Site Products

Seemiller – The American: 2020 Trials Feature

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”:

________________________________________________________

Earlier this year CBS News did a feature on my efforts to try and make the 2020 Olympic Team. Unfortunately I did not make it losing 4-3 and 15-13 in the final game in the 2nd qualifying round.
The CBS crew headed by Sean Herbert visited my home, workout gym and club here in South Bend.  They then flew a crew to Ft. Worth for the U.S. Open.  I can’t thank them enough for the professional job they did. This was shown nationwide on December 30th during the CBS Morning Show.
Also thanks to Ron Weber for making the initial contact.

 

Latest News

MLTT Week 4 Preview: The Pros Head to Houston

October 25, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) Major League Table Tennis moves to the ULH Event Center in Houston, Texas,… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Canadian Elite Table Tennis Training Centre

October 25, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) The Canadian Elite Table Tennis Training Centre (“the Centre” or “Elite”) is a table tennis club… Read More

Jenson Van Emburgh: Pattaya, Paris, and Playing through Pain

October 25, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTF) After winning silver at the last World Championships and bronze in Paris despite… Read More

Ping Pong Parkinson Reaches Rhode Island

October 25, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) This weekend, Rhode Island Table Tennis hosted its first Ping Pong Parkinson’s session, bringing the… Read More

Venezuela and USA take Team Titles as Parity Prevails at America’s Championships

October 25, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) TeamUSA's Women dominated the Women's Team event at the ITTF-Americas Championships in Lima.  Unfortunately, the… Read More

China Wins 4, Japan Wins 3 at Asian Championships

October 25, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) The ITTF-ATTU Asian Championships concluded in Tashkent today with the battle between Asian superpowers starting… Read More

Kou Lei – Counterlooping Opening Loop

October 25, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Kou Lei is working with Butterfly Sponsored Player Kef Noorani,… Read More

Kou Lei – Pips Bump Serve Return

October 23, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Kou Lei is working on with his chopper student on… 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.

/* Constant Contact Universal Code */