Mark Wilson as Mosconi Cup Captain - Announced

Jerry Forsyth said:
I would not want to be in Mark's shoes with every American pro knowing he can choose the team. I can give you a list of at least ten Americans who are personally convinced they belong on the team. I fear the pressure on him will be unrelenting.

But I agree he is a great choice.
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Those were the same 10 that felt they should be on the team last year. At least now they have the opportunity to present themselves to Mark and sell themselves to the Mosconi Cup. And if they are not chosen, hopefully and I have no reason to believe otherwise, Mark will be honest with them on why they didn't make the cut and the player can then make a conscious choice if he wants to be committed to doing what is necessary to be apart of the Mosconi Cup in the future. Whether that be learning how to draw his ball better or otherwise.
 
Great choice, including the ability to select his own team. I have confidence in Mark's ability to select and train a team that will represent the US well. I still think that beating the best of the Europeans is a tall order, but if the US team can maintain professionalism and play as a team with Mark at the helm, maybe they will keep him and his team together next year so they can learn from their experience.
 
Mark is great but the real news here is that there will be another M Cup with America participating. Unfortunately we can't win it anytime soon imo.

I'd guess that Rodney, Earl, Hatch and DeChaine will not be picked
 
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watchez said:
Those were the same 10 that felt they should be on the team last year. At least now they have the opportunity to present themselves to Mark and sell themselves to the Mosconi Cup. And if they are not chosen, hopefully and I have no reason to believe otherwise, Mark will be honest with them on why they didn't make the cut and the player can then make a conscious choice if he wants to be committed to doing what is necessary to be apart of the Mosconi Cup in the future. Whether that be learning how to draw his ball better or otherwise.
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I think giving one man the authority for selection to compete in the Mosconi Cup is going to draw a lot of different opinions.

Those same 10 players may be closer to the American professional pool player pulse than Mark Wilson has been in recent times, as one example.

If Mark's selected players shoot well in the 2014 Mosconi Cup, then he will be a hero in American pool. If those selected players fall down flat, there will be a rumbling, much like this year, though the rumbles will be for a different reason.
 
JAM said:
, ...... I wonder if the next Team USA will be representative of the so-called "professional pool player" in America.
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JAM,
I would wager that both Matchroom and Mark are hopeful that the next team will be representative of the "future professional pool player" in America. It seems doubtful that America would even be part of the Mosconi Cup with another scandal like this year. I think the selection and training will be quite different this year - hopefully in a manner that will promote the popularity of the game (barnstorming exhibitions, clinics, and matches; conducted in a professional and FUN manner).

I think the current state of the game can go nowhere but up. It would be nice if we had a cadre of professional and sportsmanlike players - sounds like Matchroom is on board after the scandals this year.

In the end, its not Mark's choice...it is Matchroom's choice.
 
Williebetmore said:
JAM,
I would wager that both Matchroom and Mark are hopeful that the next team will be representative of the "future professional pool player" in America. It seems doubtful that America would even be part of the Mosconi Cup with another scandal like this year. I think the selection and training will be quite different this year - hopefully in a manner that will promote the popularity of the game (barnstorming exhibitions, clinics, and matches; conducted in a professional and FUN manner).

I think the current state of the game can go nowhere but up. It would be nice if we had a cadre of professional and sportsmanlike players - sounds like Matchroom is on board after the scandals this year.

In the end, its not Mark's choice...it is Matchroom's choice.
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I totally understand what you are saying. Truly, I do. I agree that the past Mosconi Cup was fraught with problems for Team USA, some of which were self-inflicted for sure.

I am not sure Mark Wilson or anybody else for that matter can "fix" American pool, so to put that on his shoulders is a heavy bundle.

He is a man worthy of respect. That, I don't think anybody can disagree with.

I am skeptical, however, that his selection will be representative of the American professional pool world. Pool purists may be quite happy with this new strategy for Mosconi Cup selection, however. :smile:
 
Matt said:
Great choice, including the ability to select his own team. I have confidence in Mark's ability to select and train a team that will represent the US well. I still think that beating the best of the Europeans is a tall order, but if the US team can maintain professionalism and play as a team with Mark at the helm, maybe they will keep him and his team together next year so they can learn from their experience.
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Matt,
The Euro's are FREAKING GREAT!!!!! No team on earth has to beat them.

Mark is all about sportsmanship, professionalism, and the UNRELENTING PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE. While win, lose, or draw he will want the team to behave as professionals; EXCELLENCE is the goal. Beating the Euro's is a TALL ORDER.
 
The most significant thing about Mark's selection is that is almost 9 months earlier than usual.
 
JAM said:
I am skeptical, however, that his selection will be representative of the American professional pool world.
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I know you are a huge proponent of "professional pool" and the "professional players", but we have seen this past year where some of these "professionals" can get us.

Their skills are great, but I feel like if Mark doesn't pick from the established top-tier players, it might show them that class and skill come together as a package. Now don't get me wrong, I do feel there are top-tier professionals who can be classy, but they were not all represented at last year's MC.
 
Congratulation, Mark!

This is the best possible selection for the USA team! And with plenty of time to make the player selections.

With Mark at the helm, I am comfortable that the team, when named, will be comprised of players that
represent the very best of the USA, in ALL ways!

Will Prout
 
MahnaMahna said:
JAM, I am curious who would you have picked if you were in charge?
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This is all new, MahnaMahna, having the coach select the team members. In this regard, if this is how the teams are picked in the future, I'm not sure who I'd pick as coach for 2014. Having the coach pick the players changes the ball game quite a bit.

It was an astute move for Matchroom Sport to put the onus on Americans to handle the team selection, I guess. Nobody can criticize them, as some did this past year, for "fixing" the teams to their advantage. :grin-square:

There was a move to put Mark Wilson in the slot a month or so ago, so I kind of knew this was on the horizon. I didn't think it would be announced so much in advance of the 2014 Mosconi Cup, however. :)

There is a conflict in American pool with the pool purists versus action enthusiasts, mum pool versus emotion-filled pool, et cetera. Mark Wilson will have a tall order to find a team representative of American professional pool this year. Hopefully, he will study the scene, be open-minded, and come with the best possible team. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes. That's for sure.

If it was a matter of just picking a coach, I could think of several people who might fit the bill, but choosing a coach with this authority -- selection the team players -- is all new. But I'm just one railbird out of thousands with an opinion. :grin-square:
 
pro9dg said:
The most significant thing about Mark's selection is that is almost 9 months earlier than usual.
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You know how to move them balls on the proverbial pool table pretty doggone good, Doug. :grin-square:
 
JAM said:
There was a move to put Mark Wilson in the slot a month or so ago, so I kind of knew this was on the horizon. I didn't think it would be announced so much in advance of the 2014 Mosconi Cup, however. :)
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There are more announcements coming that are going to show change as well.

To me, this moves not only the Mosconi Cup but professional pool in a huge step forward direction.
 
Win or lose if our team conducts themselves in a honorable fashion its a big win for USA in my book. We need to separate ourselves from the actions of last year. Team USA needs to show it can not only win but compete as professionals.

If the behavior of last years team is a indication of what "professional pool" is in America, than I am glad to not be counted in that group. I wish I had their talent, I respect their game. But I was ashamed at the way several of them acted.

I think this year will be a solid step in the right direction, win or lose. This is how you build a future. It's not a 1 year concept, it's just the beginning.
 
JAM said:
I totally understand what you are saying. Truly, I do. I agree that the past Mosconi Cup was fraught with problems for Team USA, some of which were self-inflicted for sure.

I am not sure Mark Wilson or anybody else for that matter can "fix" American pool, so to put that on his shoulders is a heavy bundle.

He is a man worthy of respect. That, I don't think anybody can disagree with.

I am skeptical, however, that his selection will be representative of the American professional pool world. Pool purists may be quite happy with this new strategy for Mosconi Cup selection, however. :smile:
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Jam, I'm sure his selction will NOT be representative of the American professional pool world. The current state of American professional pool is what caused the scandals to start with, and came within a hair breath of ending American participation in the Mosconi Cup.

Time to start anew and build from there. Sure, we may not win this coming year, but at least we will be able to still hold our heads high on a professional approach to the game. Only one team can win. That means one has to lose. If it be us, then it is much better to have it because of just not quite being good enough, than because of the scandals that were involved and never even wanting to win.

I'm all for American pool myself. But, at it's current state, it is a disgrace. Not from playing ability, but from the actions of the pros. Time to fix that if we ever want this sport to go anywhere. The mentality has to change first. The skill will come with time. Todays current crop of pros needs a huge makeover. Many of them have been given their last chance, and blew it. They are not only not irreplaceable, but need to be replaced.

That said, yes, Mark has his hands full. While I agree that he is setting himself up for a large amount of flack if we lose this year, I don't feel it really should fall all on him. He has the task of starting anew and building something from the ground up. Not an easy task for anyone to accomplish. But, Mark is the best choice for attempting it. Good luck to him, he's going to need it. Even if we lose, at least we will be going in the right direction for a change.
 
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What a surprise :thumbup: I'm shocked!!! Great Choice!!!




A post from KK9’s thread:
What's the Best Way to Select the Next US Mosconi Team? - 01-07-2014, 02:48 PM

I think the coach for Team USA has already been picked.

Mark Wilson has already been chosen, I think, and the

person starting all these threads about him knows this.

He is only doing this so when the announcement is made

by Matchroom everyone is on the same page.

Sort of like two years ago, prior to that choice being announced.
********
Hey, where are all the threads where Americans are touting
there choice for Team Eruo coach, I must have missed them.

I THINK MARK WOULD BE A FINE CHOICE
However I thought that prior to the campaign.
 
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