Members

Harry is our oldest and longest term member. He was there at the inception of the group and remains active to this day. Harry says the group began in 1992.

Harry has an aggressive and deceptive game... with many trophies to verify it (which he still collects!).

Tom Mitchell

Tom has the second longest standing in the group having started back in 1994. His game has few weaknesses, and he serves as a great example for the newcomers. Tom serves as a member of the club's "steering committee".

Dave Combs

Dave was the third current member to have joined the fun. Dave is a sharpshooter who will drive you crazy sending you running from one side of the table to the other. He is the club president and treasurer... and heads up the club's "steering committee". It is largely due to Dave's mostly unseen but relentless efforts that the club has grown into what it is today. Thanks Dave!!

Bio - Born and raised in Chicago, I remember my first ping pong games were in a public park back when it was called ping pong and most rules were made up as one went long. I left Chicago after high school graduation and attended Kings Point, the United States Merchant Marine Academy. After graduation, I sailed for Texaco as 3rd, 2nd, and finally Chief Mate. After leaving Texaco, I went to Viet Nam and stayed for a year and a half aboard a 'Station Tanker' distributing Aviation Gasoline to the Armed Forces. We had a table aboard and I was able to periodically play.

I spent the next 20 years working for Global Marine Deepwater Drilling Company as Ships Master. As we moved and lived around the world, I often had a table at our house. My four boys learned my style of table tennis and still play a very good game of hard paddle to this day.

After Global Marine, I sailed aboard VLCC's very large crude carriers for a few years, and we always had a table aboard because of the more than adequate space available. Playing aboard any ship brings an additional dimension to the game as the vessel pitches and rolls under ones feet!

Before locating the seminal Group of Harry and Tom, I played many hours at the Relief Pitcher Bar here in Eugene. Now after over 35 years at sea, I'm more than happy to have my feet on solid ground and to be able to associate with and play this great game with our fine Group of people.

Bob Foster

Bob Foster has been dependable over the years. When he's not on a hiking trip, you can count on him to add amazing energy and enthusiasm to our games. If you can get the ball past Bob, you have really accomplished something.

Robert "Bj" Jacobucci

"Bj" joined the group in 2005 and, since then, has become a regular. Bj is the webmaster of this site. He plays shakehand and loves to use a variety of different shots.

Larry Arnold

Larry has been around for quite a while. When he isn't snowbirding to Arizona, he is a regular attendee. We only wish we had him all year round. His long reach and strong wrist action presents you with some unexpected "speedballs".

Frank Bertrand

Frankie brightens up any room that he enters. It was due to his initiative that all the names, phone numbers, and emails of all the players were gathered. He then handed out sheets with the info, along with the hours we play, to all of us. This not only helped the regular members but was instrumental in helping new players to become oriented and gave them something meaningful to walk away with.

It was out of the success of Frankie's "info sheets" that the idea for a website was born. The success of the club owes much to Frank's after hours contributions.

Tom Huang

"Tom #2" is our resident chopper and defensive specialist. But don't give him anything high and to his backhand or you will be wondering what that lightning bolt was that went past you!

Bob "Bo" Bloesinger

Through unswerving dedication, Bo has advanced from novice to the excellent player he is today. As a "lefty" and a big man, Bo presents an intimidating force at the other end of the table.

Dick Browning

Dick gives his all to the game. He is one of the most dedicated of players. He comes early and stays late just to get a few extra hits. Even if you arrive ontime, you will likely find the tables and room all set up... and Dick waiting with paddle in hand.

Ray Borror

Ray has become a regular at our games and is certainly a welcome addition. His good nature and high talent level raises the standard of any game he is in. Ray has a "traditional" style with practiced and proficient strokes. He will topspin just about anything you can hit at him.

Furthermore, Ray is always ready to share his knowledge of the game with anyone who will ask. In fact, you can often find him off with a beginner showing them the proper fundamentals.

Doyle Clifton

Good-natured Doyle will often surprise the better players if they are not careful. He is extremely cordial and always ready for pleasant conversation.

Chuck Russell

Chuck is new to the modern game but is picking everything up very quickly. It would be a mistake to underestimate his ability to get the ball back. He is working on his offensive skills and watch out when he does. Chuck serves as a member of the club's "steering committee".

Kwang Jo Kim

Kwang Jo brings his Korean style to the United States. His extremely fast, close to the table, penholder style presents quite a challenge. If you expect to return any of Kwang Jo's shots, you too had better be very quick!

Hayden Kim

Hayden is Kwang Jo's son and we are always happy to have such a fine young man join us. Hayden has been schooled by his father and uses the same penhold style. Hayden has much potential and we look forward to watching his game progress to a very high level.

Clayton Winkle

Clayton is our resident wise-cracker and full-scale looper. You can risk bodily harm by returning one of his shots... or get out of the way and hope he misses.

Wayne Thomas

Wayne is an excellent and practiced player who possesses all the shots. You can usually find Wayne in a singles match or practicing one on one. When enticed into a doubles match, however, he becomes a formidable opponent. Welcome to the group Wayne!

Robert Meyer

Since Robert joined us back in 2007, he has taken to the game like a fish to water. He asks questions and absorbs everything quickly. With regular progress, Robert is well on his way to becoming an excellent player.

Paul Mumma

Paul has become quite a regular at our group. He is a quick, aggressive, and talented player who is constantly improving. In fact, he has already matured into one of our top players.

Celeste Baine

Celeste brings her cheerfulness and infectious smile and immediately brightens the room. We are so glad to have her! She is quite good and learns very quickly. We hope she paves the way for more women to join the group.

Mike Pittman

"Mikey" has a great attitude and really enjoys the game. He has a deceptive style and loves to hit the ball to the opposite side of where you think it is going. We had missed Mikey while he was recovering from a serious snow boarding accident. But, we are glad to finally have him back! Mikey serves as a member of the club's "steering committee".

Kevin Wase

Kevin is another good young player who is entering our group. His forehand and backhand slams are not likely to be returned... so be careful how you hit to him. Welcome Kevin.

Leslie Maguire

Leslie has an applauded tennis background and watching her progress in ping-pong has been nothing short of amazing. We expect great things from Leslie and it does not appear that she will disappoint.

Gary Deuel

Gary is another penholder who brings great energy and effort to every game. Like most penholders, he is quick on his feet. His up-tempo game and good nature make him a welcome addition to our group.

Tom Rozinski

Tom is a "modified" Seemiller grip player. The result is crazy spins that defy you to return them. His slams come at you... and bounce... at unbelievable angles.

Rick Lindgren

Rick is a great defensive player who will chop back to you anything you send to him. Yet another style to cope with! This is why our games are so much fun.

Danny Lindgren

Danny is Rick's son and has many of his Dad's shots. But Danny seems to favor the offensive side of the game and is quite good at it. One quickly sees the pedigree of coming from a table tennis family.

Bob Arnold

Bob is another skilled player that fit right in immediately. He has a practiced forehand so beware of hitting to that side. We are glad he has joined us.

John Hoffman

John is very fast and can run down most balls hit away from him. He has been known to switch the paddle from his right to left hand while running down a ball and hitting a surprise left-handed loop return. John loves to play aggressively so be ready for some quick returns.

Scot Wile

Scot is very quick and is experimenting with the penhold grip which he plays very well. He will use both sides of his blade, however, so don't expect the usual weakness on the backhand side. Yet another tough opponent.

Dylan Wile

Dylan is Scot's son. Unlike his Dad, however, Dylan plays shakehand and favors playing away from the table. It is amazing to watch someone cover the entire floor the way Dylan does. With great speed and energy, it is easy to see the tremendous potential in this young talent. Dylan's 1st love is basketball, but one easily sees that he will also have a long successful career in table tennis.

Miguel Monette

Miguel is another new young player. It is good to have accomplished young players in our midst. Welcome Miguel.

Lauran Davidson

Lauran joins Harry as one of the only two players to use long pips on one side of the paddle. It gives you one more thing to have to pay attention to... or you will be hitting a seemingly routine ball into the net.

Bio - To most of my friends I go by either Lauran or LD. I’ve called the Eugene/Springfield area “home base” since coming up from southern Oregon in the early ‘60’s to attend the U of O. After graduating as a Duck I spent a few years in the army reserves and worked as a commercial loan officer at one of the larger banks in Oregon for the next five years. I’ve lived and worked in quite a few different places around the US over the years but always seem to gravitate back to “Duckland”. I currently work as a Site Acquisition/Land Use Consultant and most of my time the last few years has been spent in the wireless and right of way industry doing the real estate end of the those industries. I’m slowly working my way towards retirement and treasure the recreational time I get to spend with our table tennis group.

I started playing table tennis as a young fellow through the influence of my father. During high school I played most sports and depending on the season, most of the team would spend Sunday at our place where we had a table set up. It was our day of relaxation from training and school. I learned to play with a penholder grip since that’s what my father played with. It was only later in life that I went to a shake-hand grip. I get nostalgic watching masters of the penholder style in our group like, Kwang Jo, Jason and Scott. Now, if I could only figure out how to return a good backhand with penhold I might just go back to my roots.

John Goetsch

Another new member with surprising skills. John likes to topspin and is very good at getting the ball back.

Al Baran

Jack Turner

Jack is another new member who is returning to the game after a long layoff. That is why he is improving so rapidly.

Bio - I grew up on a central Illinois farm, with three sisters who couldn't care less about ping pong. So I used my 4H sheep income to buy a (masonite!) ping pong table, set up one-half of it against the rough concrete foundation wall in the basement, and played against myself for years. Without coaching or anyone else to play and learn with, I never discovered the forehand game -- didn't even realize it was possible to hit the ball forehanded until I began finding partners in high school.

Played incessantly during three Army years, then went off to college and left the game behind. After marrying my college sweetheart in 1967, we moved to Eugene to raise two boys and spend a career as a teacher and administrator in the Eugene School District. I don't believe I touched a ping pong paddle between 1965 and 2008, so it was great fun to discover this group of folks who cherish and practice the game. My life in retirement from 4J is so full of volunteer activities that I don't want to play more than once a week, but I've sure come to love those Tuesday mornings at Willamalane.

Our kids are grown and gone, and ten years ago my wife and I moved to a retreat beside the Mohawk River, halfway to Marcola. I spend a lot of time growing plants and volunteering at native plant nurseries and the OSU Extension Service's Master Gardener hotline. Also tutor students at Mohawk Elem with math skills help.

Tom Wilson

Tom is another new player that uses the Seemiller Grip. We should be getting used to this style, but it is still a challenge to defend. Add to this that tom is left handed and it really keeps you on your toes.

Susan Goodyear

Susan is very quick both physically and mentally. She gets to the ball quickly and has a knack for placing the ball where you don't want it. Susan is learning very fast and has the potential to become an excellent player.

Steve Flowers

Steve is a beginning player that can surprise you with some top notch shots. More consistency is all that is needed for Steve to be a top player.

Larry Schwartz

We are always happy when Larry comes all the way in from Florence to play with us. He has played with many good players over the years, and you could always pick up some useful addition to your game by hanging around him.

Michael Shelley

Michael is a developing player with a great outlook. Nothing shakes Michael and his game remains steady.

Incoming Members

* Honorary Member - Lee Werthamer

Lee is the table tennis coach at the University of Oregon. He was also the leader of the temporarily defunct USATT group here in the area. It is because of Lee's support and generosity that we originally had access to the tables we use. We have since purchased Lee's tables from him, but without them, starting this club would have been difficult. It is also through Lee that players wanting more playing time than we offer here or more advanced competition can go. Thanks Lee!