SDTTA History

The Original "SDTTA Logo" Circa 1959

PHOTO: SDTTA FOUNDERS Gil Simons & Gene Lee 1959 The San Diego Table Tennis Association was formed in the fall of 1959 by Gil Simons, a man who longed to have a place to play the game in a city where there was no such facility. Gil met with city officials and was told there was no interest in "ping pong" for them to form such a club. Gil then set out to collect hundreds of signatures to petition his idea.

SDTTA - Museum of Man Building Ragnar Fahlstrom vs. John Peeling Circa 1960

With the tireless efforts and promotion of friend and co-founder, Gene Lee, they finally succeeded with their dream. Eventually, 10 tables were located which were owned and stored by the City's Park & Recreation Dept. These tables were constructed of plain plywood tops sitting on "wooden horses" as legs. The first location in Balboa Park for the SDTTA was in the "Museum of Man" building. Mr. Lee became the first "coach" of the SDTTA and helped instruct ALL beginning players. Play was only 25 cents per night.

During the 1960's with the endless efforts of then club president, Alex Alvarado, the SDTTA became the largest club in the United States with over 20 tables being used 7 nights a week. The San Diego club was famous for having more than 500 members, the most families participating, the largest number of active juniors and the most women players. A few SDTTA members rose to high levels of play, including Patty Martinez, who at age 13, became the youngest U.S. Women's Champion ever. Many other San Diego players have held "Men's", "Women's" and "Junior's" State and U.S. Titles.

	Even though the SDTTA has occupied different buildings, it has always been located in Balboa Park. During the 1960's, the club was re-located to the old Food & Beverage Building. (It was eventually condemned and torn down.)
SDTTA TT Open 1967 Glenn Cowan-Junior State Champion, Carmen Ricevuto-SDTTA Stan Rosal-Junior Runner-up

The 1967 U.S. Open Table Tennis Championships (called the "Nationals" back then) was held at the Federal Building. It has also been the sight of many "Pacific Coast Championships", one of the largest tournaments on the West Coast.

Table T ennisettes 1974

During the 1970's, the SDTTA was located in the Conference Building. Because of the large number of female players at this time, a team called the Table Tennisettes was formed within the SDTTA. It consisted of approximately 20 woman players and junior girls, who represented the San Diego Table Tennis Association and the state of California.

The team was coached and managed by SDTTA's top seeded player, Ragnar Fahlstrom and Lucy Alvarado, widow of former SDTTA President Alex Alvarado. This exclusive group included U.S. Team member Angie Rosal and her sister Monica, Pam Ramsey, Cindy Cooper and Sue Erlich, just to name a few.

During the latter part of 1988, the city took over the Conference Building to make way for the Automotive Museum that occupies it today. The Federal Building then become the new home of the SDTTA and for the first time in SDTTA history, table tennis players had to share the building with other sports, including volleyball and badminton.

In 1989, the SDTTA celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a San Diego Open Championship Tournament. Gil Simons, the founder of the club, was located and invited to attend after a long absence from San Diego and the game. He was awarded a Gold Lifetime Membership and a plaque from the Board of Directors and members of the SDTTA. Commemorative table tennis shirts were printed especially for the occasion.

	In 1990, table tennis players from around the world came to San Diego once again to participate in the U.S. Open Table Tennis Championships. Because of the growth in the sport over the years, the tournament was held in the San Diego Convention Center to accommodate the large number of players expected. At the end of 1997, the SDTTA was once again moved from the Federal Building to the newly renovated Gymnasium. The new facility has hard wood floors with excellent lighting and was a pleasure to play at.
SDTTA in the Old GYMNASIUM
	Today, the SDTTA has found a HOME at the Multi-million dollar BALBOA PARK ACTIVITY CENTER. Opened in April 1999, this new facility was designed with table tennis needs in mind regarding lighting, playing space and flooring with expert input from table tennis players. With over 400 active PAID members, the SDTTA continues to be one of the best and largest clubs in the country. There is a handful of original players from the 1960’s, some still playing nightly.
Balboa Park Activity Center