Boys Table Tennis
The Boy’s Table Tennis team is here to stay! After a wonderful 1st season, the Varsity Boys Table Tennis team ended its year with a 6-4 run. Last season they attempted to make a run at the City Championship. Unfortunately, the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. This year the team is striving for the championship title. Coach Sullivan knows what the team needs, has, and wants. We had a chance to interview Sullivan and ask him what he thought about his team.
What attributes would you say your team has in contrast to your competition this year?
I believe that our depth is our strength. There is very little difference between our #2 singles player and our 2nd Doubles players. If we are going to beat Stuyvesant or Brooklyn Tech this year, we will need to defeat their 1st and 2nd Doubles.
What is your prime purpose in coaching the team? What message, if any ,would you like to get across to your players?
I want my players to learn how to deal with adversity. Not just in athletics, but in life. One of my favorite quotes is, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.”
Do you plan to continue coaching the team in the semesters to come? Why or why not?
I am really enjoying coaching these young men. They are not only dedicated athletes, they are focused on becoming excellent students. I have no intention of walking away from them.
Would you single out any player from the bunch and call them the best at what they do? Why or why not?
They are all so close in ability that I would not single out one player, but our seniors/captains deserve extra recognition. Yuk Ho Tang, Darlyn Marine Zabala, and Zheng Xuan Wu are the glue that holds us together. They have been a joy to work with.
What would you say the focus of the team should be going towards your first game?
That is simple, just win. It is always important to start with a win. Otherwise, you need to start relying on motivational speeches. That’s not my style anymore.
In one word, describe your experience coaching the FDR Boys Table Tennis team.
Rewarding.
The team is more determined than last year. The previous season was the team’s first opportunity to prove that “regular” public schools are just as good as specialized high schools. The FDR Boys Table Tennis team will be a team that will be remembered for years to come, Go Cougars!
