INTERVIEW WITH THE LEAGUE'S MVP-BARNEY REED
BARNEY REED LEADS PALO ALTO TO THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A 17-1 RECORD IN THE REGULAR SEASON AND A 5-0 RECORD IN THE POSTSEASON. (Photo by Kingston Gee)
California Table Tennis: What caused you to move to the Bay Area?
Barney Reed: The #1 reason is my girlfriend Michelle (Note: Michelle Do of Milpitas made the 2000 Olympic Team at the age of 17 and was the youngest Olympian ever in table-tennis since it became an Olympic sport in 1988). The #2 reason was to train with Auria Malek as his father made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Also there's many more top players in this area.
California Table Tennis: How satisfied are you with this league?
Barney Reed: I'm quite impressed. It took initiative and I liked the ideas such as the all-star game and expanding the league to all areas. Hopefully, USATT will see the importance of the league to have players compete year-round.
California Table Tennis: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Barney Reed: At this point, I'm not satisfied and my accomplishments are stepping stones towards my big goal of winning a medal for the US. I'm honored to the be the league MVP since the league is so strong with Olympians in it.
California Table Tennis: What are your goals for the US Nationals next week?
Barney Reed: I want to make the US National Team. I've been on the team five times (one time for the World Junior Championships and four times for the big World Championships) but none since 2001. (Note: Barney did make the US Team)
California Table Tennis: What are your long-term goals?
Barney Reed: I want to make the 2008 Olympic Team, be national (men's singles) champion, and hopefully an Olympic medalist. My non-table-tennis goals are to get a PhD in psychology when table-tennis is done.
California Table Tennis: How do you plan to accomplish those goals?
Barney Reed: If sponsors come through in the next two years, I would like to play in more Pro Tours so can get better with more international experience. Hard work, determination, and dedication.
California Table Tennis: Which World Championship do you think was the best one?
Barney Reed: Probably 2001 because the China-Korea match was ridiculous. The atmosphere was just unbelievable. Liu Guozheng of China saved 7 match points against Korea's Kim Taek Soo in the team semifinals and everybody wanted Kim Taek Soo to win but he couldn't do it. (Note: This match was so intense that it was reported 50 people in China suffered a heart attack during this match and they were simply watching it on TV)
California Table Tennis: When do you plan to go to college?
Barney Reed: After the 2008 Olympics if I make the team.
California Table Tennis: What advice do you for the league?
Barney Reed: We need to try to incorporate a local fan base and get clubs more behind this league. We should also get more sponsors and have players have more financial income from the league. Too many players drop out because there's no money or incentive. We had the best group of juniors some years back with Keith Alban, Freddie Gabriel, Sunny Li, TJ Beebe, Peter Zajac, and Terrence Lee and they all quit playing seriously when college started. We should also get the community behind the teams.
California Table Tennis: How has Killerspin supported you? (Note: If you've seen table-tennis on ESPN the past few years, it's Killerspin that is inviting the world-class players and producing the shows for ESPN. Also Killerspin is interested in being a sponsor for this league)
Barney Reed: Killerspin has been huge to not just me but to table-tennis as the ESPN broadcasts are great publicity for table-tennis. Also Newgy Industries have been supportive and even to this day, I train with the Newgy Robot.
California Table Tennis: What regions do you think this league would be successful in?
Barney Reed: In places such as Southern California, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. Those areas already have a structure and New York for example, could have its own league as they have 8 clubs.
California Table Tennis: Compare this league with the German league you are playing in.
Barney Reed: The best part of both leagues is the comradery. You're not just playing yourself. One problem in USATT is people don't work together. Also the level is much higher in Germany and there is more money. The fan base is also bigger in Germany and the whole club gets behind the team and they want to be division champion for their club.
California Table Tennis: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Barney Reed: A quote...."When you point your finger at someone, there's 3 fingers pointing back at you."