USATT Hall of Fame Inductions and Awards Banquet

By Tim Boggan

The 22^nd Annual Hall of Fame Awards Banquet will be held at the Stratosphere Hotel, Las Vegas, Thursday evening, Dec. 16, 2004. As usual, there will be a cocktail period beginning at 7:00 p.m., then dinner, then the Awards presentation.

This year’s distinguished inductees are: Norbert Van de Walle, Former U.S. Open Boys, Junior, and Men’s Doubles Champion, and U.S. Open Men’s Singles finalist; Lily Yip, 2-time U.S. Olympian and 3-time Pan-Am medallist; and Dave Sakai, many-time U.S. Open/Closed over 40 and over 50 Champion.

The Mark Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Rufford Harrison, former USATT President and longtime ITTF Equipment Chair

Profiles of the honorees will be posted after the inductions, and published in the Jan/Feb USATT Magazine. See the online roster of the USATT Hall of Fame and Mark Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award winners, with linked profiles about all of them. 

The Banquet Room is always filled to capacity, but seating arrangements can be made early. Tickets are $40 if purchased in advance from HOF President Jimmy McClure, 4226 Country Club Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33904 (Phone: 239-945-1718).