The Evolution of NJCL Ping Pong
Julia Dean, Summit Country Day
Who can forget the fateful 2015 NJCL Convention at Trinity University, when the wonders of JCL ping pong games were first discovered?
It all began one night when some friends were casually playing ping pong in what later was to be famously known as “the Ohio Room”.
Soon, some clever Ohioans entered the room and had a miraculous and legendary idea: make a bracket for everyone to play 1 point ping pong matches!
And thus the Ohio room was born.
The 1 point match was thrilling and there were shocking upsets, it was truly an emotional roller coaster for everyone participating.
Although this style of play is harshly criticized by State Chair Larry Dean, the OJCLers recognize the magic of the 1 point ping pong match.
My favorite memory is when OJCL PRESIDENT BRIAN JOHNSON won rookie of the year in a shocking upset. This convention could be described as the “Golden Age” of ping pong.
This brings us to last convention at Indiana University.
Although a ping pong table was present, and in a convenient location right outside the Ohio Fellowship, the ping pong games just didn't catch on like they did before.
Casual games were played, and a couple tournaments, but the IU rec center lacked the magic that the previous Ohio room had.
Maybe it was because OJCLers were busy writing nonsensical spirit cheers for extra points, or catching Pokemon, or watching those crazy IU squirrels.
Although ping pong was missed by many, no one can doubt that this past convention was special in its own way.
Now only one question remains, and everyone is dying to know: Will ping pong make a comeback at Troy University? After much intense google researching, I have found that there is indeed a ping pong table on the Troy Campus! Rejoice, ping pong loving Latin nerds!! However, is up to YOU to revive ping pong! I call on the OJCL to usher in a new Renaissance of table tennis!
Only Apollo knows what the future holds for the beloved sport, but with you, the OJCL, I know that whatever happens will be great.
19 OJCL TORCH: Voices Fall MMXVI https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjB6MPV-L3RAhVMNiYKHUL8A4EQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmagistrabush.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F23%2Fjcl-t-shirt-contest%2F&psig=AFQjCNHBUl5DxFMgey96R-DH1Oh37W6Q0A&ust=1484356401987376