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‘Blue Whales’ Beached by ‘Red Tide’: NOAA's 1st Ping-Pong Tournament


Stan Lum
NOAA Workforce Management Office

June 24, 2009 — NOAA's inaugural Ping-Pong Tournament began with the “Executive Grudge Match” between NOAA Deputy Under Secretary Mary Glackin, Work Force Management Office Director Eddie Ribas, and Program Planning and Integration Assistant Administrator Laura Furgione on June 3 in Silver Spring, Md. 

Ribas and Glackin.

“Ready Eddie” Ribas takes on “Gentle Giant” Glackin.  Photo credit: Jim McCallum, NOAA.


First up, “Ready Eddie the Enforcer and Reinforcer” (Ribas) mocked Mary “the Gentle Giant” Glackin.   Then Ribas lacerated Laura “the Fast and Furious” Furgione — but the fierce competition (and funny nicknames) were all in good fun.  Furgione’s cheering section was calling in over the PA system from her previous office in Anchorage, Alaska.

For the tournament finals, more than 50 NOAA employees signed up to compete for a spot on one of the two teams — the “Red Tide” or the “Blue Whales.”  

About 75 spectators cheered both teams on as the lead bounced back and forth. The tension mounted as some of the more experienced players competed last. In the end, the “Red Tide” rose up to beach the “Blue Whales” winning three of five head-to-head matches.

The audience also enjoyed a keynote address by Furgione on the history of Ping-Pong and the Asian origins of some of the scientific instruments and theory used by NOAA today. The program was held in honor of National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and was sponsored by NOAA Civil Rights Office Director Larry J. Beat. The Caroline Park Trio (featuring Deputy Assistant General Counsel for Fisheries Caroline Park and two of her friends) provided swinging musical interludes between matches. Fans munched on fresh, hot popcorn served by Cheryl Oliver from NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries.

Tournament members for the two teams included:

  • The Red Tide:  (Team Captain) William Roberts, NMFS/OST; Aijun Zhang, NOS/COOPS; Karthik Srinivasan, NWS/OOS; Wufeng Zhou, NWS/OST; Feng Ding, NWS/OHD; and Mark Lathrop, NOS/OCS.
  • The Blue Whales: (Team Captain) Guoxian Zhou, NWS/OHD; Chris David, NOS/MBO; Shucai Guan, NWS/NCEP; Miodrag Rancic, NWS/EMC; Jami Casamento, NWS/OST; and Shaohua Shen, NWS/OST.
  • Tournament Director:  Chang Zhao, NOS/OCS
  • Chief Judge:  Zihou Wang, NWS/OST


NOAA’s Ping-Pong Tournament was conceived by Xiaobiao Fan, and coordinated with Jingtao Deng, who both work at the National Weather Service.

Ribas, Furgione and Glackin.

During the “Executive Grudge Match” top contenders from NOAA leadership squared off in a competitive Ping-Pong game. From left: “Ready Eddie Ribas”, “Fast & Furious Furgione”, and “Gentle Giant Glackin.”  Photo credit: Jim McCallum, NOAA.


Blue Whales and Red Tide Teams.

“Blue Whale” player Shucai Guan turns on his opponent, “Red Tide” player Karthik Srinivasan during NOAA’s 1st Ping-Pong Tournament in Silver Spring.  Photo credit: Jim McCallum, NOAA.


Beat awards trophies.

Civil Rights Director Jerry Beat awards trophies to Guoxian Zhou and Shucai Guan. Photo credit: Jim McCallum, NOAA.


“Red Tide” team Ping-Pong tournament winners.

“Red Tide” team Ping-Pong tournament winners William Roberts (far left), Aijun Zhang, Wufeng Zhou, and Karthik Srinivasan. Photo credit: Jim McCallum, NOAA.

 

Caroline Park Trio.

The Caroline Park Trio (featuring Deputy Assistant General Counsel for Fisheries Caroline Park, Bill Maron on upright bass, and Bob Carrier on guitar) performed between matches. Photo credit: Jim McCallum, NOAA.