Yuma man inducted into Table Tennis Hall of Fame

 Most folks in Yuma don't even know that Bill Hodge is one of the most decorated players in American table tennis, which is why news of his induction into the national hall of fame will really come as a surprise.

  Hodge, who holds seven national titles and 200 state titles, recently joined the ranks of the nation's very best within the U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place recently in Las Vegas in conjunction with the sport's national championships.

  Hodge, 72, said the unexpected honor tops every other trophy or ranking he's ever won in his long career playing on the national scene.

  "I'm so proud. I can't tell you how proud," the Yuma man said. "I want to tell everyone I'm in the hall of fame."

  Hodge earned the major honor not only by playing well for years, but also through his leadership of numerous events and clubs spanning from Ohio to San Diego.

  At the peak of his competitive career in table tennis Hodge's highest ranking was 13th in the nation. But it's his collection of titles that he's most proud.

  "These are far more than anyone else in our sport - noway near," he said.

  In fact, Hodge has earned so many trophies that he eventually quit hauling them each time he's moved.

  "I have trophies scattered around seven states," he said. "They don't mean anything to me. I know I won."

  Hodge moved to Yuma in 2001. But it was back in Columbus, Ohio, where he discovered the sport that would eventually dominate his life for years.

  "I discovered the sport at 30, a very late age, much later than most good players," he said.

  It all happened when he started a new job and was surprised when the lunch bell rang all the employees grabbed sack lunches and small paddles. Hodge followed everyone into a large room where they had set up several tables and were playing doubles.

  For Hodge it was love at first swing.

  "I just loved it so much and I'm very competitive. I just wanted to get better and better," he said. "Plus, oh boy, I could get rid of all my aggression. I'm a very aggressive, attacking person. I want to kill every ball."

  Hodge candidly shared that table tennis also kept him out of trouble by demanding no partying when practicing or competing was involved.

  "I was kind of a wild guy. If I didn't play table tennis I wanted to go out drinking and chasing girls!"

  At his busiest Hodge played the sport up to 80 hours a week, all on top of full-time work.

  Hodge went on to compete at every tournament possible, including events as far away as Long Island, events that forced him to drive long distances over the weekend, but still be back in time for work Monday. By the end of his career he had competed in 38 states.

  In addition to thinking and moving with speed, he also developed another killer strategy. He watched other players and recorded their strengths and weaknesses in a notebook.

  Hodge also got involved at the organizational level, serving as president of several major clubs in the country and serving as tournament director over four national championships. That latter event was created by Hodge in the 1970s, back when the sport only had an "open" event. Hodge wanted a competition just for Americans.

  His first national championship was held at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Hodge happened to be working at the casino, where he was in charge of graveyard food and beverage. He also ran special events like tennis and boxing matches.

  "I'm famous for my work, too, what I've done for the sport."

  That fact couldn't be better underscored, either, than by his inclusion in the hall of fame. It's a moment in his life that Hodge says truly puts all those years of hard work into grand perspective.

  "Outside of table tennis I personally don't know many hall-of-famers," he said, "and I doubt if most people know one."

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Darin Fenger can be reached at dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.