Draft:US Table Tennis Hall of Fame
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Last edited by 67.171.179.111 (talk | contribs) 5 days ago. (Update) |
| Submission declined on 16 June 2025 by Theroadislong (talk). This submission appears to read more like an advertisement than an entry in an encyclopedia. Encyclopedia articles need to be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources, not just to materials produced by the creator of the subject being discussed. This is important so that the article can meet Wikipedia's verifiability policy and the notability of the subject can be established. If you still feel that this subject is worthy of inclusion in Wikipedia, please rewrite your submission to comply with these policies.
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| Submission declined on 16 June 2025 by GoldRomean (talk). This submission is not adequately supported by reliable sources. Reliable sources are required so that information can be verified. If you need help with referencing, please see Referencing for beginners and Citing sources. Declined by GoldRomean 9 days ago. | |
Comment: this is just advertising Theroadislong (talk) 19:04, 16 June 2025 (UTC)
Overview
[edit]The U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame (USTTHoF) is a nonprofit organization, established in 1966 to preserve and celebrate the history of table tennis in the United States. It honors players, coaches, officials, and contributors whose achievements have significantly impacted American table tennis. [1]
The United States Table Tennis Hall of Fame is independent of United States of America Table Tennis (“USATT”). HOF does not represent USATT. HOF and USATT have separate management and separate finances.”
History
[edit]- *1966* – First inductions took place during the U.S. Open in Detroit.[2]
- *1979* – Formal bylaws were adopted under USATT (United States Table Tennis Association).[3]
- *2007* – Became an independent 501(c)(3) organization.
- *Annual ceremonies* – Since 1981, inductions typically occur at the USA Table Tennis National Championships.[4]
Ceremonies and inductees have been covered by sources such as the International Table Tennis Federation,[5] *China Daily*,[6] and *New Mobility* magazine.[7]
Induction
[edit]Inductees are nominated by peers and USATT affiliates and chosen by a select Hall of Fame board. Categories include **Player**, **Contributor**, and **Official**. The **Mark Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award**, introduced in 1999, honors extraordinary service.
Governance
[edit]The Hall is managed by a board of volunteers, hosts an annual banquet, and maintains an online archive of inductee biographies.[8]
Selected notable inductees
[edit]The following individuals have received independent coverage and are among the Hall’s ranks:
- Ruth Aarons (Player, 1966) – Two‑time world singles champion.[9]
- Sean O’Neill (Player, 2007) – Five‑time U.S. singles champion and two‑time Olympian.[10]
- **Stellan Bengtsson** (Contributor, 2024) – 1971 World Champion and coach influential in U.S. and para table tennis.[11]
- Jimmy Butler (Player, 2011) – Three‑time national champion known for his resilience and international success.[12]
- Norman Bass Jr. (Player, 2018) – Former MLB/NFL athlete turned para-table tennis medalist.[13]
- Bud Blattner (Player, 1979) – Transitioned from national table tennis to Major League Baseball and broadcasting.[14]
- Tahl Leibovitz (Player, 2015) – Paralympian and 1996 gold medalist who has contributed to mental health advocacy.[15]
- Pamela Fontaine (Player, 2021) – Multi-sport Paralympian across wheelchair basketball and table tennis.
- Sebastian DeFrancesco (Player, 2021) – Quad rugby athlete and para-table tennis figure; named USOPC Athlete of the Year in 1993.[16]
- Kenneth Brooks (Player, 2023) – Early adaptive sports pioneer, medaled in slalom and track & field before decades in national table tennis.[17]
- Eric Owens (Player, 2015) – National champion known for integrating sports science into training.[18]
A full list of inductees is maintained in the Hall’s official archive.[19]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Hall of Fame Profiles". U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Hall of Fame History". U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Hall of Fame Constitution & Bylaws". U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Hall of Fame 2025 Annual Dinner". U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Doru Gheorghe, contribution acknowledged, inducted into United States Table Tennis Hall of Fame". ITTF.com. 2018-07-12. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Ping-pong lifer still giving his all". China Daily. 2021-11-24. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "USATT Hall of Fame Inductees & Awards". TableTennisCoaching.com. 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Hall of Fame Board of Directors". U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Ruth Aarons". The Chicago Jewish News Online. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Sean O'Neill (Olympics) Bio". NBC Sports.
- ^ "Class of 2024 Inductees". U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Ping-pong lifer still giving his all". China Daily. 2021-11-24. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "USATT Hall of Fame Inductees & Awards". TableTennisCoaching.com. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Remembering Bud Blattner". Royals Review. 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Olympic Table Tennis Player, Mental Health Advocate, and NYU Alumnus". NYU Alumni Newsletter. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Sebastian DeFrancesco: Athlete, Advocate, Legend". New Mobility. June 2017. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Kenneth Brooks – Hall of Fame Profile". U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Eric Owens". MLTT. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Hall of Fame Profile". U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
External links
[edit]- [Official site – Hall of Fame](https://ustthof.projecttabletennis.com/)
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