by Joe Gutbrod ’17
Ping-pong is a therapy for war veterans, a top sport in China, and one of the best ways to clear your mind and enjoy yourself, so what would be a better way to spend your Monday afternoons than playing some hardcore ping-pong?
Keeping the promise he made to his father, Evan Steigerwald ‘17 has created a Saint Ignatius Ping-Pong Club with the help of Joey Gutbrod ‘17, JJ Conway ‘18, and Spanish teacher Mrs. Sebring. As Evan puts it, “Ping-pong is game you can play for life. I grew up constantly playing ping-pong with my dad and when I came to Saint Ignatius I was always looking to start the club. Meeting Joey through freshman baseball and finding someone who shared my passion helped me to finally get the idea off the ground. I look to share that passion with others and give them fun through-ping pong.”
As a result of Evan, Joey, JJ, and Mrs. Sebring’s hard work and dedication, the Ping-Pong Club is now up and running for all students at Saint Ignatius. “We want the club to be fun, but also competitive,” says Joey Gutbrod ‘17. “I’m hoping that we will host tournaments during the club sessions and try to see who are the best players at the school.”
With three tables, several portable nets, and an abundance of enthusiasm, the Ping-Pong Club will is poised to become a popular club at this school. As a good omen, the first meeting was quite successful. Over fifty students showed up to experience the fun of the club. In the end, club founders Evan Steigerwald and Joey Gutbrod were the victors of the doubles tournament and took home the gold. As Evan put it, “what was really the best part for me was seeing everyone relaxed and enjoying themselves playing so good old fashioned ping-pong.” Evan, Joey, JJ, and Mrs. Sebring would like to thank everyone who attended and look forward to seeing the progress the club will make.
If anyone wants to experience the exhilarating feeling of ping-pong, come on Mondays after school and see what table tennis is all about.
