The HALL OF FAME honors members who through a combination of tournament performance and service to Villages Table Tennis Club standout as exceptional. Several players for this inaugural class are no longer with us and only one is still active. If you wish to nominate someone for the Hall of Fame please use the entry form below.
Class of 2024
Bud Stout founded The Villages Table Tennis Club in 2006, and was it's president for 9 years. He secured the dedicated time slot for the club on Sunday afternoons, established many of the social activities that continue today, started club tournaments, and quickly established The Villages as the dominant community at the Florida Senior Games. Bud won multiple medals at the Senior Games and was known for playing deep behind the table. He was also president of The Mini Cooper Club, Bonzai Club, and member of the Computer, Photography, Woodworkers, Bicycle, and Rose Club assisting his president wife Nancy |
Bobbie Olson served as the first Vice President of the Villages Table Tennis Club for 9 years. She was actively involved in numerous club activities, including social events, the advanced ladies table tennis group, and helping and assisting players learning the game. She also won medals at several State Senior Games. Bobbi has participated in many other sports including tennis, synchronized swimming, golf and pickleball, and includes bridge and mahjong among her many areas of interest. |
Ken Riggs was a nationally ranked member of the USATT, participated in the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah, and won numerous medals at the Florida Senior Games. Many of those medals were gold and he participated in all events, singles, doubles, and mixed doubles with his wife Carol. His greatest achievement was winning a gold medal for men's doubles at the National Senior Games in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2013. Ken had an all-around game, and was very interested in new technology in table tennis. He experimented with many combinations himself, and helped many players in the club decide what was the best rubber and blade for their individual game. He frequently ordered and assembled paddles for players using a source with very good prices. In addition to table tennis Ken was an avid golfer who enjoyed hitting the links we he had the chance. |
Jim Weisbecker finished 6th or better in singles for five straight National Senior Games, achieving a bronze medal in 2015. In the Florida State Senior Games he has received medals in all three events, including gold in both men's and mixed doubles. He was designated as a coach for the club in the early years, organized some club tournaments, and hosted weekly tournaments at his home for some of the top players in the club. He was a master of long pips, with an excellent defensive style that often frustrated his opponents. In addition to his prowess in table tennis, Jim was also an avid bike rider. |
Deane Chickering has been playing Table Tennis since High School. Deane moved to The Villages in 2004, and since that time Deane has been a mainstay in The Villages at both Pickleball and Table Tennis. He has won nearly 300 ribbons, medals, and trophies in Table Tennis. He has played numerous rated tournaments where he attained his highest rating of 1796. At the age of 76, Deane was ranked 14th in the nation in his age group. He has participated in many Senior Games Tournaments around the State of Florida and is very well known for his table tennis accomplishments. Deane and his doubles partner (John Schultz) were the Florida State Senior Games Doubles Champions for 10 years in a row. His style as a defensive player has earned him recognition not only at the local level but also at the State and National levels as well. |
Nominees for the Hall of Fame must be members of the Villages Table Tennis Club for at least 10 years. To nominate someone please fill out the form below. Please include a short part paragraph explaining why you believe they qualify for the Hall of Fame.