has created an exciting retail environment that draws people into their store, and more importantly, into their activities. They have created an innovative concept and proven to be good marketers, as well. We applaud their innovation and are proud to recognize them with this award.” Congratulations to you, Homer, and to all of the BumperNets staff!

NYC2012’s Olympic Bid
Believe it or not, the IOC will choose a host city for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games this coming July. A couple of years ago, the USOC Board of Directors selected New York City as the proposed American host of the 2012 Games. Last August I traveled to New York when an ITTF staff member visited with the bid city organizers. Just recently I also participated in a telephone conference along with the leaders of many other national governing bodies. NYC2012 officials said that their proposal was picking up a lot of momentum. I suggested that some representatives attend the World Championships in Shanghai as a means of further promoting their bid. USATT Vice Presidents George Brathwaite and Lily Yip, along with several local athletes, have enthusiastically represented our sport at various functions held in or near New York City.

2005 World Championships
USATT has posted information about the World Championships on our website, www.usatt.org. I hope that many of our members will be able to attend. In December, I learned that the City of Shanghai declared that of all of the events the city will be hosting in 2005, it regards these World Championships as the one of foremost importance. China’s ability to showcase the sport like no other country continually helps other associations throughout the world to consider new marketing tactics, presentation strategies and development methods.

Like other continental associations, the North American Table Tennis Union will have the opportunity to conduct a formal meeting there and to take the next steps toward expanding our structural development. ITTF President Adham Sharara has suggested that North America could take the lead in piloting a continental plan based on his P4 goals of Popularity, Participation, Profit and Planning.

On the Horizon
As this issue goes to press, USATT and Killerspin are still in arbitration over issues related to sponsorship of the U.S. Open. USATT has determined that the U.S. Open will return to Fort Lauderdale this year. In comparison to the venue and labor expenses that were incurred in Chicago, those costs will significantly decrease in Fort Lauderdale. Although USATT and Killerspin are still far apart in our positions, Robert Blackwell, the president of Killerspin, and I remain hopeful that we can reach a settlement soon, which would bring this matter to a close and allow all of us to focus our energies where they should be: on promoting and developing table tennis in the U.S., especially on the new priorities that the USATT Board set for this Olympic quadrennium (explained in the last President’s Report).

USATT will soon be releasing its year-end financials. Based on the present information, it looks as though for 2004 USATT will report a third consecutive year of significant net profits. Our reserves are very healthy. For that reason, the Board has reprioritized our financial goals. Beginning this year, we are shifting away from emphasizing high year-end profits and toward re-investing revenues in our association’s growth. Thanks to staff and USATT Treasurer Tong Lee for all of your contributions towards securing USATT’s best-ever financial position.

Once again, I thank all of USATT’s other hard-working staff and volunteers. Doru and I really appreciate all of the calls we receive. We especially thank those of you who are offering your time and energy to promote USATT. As many of your efforts bring success, I look forward to recognizing and highlighting the fruits of your labor.