Site Products
seemiller jump

Seemiller – The American: 1978 US Open Final

Posted on

Seemiller: The American

(by Steve Hopkins)

One of the most storied players in American table tennis history, Dan Seemiller.  He first qualified for the US Team in 1972, was the top ranked player in the country by 1974, won five US National Championships, and logged an amazing international record that at one point included completing two consecutive World Team Championships without losing a match.  Later in his career, he became a highly decorated and successful coach, a tournament promoter and director, an author, and he also served as President of USTTA.

The signature grip and style that bears his name is still referred to by many internationally as “the American grip”.  Seemiller is the quintessential “American” player – with emotion and grit and heart.

In February, as Dan was training for the Olympic Trials, he began posting memories to his Facebook page.  Over the next few weeks, we are going to share some of those photos and quotes in this series “Seemiller – The American”:

________________________________________________________

This photo shows a forehand jump smash from the 1978 U.S. Open Men’s final in Oklahoma City.  My opponent, Norio Takashima from Japan was the world’s best defensive player and ranked No.3 in the world.
My big worry was my shoulder-more specifically my tricep muscle.  It was so sore I could not sleep the night before and could not lift my arm over my head.  Why?  So many defensive players I had to play in the teams, doubles, and singles events.  PBS and national TV were filming the final and I was so worried I would have to default. Takashima could embarrass me if I couldn’t loop.  I was down 2-1 in games but leading 19-18 in game 4.  We were both baiting each other to attack when I missed an easy push with my antispin.  I became a bit nervous and hurried the next point and ended up losing 21-19.
I was glad that I was able to play once the adrenaline kicked in but certainly disappointed.

Latest News

MLTT Meet the Teams: Texas Smash

June 29, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Texas Smash remain one of the most formidable franchises in Major League… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Three10 Table Tennis Club

June 28, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) Three10 Table Tennis Club is one of Canada's National High Performance Training Centres. A club… Read More

United States Smash: Early Action

June 28, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) The first day of action in the Round of 64 is underway at the United… Read More

Rhode Island Looks Local with Veterans Fundraiser

June 28, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) On Saturday, June 27, the Rhode Island Table Tennis Association ran the second annual Mission… Read More

United States Smash: Qualifiers

June 28, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) The Qualifiers have finished sending eight more players into the opening round of the United… Read More

10th Butterfly Swaythling Club Open Tournament Brings Together 70 Players from Across Ecuador

June 27, 2026
(by Coach Geovanny Coello / Buttefly Americas Team) Quito, Ecuador – June 20, 2026 – The 10th Butterfly… Read More

Angel Naranjo – Banana Flip and Backhand Loop

June 26, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Angel Naranjo is executing a Banana Backhand Loop, followed by… Read More

Tiana Piyadasa – Full Table Random

June 25, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Tiana Piyadasa is executing full table random https://youtu.be/AIO-TGsg9mM Stay “In The… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.