By Andy Kanengiser
NCTTA Media Relations Chairman

A delightful suburb of 30,000 residents located just east of Pittsburgh, Monroeville, Pennsylvania was selected to host the 2014 College Table Tennis Championships. Happening over three days in April, the games will attract more than 250 of the best players in the USA and Canada, plus coaches and fans of the fast-paced Olympic sport.

National Collegiate Table Tennis Association leaders made the announcement on Friday March 8 after evaluating several bid proposals submitted across the nation, including sites in Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin and California.
 
It wasn't an easy decision. All bidders submitted strong proposals this year, said NCTTA President Willy Leparulo. "Monroeville had a nice mix of different elements that we look for when choosing a Championship location," he said. When it came to facilities, volunteers, community support, hotel accommodations, restaurants, transportation, and much more, the charming city in western Pennsylvania finished on top. "It was all around just a little better than the rest," Leparulo said. "We are excited about going to a city we have never been to."

At the moment, NCTTA leaders are busy preparing for the 2013 championship games in Rockford, Illinois in mid-April. Plano, Texas near Dallas hosted the 2012 tournament last April.

Being chosen to host hundreds of table tennis players, coaches, fans, referees, NCTTA leaders and others connected to the sport received a swift thumbs up from Monroeville city leaders. They worked hard to bring the games to their community in recent months. Monroeville, Pa. officials were notified by NCTTA officials Thursday evening.

"We are all very excited," said Amy Simon, sales and marketing manager with Visit Monroeville. "This sounds like it will be a great event."

During the 20th Century, Monroeville grew from a farming village with horses and buggies over dirt roads to a vibrant suburb with major highways. Westinghouse built its nuclear research facilities here in 1965 and 1971. The city is home to the marvelous Monroeville Convention Center with more than 100,000 square feet of space for 5,400 visitors. It's located three miles west of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. History lovers might want to take pictures at the McCully Loghouse or the Old Stone Church. Monroeville is located within 185 miles of Columbus, Ohio, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Table tennis visitors are only miles away from a blitz of Pittsburgh attractions like Heinz Field or the opportunity to kayak along the river. It's a terrific pro sports town with teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Visitors can also try their luck at the Rivers Casino. The city is home to premier institutions of higher learning like the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon.

Earlier this year, a segment airing on NBC's "Today Show" listed Pittsburgh among the best places to visit for people looking for good deals.

"The Keystone State is well-known for its wonderful hospitality," says Andy Kanengiser, NCTTA's media relations chairman, and a 1973 Penn State graduate. "I'm sure that will be the case when Monroeville hosts the 2014 collegiate table tennis championships."

For more information on Monroeville's proposal, go to the NCTTA website. You may also contact Monroeville officials by email at info@visitmonroeville.com or by calling 1-800-527-8941.