U. nets new club for ping-pong fanatics

Ping-pong has arrived at the University. Of course, it has always been on campus. But now it's official with the emergence of the new Penn Pong Table Tennis Club. "We're interested in giving people the chance to play the game and get into it," said Wharton freshman Henry Goseburch, co-founder of the new club. Goseburch and College sophomore Ravi Ponamgi began the club last semester and it has quickly grown to include over 50 members. Although unofficial at first, the club will likely begin receiving Student Activities Council funding soon. "I'm pleasantly surprised at how the club has grown," said Goseburch. "I was disappointed at first that we were on our own with funds. But we found a lot of interested people and will hopefully have SAC support in the future." Goseburch and Engineering freshman David Rosenzweig, both certified United States Table Tennis Association coaches, help players hone their table tennis skills. "David and Henry have good technique and really help people with their form. I see a drastic improvement in my play and it's a lot of fun," said College freshman and club member Sonjay Chandriani. Players also get the chance to challenge other players for higher rankings within the club, Rosenzweig said. In addition, videotapes of world championship and olympic ping-pong matches are shown. The club, which is open to both undergraduate and graduate University students, meets every Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the pit in Hill House. The group held a tournament in January that was very successful, according to Rosenzweig. They plan to hold another in approximately two weeks. "We'd like to hold a tournament at least once every month," said Rosenzweig. Rosenzweig, who is the top-ranked player, said that they would like to get in touch with the USTTA and hold tournaments sanctioned by the association. He also plans to look into organizing an intercollegiate competition with schools such as Princeton University. "Sooner or later, we'd like to play other schools," Goseburch said. "And once official, we'd like to have official competition with the USTTA." "We just want to promote table tennis and have fun with it," Goseburch added.