<html><head></head><body><div style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div id="ydpbe858cf3yiv4107099610"><div><div style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div id="ydpbe858cf3yiv4107099610ydp7c33e6eeyiv5959916598"><div><div style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div>Usually, it is this time of year when I manage to sneak in some writings on local table tennis history. That may or may not happen this year, but there are a few topics of interest that need some attention as soon as I can find the time. </div><div><br></div><div>Topic 1....High priority should be given to creating a Hall of Fame that recognizes at least three categories of individuals. 1) Our greatest players... Perhaps this is the most expected category; one that would, like baseball, have the most recognizable individuals. 2) Our greatest contributors... This all-important group would include those who are and were behind the creation, organization, promotion, survival and/or growth of our sport and club. 3) The very select group of player/ contributors...who performed at a very high level, while making unparalleled contributions. </div><div><br></div><div>I talked with Coach Ray about this some time back, but perhaps the timing would be good to get something started. A small nominating committee would be good for the modern day selections, with a select few for players from the past.</div><div><br></div><div>Selecting an elite group of charter player/contributor inductees for a Hall would involve obvious choices. Once done, many other deserving individuals can follow.</div><div><br></div><div>1) "Teacher Tex" Lloyd....Our first (five-time) County champion and promoter of the sport. He won his first championship in 1932, and was unbeatable during his reign. His instructional columns were featured in the local newspaper, as were his numerous exhibitions and clinics. Injuries caught up with him in 1940, ending his great career as our first champion. He was affectionately known as "Teacher Tex."</div><div><br></div><div>2) Ted Mosher....His contributions and record as a player are too numerous to list here, well beyond predecessor Tex Lloyd's contributions due to his longevity. Mosher was both the top competitor and organizer of the first Industrial League during the mid-1930s, held in the basement of Hunt's Hardware until its later expansion. He was involved in local clinics and exhibitions with the nation's top players, and was the key figure in organizing our first clubs at Rochester's Capitol Theater and Durand Eastman School. He also regained the Monroe County men's title 21 years after his 1940 championship.</div><div><br></div><div>3) Bob Brickell...After winning his first junior title in 1941, he went on to play in eight different decades. As a competitor, Bob made his greatest mark as a senior player, but he will always be most recognized for the legions of young players that he taught through his school programs and summer camps. Known as a role model and example to many, he was a caring individual who showed no favoritism to any of his students. As a true teacher and coach, enjoyment of the game, sportsmanship, and belief in oneself....those were his keys to bringing the best out of his students.</div><div><br></div><div>4) Ray Mack.....Ray would be the modern era's charter contribution to the Hall. It could be said that as a teacher, example and coach, he was our modern day version of Bob Brickell and Tex Lloyd. As a promoter, organizer and champion, he was Lloyd and Mosher in his youth, and Brickell as a senior. In the 70s, Ray traveled to California, where he played with and was coached by the nation's best. Upon return, he embarked on a non-stop forty-five year career of teaching, competing, and winning titles. Clearly, Ray belongs with the other three legends as a Hall of Fame charter member.</div><div><br></div><div>Topic 2...What ever became of Ann Randtke, who won her first county championship in the early 60s as a 14-year-old, followed up with two years of tournament victories, then suddenly disappeared? Until recently, it was a total mystery. Now it isn't.</div><div><br></div><div>Topic 3...How is it that two Lithuanians who crossed paths briefly in World War II, ended up organizing a contingent of Lithuanian players here in Rochester, while pairing up to be the most successful doubles team of the 1950s? The story of Kostas "Konnie" Maciulis and the late Vytas Grybauskas: how they met here, the titles they won, the players they taught and organized to compete in our tourneys; it's a yet to be told story, and all a part of our great local table tennis history.</div><div><br></div><div>Topic 4...RIT's instructional table tennis program. Now eighty students strong, complete with waiting lists and an elite program to be added...how did Coach Ray go about building this program?</div><div><br></div><div>Topic 5...How did the GVTTC get its name? How and where did the club first organize? How did the Classic League get it's start? There was a small group of organizers, but Don Coluzzi, our top player at the time, was behind all of these efforts in the early 60s. In the 70s, Chuck Knowland fought for the club's survival. More on this to come.</div><div><br></div><div>Best of luck as your current season wraps up.</div><div><br></div><div>Dave Hunt</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>