Rec Sports pitches table tennis league
- posted: 12 June 2007
- scrollsports@byui.edu
Rec Sports has announced the opportunity for students to participate in a new table tennis league, after a successful tournament in May.
Before this semester, Rec Sports used the student dorm table tennis areas for the once-a-semester event.
“We have held a table tennis tournament each semester for the last few years,” said Trent Tustian, the BYU-I Rec Sports adviser. “The large turnout at those tournaments gave us the idea to start a league.”
The large attendance at an event three years ago led Rec Sports to begin saving money to buy a few tables. Now one table is left in the John W. Hart foyer for students to play on when they have the chance, but three tables are owned by the department.
“We encourage anyone interested in playing table tennis to come on over. It doesn’t cost anything, unless you break a ball, and you can check out the paddles and balls in the equipment room,” Tustian said.
While table tennis may be new to BYU-I, it is not new elsewhere. “Most universities have an area where students can gather and socialize with each other. The table tennis court allows another such area, an area where you can also have fun while you play each other,” Tustian said.
Rec Sports is also hoping enough students will come and want to play in a league. “The table tennis courts are brand new this semester, so many students don’t know about them. We want students to know they have an area they can play each other and compete,” Tustian said.
“If we have enough students that want to be in a league, we will get one started this semester, or if we can’t have one this semester, we will have another tournament,” Tustian said.
No matter what happens this semester, future semesters will offer table tennis through Rec Sports for singles and doubles play. Rec Sports is also prepared for an increased number of students to come to the Hart.
“Right now the table tennis court is open to anyone on a first come, first served basis, but if enough people are interested in the courts, we will start having a reservation list similar to what the racquetball courts have,” Tustian said.
Table tennis events will take place on one or two nights per week, should they get started this semester.
“It all depends on how many students come and play,” Tustian said. “Right now we want to make sure everyone is aware they are there, and then we’ll grow and see what happens.”
Students interested in the table tennis league should contact Rec Sports at 496-2115 or sportsrecsec@byui.edu. 
