USATT Announces “Championship in Every State” Initiative

USA Table Tennis is making it a goal to have State Championships in all 50 states – and they'd like to do it in 2016. They want to turn these events into major events for both the players and the media. Here is a listing of all fifty states and which ones have a 2015 State Championships (including those with a State Games). 

For most players, the State Championships should be one of the most important events of the year. Many can compete to become a State Champion, whether it be in men's or women's singles, a senior event, a junior event, hardbat or sandpaper, a rating event, or doubles. It gives them something to train and look forward to. It's also the time when players from all over the state get together for table tennis and fun, usually ending with everyone going out for dinner together. 

USATT would like to celebrate these champions by commemorating them on a USATT State Champions Page as well as on the USATT News page. They would also like to have an annual Parade of Champions at the U.S. Nationals, where, between matches during the showcase events, we invite all the attending state champions to take a march around the playing arena as the crowd cheers. 

USATT wants to turn these State Championships into major events in the local media. To do this, the tournament director or publicity director would simply Google the local TV, radio, and newspaper listings to get contact emails. Then, the week before the tournament, send them press releases inviting them to cover the tournament. Afterwards send them a follow-up press release that they can use. 

To get this done, USATT is asking the help of its local and state groups. In states where there are no State Championships, USATT needs volunteers or entrepreneurs to set up and run these tournaments. It's not hard to do so; all that volunteers need to know is in the USATT Tournament Guide. It includes info on getting a referee, sanctioning, events to run, etc. (For info on getting referees and umpires, see the USATT Rules and Officiating page.) 

The organization has included a State Championship entry form. State groups will need to fill in the local info where indicated. Feel free to make changes – design it for your state's needs. State groups get to choose which and how events they want to run, and schedule them appropriately. It can be a one-, two-, or even a three-day event starting on Friday night. 

Those who want to run a 2016 State Championships, or have any questions, can use this contact link.