The J.B. O’Keefe Fitness Center at St. Thomas University has included a new standard-sized ping-pong table to its arsenal of gym equipment this year.
Stephanie Gates, a fourth year student and front desk attendant at the gym believes the new addition may grow in popularity as students arrive and discover the table.
There has only been 11 paddle-and-ball sign-outs throughout the summer, a tournament or ladder-style league in the near
“There are no definite plans for tournaments,” said Gates. “But it would be relatively easy to organize a tournament or league through Jen Burry, the Athletics Coordinator or Athletics Director, Mike Eagles.”
Mike Eagles said it’s a new idea the department came up with this year to try to engage new people to come into the gym who might otherwise not come before.”
Eagles is thinking about future depending on the interest level.
“At this point we are going to see how much interest there is…and go from there,” said Eagles.
The table is located on the second floor of the gym.
Paddles and balls can be signed out at the front desk, but a fee for using the gym’s paddles and balls may be imposed in the future. “(As of now) paddles and balls are unlimited (free),” said Gates.
But if a fee is imposed, students are encouraged to either bring in their own equipment, or rent from the gym.
“It’s really new and nobody has been using it right now,” said Gates “(But there are) some students who are really excited about it.”
