Ping Pong Wizard

(This article was written by Roel Rodriguez and was featured in the May 2026 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)

Roel: When Lisa said the May issue would be the last issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine, I was saddened. Although I haven't been with the magazine team for long, I've enjoyed sharing sports stories from our community. I'm grateful to Lisa for the opportunity and appreciate the support from team owners, league reps, coaches, parents, and players who provided content for the stories.

My last sports article for Explore Harlingen Magazine will be about Lisa Campos and her connection to sports. Over the years, Lisa and I have had several discussions and text messages regarding all things Texas Longhorns especially when the Longhorns were in the middle of pursuing a National Championship. Whether it was Longhorn football, basketball, softball, etc. all we wanted was to see the University “light the tower” on the Forty Acres adding another National Championship.    

Lisa is a great friend and neighbor, so I was really looking forward to learning about Lisa’s experience with sports and her exploits as a player. As it turns out, Lisa did not participate in any organized sports throughout her childhood, however, she shared this wonderful memory of when she participated in ping pong with her brother as part of the Harlingen Parks and Recreation Summer Program.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Campos

Lisa: When I was in elementary school back in the 1970s and early 1980s, my older brother Robert (“Robby”) and I played ping pong. My parents had purchased a ping pong table for us, and we used to play at home a lot. When the summer came around one year, we entered the Summer Recreation program ping pong tournament. Robby, who is six years older than me, was a really good player. He earned a reputation for being a good player so it was no surprise when he would win a game or sweep a tournament.

But I was the only female player on tournament day. The male opponents in my age category looked at me and thought for sure I would be easy to defeat. They’d serve the ball to me, not expecting me to even hit it, but I’d slam the ball in return, causing them to chase after it in amazement. I vividly remember the scorekeeper looking down at his scorecard, seeing my name, and saying, “Oh, Lisa Campos. You must be Robby’s little sister.” I was the first female player to participate in the ping pong tournament in my age group and I walked away with a third-place ribbon.

That victory is a core memory. The way I felt playing ping pong was invigorating and empowering. I’ve often thought about picking up a paddle again but have been timid about it. I know that table tennis is offered at the Harlingen Community Center, but I have yet to visit. I’m sure after reading Roel’s article that follows, I’ll be compelled to pop into the center to see if I still have those skills I had as a youngster.

Roel: Although Lisa was not very active in sports as a player, she has consistently supported athletics as a member of the band during her years in middle school, high school, and while at the University of Texas of Austin. Lisa noted that she was a member of the Texas Longhorns Basketball Band when Longhorn games were held at the Frank Erwin Center, aka “The Drum.” Among Lisa’s most cherished memories were observing esteemed coach, Jody Conradt, lead the Lady Longhorns basketball teams to many victories.

However, the sport that Lisa recalls most fondly from her youth is ping pong, also known as table tennis. Lisa’s childhood story of her experience playing ping pong in Harlingen intrigued me. At first, I assumed this was simply the usual Rio Grande Valley parks and recreation summer program that many cities used to provide in their communities before computers, iPads, and smartphones were common. Lisa noted that Harlingen Parks and Recreation provided various summer programs, but the City of Harlingen is known for its longstanding tradition of table tennis at the Harlingen Community Center.  

The Harlingen Table Tennis program was established in 1991 (coincidentally one year after Lisa graduated from high school and moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas at Austin) by the late Bob Salmeron and the late Warren Prescott. In 1991, Bob and Warren approached the City of Harlingen to request approval to use the Harlingen Community Center for the Harlingen Table Tennis Program.

Photo courtesy of Harlingen Table Tennis Program

The Harlingen Table Tennis Program began with just two tables. The tables weren’t in great shape, so stacks of magazines were placed under the ends of the legs to make them level enough to play on.  

In its early years, the Harlingen Table Tennis Program primarily attracted residents from RV and mobile home parks, who participated in games twice a week at the Harlingen Community Center. Due to Bob and Warren’s efforts, the program subsequently experienced significant growth.

Although the Harlingen Table Tennis Program encountered significant challenges, including the impact of Covid, it continued to thrive due to the robust foundation laid by Bob and Warren.

Bob and Warren played key roles in advancing the Harlingen Table Tennis Program. Both were strong advocates for the program, and Bob dedicated several years as a U.S. National Coach at the U.S. Olympic Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  

Photo courtesy of Harlingen Table Tennis Program

Bob excelled both as a table tennis instructor and as a player. He regularly took part in numerous competitions at the Huntsville World Senior Games held in St. George, Utah.

Bob teamed up with New Zealander Peter Snell for the Men’s Doubles tournament in San Antonio, Texas one year. With Bob playing right-handed and Peter playing left-handed, the duo became a tough pair to beat.

Bob's doubles partner, Peter, was a renowned Olympic athlete from New Zealand who won gold in the 800m at the 1960 Rome Olympics and both the 800m and 1500m at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. While living in Dallas, Texas, Peter was familiar with the table tennis program Bob and Warren started in Harlingen, Texas.

Bob and Warren developed a highly successful program and demonstrated foresight by organizing table tennis tournaments. These events drew participants from across the Valley, South Texas, and Mexico. As a result, the tournaments contributed to the local economy, as players needed accommodations and meals, and engaged in local shopping.  

Photo courtesy of Harlingen Table Tennis Program

For more than 30 years, their initiatives have provided the community with ongoing access to the sport, which continues to thrive today. The organization has evolved into the Harlingen Table Tennis Club, with regular sessions held every Monday and Wednesday from 5 pm to 8 pm. Further information is available on their Facebook page, “Harlingen Table Tennis Club,” where they highlight the club's high-quality facilities and welcoming members. The Club invites individuals of all skill levels to participate and practice at the Harlingen Community Center, located at 201 East Madison Avenue, in Harlingen.

The facility now offers more than just two tables, providing expanded opportunities for play.

Table tennis is a sport suitable for individuals of all ages and can be enjoyed over many years, even when activities such as tennis or pickleball may no longer be viable options.

I would like to express my appreciation to Lisa for providing valuable insight into this exceptional sport, which is accessible locally for everyone to enjoy. I also wish to thank Bob and Warren for their commitment to fostering the development of this sport within our community.

I'm sure we'll see Lisa Campos at the Harlingen Community Center someday, reliving her glory days as she lands a winning ping pong shot and beams with satisfaction. Robby and Lisa might even team up again for mixed doubles, playing together once more just for nostalgia. After all, in table tennis, it's often said, "Table tennis is not just a sport, it's a way of life."