By Mike Crase

Special Series, Exclusive to EKTT.org:

DAN SEEMILLER’S TOP 12 TABLE TENNIS MOMENTS (in his own words)!

The GOAT of American Table Tennis, Dan Seemiller- feeling the exhilaration of victory! 

It’s a privilege for us to present the Top 12 Table Tennis Moment’s in Dan Seemiller’s table tennis career. The legendary career of the most decorated table tennis player in U.S. history. The only player to win a total of 17 national championships (5x singles and 12x doubles), plus being a 5x Western Japan Open Singles Champion (one of the world’s elite tournaments). 

At one point, he completed back-to-back undefeated records at the World Team Championships.  As his career progressed, he became the head Coach of the U.S. Olympic Table Tennis Team, President of USATT, Head Coach at South Bend Table Tennis, and a successful table tennis author and promoter-simply put, Dan Seemiller has done it all in the sport of table tennis. 

This year marks a milestone as Eastern Kentucky Table Tennis will host in conjunction with Butterfly and West Liberty Tourism, the first-ever Butterfly Dan Seemiller Legacy Tournament. We are grateful to Mr. Seemiller for choosing EKTT and West Liberty, KY as the host site for such an historic event.

The event will begin on April 19 with the Dan Seemiller Legacy Tournament Clinic night 1 (Friday). We go from there to the epic tournament bearing his name on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

The tournament will feature 13 table tennis divisions. Dan Seemiller will compete at the event in Open Doubles with his son, Dan Jr. ,which will be a special occasion and memorable moment in its own right. Then the event will conclude on Sunday, April 21, with the 2nd table tennis clinic run by Dan Seemiller.

Mr. Seemiller had the following comments about the event: “My goal is to bring top table tennis to Eastern Kentucky and West Liberty, to support the new EKTT Junior table tennis program, and to help players progress their careers or learn the sport for the first time. Our clinics will cover all the fundamentals of table tennis and I’m excited to meet everyone that will be there. This is an Olympic year for table tennis, which always garners more media attention to the sport.  I want to thank Judge Executive Jim Gazay, West Liberty Tourism, all our sponsors, and EKTT for their support and participation. I’m really looking forward to my visit to Kentucky.” 

EKTT was recently ranked as one of USATT’s Top 20 clubs in America for the month of February. A milestone accomplishment and we are only looking to build on the momentum, which is certainly what The Butterfly Dan Seemiller Legacy Classic will allow us to do.

You can register anytime on Omnipong.com or drop by our weekly table tennis session (first night is free) at the Morgan County Community Center in West Liberty, KY -doors open at 6 pm, league play or open starts at 6:45 pm. Feel free to contact The Butterfly Dan Seemiller Legacy Classic Tournament Director Byron Risner at 606-794-2295. 

We will be doing two of Dan Seemiller’s Top 12 Table Tennis Moments each week from now until the epic Butterfly Dan Seemiller Legacy Classic! The countdown is on to see what his number one moment is-what will it be? Stay tuned and find out! NUMBERS 1 and 2 are here! We hope you have enjoyed this amazing series as much as we have! It’s been a pleasure and privilege! Mike C. and Byron. 

1. Defeating Eric Boggan for my 4th National Title in an Epic Match

In what has been called “The Match of the Century,” it was 1982 and Dan Seemiller would battle his ultimate rival, Eric Boggan: the prize is the National Championship. A seesaw war of psychology, skill and the two best table tennis in the United States lock horns in a battle that went to the fifth and final game. In the end, it was Dan Seemiller’s all-time favorite moment, his 4th National Championship, and perhaps the defining moment of America’s greatest player. Watch the entire match on the link below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_KEpwVopN0

By Dan Seemiller 

1982 Men’s final Tropicana Hotel Las Vegas

2. Becoming the No. 1 Player on Team USA in 1972

It was 1972 and Dan Seemiller decides to make the lifechanging decision to pursue table tennis full time instead of other sports (baseball being one). This decision would change Dan’s life and the sport forever as he went on to become the number one player on the Men’s USA Team. Dream big, you never know! 

A Champion from the beginning (bottom row, far right). 

By Dan Seemiller

 

Then there was an announcement that the USTTA would hold tryouts for the World team 

for the 1st time ever. It had always been a selection process in the past. At this time, I am ranked # 71 in the Men’s division. 

 

There was to be a regional qualifier in New York where 8 spots were open for the final 24 in Chicago. I decided to give it a shot and took a bus to N.Y. by myself. The New York players were very experienced and high level. I was so nervous all by myself.

 

I played my best and just made the 8th qualifying spot with a close win in my last match over the collegiate national champ David Philip.

 

I wasn’t very experienced to compete at the national level, but the good news is the final trials will be in 6 months in December.

 

I am excited about qualifying so I decided to give up baseball and train for the trials at the Dell Sweeris Center in Grand Rapids.

 

Now 6 months later I am not the same player. Training everyday 6 hours to prepare. Maybe I can do well and make the #5 spot?

 

At Chicago I was the # 24 seed. Last guy in from the East qualifier. I started 4-1 on the 1st day with 2 major upsets. 

 

This was a round robin of 15 and when all was done my record was 12-2 and the 1st place position on the USA team for 2 years. There was a two-way tie for 2nd at 10-4.

 

When we flew home there were several friends and relatives to greet me and my Dad at the airport. I still relive that moment from time to time. 

3. Our First National Doubles Championship

There would be seven more to come, but there’s nothing quite like the first championship. Dan and his brother Ricky win their first of eight National Doubles Championships.  The greatest doubles team in U.S. table tennis history! 

By Dan Seemiller 

 It’s 1976 at Caesar’s Palace and it’s the final of the National Men’s Doubles.

 

Rick and I versus Dal Joon Lee and Peter Pradit. Two tough veteran players. It’s a fierce battle and we won our 1st National doubles title in a close match 21-19  3 games to 2.

 

Winning a doubles title is so rewarding because it takes a team to accomplish it. This was the beginning of our run as we won the next 7 championships to make it 8 in a row. 1976-1983.

 

When we competed, I was the set-up man and Rick would provide the power. Rick’s windshield wiper serve, and my backhand one were difficult to read and defend.

 

Winning this title every year gave us a sense of purpose to keep going to the practice hall- the barn- and continue to improve.

 

Shoot for the stars. It’s the only way to get there.

 

Next week. The TOP 2!

4. A Doubles Win for the Ages in 1977 

One of the most incredible moments in his storied and decorated career came in 1977 when Danny and his brother Rick defeated the #1 seeds from China Guo YueHua and Liao Fu Min. This indelible moment (luckily) was captured on film. Dan and his brother Rick would go on to win an unprecedented eight U.S. Doubles Championships from 1976 to 1983. 

By Dan Seemiller 

Birmingham, England     1977 World Championships

Participating in team events and doubles gives the most satisfaction as everyone involved can share in the win. 

 

My brother Rick and I started practicing every day for at least 2-4 hours in a renovated barn behind our house. One of our goals was to beat the Chinese in the World Championships.

 

In the round of 16 we met the #1 seeds from China Guo YueHua and Liao Fu Min.  Our serves are rare and unique, and our blocking controlled the match.

 

We won 3-0, the last one at deuce to advance to the quarterfinals. There was a sellout crowd and they cheered us on to victory.

 

When this match was over, we remarked how it would be great to have a photo of the moment we won.

 

There was one. In the photo we haven’t won until the ball hits the floor, but we know it will!

 

Match over.

5. Dominating the Western Japan Open and “The Plaque” 

Dominating the elite Western Japan Open Tournament for 10 years was one of the highlights of a career with astonishing accolades. Not only Did Danny win the ultra-prestigious tournament 5-times, but he was the runner-up 4 times and made the semi-final once. The owners of the tournament were so appreciative they gave him a special plaque thanking him for elevating the sport in Japan, dominating the tournament, and out of sincere admiration. What a 10-year run!

By Dan Seemiller 

My sponsor, Butterfly, invited me each year to train for a couple of weeks in Tokyo. Then I would play in the Western Japan Open. 

 

I did this for 10 years from 1979-1988 and it was always in February. The training and support I received while in Japan was top notch. 

 

The Western Japan Open is held in Yanai City and is sold out every year to 1,200 competitors.

In the 10 years I participated I won the Men’s Singles 5 times and was runner-up 4 and placed in one semifinal.

 

This tourney featured most of the top college players and a few Japanese national team members. I felt plenty of pressure to perform after travelling so far.

 

I will always remember the friendly people of Japan and the super hospitality of Butterfly table tennis and the Yanai City tournament. Thank you for the wonderful plaque and all the memories we made together.

6. 1977:  Leading Team USA to Accomplish a Lifelong Goal of Reaching Division 1 in the World Championships 

Dan Seemiller and his brother Rick realize a lifelong dream of taking Team USA to the 1st Division (Elite) of the World Team Championship and giving the USA true global respect and recognition for the first time. 

By Dan Seemiller 

7.  Back on Top: Third National Championship in 1980

After making it to the National finals for two consecutive years, Danny was determined to get the championship back and he did in dominant fashion. Defeating an arch-rival and silencing the naysayers once again!

By Dan Seemiller

1980 U.S. Nationals   Caesar’s, Las Vegas, Nevada  

I defeated Dal Joon Lee for the 1976 and 1977 crowns but lost in the next 2 finals. In 1978 to Eric Boggan and 1979 to Attila Malek. Now in 1980 I desperately want the title back again.

It’s Eric in the final but this time it’s a 3-0 win for me. Just an awesome feeling after the heartbreak of coming up short in ’78 and ’79.

At 19-7 in the 3rd game, I took a towel break to soak it in. U.S. Champion for the 3rd time and the $5,000. bonus from Butterfly made it even sweeter.

Rick and I won the Men’s doubles and Rick/Cheryl Dadian took the Mixed doubles title.

Thanks to Neal Smythe, Vice President of Caesar’s Palace, for showcasing our event and for making the Nationals a 1st class tournament.

For most players making the National Championship final would be a defining career moment, but for Dan Seemiller, the only real goal was a National Championship, and anything less wouldn’t be acceptable. After coming up short twice in back-to-back years for the National Title, Danny not only won, but became a 3-time National Champion and secured his growing legacy and legend in the sport.

8. Grand Rapids, Michigan (1974): Defeating No.’s 2,4, and 11 in the World Rankings in a U.S.A. vs. Japan Team Match

By Dan Seemiller

The Japanese team participated at the  U.S. Open in Oklahoma City and then came to Michigan for a USA versus Japan team match. Dell Sweeris, my coach, was promoting his newly opened Woodland table tennis center and 500 spectators filled the stands.

I had just made an equipment switch from 1.5 thick rubber to 2.0. and the power on my loop had a huge increase in speed.

The Japanese team featured Nobuhiko Hasegawa world #2 the 1967 world champion, Norio Takashima world #4 and Tokio Tasaka #11. Our team was Dell, Paul Raphel from California and me.

In the 1st match versus Takashima, a defensive specialist, I won 2-1 and in my 2nd match  versus Hasegawa I won 2-0 and finally Tasaka 2-0. 

Our team put up a brave fight but we lost 5-3. 

I had been training every day at Dell’s new center for 2 years now and this match gave me the confidence and knowledge to keep going. To win against #2, 4 and 11 in the world rankings made my decision to move to Grand Rapids to train after high school and team up with Dell the clear right choice.

My training schedule with Dell: 5am  1 1/2 mile run. Then weights and stretching.

Over to the club to practice 6:30am – 8:30 and again 3-5pm. Then Open club at night.

Tournament every weekend.

Special thanks to my coaches: Dell Sweeris, Houshang Bozorgzadeh, Mark Nordby and Rick Seemiller. 

-Dan Seemiller

An historic turning point for Dan Seemiller came in 1974 when he defeated three of the top 11 players in the World (2, 4 and 11) in a clash of the titans, USA vs. Japan. This unprecedented success was enough to convince Danny that his true calling in life was table tennis. It was from there that his mentor and Coach Dell Sweeris began training Danny at the Woodland Table Tennis Center in Michigan. A Coach can have a profound impact on athletes and their lives; Dell’s influence on Danny was no exception. This not only changed Dan Seemiller’s life, but the course of American table tennis as well.

9. The 1977 U.S. Open Team Championships at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan

It’s a battle of teams as the Seemiller brothers take on team New York and the Boggan brothers and company! Compelling battle to the end, but Danny and his brothers take home the big dub and are the pride of Pittsburgh!

By Dan Seemiller

This tournament is held every Thanksgiving weekend because it needs 3 days to complete. The team consists of 3 players and the 1st one to win 5 matches is the victor. This is so popular because of the team aspect and most of the players will play 25 matches or more over the 3 days.

More than 1,000 players will attend on 250 teams. There are also many teams from Canada that participate.

Our Pittsburgh team has made the final. That is Rick, Randy and me. Our competitors in the championship are New York. The Boggan brothers, Scott and Eric, and the young talent Rutledge Barry.

It’s not looking good for us as both Rick and I lose to Eric and Randy loses both. This is Eric’s 1st win over me and  New York is one win away  at 4-2.

I then beat Rutledge 4-3. Now Randy versus Eric. Randy is ready for the moment and Eric is feeling pressure.

Surprising everyone except Rick and I, Randy takes down Eric!  Awesome performance. Now Rick and Scott are up, which set of brothers will come through? It’s 15 all in the final game. Yikes! Rick has a history of pulling out team matches, that’s why he’s playing the 9th match, and he holds steady to win.

In a full team effort Pittsburgh holds off New York 5-4 to win the championship.

Surprising everyone except Rick and I, Randy takes down Eric! 

How exciting is that?! Danny always talks about how his brothers made each other better, all were exceptionally competitive. In a gritty table tennis team rivalry, Boggan vs. Seemiller, and New York vs. Pittsburgh, Team Pittsburgh comes out on top in an absolute thriller!

Danny explains that when one brother won, they all shared in the victory. It’s not well known in the general public, but table tennis does have team competitions-it is primarily considered by most to be a singles sport.

10.  Controversy Playing World no. 2 Cai Zhen Hua in 1983 at the World Championships and “The Shot” 

Playing against a hostile crowd, shady officiating, and on the biggest stage in the World, Dan Seemiller would barely lose vs. the world’s no. 2 player. But this iconic picture was captured, and it is arguably the most captivating in table tennis history… and possibly in all of sports. “The Shot” in game 4 vs. Cai Zhen Hua will never be forgotten! 

By Dan Seemiller 

The 1983 World Championships were held in Tokyo, Japan.

Our last match in the Team event I won all 3 of my matches against Russia to keep our team 

in the 1st division. I am playing as well as I ever have. 

In the 1st round of singles, I beat a player from Indonesia. In the 2nd round I will face world #2 Cai Zhen Hua (China). He plays with anti-spin on one side, but so do I. He’s a lefty with a big loop, but so am I. 

Game 1: I lose as I am having trouble hearing the contact on his serve. Players are not allowed to stamp their foot loudly on contact to deceive the opponent. The umpire gives Cai a couple of warnings. I storm back and win game 2 and lead midway through game 3 when Cai stamps on all 5 of his serves. And though I complain, the official doesn’t agree.

In game 4, I make a dive for a shot and score the point and run game 4 out 21-13; so now it’s 2 games each.

Game 5:  Cai leads 8-6, but then I score 4 straight to go up 10-8 as we change ends. Cai is visibly nervous and the crowd, 5,000 strong, senses that the #2 seed might be sent home. 

Then it happens. Cai stamps very loudly, remember he’s nervous, and the umpire calls a fault, which makes it 11-8.

No! Don’t help me now, umpire. This will surely cause a delay right when Cai’s ready to go down.

15 minutes later the main referee decided it was not a fault and the score went back to 10-8. 

Total nonsense. During the break I just tried to stay calm, but what I should have been doing was thinking about my strategy when we start back up.

When we started Cai made a great shot and our roles almost immediately reversed. I was now the one who’s nervous. I lost my focus. Lost 6 points in a row and never did catch up. I should have known better and kept my focus.

The opportunity was there for the taking. I just came up a little short.

All sports fans have experienced moments when we cringe and go berserk due to lousy officiating…that was definitely the case in 1983 at the World Championships as Danny barely lost to the no. 2 rated player in the World, Cai Zhen Hua.

A table tennis match for the ages goes to the final game but was marred by some “home cooking officiating.” Even though he lost the match, Dan Seemiller became an even bigger star on the world stage and at home in the U.S., plus he hit arguably the most iconic table tennis shot in history- look at the expression on his face…he’s grinning!

11.  Winning my 12th National Doubles Title for my Dad

A picture really is worth 1000 words- Dan Seemiller and his student Mark Hazinski win his 12th National Doubles Championship in 2009: 15 years after winning no. 11! 

By Dan Seemiller 

The year is 2009. The Nationals in Las Vegas.

At this time, I am mostly coaching and not playing competitively. Mark Hazinski, my student at South Bend, Indiana, and I decided to play Men’s doubles at this tournament.

My last Men’s doubles title was in 1994, so long ago. Mark and I made it to the final and we are playing Adam Hugh and Fan Yi Yong. We are the underdogs, but Mark is in his prime and he can dominate.

It is the 4th game, and we are up 2 games to 1. At 4-3 for us they call a timeout. As we are waiting, Mark and I don’t say much when we play together, I start thinking about my father who passed away the month before. I got that warm emotional feeling like he was there. After the timeout we scored 5 in a row to go to 9-3 and it was over. This one’s for you Dad.

This was my 12th national Men’s doubles title with 5 different partners- Rick Seemiller, John Onifade, David Zhuang, Sean O’Neill and Mark. Winning this with my long-time student made it a good day to celebrate. Playing as a team and not as an individual makes the occasion special.

A comeback story for the ages and an emotional victory bonded to his Dad’s memory.  Table tennis doesn’t get the coverage that sports like basketball, football or baseball do, but it has just as much drama, energy and passion-perhaps more. 

12. My First U.S. Men’s Championship and Celebrating with my Family  

By Dan Seemiller

In 1976 the USTTA, as it was called back then, held their 1st U.S.
Nationals. The place was Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas.

I had been the #1 U.S. player during the 1973,’74 and 75 season by rating but no national title, as there
wasn’t one to be won.

Caesar’s Palace was a huge step up for the association and they treated the players very well.

Caesar’s went on to host many U.S. Table Tennis Nationals.

I made it to the finals where I met perennial champion Dal Joon Lee. He had won 6 consecutive U.S. Opens from 1968-1973.  I defeated Dal Joon 3-0 to win my 1st U.S. Men’s Championship.

The best moment for me was high fiving my brothers on the court and calling my parents. It wasn’t just my victory; it was a family victory.

What a day that must have been; winning his first U.S. Men’s Championship and the post-tourney celebration with his family.  Danny is close with his family
and his brothers played against each other as they grew up-making them all
table tennis stars.  The Seemiller brothers and their accomplishments on the U.S. table tennis scene are still felt today.