The familiar pop-pop of ping-pong balls filled the CLE at Davenport University’s W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus as students, staff and a very special competitor picked up paddles for a lively afternoon of friendly competition.

Davenport President Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D., joined the fun at the inaugural campus ping-pong tournament, jumping into the action alongside students and staff. The event created a relaxed, energetic atmosphere where the Davenport community connected outside the classroom while showing off their table tennis skills.

For Pappas, the tournament was a return to a longtime passion. “I have been playing ping pong my whole life and was a table tennis champion when I was young,” he said before the tournament started. “I thought it would be fun to play with Davenport students and staff, but I haven’t played in a few years, so I am sure I will lose in the first match.”

While he may have downplayed his chances, Pappas proved to be a formidable opponent, advancing all the way to the semi-finals before being eliminated. Reflecting on the bigger picture, he shared that ping-pong teaches valuable lessons about fundamentals, sportsmanship and having fun—whether you win or lose.

Danielle Pipal, assistant director of Student Life, said the tournament brought great energy to the CLE, with players and spectators alike enjoying the experience. “It was especially fun to watch the students take on President Pappas,” she said.

Among the competitors was Cole Fournier, a health and human services case management major who has played ping-pong for about eight years, mostly in his friend’s basement. “I enjoy ping-pong because it challenges me and because it is a game that can be played almost anywhere,” Fournier said. He added that he entered the tournament simply “for fun,” echoing the lighthearted spirit of the event.

In the end, Rowan Jamieson emerged victorious, taking home the tournament win. Jamieson, a third-year marketing major, said he has played ping-pong with his brother and father for about eight years and has grown to enjoy the sport. “I decided to enter the tournament because I had friends playing and thought it would be fun to compete with them,” Jamieson said. Looking ahead, he added, “I will definitely be back next year to defend my title.”

With spirited matches, friendly rivalries and plenty of laughs, the tournament served as a reminder that sometimes the best way to build community is across a ping-pong table.