2013 Championships Attract Eight Potential Hosts
An NCTTA Feature - February 2012

By Andy Kanengiser
NCTTA Media Relations Chair

Eight USA cities are making bids to get the right to host the NCTTA’s 2013 championships.

Turning in proposals prior to the February 1 deadline, the total of cities seeking to host the games sets a new record, says NCTTA President Willy Leparulo. “We are thrilled at the response. We are delighted we are attracting so much interest from across the nation. We thank all who turned in proposals.”

While table tennis fans are gearing up for the 2012 Championships in April in Plano, Texas, NCTTA leaders will soon be getting feedback from its membership on the new list of 2013 bidders. We want to hear your responses after you study the proposals on the NCTTA website. The plans submitted recently tell us everything about venue lighting, table tennis seating, volunteers, area hotels, transportation, restaurants, a city’s cultural attractions and other amenities.

With a varied selection of sites that stretch all the way from New Mexico to Florida and up to Midwest states like Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois, there’s certainly a lot to consider. Throw in Pennyslvania Dutch Country making its pitch in the East and an appeal coming from the heartland in Tulsa, Oklahoma and you end up with a full slate of options.

Rockford, Illinois will throw out the red carpet for collegiate table tennis lovers. While in Rockford, leaders suggest a visit to the city’s Japanese Gardens. Rochester, Minnesota is familiar to many of us who have played in NCTTA tournaments in recent years. The home of the world renowned Mayo Clinic and Minnesota’s third largest city, Rochester hosted the NCTTA championships in 2011.

The Tallahassee Sports Council hosts 100 events a year would like us to come pay Tallahassee a visit as well. The capital city in Leon County suggests venues like the 9,000-seat Al Lawson Teaching Gymnasium at Florida A&M University or the Tully Gymnasium at Florida State University as sites for the games in April 2013. Tallahassee is home base for Florida State’s talented table tennis team. Tallahassee in 2009 hosted the Florida high school cheerleading competition, among other events.

The Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Center would like us to consider Lancaster, Pa. as the place to bring our table tennis games and soak up the Amish arts scene. A proposal from Battle Creek, Michigan notes the city has served as the host of a World Disc golf tournament and the Junior Olympic Gymnastics Nationals. Check your road map. Battle Creek is located midway between Detroit and Chicago. Coffee lovers may have found paradise in the Midwest. Battle Creek is the place to stir the latte at the biggest Starbucks in the state of Michigan.

Eau Claire, Wisconsin is also in play as a host site. Want to know more? Visit the Eau Claire Area Sports Commission website. Albuquerque is calling, too. The New Mexico city wants to welcome table tennis players, but also is putting out invitations to see such attractions as the Rio Grande Zoological Park and the city’s fabulous aquarium. There’s an Albuquerque Table Tennis Club in town, and they are loaded with volunteers willing to help if the games come to New Mexico.

These are just a few of the many tidbits about the cities trotting out proposals. They’re all on the same page in wanting to lure the NCTTA’s stellar championship games. Once NCTTA leaders make a decision, the winning city will host the best collegiate players in the United States and Canada for three days of amazing competition. Again, take a few minutes to look at the proposals in-depth and ask questions on the forum or get back to us at NCTTA headquarters (info@nctta.org).

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