Beyond the Table: Coaching for the Win at NCTTA Championships

As the 2026 NCTTA College Table Tennis Championships approaches, the spotlight isn’t just on the student athletes, but also on our dedicated coaches who help shape the community and culture of College TT.

NCTTA has embraced a coach-centered philosophy, basically saying that coaches play a critical role past the basic fundamentals of forehands and backhands, by also serving as mentors and builders of personal development.

At Columbia University, Coach Kai Zhang (former NCTTA Athlete from Binghamton and USC) tells us about his experience. Coach Zhang won titles in Men’s singles and Men’s Doubles in each NCTTA Championships he has attended; Columbia University is fortune to have him.

I have been coaching the whole year with the team. We are friends and always support each other either on and off court. I believe success is happiness, and that happiness comes from facing hard problems and coming out slightly better each time. That’s the culture we try to build.

At the University of Texas at Austin, Coach Brian Zhao says that success in College table tennis extends far beyond the table.

“College table tennis is about making friends and winning your teammates,” Zhao shared, highlighting the unique camaraderie that defines NCTTA as a whole.

For Western Player/Coach Nicole Cai, the journey to the national stage is built on consistency both on the table and off of it. It is part of an overall mindset.

Cai explains, “Every tournament is part of the process. From division play to regionals, to CITTA, we treat each competition as a learning opportunity. By Nationals, it’s not about doing anything completely new, it’s about trusting the work we’ve already put in.”

That process reflects a broader approach that many programs take, connecting competitions like the Canadian collegiate league (CITTA) with the elite level of NCTTA play, reinforcing the growing international reach of college table tennis.

Sportsmanship also remains a cornerstone of the NCTTA experience. Yuhan Wu, Coach of Minnesota, emphasized the importance of competing with integrity.

“Playing with class and integrity is just as important as performance.”
Meanwhile, at the University of Michigan, longtime coach Dan Robbins—who has led the program for over a decade—points to preparation as the foundation of success.

“Being prepared for matches and having a strategy,” Robbins said.

Together, these perspectives reflect the essence of the NCTTA’s mission: fostering a competitive environment grounded in teamwork, personal growth, and respect for the game.

As teams come together in Rockford for the 2026 Championships, it is clear that the impact of coaches extends far beyond the basic forehands and backhands. They are the driving force behind the student-athlete experience; building not just stronger players, but stronger communities.

Pictured here, Columbia University Coach and NCTTA Alum, Kai Zhang with a player from the team

About the 2026 NCTTA College Table Tennis Championships

The championships are hosted by the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association and GoRockford (Rockford Convention and Visitors Bureau). The event crowns national champions in Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles, Men’s/Coed Teams, and Women’s Teams and Collegiate Peakapong Singles.

PongSpace, PeakaPong, Major League Table Tennis, Nittaku and Paddle Palace will sponsor the event.
Watch the event on live stream starting Friday, April 10th on https://www.nctta.org/champs/2026/video.html

About NCTTA

The National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) is a non-profit organization established exclusively to promote the sport of table tennis at the college level. As the national governing body for college table tennis in the United States and Canada, NCTTA organizes elite intercollegiate competitions throughout North America. www.nctta.org