Courtesy of Richard McAfee

Ladies and Gentlemen, esteemed Hall of Fame members,

It is my great honor and privilege to introduce our newest Hall of Fame inductee, Christian Lillerioos, who joins us today as a Contributor. Christian’s exceptional contributions to the world of table tennis span numerous areas, including the development of collegiate programs, the advancement of para-athlete initiatives, coaching education, Olympic and Paralympic organization, and elite athlete development.

Christian’s journey from Sweden to the USA began in 1985 when he was hired by Tim Boggan, president of USATT, to serve as Junior Program Director. His impressive resume includes serving as the national coach for Sweden’s wheelchair team at the Stoke Mandeville Games in 1977, becoming the first head coach of the Northern Elite Table Tennis School in Lychaele, and being awarded the Leader Shield by the Swedish TTA for his work in organizing integrated tournaments.

Christian’s impact on collegiate table tennis in the USA is profound. He set up the program at Anderson College in 1986, introducing the concept of scholarship programs for table tennis athletes—a pioneering move at the time. His work laid the foundation for the future success of collegiate table tennis programs, including the dominant program at Texas Wesleyan University.

As a coach, Christian has been recognized as the National Coach of the Year twice and has guided many elite athletes, including champions like Eric Owens and Jimmy Butler. His international contributions are equally impressive, having served as the head coach for Mexico’s national teams and as High Performance Director.

Christian’s role in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic and Paralympic Games was crucial. As Assistant Manager for Administration, he provided invaluable guidance, particularly for the Paralympics, ensuring the needs of the athletes were met and organizing logistics seamlessly.

Christian’s dedication to para-athletes is remarkable. As the USA Head Coach at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games, he led a team that won multiple medals. His influence extended globally when he became the first Director of Sport for the International Paralympic Committee in Germany, overseeing 25 sport federations and 160 member committees.

In coaching education, Christian has been a driving force. From 1996-1999, he served as Coaching Development Director and has conducted over 40 ITTF coaching courses since 2012. He is one of only seven course conductors qualified to give ITTF Level 3 courses, constantly pushing coaches to evolve and innovate.

Christian’s influence extends beyond his professional achievements. He has inspired many with his professionalism and dedication, serving as a mentor to countless athletes and coaches worldwide. His insistence on being treated and compensated as a professional has raised the bar for coaching standards everywhere.

I personally remember meeting Christian in 1987 at a camp in Wilson, NC. His professionalism and technical knowledge were a revelation, inspiring me and many others to pursue coaching full-time. Christian’s contributions go beyond technical skill; he has shared his knowledge generously and set a high standard for us all.

Christian, USA Table Tennis and the entire international table tennis community owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude. Your contributions have left an indelible mark on our sport.

Congratulations and welcome to the Hall of Fame!