21th Annual Junior Artistic Pool Championships at Junior Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky
The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) proudly announces the 21st Annual Junior Artistic Pool Championships presented by Tom “Dr. Cue” and Marty “Ms. Cue” Rossman. This year’s championships will be run by Mark “Dr. Popper” Dimick who also supported the event last year. This year’s event will be held in conjunction with the 26th Annual BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships June 24-27, 2014 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY.
The Artistic Pool Lag Shootout Challenge has been a great success for many years among amateurs and juniors worldwide. The event encompasses the eight disciplines of artistic pool, one important discipline being the lag shot. Event documents can be downloaded below. Top two finishers from each age division will receive trophies.
“Dr. Cue”, “Ms. Cue”, and “Dr. Popper” want to thank the BEF for their continued support of Artistic Pool. We encourage all juniors to participate in this special competition and to “enjoy the artistic roll”…always!!
Tentative Schedule for 2014 Junior Artistic Pool Championships
TUESDAY, JUNE 24:
Special Show
5:00PM to 8:00PM – Preliminary Rounds
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25:
11:00AM to 7:00PM — Preliminary Rounds
THURSDAY, JULY 26:
11:00 to 5:00PM – Complete Preliminary Rounds, Final Rounds to follow
Wilson Names Team USA Hopefuls
As was his original intent, Mosconi Cup Team USA Captain Mark Wilson worked quickly to select the players who will compete for the final five roster spots for the 2014 event in December in Blackpool, England. Wilson announced the selection of eight players who will train and compete together through the summer, before the captain whittles the list down to the five players who will wear the red, white and blue in Blackpool.
Not surprisingly, Wilson tabbed America’s No. 1, Shane Van Boening, and immediately announced that he will expect the taciturn star to provide leadership to the 2014 squad. “Shane sets a great example,” Wilson said in a press release. “And I expect to rely on him for leadership this year.”
Wilson also named seven-time Mosconi Cup veteran Corey Deuel, who many thought should have been on the team in 2013, to the squad. John Schmidt, Oscar Dominguez and Brandon Shuff, each of whom has participated in one Mosconi Cup, were named to the team was well. Leaning on America’s youth, Wilson rounded out his selection with Southern Classic One-Pocket champion Justin Bergman, Derby City titlist Justin Hall and Connecticut’s Jeremy Sossei.
“I’m really excited by this team,” Wilson said. “Every player seems so genuinely appreciative and excited. They’re all willing to do whatever it takes to develop a strong team and a strong sense of unity.”
More interesting than who Wilson selected, of course, was the list of players who weren’t invited to “camp.” The most notable omission was Johnny Archer, whose string of 17 consecutive Mosconi Cup appearances will come to an end. Fourteen-time Cup participant Earl Strickland and nine-time team member Rodney Morris were also left off the roster. In fact, Van Boening will be the only holdover from the 2013 squad that lost 21-1 to Team Europe in Las Vegas.
“I didn’t interview those players,” Wilson admitted. “And I explained to Johnny that I thought it best to go in a completely different direction this year. A lot of it is about attitude. Last year I felt there was no sense of urgency. There seemed to be a sense that it was a yearend bonus, and if the team won, great.”
Another player conspicuous by his absence is Mike Dechaine, one of the most consistent American players over the past three years.
“I spoke to Mike,” said Wilson. “In the end I felt that his reputation among the players wasn’t a good fit at this stage for a team event like the Mosconi Cup.”
Wilson added that his plan is to get the players together several times over the summer and fall for practice and team bonding. Wilson said he planned to make the final cut to five players after the U.S. Open, and that Team USA would meet and practice together for a week at Lindenwood University near St. Louis before departing for London. The dates of the 2014 Mosconi Cup are Dec. 1-4.
BD’s George Fels Dead At 75
George Fels
According to Fels’ son, Adam, George collapsed at home Dec, 27. He was rushed to Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, but never regained consciousness. Per his wishes, George was removed from life support after neurologists confirmed extensive brain damage from the heart attack. He died late in evening in New Years Eve.
Born and raised in Chicago, Fels love of pool began early in life. An award-winning creative writer for some of the city’s biggest advertising agencies, Fels slipped away many afternoons to shoot pool at downtown Chicago’s famed Bensingers, about which he wrote on numerous occasions.
After publishing the book, “Mastering Pool,” in the late ’70s, Fels began contributing monthly columns to Billiards Digest in 1981. Over the next 33 years, Fels penned nearly 300 columns for the magazine. His columns were entertaining recollections of the game and its characters. His style was crisp, precise and hilariously descriptive. As billiard historian Mike Shamos of the Billiard Archive noted, “George said more in one page than most writers could in an entire book.”
Mr. Fels is survived by sons Adam and Sam.
IN ORDER TO SUCCEED, YOUR DESIRE FOR SUCCESS SHOULD BE GREATER THAN YOUR FEAR OF FAILURE.
Bill Cosby
Great post without image.
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Morning of the World
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Billiard Education Foundation Announces 2014 Academic Scholarships Sponsored by Str8 Shots
October 7, 2013 (Englewood, CO): Str8 Shots Billiards & Darts proudly sponsors the 2014 Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) Academic Scholarship Awards. Applications are currently being accepted for these awards. The objective of the BEF Academic Scholarship Program is to grant scholarships to students who have benefited from the sport of billiards and plan to pursue a college education.
This opportunity has previously only been available to high school seniors but through the generous support of Str8 Shots, this year’s scholarships will be award to three categories: high school seniors only ($2,000 award for the winner and $1,000 for runner-up), 9th -11th graders ($500 award), and 6th -8th graders ($500 award).
“Str8 Shots has been committed to encouraging youth to do all they can to achieve their highest academic potential since they opened the doors four years ago. Sponsoring the 2014 BEF Academic Scholarships is just another way we can provide the youth with an opportunity to reach their potential academically,” said owners Marc and Kimberly Griffiths.
Complete details on eligibility, guidelines, and application/registration can be found at the following link: http://www.str8-shots.com/2014-academic-scholarship-essay-contest/. Entries must be postmarked by Friday, February 28, 2014. Online registration deadline is Friday, February 21, 2014. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 15.
The BEF has awarded over $200,000 in academic scholarships since 1993 and continues to promote higher education and a lifelong love for the sport of pocket billiards. For more details on BEF scholarships or sponsoring an academic scholarship, visit billiardeducation.org.
Str8 Shots is the only online billiard and dart retailer committed to giving back to the community that supports them. We encourage players of all ages and skill levels through sponsorship, sportsmanship awards, and various other programs. For more information about the programs they offer, or to purchase your billiard or dart products, visit them at str8-shots.com.
The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) was formed in 1993 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity committed to promoting a lifelong love of pool and building the next generation of players through youth programs and academic scholarships. Visit billiardeducation.org or call (303) 926-1039 to learn more about junior billiard programs in your area.
For the colorful.
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Annual Challenge the Stars Event Raised over $5,000 for the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF)
The Return of the BEF Challenge the Stars proved a successful evening
September 30, 2013 (Englewood, CO): Where can amateur players challenge their favorite professional pool players, all while helping to raise money for their favorite billiard charity? Only at the annual BEF Challenge the Stars event.
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The popular Challenge the Stars returned this year July 23rd to the Rio Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. Keeping with the tradition, the event took place on the Tuesday evening of the singles finals while all the team players rolled in for the annual CSI National Championships. Since its first year, Cue-Tech Pool School’s Randy Goettlicher has been the emcee and this year was no exception.
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The impressive list of top professionals who showed their support by taking challenge matches included top world and junior champions: Shane VanBoening, Mika Immonen, Jennifer Barretta, Dennis Orcullo, Mike Dechaine, Francisco Bustamante, Corey Deuel, Ralf Souquet, Darren Appleton, Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch Fan Page, Lee Brett, The Drill Instructor, Stefano Pelinga, Hunter Lombardo, and top BEF Junior player, Briana Miller.
This year’s event raised approximately $5,500 for the organization through the pro challenge matches and it was greatly due to the support of the many generous silent auction donations which included: a custom Jacoby cue, a McDermott cue, Fury NR series cues and other gift packages from Sterling Gaming, custom leather wallets and bags from Castillo Leather Goods, a one of a kind original oil painting by Tanner Pruess (which will be auctioned at a later date), two Delta-13 Select racks, Dr. Dave gift packages, RT9 Designs poster packs, commemorative signed memorabilia from Mosconi Cup, as well as a signed event t-shirt from the Jay Swanson Memorial tournament courtesy of GoPlayPool.com, a collection of books form Bebob Publishing, Dr. Cue autographed collection, and more donated items from Str8-Shots.com. A special $1,000 donation was also made by Tom Riccobene.
Special Thanks go to Claude Gragg, Randy’s right-hand man, Dave Merrill and his crew of referees who all donated their time, particularly Ed Stephens for the extra donation, and CSI and its staff for all their support. Staff photographer for the evening, Jim Calderon worked tirelessly to ensure all challengers got their photo taken with their pro. Additional thanks also go to volunteers Earl Munson, Tammy Jo and Melvin Leonard, Kathy Coffee, Travis and Tarasa Escoubas, Taren Stewart, Josh Bustos, Cody Escoubas, and Winfield Hong.
The BEF also thanks all the donors, challengers, bidders, and supporters that helped make the event successful and its fundraising efforts pay off. For more information on the Challenge the Stars, Junior Nationals, and other BEF programs, visit the BEF website at billiardeducation.org.
The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) was formed in 1993 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity committed to promoting a lifelong love of pool and building the next generation of players through youth programs and academic scholarships. Visit billiardeducation.org or call (303) 926-1039 to learn more about junior billiard programs in your area.