USATT Hall of Fame to Honor Inductees

            The U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the names of those players and contributors selected for induction into the Hall in 2009:  Gao Jun (El Monte, CA), Diana Gee McDonnell (Lincoln, CA) and Bob Fox (Minneapolis, MN).  Also being honored with the Mark Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award is Houshang Bozorgzadeh (Independence, IA). 

            This year’s induction banquet and ceremonies will be held Thursday evening, December 17 at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel in conjunction with the U.S. National Championships.  A special memorial tribute will be held to honor legendary Paralympian, Mike Dempsey who died earlier this year.  Also to be remembered will be Lou Pagliaro and Buddy Blattner. 

            Tickets ($50) for this gala event may be purchased in advance from Dick Evans,  HC 64  Box 271,  Hillsboro, WV 24946, or at the USATT Registration Desk at the tournament until noon, Dec. 17.  No tickets will be available at the banquet.  

            We look forward to seeing many players, friends and families of these honored players and contributors to our sport at this year’s banquet.