great idea

[Holly]

John - It would be great if yourself and other's in the industry would take a few moments when they have some spare time in their life to promote the sport to the high school system in their local area. Thanks for starting this thread

In Las Vegas there is a group called the Academic Billiards Collective. Their web site is: www.abcpoolproject.org

Led by Mark Estes who is a colleague of mine at CueSports International, a fundraiser tournament was held for ABC. I am not sure exactly how much was raised, but when I had the opportunity to speak with the wonderful gentleman who started the collective, he told me some of the requirements of the kids who participate in the pool / billiards after school program: the kids pay $25 a year and a $2 practice fee which is waivable if needed, after a probationary period each student must have less than 3 absences, few disciplinary actions and maintain a 3.0 GPA. They compete in tournaments for trophies and scholarships.

On one of their flyers for the program they have a quote by Abraham Lincoln. He described pool as a "health inspiring, scientific game, lending recreation to the otherwise fatigued mind."

Please visit their web site. ABC was started by one teacher who has nurtured it to the level it is today and is rapidly growing.

 

[jay helfert]

The reason the "BCA" has not done anything with the schools is because they cannot figure out a way to profit monetarily from it.

The BCA is made up of manufacturers and suppliers of billiard equipment. Let's say one hundred thousand kids start playing pool because it is an interscholastic sport, how much billiard stuff would they buy? A LOT!

These are supposed to be astute businessman, but if I was making cues or pool tables (or any other billiard product), I'd want high school kids to take an interest in the game. And would go to great lengths to make that happen. To me it's a no brainer!

 

[Matt90]

I don't know if it's related BUT

Georgia Tech here in Atlanta used to have a billiards club for
the students .At one time I heard it was pretty jam up .I am
sure anything like this would have to start at that level and
work its way up to show intrest .
A bit of Matt history ....I was in a military school in Virginia
and the only two things they had there that intrested me
was six 9 foot tables that they played a weekly tournament
on (8 ball) and martial arts .I guess what I am saying is alot
of kids are not into baseball,football,& basketball and pool will
catch and keep there attention where some of the other sports
may not .At least I have always believed that pool players are
a different breed as compared to normal sports fans like football
etc..... A good example is a one pocket tournament on sunday
evening in a sports bar with a play off game on the big tv's .:grin-square:

 

[john schmidt]

hi

the thing i dont understand is marlboro spends alot of time and money trying to get a 7th grader hooked on cigs .
they dont go after 60 year olds.

same with pool.
these people in the billiards industry that i would imagine have marketing degree are trying to convert 60 year olds .

a mass effort at the high school level and college would do wonders i believe.

it will never happen because they wont make money the first 5 minutes.

 

[jay helfert]

the thing i dont understand is marlboro spends alot of time and money trying to get a 7th grader hooked on cigs .
they dont go after 60 year olds.

same with pool.
these people in the billiards industry that i would imagine have marketing degree are trying to convert 60 year olds .

a mass effort at the high school level and college would do wonders i believe.

it will never happen because they wont make money the first 5 minutes.

I totally agree with John here. The BCA should recruit four or five top players, and create a high school pool program that these guys could establish in their respective area of the country. Of course, that makes too much sense when they (BCA honchos) can better spend their time arguing about Eight Ball rules and venues for the Trade Show. Or lamenting their slipping sales numbers.

 

[LoGiC]

a mass effort at the high school level and college would do wonders i believe.

As a current college billiards club president, I'll tell you this; its hard to convey interest now if they haven't been playing before. Interest starts, they progress, they hit a plateau, interest wanes...

If they haven't been trying for some time, and its not 'automatic' people quit. Not just pool, thats most activities today.

 

[macguy]

Wow... I like it when a bus just has a bathroom!


I think this sort of thing might be a silver lining to the smoking bans. Clean, nonsmoking rooms in good areas should really try to get local schools involved. I showed up last spring at a room in Minneapolis at 11:00 am on a Tuesday just as a schoolbus full of 15 year olds got there.

When I spoke to the manager, he said he'd personally visited all the high schools in his area talking to the pe teachers, activity coordinators, etc. He had a bunch of schools that would bring a bus load of kids just for one 50-minute period. Others would occasionally do a little half-day reward trip or something.

The room charged the school a buck a kid or so for the excursion.

Thats funny what I wrote. I meant they brought the kids to the bowling alley on a school bus.

 

[macguy]

The BCA is made up of manufacturers and suppliers of billiard equipment. Let's say one hundred thousand kids start playing pool because it is an interscholastic sport, how much billiard stuff would they buy? A LOT!

These are supposed to be astute businessman, but if I was making cues or pool tables (or any other billiard product), I'd want high school kids to take an interest in the game. And would go to great lengths to make that happen. To me it's a no brainer!

When I was doing the high school classes it had a big effect on the rooms business. Most all the kids came back to practice, they brought their parents who themselves began showing up on their own. It's a no lose deal for the industry. I don't know any pool players who ever really give up the game, once they are introduced they become life long players to some degree. I can't really honestly see where the next generation of players will come from. I guess they will somehow come from somewhere but it would be nice to make it happen and not just depend on random circumstances.

 

[macguy]

As a current college billiards club president, I'll tell you this; its hard to convey interest now if they haven't been playing before. Interest starts, they progress, they hit a plateau, interest wanes...

If they haven't been trying for some time, and its not 'automatic' people quit. Not just pool, thats most activities today.

Thats true, but also many will become life long players even if they never really get very good. Just look at golf. Go to any public course and you don't see that many top players, it is the hacks that are the real backbone. The important thing it to introduce them to the game properly and let it go from there. Pool can be a bit addictive.

 

[Texas Prez]

This Is My Thread!!!

I don't know why I haven't seen this thread before but this is what I want to dedicate myself to. Coming from a family of teachers and currently being the President of The University of Texas Billiards Club this is the conversation I want to see.

ANYONE who is interested in promoting scholastic billiards, anyone who currently conducting some sort of Collegiate or Scholastic program, anyone that knows someone involved with Collegiate and K-12 Pool...

PM ME!!!!

I want to establish a contact base. I want to get as many people on board as possible and I believe right now the problem is the lack of organization. I have PMed a few of you already. Please lets get organized and get a plan together.

you can also e-mail me at Jaykell@mail.utexas.edu

I am not asking for contributions....just want to establish contacts and start to branch out as far as I can extend....we can do this....lets give the youth of pool a future!

 

[tksix]

This is something that needs to be done!! My son is 11 and plays pretty straight. He currently competes in tourneys against adults.

He plays football, basketball, and wrestles.

My point is...........that most kids today are very coachable. 95% of them have been competing at some organized level since they were 5 or 6..............soccer, football, martial arts whatever. I see it on the football field at 10 and 11..............kids being kids, but put a helmet on their head and they are men. They act respectfully, follow direction and can be managed and taught to perform at their own personal highest level.

We need to tap into that for pool. What is the hook for parents though? That is the catch........................how will pocket billiards benefit their child? We need to answer that.

My answer would be self esteem, pride, confidence, work ethic, setting and achieving goals, etc..

All of those things we all have achieved at different levels from this game we are so passionate about.

Mike

 

[LoGiC]

This is something that needs to be done!! My son is 11 and plays pretty straight. He currently competes in tourneys against adults.

He plays football, basketball, and wrestles.

My point is...........that most kids today are very coachable. 95% of them have been competing at some organized level since they were 5 or 6..............soccer, football, martial arts whatever. I see it on the football field at 10 and 11..............kids being kids, but put a helmet on their head and they are men. They act respectfully, follow direction and can be managed and taught to perform at their own personal highest level.

We need to tap into that for pool. What is the hook for parents though? That is the catch........................how will pocket billiards benefit their child? We need to answer that.

Other than building practical life skills, such as control, patience, and a the knowledge of having to work to improve or get what you want in life? I guess since theres no money, no father is gonna push his son or daughter to play the sport better like the fathers of NHL players did. We lack family support!

If we could get something televised again, something like 10-10-20, a different game with an explosive break and quick shooting, that will draw the initial interest.

It seems the only kids playing pool today are the sons and daughters of pool addicts. I guess we could always just have massive amount of kids to populate the sport. What do you think will happen first, better BCA support, or each of us raising another shooter?

 

[Texas Prez]

Other than building practical life skills, such as control, patience, and a the knowledge of having to work to improve or get what you want in life? I guess since theres no money, no father is gonna push his son or daughter to play the sport better like the fathers of NHL players did. We lack family support!

If we could get something televised again, something like 10-10-20, a different game with an explosive break and quick shooting, that will draw the initial interest.

It seems the only kids playing pool today are the sons and daughters of pool addicts. I guess we could always just have massive amount of kids to populate the sport. What do you think will happen first, better BCA support, or each of us raising another shooter?

The game I think is fine the way it is... the key is team competition. Michigan and Virginia Tech Universities already have a Team Competition that has become very popular. If we are able to get a few more of those going around the country we could have a National Team Championship which would draw enough attention to get national coverage from ESPN or the like.

 

[JimS]

I don't know why I haven't seen this thread before but this is what I want to dedicate myself to. Coming from a family of teachers and currently being the President of The University of Texas Billiards Club this is the conversation I want to see.

ANYONE who is interested in promoting scholastic billiards, anyone who currently conducting some sort of Collegiate or Scholastic program, anyone that knows someone involved with Collegiate and K-12 Pool...

PM ME!!!!

I want to establish a contact base. I want to get as many people on board as possible and I believe right now the problem is the lack of organization. I have PMed a few of you already. Please lets get organized and get a plan together.

you can also e-mail me at Jaykell@mail.utexas.edu

I am not asking for contributions....just want to establish contacts and start to branch out as far as I can extend....we can do this....lets give the youth of pool a future!

John! This could be important to your goal of getting something started in your local schools.

 

[hsbilliards]

Great thread John!

And it is good to see the suggestions and enthusiasm and support for the BEF and high school and Collegiate billiards.

For the past 10 years I have dedicated my life to high school billiards in the Dallas area.

Billiards in school DOES work and the industry needs to WAKE UP and support it.

I have been the Program Director for high school billiards in Dallas for my
8th year. We have had 13 high schools that have participated in inter-high school competition with several HUNDRED students participating.

These students wear school competition uniforms, are in their year books, have had pep rallies for them, been featured in CBS local news, Dallas Morning News and all the billiard publications.

We have had over 30 over our Dallas players compete at the Junior Nationals the past 8 years.

The Billiard Retail economic impact here in Dallas is substantial. Hundreds of our NEW students have bought cues, cases, TABLES and other accessories. Now imagine the impact of a nation wide high school program.

I have first hand knowledge of the sales from experience as a Billiard store manager, and top retail salesmen for a large billiard chain here in Dallas.

Its people like Royce Bunnell from OB-1, Charlie Bond with Break Rak, Championship Cloth, Accueshot, Tom Rossman "Dr Cue", BCA Instructors Carl Oswald, Bill Suden, Nolan Shaw, Mike Bearskin-Winger, Jimmy Lejuene, and others that have made a big help to us by supporting with product or just by being there for the students.

I am Chairman for the high school billiard committee for the BEF, if you want to truly help then PLEASE support the BEF. The BCA is GOING to cut funding for the BEF soon and they need funds to continue!

Laura Smith and Dawn Hopkins have done a TREMENDOUS job the last two years. I have worked 1000's of hours and spent thousands of dollars to promote high school billiards and to help the BEF with much needed experience. I wrote the Program Directors guide along with Dawn Hopkins that is available from the BEF to start a program in YOUR area. Please contact them about it at www.billiardeducation.org

The hard work has been done already! The high school program works and needs to expand across the country. Contact Laura Smith (and please tell her what a great job she is doing) and find out how you can help the BEF as a professional player, room owner, retail store, whatever to help with this MUCH NEEDED program and BEF organization.

Remember the BEF is non-profit. They are trying to build the players for tomorrow so YOU guys can maybe profit from sales and table time, etc. The industry wins.

Thanks guys for the enthusiasm for school billiards.

Earl Munson
Billiard Education Foundation- 2007-2008 Chair (School Billiard Committee),

2006 BCA Junior Nationals Tournament Director- University of Arizona,

2007 BEF Junior National Tournament Director- Minnesota State University,

2008 BEF Junior Nationals Tournament Director- University of Arizona,

BCA Certified Billiard Instructor (Graduated BCA Master Academy Recognized-1997, Certified-2002-Present)

BCA/BEF Sanctioned League & Tournament Director 1994-2007.

B.E.T.T.E.R. High School Billiard Program Founder & Director (2001-2008).

BCA Master League Level A Player (1998-2007).

BCA Instructor for following high schools:

Rockwall H.S.2001-2008, Rowlett H.S.2001-2008, Sachse H.S.2002-2008, Garland H.S.2003-2008, Naaman Forest H.S.2002-2008, Plano Sr. H.S.2005-2006, South Garland H.S.2006-2008, Wylie H.S.2006-2008, Berkner H.S.2001-2008, & Utley Freshmen Center 2001-2002, North Garland H.S.2007-2008,Frisco H.S.2007-2008, JJ Pearce H.S.2007-2008, BCA Billiard Coach and Lead Instructor.

 

[jay helfert]

Great thread John!

And it is good to see the suggestions and enthusiasm and support for the BEF and high school and Collegiate billiards.

For the past 10 years I have dedicated my life to high school billiards in the Dallas area.

Billiards in school DOES work and the industry needs to WAKE UP and support it.

I have been the Program Director for high school billiards in Dallas for my
8th year. We have had 13 high schools that have participated in inter-high school competition with several HUNDRED students participating.

These students wear school competition uniforms, are in their year books, have had pep rallies for them, been featured in CBS local news, Dallas Morning News and all the billiard publications.

We have had over 30 over our Dallas players compete at the Junior Nationals the past 8 years.

The Billiard Retail economic impact here in Dallas is substantial. Hundreds of our NEW students have bought cues, cases, TABLES and other accessories. Now imagine the impact of a nation wide high school program.

I have first hand knowledge of the sales from experience as a Billiard store manager, and top retail salesmen for a large billiard chain here in Dallas.

Its people like Royce Bunnell from OB-1, Charlie Bond with Break Rak, Championship Cloth, Accueshot, Tom Rossman "Dr Cue", BCA Instructors Carl Oswald, Bill Suden, Nolan Shaw, Mike Bearskin-Winger, Jimmy Lejuene, and others that have made a big help to us by supporting with product or just by being there for the students.

I am Chairman for the high school billiard committee for the BEF, if you want to truly help then PLEASE support the BEF. The BCA is GOING to cut funding for the BEF soon and they need funds to continue!

Laura Smith and Dawn Hopkins have done a TREMENDOUS job the last two years. I have worked 1000's of hours and spent thousands of dollars to promote high school billiards and to help the BEF with much needed experience. I wrote the Program Directors guide along with Dawn Hopkins that is available from the BEF to start a program in YOUR area. Please contact them about it at www.billiardeducation.org

The hard work has been done already! The high school program works and needs to expand across the country. Contact Laura Smith (and please tell her what a great job she is doing) and find out how you can help the BEF as a professional player, room owner, retail store, whatever to help with this MUCH NEEDED program and BEF organization.

Remember the BEF is non-profit. They are trying to build the players for tomorrow so YOU guys can maybe profit from sales and table time, etc. The industry wins.

Thanks guys for the enthusiasm for school billiards.

Earl Munson
Billiard Education Foundation- 2007-2008 Chair (School Billiard Committee),

2006 BCA Junior Nationals Tournament Director- University of Arizona,

2007 BEF Junior National Tournament Director- Minnesota State University,

2008 BEF Junior Nationals Tournament Director- University of Arizona,

BCA Certified Billiard Instructor (Graduated BCA Master Academy Recognized-1997, Certified-2002-Present)

BCA/BEF Sanctioned League & Tournament Director 1994-2007.

B.E.T.T.E.R. High School Billiard Program Founder & Director (2001-2008).

BCA Master League Level A Player (1998-2007).

BCA Instructor for following high schools:

Rockwall H.S.2001-2008, Rowlett H.S.2001-2008, Sachse H.S.2002-2008, Garland H.S.2003-2008, Naaman Forest H.S.2002-2008, Plano Sr. H.S.2005-2006, South Garland H.S.2006-2008, Wylie H.S.2006-2008, Berkner H.S.2001-2008, & Utley Freshmen Center 2001-2002, North Garland H.S.2007-2008,Frisco H.S.2007-2008, JJ Pearce H.S.2007-2008, BCA Billiard Coach and Lead Instructor.

TAP TAP TAP, Job well done! Hello BCA!!!

 

[gulfportdoc]

It IS, Jay, but it's a feeble competition, mostly sponsored by the Association of College Unions or whatever it's titled today. There was actually a time when intercollegiate pool competition was accomplished by mail! There was a format roughly similar to Jerry Briesath's "Equal Offense", and schools mailed in the scores of their best players; the best two in the nation then played off an actual game of 14.1 for the collegiate title. John's idea would be a fine one in another economy. GF

That's right, George. The BCA used to publish the winners in all the collegiate cuesports disciplines in their annual rule book. There were intercollegiate tournaments as well.

Most of the larger colleges (and many of the smaller ones) had poolrooms of various sizes in their student unions/rec rooms for decades-- at least up through the 1960's. Many may still have them today.

So it wouldn't be a question of starting something radically new. It would simply be a decision to return to the tradition. I've played in many student unions, as I'm sure you have-- and the equipment was generally of good quality and good condition.

Doc

 

[dakaratestar]

yup

I go to Rutgers in NJ. We have a pool table in almost every dorm building, and that's ALOT of tables. These tables usually get a new cloth every school year too.

I am a member of a school billiads club on FACEBOOK. and since I had won a few school organized tournaments, some of these people in the Facebook club would ask me for instructions, information about how to get better, where to play tournaments and so on. Many of them are amazed and eager to learn what I do on a pool table. and I am only a B player.

I think John's idea is great about going to school assemblies to talk to the kids. One thing though, if anyone is going to do this, make sure there is a well-designed WEBSITE, i am talking about very proffesional looking, informative, and most importantly UPLOAD THE VIDEO of all presentations and speeches by these POOL REPRESENTATIVES. I think after the kids report to their parents about what they have heard and witnessed in school, the parents and other family members will definitely want to see them too.

 

[Texas Prez]

As shown, College Pool is there...it is inexpensive and simple to do...organization is the big obstacle right now. If we get organized then televised events are not too far off in the distant future!

 

[dakaratestar]

I don't mind organizing the students, but the students need to see the BIG GUYS come and talk to them. again, I am just a B player