The Origins of AZ Billiards?

beav99_4life

beav99_4life

BPT Champion
Silver Member
AZ and The Action Report have got me thinking the past few weeks. I think AZ is an amazing site that I find myself continually checking on throughout the day. As for the Action Report, I have watched its rise in the recent months and believe it is going in a new direction that can possibly help the resurgence of billiards back into the main stream. All this has me wondering what steps, changes or updates might help AZ to go to that next level of impact on the billiards industry and culture. I have been on here for a little while, but honestly don't know the origins of AZ and how it was started. Could anyone please fill me in on the details? Its best to have an understanding of how something was created, in order to decide its best route for change. Thank you anyone for any input or information you might be able to offer.
 
I believe it was created on the 6th day right before G*d rested. I know for certain was after heaven, earth and light and before rest.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Ok ok, it's as the name implies. The site was initially dedicated to Arizona billiard news. It kinda took off.
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I always assumed it stood for A through Z Billiards, as in "everything billiards"
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Ok ok, it's as the name implies. The site was initially dedicated to Arizona billiard news. It kinda took off.
Click to expand...

Correct. I think that it was initially an offshoot of an Arizona billiard newspaper that just went under a few months back. If you go to the azbilliards homepage and click on the link in the top left menu that says "Arizona News", you can view the last issues of the newspaper that started it all.
 
Readers Digest Condensed Version...

AzBilliards was originally dedicated to pool out here in Arizona. Back in the day, we started covering the Camel Tour with brackets and all just because there were some local Az players who competed on it. Traffic went through the roof. Then, of course, Camel pulled the plug on the tour and I was faced with the question of whether I wanted to go back to just covering local Az pool or should I try to cover as much of the national scene as possible.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Mike
 
I think I first signed on in 99 or 2000 and the site has changed a lot since then.... and I'm glad!! This is great for pool and after the show on Action Report last night I think that they also are going to enjoy great success and be a wonderful thing for pool.
 
desert1pocket said:
Correct. I think that it was initially an offshoot of an Arizona billiard newspaper that just went under a few months back. If you go to the azbilliards homepage and click on the link in the top left menu that says "Arizona News", you can view the last issues of the newspaper that started it all.
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The paper didn't go under. It was actually just recently sold by Mike (this site's webmaster). It does have a new look though.
 
Jimmy M. said:
The paper didn't go under. It was actually just recently sold by Mike (this site's webmaster). It does have a new look though.
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Oh, my bad. I assumed that since we don't get it down here in Tucson anymore, and there were no more issues here online, that it had gone away. Good to know it still exists, but I wish I still had access to it. Do you know if copies are posted online anywhere?
 
AzHousePro said:
Readers Digest Condensed Version...

AzBilliards was originally dedicated to pool out here in Arizona. Back in the day, we started covering the Camel Tour with brackets and all just because there were some local Az players who competed on it. Traffic went through the roof. Then, of course, Camel pulled the plug on the tour and I was faced with the question of whether I wanted to go back to just covering local Az pool or should I try to cover as much of the national scene as possible.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Mike
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Mike,
I was just wondering because i'm currently working on a dual master's in management and business administration. A week or so ago a group of friends, who are all educated and die hard pool enthusiasts, were all discussing the site and the possible directions it might go. Topics such as an enhanced marketing strategy, increased advertising revenue, web-site progression and many other topics. We all know it is absolutely no one's business but your own, so of course we don't fully expect an answer, but we were wondering what your plans or goals were for the web site and where you'd like to take it. If no response comes its completely understood and we still thank you for a great web site that offers continuous fullfilment each day.
 
desert1pocket said:
Oh, my bad. I assumed that since we don't get it down here in Tucson anymore, and there were no more issues here online, that it had gone away. Good to know it still exists, but I wish I still had access to it. Do you know if copies are posted online anywhere?
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I'm not sure. I just saw the "new" paper a week or so ago. It was in Alexander's, if I remember correctly. Not sure how you'd go about getting it if it wasn't in your local pool room though.
 
Whatever AZB's origins it is now enjoyed in far flung corners of the world and I for one thank everyone involved in the effort of running it. Long may it prosper.
 
Direction

In case you missed the article on the front page a little while back, Mike is starting AZBTv.com (online TV) with Billiard news and tournament coverage.
Wouldn't it be great to have online coverage for tournaments like the IPT reported, and even live coverage like the Action Report guys do. (Perhaps they could work together on events).

Wouldn't be great even to get live coverage of more foreign events? Lots of possibilities exist.

Have you bought your own AZ Billiards T-Shirt or Polo from the AZ store?
I have mine ... LOL This is the first website I have supported, but do so
gladly.

I am sure Mike has some other ideas stirring, but may not want to make them public right now.
 
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