Mr. Joe Merrill, E Dan, began training in Tang Soo Do at Appalachia Tang Soo Do with Master Michael White during the summer of 1987 when he was 4 years old. After many years of training but still at a very young age, he was given the assignment of teaching the youth classes on Saturday mornings. Although younger than many of the students in the class, he took charge and taught it in the professional manner expected of him by his instructors.

In 1998, at the age of 15, he achieved the rank of 1st degree Black Belt; he received his 2nd degree Black Belt in 2001. Mr. Merrill continues to train with Master Michael White and specializes in defensive tactics, self-defense and bong techniques.

When his father, Mr. Scott Merrill, took over teaching the Penn State Martial Arts Group at Core Fitness in 1998, Joe was there to assist in the instruction and administration of all classes. He has been involved in all Appalachia Tang Soo Do, PSMAG and WTSDA sanctioned events under the guidance of Master Michael White and Master Michael Kaye.