College Profile: Virginia Tech

By John McInerney

The School

Virginia Tech is one of the founders of the NCTTA Virginia Division. Virginia Tech is also the self-proclaimed “biggest and most organized” division in the country. The camaraderie of the Virginia Division is unmatched – they consider themselves to be one big family. Virginia Tech coach Seemant Teotia explained, “We play in external tournaments (like the NCTTA Nationals) and we all cheer for each other and hang out together (especially Virginia Tech and UVA).” So the rivalry exists only in the court when we are playing. Virginia Tech has much to be proud of – they are three times champion of the Virginia Division, going undefeated in every season. They are the biggest college club in the country, in terms of teams in NCTTA play. “We have fielded five teams per season and rank high among membership numbers, every year we get over 75 paying members.” Virgina Tech was notably the first team in the country to have a women’s only team, which started in the 2003-2004 season, the year in which they won the first NCTTA Women’s National Title, defeating USC 3-1 in the final. The club practices twice a week during weekdays and on Saturdays. Each semester the club runs a very successful league, drawing over 40 players.

How We Advertise the Club

• Flyers in the Student Union.

• A regularly updated website with good content: www.uvatabletennis.com

• Contacting the Presidents of the major International organizations on campus so they can inform their members about the club.

• Have the international members of our club serve as liaisons within their communities.

• Coverage through the school newspaper.

• We get the state newspaper (Roanoke Times) to write a feature story every semester about the club and its accomplishments. The club has a very good reputation among the students in our university and also within the administration. Being in a big university this is a big thing, especially the support of the administration as they help a lot in funding the club and making reservations for playing space. The reason for this success is the professionalism of its members and how seriously we take table tennis and its growth in our area.

Top Players

Men

Konda Reddy was originally from India, finishing his Ph.D. in Engineering Science & Mechanics. He played for his college in India (Indian Institute of Science). He is a shakehand power looper who likes to play away from the table. His biggest weapon is his forehand drive.

Tejas Bhujle was originally from India. He will soon finish his MBA in Finance. He learned how to play at the club, and in one year went from 1100 level to a 1900 level. He is a shakehand blocker who plays close to the table. His biggest weapon is his backhand flat kill.

Women

Quanlei Fang was originally from China. She is working on her Ph.D. in Mathematics. She is an offensive penholder. Her biggest weapon is her forehand counter.

Hua Dan was originally from China. She is working on her MS in Fishery and Wildlife Sciences. She is a penholder with long pips. Her biggest weapon is her backhand block. Her most memorable moments were making the quarterfinals of the 2004 NCTTA Nationals and being ranked as high as #3 in the country in the 2003-2004 Season, and winning the Women’s National title, the first ever national title in any Olympic sport for the university.