Ed Hogshead has been a part of the table tennis world for over 50 years, and crossed paths with just about everyone involved in the sport around the country — and beyond.
He got hooked on the game when his family bought a table for Christmas in 1968. He played on the U.S. Army team after joining the service in 1974 and competed in semi-professional leagues in Germany from 1977-79.
Hogshead, president of the Rockford Table Tennis Club for more than two decades, has donated robots and tables to youth clubs in towns across America. He also was an official at the 1996 Olympics, and has served as a tournament director of the Olympic Trials, the U.S. Open finals, and the U.S. team trials. He served as a board member of the U.S. Table Tennis Association, which is the National Governing Body for table tennis within the Olympic Committee. Hogshead’s credentials include International Umpire, National Referee, and Certified Tournament Director.
He is the current Illinois state table tennis champion in the over 55 year-old category. Hogshead has won several national singles, doubles, and team championships. He considers his time as a coach and mentor for disadvantaged youth his biggest accomplishment.
Now, he heads up the logistics team for MLTT, traversing the nation to scout locations, move equipment, and set up every event that involves the league. On game days, he serves as the referee working alongside our umpires.