The game of ping-pong is not for the weak hearted. Every Tuesday during Liberty Hour students meet in the Auxiliary gym to play a sport they don’t just love, but want to play more. Three students started this club to continue their love for the sport they discovered this summer.

“My friends and I played ping-pong a lot on weekends and were like, ‘why don’t we start a club?’ So we did,” sophomore Meredith George said.

These students aren’t alone with their enjoyment of the sport. The sponsors of the club, Matt Dye and Vince Armilio both appreciate paddling every once in awhile.

“I have enjoyed ping-pong ever since I was a little kid. We used to have a ping-pong table at our house, so it is definitely something I enjoy doing outside of school,” teacher Vince Armilio said

For students who have been smacked around by the day, the club is a good escape to move around and release some built up energy.

“It brings a little more fun to the school because we are always working and doing homework. It is a time to be able to have fun,” sophomore Shae Turner said.

Being respectful is important to the SMAK members, so they have some rules, including not paddling each other.

“We make it a rule if you throw your paddle and get upset or curse you’re done for the day and can’t participate. We try to make sure people are good sports,” Dye said

From three to ten students in their first couple weeks, SMAK club is growing quickly, with only 36 spots open every Tuesday. Starting Monday before school until Tuesday after LH, students can sign up on the sheet posted outside Dye’s room, 902. When the spots fill up, students will have to table their plans to join that week’s game.

Students who find themselves one of the lucky 36 can choose how they play the game. However, there are rules they must bounce with.

“You must bring your own paddle, if you don’t have your own paddle you can’t be in here. But other than that be a good sport is one of our main rules. And have fun,” Dye said. Junior Jordan McClellan agrees.

“For people who like ping-pong they can play with other people that like

ping-pong and meet new people,” McClellan said.

The students have big hopes for the future of the club.

“I hope it can expand and get bigger and we use all the tables every week,” Turner said.

The sponsors hope the club will help develop good relationships between the players.

“I am hoping some kids will get to know people maybe they didn’t know before,” Dye said. “They met with their common interest in ping-pong.”

For the students who would rather be the running Forrest Gump than the ping-pong Forrest Gump, this club can be the break from that strenuous activity.

“It’s like a mini game of tennis. However, you don’t have to move around as much. It’s just better overall,” George said.