In 2000, in Sydney, Australia, Michael was selected by the 17 U.S. Delegation sport team captains as the U.S. Flag Bearer for the Paralympic Games. The picture of his leading the team was broadcast across the country with his following quote: "For me, there's nothing more gratifying at the Games than seeing the Flag on the Podium or walking behind it into the stadium."  |
And he did all of this while still a student at Gahanna Lincoln High School! At his graduation, Michael was acknowledged for his "scholarship, character, leadership and service." These were attributes he personified throughout his life. In the international arena, Mike became a significant force not only for his incredible prowess at the table tennis table, but in his ability to lead, inspire, and promote the sport of table tennis. In an era when wheelchair athletes were expected to complete and win in at least two or three sports, Mike was recognized as the first single sport specialist, as early as 1971. His talents won him respect in both the sport of table tennis in the United States – both disabled and non-disabled arenas, as well as internationally.
“In 1988 in Seoul, Korea Mike and I were the winners of the Women and Men’s Wheelchair Open gold medals. Over the years I also got involved in the administrative affairs of table tennis. Mike and I along with others sat on the board of American Wheelchair Table Tennis Association for many years. He was the best. Mike you will be greatly missed.”
~ Jennifer Johnson, American Wheelchair Table Tennis Association
People from all over the world have been weighing in on how Mike was a friend in sport and a wonderful, smiling and fun-loving individual.
“Mike Dempsey was a great man!!! There are not many players in the world the do have such a charisma like Mike had. I know him since 1985, it was my first international tournament in Vienna, and there was a lot of American Players on this event. Especially Mike was also in this time one of the best! He was singularly!!!! Mike was a person with which one can speak about all things! Not only table tennis! My last meeting with Mike was in Las Vegas 2005. We talk about good old times and that table tennis was nice in the past. Everyone who knows Mike can remember his nice deep voice, and sometimes his big cigar! With Mike is one of the most pleasant players gone. He was one of my heroes, because he played fair and to win was not the important thing (I think) for him! I remember 1996 Paralympics Atlanta –- when we were in a bar (after event!). Mike bring also his TT-friend from Korean Team in this bar and show him “American style”. It was so funny and Mike laughed from the bottom of his heart. I will remember all of this nice times that I share with Mike! Mike, you were a great person and you will always be it in my mind!”
~ Rudi Hajek - Austrian Table Tennis team
People who later would assume leadership in the international arena are also forthcoming with their words of praise as well.
“I just wanted to tell you also what an incredible impact Mike had on me as a budding table tennis player over thirty years ago. In fact, I think his skills were so great that he convinced me without him knowing it, that I was never going to make a table tennis player in the top flight. I therefore concentrated on my number 1 passion, wheelchair basketball. My lasting memory is of the titanic matches that Mike played against Baruch Hagai, his toughest and perennial opponent, in the finals of the Paralympic Games. The match that I remember most was in Toronto in 1976 with the match table being laid out on the basketball court and Mike and Baruch going at it hammer and tongs in an epic encounter. “
~ Sir Philip Craven MBE / International Paralympic Committee President
In 2000, Mike was honored by being asked to be the USA Team flag bearer in the opening ceremonies at the Paralympic games. Later that year, culminating an astounding 30 year table tennis career, Michael was inducted into the National Wheelchair Athletic Association Hall of Fame and as Male Athlete of the Year as well. He was also inducted into the Ohio Wheelchair Athletic Association and, later the California Hall of Fame. He is the only wheelchair Table Tennis player ever to be inducted into the USA Table Tennis Hall of Fame:
“Mike Dempsey was 14 years old when he first came into the Columbus (OH) Table Tennis Courts at the encouragement of John Gray, another Columbus wheelchair champion, several years older than Mike. In less than a year, Mike was winning Paralympic events in Ohio, and soon after in the rest of the world. He was not only a great champion but also a credit to the sport of table tennis--a generous and good human being. He was the first, and thus far only, Paralympic athlete inducted into the U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame. It is an honor to have had him as a friend.”
~ Dick Evans / President U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame
Perhaps, what is heard most from fellow competitors both American and International, is the impact he had on their lives, both by direct influence, but even more by being the role model that he was.
“Mike was an awesome friend and mentor and will be greatly missed. I met Mike back in 1982, I was 17 and newly injured paraplegic. I had made my first international tt team and Mike was a part of the group. I used the same grip style as Mike and I was always asking him questions and trying to learn from him. Mike would encourage me to be more patient, push more balls, and wait for the right one to flip. Mike was a top notch guy, He was very generous and would always lend a hand if needed. At last year’s training camp Sean O’Neill told me that Mike would be spending the day with us. Having the opportunity to play and learn and ask Mike questions was invaluable to my growth and development as a player. Mike was respected by elite athletes of all sports. His death is a huge loss for the entire disabled community. Mike’s song “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor was fitting because he always rose up to the challenge of his rivals “
~ Pam Fontaine / Double Oak, TX
Mike’s love of wheelchair sports extended beyond the sports halls and fields. In 1972, Michael met Rainer Kuschall at a table tennis tournament in Europe. Their friendship developed into a business relationship and Michael founded and was President of Kuschall of America - designing, manufacturing and marketing ultra light wheelchairs. In this capacity, Mike sponsored wheelchair athletes’ participation in both National and International competitions on all levels.
In recent years, Mike’s passion for table tennis as both a player and as a mentor were matched and even surpassed by his devotion to his wife, Shannon, and son Henry, and his commitment to friends, to whom he was a source of strength and encouragement. These are best stated by those whose lives were so greatly affected by Michael Dempsey.
“The friendship he shared with Sebastian began over 30 years ago and grew through the years as they traveled the world together. As Sebastian struggled for so many years with health issues, Michael was always in touch with us. He constantly called, visited and sent his love, strength and prayers our way. He would fly up for a day, in between his busy life, just to visit Sebastian during the hardest times. Michael's soothing, comforting and loving presence would always give us strength.”
~Liz and Sebastian DeFrancesco
” I have known Mike since my earliest days in wheelchair sports 36 years ago. He was a help and a guide in my earliest years of international disabled sports coaching and team management, starting with the 1982 Pan American Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia when I was designated the USA Team Table Tennis coach and team leader. But more than as a player, I deeply cared for Mike as a friend and advisor. He enabled our mutual friend, Ted Kaplan to win a medal by asking him to be his doubles partner at the National Wheelchair Games in 1989, just months before Ted died of cancer. At the Junior National Wheelchair Games in Columbus, he drove me in the dead of night to retrieve my daughter Danielle, then 9 years old, with a 104 degree fever from friends in Cincinnati - in a rental car with no hand controls! Now, at age 24, Mike continues to be her white knight- and she mourns him today as if he were family. My husband Ken Brooks, a team mate of Mike's since 1972 also shares his tremendous sorrow with the rest of our community who feels this loss today. Mike is greatly loved by the Brooks family and will be greatly missed by us and by all who truly knew this great, yet humble, man.
~ Sharon Frant Brooks / Lebanon, NJ
“Throughout our lives, very seldom do we meet a person who has touched so many and accomplished so much... in such a short period of time. The legacy and the love that Michael Dempsey has left behind will be evidenced by the outpouring of love from around the world for this unbelievable human being. We all have our memories to share, and they all have a common theme... he was an extraordinary human being, full of love and life, a warm person with a big heart, and a role model for everyone. I knew Mike for over 30 years, since I was in college and we were both young. We've shared many moments together, enjoyed playing this sport together, was invited into his home and his life, and was honored by his presence at my wedding. And although he was undoubtedly one of the greatest champions to ever walk the face of this earth, His most important quality was that he was someone who you were proud to call your friend. There are so many friends.. and so many memories… and Michael will forever tie us all together.. Michael will be missed greatly... but never forgotten. Celebrate his life through his memories... they will live on forever! We love you and miss you Mike...
~ Gary Hranek / San Diego, CA
Michael Dempsey, competitor, mentor, leader, friend. His loss will be felt for many years to come.
