New South club creates community for “ping-pong lovers”

Not all students at South High are involved in extracurricular activities after school. South High Junior George Muller, and Sophomore Desmond LaFave both really like ping-pong and thought it would be cool to share this hobby with others at South. “We both have ping pong tables at our house, which we like to play together, we thought it would be fun to just kind of play with kids at school,” said Muller.

This isn’t the first time ping-pong has made an appearance at South. As Muller puts it “I think four years ago there was a ping pong team, and then it just kind of stopped when the people that were in it left,” but he hopes that people understand, “It kind of something that isn’t that intense. It’s just very laid back if you’re looking for something to do, but you don’t want to get super into it I think ping-pong is really great.”

If you’re confused at how ping-pong works the club makes it clear. “Usually there are two players one  each side of the table, and they each have a paddle. It’s basically like tennis, but on the table. That’s why it’s referred to as table tennis,” LaFave explains.

Most people don’t have ping-pong tables just lying around, “A lot of people who don’t have the opportunity at home can [now] have it at school,” explained LaFave.

They came up with the idea last year but hadn’t really done anything to make it happen, and there wasn’t any action until this year. They talked to South’s principal, “Mr.Aponte…he was very supportive of it,” said Muller.  Principal Aponte got the people from the gym department to lend their ping pong tables to the club, and the group makes do with “bringing in our own balls, paddles, and nets,” LaFave explains.

Tony Stewart, the assistant athletic director has also been lending support by helping them find a place to set up and play. The team plays wherever they can.  This has also been one of the struggles that they have had, finding a stable place to play. Their first meeting happened in the gym, when basketball practice was cancelled. On wednesday the 8th the group, due to limited gym space, they played by the school’s snack-shack. What has also been a struggle is moving the equipment in and out of the gym.

So far students have heard about the group from friends of friends. They plan on putting posters to advertise this newly introduced club and to keep spreading the word. They want to expand this club, and get more tables “we don’t have enough tables for everyone to play,” Said LaFave.

Junior Graham White, who credits ping-pong as his “passion,” believes that LaFave and Muller, “Created the team to build a community of ping pong lovers, and bring people together.” The two creators of the club agree that anybody can play ping-pong.

LaFave mentioned, “I’m not sure about the high school ping-pong scene, but maybe if we could get more organized or get some more resources we could eventually start playing other schools.” No matter what direction the club takes Muller wants anybody with ping-pong aspirations to know, “Everybody’s welcome so if you come you get to play.”