President's Report

May/June 2006

By Sheri Soderberg Pittman

As I reported a few years ago, in addition to providing the membership with regular updates, I am also dedicated to educating you about the significance and historical background of USATT’s activities.  That is why I also call each report part of the “association primer series.”  It is especially important to provide the background information because many of you are new to USATT.   

USATT League Agreement

Earlier this year, I announced that this will be the year of the clubs.  In January, USATT approved a 10-year league services agreement with North American Table Tennis.  USATT and NATT are pleased that Stiga/Paddle Palace is actively engaged as a sponsor.  As additional league details emerge, we will provide more extensive updates.  I am also working on preparing additional initiatives for Board approval.  All of these initiatives are dedicated to building up the infrastructure of our clubs for your enjoyment of our sport.  We also want to continually grow our association so that new members will join and also have fun participating in competitive opportunities, experiencing health benefits, and making new friends. 

U.S. Open Team Championships

In March, USATT held the U.S. Open Team Championships in cooperation with NATT.  Historically the tournament was held over Thanksgiving weekend in Detroit.  The tournament had always been a highlight of many clubs’ annual activities because it was the only 5-star team event held under the aegis of USATT.  Many clubs would hold trials to field their teams.  After the first day of preliminary matches, teams were placed in one of multiple divisions with players of roughly their competition level. 

Several years ago, the organizer of the event decided not to run it.  There was a question about future rights to hold the tournament.  At that time, USATT was beginning its relationship with NATT.  NATT proposed that it would run a team tournament over the Thanksgiving weekend in Baltimore.  The Board decided to rename the event and signed an agreement with NATT to run it as a 4-star tournament.  Years later, when USATT signed a release with Bob Allshouse, who had also previously operated USATT’s national training center, any questions about the naming rights dissolved.  Because of the excellent success NATT had built up with their Thanksgiving weekend, USATT decided not to pursue reclaiming that weekend for the USOTC’s.  Instead, we sought an alternative weekend.  After years of dormancy, the event was revived.  I’m sure that the Board will consider a few options concerning the future of this event.   

North American Table Tennis Union

USATT’s executive director Doru Gheorghe and I both went to Reno for the USOTC’s.  We took the opportunity to meet with many people also attending the event.  In particular, we welcomed the president and executive director of Canada, Bruce Burton and Tony Kiesenhofer.  A main purpose of our meeting was to discuss the North American continental agreement with the ITTF.  Currently the ITTF has a developmental program in which the ITTF funds continental development activities that will promote the game globally.  Each continent’s representative negotiates with the ITTF what its specific initiatives will be.  NATTU’s current representative is Bruce Burton.  As such, he is a Vice President of the ITTF.  On behalf of NATTU, Bruce Burton will sign the continental agreement with the ITTF in the near future.  In Reno we all agreed that the North American Table Tennis Union should become a registered entity similar to the other five continental associations (Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and Latin America).  ITTF President Adham Sharara agreed that this step should also be taken in order for the ITTF to formally convey its financial support to North America.   

Community-Based Programs Representative

In Reno, some college students also wanted to hear about why I chose not to re-appoint Willy Leparulo to serve as USATT’s Community-Based Programs Representative.  As I explained to them, my role as USATT president is to act in USATT’s best interests.  I think that Willy has done a great job in his role as president within the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association.  Regarding this USATT appointment to the Board, the current By-Laws state that it is the president’s right to nominate a candidate for this position.  In considering what is best for USATT, I decided to look for another person to serve in that position.  In the end, the Board approved my nomination of Joseph Wells.  Joseph is the Vice President of NCTTA and works as sales coordinator for Marriott International.  I want to especially thank Christian Lillieroos, formerly of Texas Wesleyan University, for his assistance on this.  USATT also wishes Christian all the best in his new career in China. 

35th Anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy

The rest of this report, in fact, pertains to China.  As our longer-term members know, table tennis plays a pivotal role in the modern relationship between our two countries.  In 1971 China invited the U.S. team to visit China.  In 1972, President Nixon traveled to China and the Chinese sent a team to tour the United States.  In both countries, the two teams played friendship matches.  The goodwill generated by the athletes, that in turn changed history, earned the moniker Ping Pong Diplomacy. 

In many previous president’s reports, I have alluded to the fact that I began playing table tennis shortly after Ping Pong Diplomacy.  Now I will elaborate on that and explain its current relevancy.

Toward the end of last December, USATT received an invitation to return to China for the 35th anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy.  The proposed trip was to take place toward the end of March.  As I write, the trip has just ended.  One of the participants of this year’s tour was Tim Boggan.  As usual, he took copious notes.  We’ll run his story in the next issue.  So, what I’ll share here is a kind of behind-the-scenes look at this event and its modern significance.

Zhuang Zedong gave me his firsthand account during this tour.  He was a three-time world champion (’61, ’63, and ’65).  He said that China had withdrawn from international competitions, but decided to send its team to the world championships in 1971.  They were supposed to report back on their experiences.  One day, a chance encounter changed everything.  Glenn Cowan, one of the U.S. team members, got on a bus that happened to be carrying the Chinese athletes.  As he boarded the bus, the door closed and the bus began moving.  He looked up and saw them.  He instantly realized that this bus was not the bus he’d meant to board.  As he looked back at the door, it was already closed.  With his back turned toward them momentarily, the back of his tracksuit revealed the letters: USA.  Outside of the bus, many people, including the press, witnessed what had just happened.  So, on the bus, with nowhere to go to but the next destination, Cowan had no option but to sit.  Zhuang Zedong’s mind raced.  He’d represented China for many years, always with the understanding that there should be no friendly contact, in fact, no association with Americans.  But he also recalled that in 1970 Mao Tse-Tung had invited the American journalist Edgar Snow to appear publicly with him in Tiananmen Square and had made comments signaling possible future relations.  He thought that it might be a good idea to make a friendly gesture toward the American.  Zhuang decided to present Glenn Cowan with a tapestry depicting China’s Huangshan Mountains.  Shortly afterwards, the bus arrived at its destination.  Photographers and journalists, who were tipped off as to where the bus would arrive, awaited them.  Zhuang Zedong and Glenn Cowan posed, showing the present. On the next day, photos ran in newspapers worldwide, questioning whether this demonstration of friendship between table tennis players symbolized a turn in Sino-American relations.  One thing led to another, leading up to today’s modern reality.

There is also an interesting story relating to the tour’s sponsor, HongShanShu.  Translated, the company name means redwood or sequoia.  It was named after the tree that President Nixon planted in China in 1972.  Sequoias live for hundreds of years and grow taller than any other tree.  Liu Weijun acquired the company in 2001.  A year ago, he learned that the company chose its name in commemoration of the friendship between the U.S. and China.  He decided to offer Zhuang Zedong a position as a consultant so that he could further identify his brand with its historical roots.  So, when he learned that 2006 would be the 35th anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy, he naturally pursued the sponsorship opportunity.  As you’ll learn in the next magazine, Mr. Liu took excellent care of us and his generosity knew no limits. 

It was a privilege for me to head the delegation.  I also thank USATT’s staff who took pride in putting together trip logistics.  The Chinese Table Tennis Association, HongShanShu and USATT worked together and all events during the tour were a great success. 

The amazing thing for me was how I went from being a little girl, who knew nothing about Ping Pong Diplomacy, to learning about it.  When I found out what it was and committed myself to the sport, I got to meet many of the American Ping Pong Diplomacy delegation.  Over the years, acquaintances turned into friends.  Friendships flourished into a focus on moving USATT forward.  Moving USATT forward led to my election.  My service as USATT president led to making friends with many of the Chinese Ping Pong Diplomacy members, including CTTA President Xu Yinsheng and ATTU President Li Furong. 

During our tour, we spoke not just about the past, but about the future as well.  We are the guardians of the Ping Pong Diplomacy heritage.  It is through us, our words, our actions and our commitment that the spirit of Ping Pong Diplomacy will live on.  Let’s each take on the challenge of being someone who makes a difference in this world, being someone who bridges international friendships, and always carries on Ping Pong Diplomacy as a living legacy.