As final exams near and Jumbos become increasingly tense, one on-campus group has found a way to help its peers relieve stress. This week, students looking for a break from the library can trade in their pencils for paddles by entering the Tufts Table Tennis Club's (TTTC) annual ping-pong tournament.
According to organizer Kevin Lui, the tournament is open to players of all experience levels.
"It's very relaxed," Lui said. "It's just for fun. Anyone can show up to play, and it's basically a way for people to take a break and play some ping-pong. We're not too serious about it."
Each year, the TTTC organizes a tournament at the end of the fall and spring semesters, but this semester's event is being run slightly differently.
"Usually we start a couple weeks earlier, but this year, the tournament is compressed into one week," Lui said.
Faculty, staff and alumni are welcome to participate in addition to students. Typically, turnout has been around 40 players, but Lui said the club is always looking to increase participation.
"Our club philosophy is to try to bring as many people as possible to the tournament," he said.
The winner of the tournament will win a "mystery prize," according to Lui.
For students who are worried about competing even in a relaxed environment, Lui said the club's weekly meetings offer an even less-competitive way for interested ping-pong players to get involved. The TTTC plays casually on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in Cousens Gym.
"It's a good way to meet other people at Tufts and play ping-pong," Lui said.
The club also sends a team to compete against other college teams in the National College Table Tennis Association. Lui said that the appeal of table tennis extends beyond club members.
"Last year we did get table tennis team jackets, and they were more popular with people who weren't in the club than with members," he said.
For those looking to get their hands on a paddle and start playing - or students who just want to watch an entertaining game - the tournament begins tonight at 8 p.m.
"We encourage people to come. It really doesn't matter if you've never played before or if you're really good. It's a sport for everyone," Lui said.
The tournament is still open for participants, who can sign up by e-mailing Kevin.Lui@tufts.edu by 5 p.m. The first rounds will begin tonight in Cousens Gym and subsequent rounds will take place on Wednesday and Friday.
Lui said that more information on the club and further details about the tournament are available on the club's Web site, http://ase.tufts.edu/tabletennis/.
-by Robin Carol
