Maplewood Richmond Heights School District: New Book Details Remarkable Life Of MRH '65 Graduate

Press release from Maplewood Richmond Heights School District:

July 19, 2021

A new best-selling book, "The LEGEND of DOC PING: One Man’s Remarkable Journey From Chinese Immigrant to NFL Agent," details the incredible life of Dr. Da-I Ping, a Maplewood Richmond Heights High School Class of 1965 graduate and 2017 MRH Hall of Fame inductee. The book has been available for less than a month and already it is being heralded as a refreshing and poignant look into the incredible life of a man whose ideas, ideals and moral compass were indelibly and positively impacted in part by the nine years he spent as a student in the MRH school district. 

Dr. Da-I Ping is one of the most respected and successful sports agents and trainers in the United States. He was born in China at a time when communists were forcing entire families to flee for their lives. His family ended up in Bangkok, then later in Taiwan, where they lived in extreme poverty. At age 9, he survived a harrowing ship ride to the U.S. and was placed with an American exchange student with whom he had crossed paths back in Thailand.  “Jack,” as Dr. Ping was known back then, entered the 4th grade at [what was then] West Richmond Elementary School, unable to read or speak English.  To support his foster mother, he sold newspapers at the corner of Big Bend and Dale. Jack Ping willed himself to become a superior athlete on the football field, the wrestling ring, the track, and the ball diamond. Immediately after graduating, Jack joined the Marines, where he again played football. That led to a full scholarship to USC and ultimately, a prosperous career representing NFL players in contract negotiations. Today, Dr. Ping has built an empire which includes teaching martial arts, overseeing scholarship funds, raising money for cancer and heart disease research, all from his headquarters in Saline, Michigan.

For more information, contact MRH School District at (314) 644-4400.

This press release was produced by Maplewood Richmond Heights School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.