Calling all Collegiate Pool Players - ACUI National Qualifying Tournaments

Benward452

Benward452

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Think you are the best pool player in collegiate pool?

Compete against the best and find out! The two-time defending collegiate national champions from Lindenwood University, Landon Shuffett and Briana Miller are gunning for a three-peat. Will you upset them?

Qualifying Tournaments for the 2016 ACUI National Collegiate 9-ball Championship:
• East Central Sectional Qualifier – February, 5-7 – University of Akron
• Southern Sectional Qualifier – February, 19-21 – Florida International University
• Central Sectional Qualifier – February, 19-21 – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
• Pennsylvania State University Independent Qualifier – February, 27-28
• Braves ACUI Independent Qualifier – March, 4-6 – University North Carolina – Pembroke
• Mid-Atlantic Sectional Qualifier – March 18-19 – Radford University (VA)
• Western Sectional Qualifier – March 18-20 – Weber State University
• South Atlantic Sectional Qualifier – April 1-3 – Georgia Tech
• Southwest Sectional Qualifier – April 1-3 – Arizona State University
• Last Chance Qualifier – April 9 – University of Michigan

The Association of College Unions International (ACUI) is thrilled to announce the qualifying tournament schedule for the 2016 ACUI National Collegiate 9-ball Championship. Each host University will hold a men’s and women’s double elimination tournament open to all eligible collegiate players. Invitations to the 2016 ACUI National Collegiate 9-ball Championship will be extended to the top finishers (25% of the field) in each qualifying tournament with the winner receiving paid entry into the national tournament.

Registration details and entry fee payment for all tournaments must be completed online through ACUI, here

The entry fee for sectional qualifiers is $40 while independent qualifiers’ entry fees will vary by host university. Students may compete in multiple tournaments until qualified. Once a student has qualified for the Collegiate 9-ball Championship they will be ineligible to compete in additional qualifying tournaments.

Academic eligibility guidelines can be found here.

ACUI recognizes the top three winners of the men’s and women’s national tournament with individual scholarships and trophies along with the top competitors receiving the prestige of being the ACUI National Collegiate 9-ball champions.

A full list of past ACUI collegiate champions can be found here

I will be happy to answer questions regarding the program and qualifying tournaments through the forum.

Ben Litvak
- ACUI Volunteer - National 9-ball Director
 
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Here are the national qualifiers from the first ACUI National Qualifier, the 2016 East Central Sectional, which was hosted at The University of Akron this past weekend.

12715327_1105836726102928_7870803579937369193_n.jpg


1st Place Women's: Linda Nguyen, Madison Area Technical College - First time qualifier
2nd Place Women's: Nana Anim, The University of Akron - First time qualifier

943926_1105836739436260_395852869252123121_n.jpg


1st Place Men's: George Mansour, The University of Akron
2nd Place Men's: Joe Pierce, Sullivan University - First time qualifier

Thank you to Anne Bruno and the staff at The University of Akron Union Game Room for hosting the East Central Sectional!

The full list of tournaments and registration details can be found here:http://www.acui.org/Programs/Student_Programs/Sectional_Recreation/21302/

You can also follow all the action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2206805860/
 
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Benward452 said:
Think you are the best pool player in collegiate pool?

Compete against the best and find out! The two-time defending collegiate national champions from Lindenwood University, Landon Shuffett and Briana Miller are gunning for a three-peat. Will you upset them?

Qualifying Tournaments for the 2016 ACUI National Collegiate 9-ball Championship:
• East Central Sectional Qualifier – February, 5-7 – University of Akron
• Southern Sectional Qualifier – February, 19-21 – Florida International University
• Central Sectional Qualifier – February, 19-21 – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
• Pennsylvania State University Independent Qualifier – February, 27-28
• Braves ACUI Independent Qualifier – March, 4-6 – University North Carolina – Pembroke
• Mid-Atlantic Sectional Qualifier – March 18-19 – Radford University (VA)
• Western Sectional Qualifier – March 18-20 – Weber State University
• South Atlantic Sectional Qualifier – April 1-3 – Georgia Tech
• Southwest Sectional Qualifier – April 1-3 – Arizona State University
• Last Chance Qualifier – April 9 – University of Michigan

The Association of College Unions International (ACUI) is thrilled to announce the qualifying tournament schedule for the 2016 ACUI National Collegiate 9-ball Championship. Each host University will hold a men’s and women’s double elimination tournament open to all eligible collegiate players. Invitations to the 2016 ACUI National Collegiate 9-ball Championship will be extended to the top finishers (25% of the field) in each qualifying tournament with the winner receiving paid entry into the national tournament.

Registration details and entry fee payment for all tournaments must be completed online through ACUI, here

The entry fee for sectional qualifiers is $40 while independent qualifiers’ entry fees will vary by host university. Students may compete in multiple tournaments until qualified. Once a student has qualified for the Collegiate 9-ball Championship they will be ineligible to compete in additional qualifying tournaments.

Academic eligibility guidelines can be found here.

ACUI recognizes the top three winners of the men’s and women’s national tournament with individual scholarships and trophies along with the top competitors receiving the prestige of being the ACUI National Collegiate 9-ball champions.

A full list of past ACUI collegiate champions can be found here

I will be happy to answer questions regarding the program and qualifying tournaments through the forum.

Ben Litvak
- ACUI Volunteer - National 9-ball Director
Click to expand...

I wonder if Landon wouldn't find playing champions and not college kids more rewarding.
 
PhilosopherKing, don't sell these "college kids" out. Two years ago a student, David Anderson, from University of North Carolina - Charlotte, gave Landon all he wanted finishing second.

Also, Lindenwood has at least 3-4 players that can play just as well as Landon on any given day. Landon has just brought it the past two years at the National Championship.

Don't think his teammates, Sharik Sayed, Drake Niepotter, and Tanner Nickels can't play. If Landon keeps winning, it's a testament to him, not the lack of opponents against him. There are some monsters in collegiate pool, don't you worry.

This is like saying SVB and Dennis O. shouldn't go out and compete in bar box tourneys. Get over it. An ex-ACUI player three or four years removed, Corey Sykes, just beat Corey Deuel at the Derby in 9-ball hill-hill.

-Ben
*defensive about the talent of college pool
 
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Benward452 said:
PhilosopherKing, don't sell these "college kids" out. Two years ago a student, David Anderson, from University of North Carolina - Charlotte, gave Landon all he wanted finishing second.

Also, Lindenwood has at least 3-4 players that can play just as well as Landon on any given day. Landon has just brought it the past two years at the National Championship.

Don't think his teammates, Sharik Sayed, Drake Niepotter, and Tanner Nickels can't play. If Landon keeps winning, it's a testament to him, not the lack of opponents against him. There are some monsters in collegiate pool, don't you worry.

This is like saying SVB and Dennis O. shouldn't go out and compete in bar box tourneys. Get over it. An ex-ACUI player three or four years removed, Corey Sykes, just beat Corey Deuel at the Derby in 9-ball hill-hill.

-Ben
*defensive about the talent of college pool
Click to expand...

Landon's a thoroughbred. If he had picked a different path, he'd probably be on the verge of eclipsing Shane by now.

I know college sells big dreams, and I'm sure plenty of guys in the tournament play strong, but life doesn't parcel out potential evenly.
 
PhilosopherKing said:
Landon's a thoroughbred. If he had picked a different path, he'd probably be on the verge of eclipsing Shane by now.

I know college sells big dreams, and I'm sure plenty of guys in the tournament play strong, but life doesn't parcel out potential evenly.
Click to expand...
The fact he didn't choose pool means he, or his dad, or both didn't think he could make a good living playing pool. Whether it's a good decision or not we never knows, but one thing for sure we know is he didn't believe in himself becoming a world beater winning a shitload of money playing pool like Shane or Earl.
I really hope he will be successful in any of his endeavors, nothing hurts as much as the feeling of "I could have".

Sent from my D5833 using Tapatalk
 
HelloBaby- said:
The fact he didn't choose pool means he, or his dad, or both didn't think he could make a good living playing pool. Whether it's a good decision or not we never knows, but one thing for sure we know is he didn't believe in himself becoming a world beater winning a shitload of money playing pool like Shane or Earl.
I really hope he will be successful in any of his endeavors, nothing hurts as much as the feeling of "I could have".

Sent from my D5833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

That's the sad part... A shitload of Money playing pool equals only a good not even great job in many professions...

Landon was and is a smart kid... He has his head on his shoulders and he has his own calling.. I think it was the calling and not the lack of belief in himself that chose his current path.. I wish him luck and am confident he will be successful regardless of what he chooses... Stan did a good job raising good kids who will in all likelihood end up being good and successful adults....
 
The Renfro said:
That's the sad part... A shitload of Money playing pool equals only a good not even great job in many professions...

Landon was and is a smart kid... He has his head on his shoulders and he has his own calling.. I think it was the calling and not the lack of belief in himself that chose his current path.. I wish him luck and am confident he will be successful regardless of what he chooses... Stan did a good job raising good kids who will in all likelihood end up being good and successful adults....
Click to expand...
I don't know but Shane hit about 10k a month which is about the double of average income in the US. What are the odds for Landon to hit a far better paycheck than that, enough to compensate the lost of giving up the dream?

Sent from my D5833 using Tapatalk
 
HelloBaby- said:
I don't know but Shane hit about 10k a month which is about the double of average income in the US. What are the odds for Landon to hit a far better paycheck than that, enough to compensate the lost of giving up the dream?

Sent from my D5833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Odds are pretty good if he is willing to travel and is in the right field...

My final degree was accounting with a minor in just about everything and I was doing the 10k a month a decade ago until the construction market crashed and gave me pause...

I still get contacted several times a year by consulting firms to pick up new software and go back on the road but the road gets old as you do and I won't do that again...

Living out of a suitcase and travelling is fun and games until it's not... Consulting in that respect was about like chasing tournaments... Difference is I always cashed when I went somewhere... I bought a house and raised some kids...

I went back to school and finished my degree after meeting CJ Wiley in Nashville and having breakfast with him in 91 or 92 where I had finished in the money.... He seperated the dream from reality in a short time and after I found out what the number 1 player in the country had made for the year it was pretty easy to get the degree....

When I look back there are lots of "I could have" but the ones that hurt the most have zero to do with pool even tho I am still here and a part of the sport... I think it takes a special kind of person to want the road and the tournament trail and the glory... The rest of us are wired differently.. That's likely good for everyone... All the way around...

I won't say I am not jealous at times of the pros travelling and being in front of the crowds but I know just a little bit of what they are giving up from being on the road for a decade so it is tempered somewhat....

The biggest difference is when I came home and put away the travelling clothes I still had a skill set that that provided me with a good income... When a pro hangs up the cue where do they go and what do they do? We all know lots of the old guard who pretty much are broke... And in pool that wall/finish line ends up being way short of your golden years.....

I think about Wade Crane at times and everything he went thru after the music stopped... Wade was a great guy and a great talent and is still missed by many... Time stops for no man... I am sure there have been countless players who had legitimate shots at going pro and making it but had the vision/wisdom to realize what was the dream and what was the reality........
 
HelloBaby- said:
I don't know but Shane hit about 10k a month which is about the double of average income in the US. What are the odds for Landon to hit a far better paycheck than that, enough to compensate the lost of giving up the dream?

Sent from my D5833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Shane grinds it out. I'm sure the sacrifices are huge. Probably not a whole lot of security, and definitely not the life for everyone.

My point wasn't that Landon should be competing. It's that if he is going to compete, wouldn't it be more rewarding to measure himself against the best?

Maybe he has a commitment to his school? Maybe he needs the prize/scholarship money? Maybe the world of pro-pool doesn't appeal to him? Maybe he's scared? Maybe he's simply having fun?

I don't know...

I'm just curious why he chooses to compete seemingly exclusively at the "collegiate" level.
 
PhilosopherKing said:
Shane grinds it out. I'm sure the sacrifices are huge. Probably not a whole lot of security, and definitely not the life for everyone.

My point wasn't that Landon should be competing. It's that if he is going to compete, wouldn't it be more rewarding to measure himself against the best?

Maybe he has a commitment to his school? Maybe he needs the prize/scholarship money? Maybe the world of pro-pool doesn't appeal to him? Maybe he's scared? Maybe he's simply having fun?

I don't know...

I'm just curious why he chooses to compete seemingly exclusively at the "collegiate" level.
Click to expand...

I feel you answer your own question above in regards to Landon. He most likely gets a full ride to go to school. Who wouldn't want that? Every major athlete in the nation, who wants to make it, must go to college to have that opportunity.

If Landon wanted to go make living playing pool, he might be able to, but why give up the chance for a solid education and future. I can't speak for Landon, but he has an opportunity many pool players didn't have, a backer for an education.

Now that's the nuts.

You could always talk to Mark Wilson about his thoughts on collegiate pool. He wants Lindenwood to become the breeding ground for Mosconi Cup champions. I think he will get there.

Who wants structure, discipline, and an education though, when you could make the money Shane does.

-Ben
*Doesn't understand why it's necessary to defend a smart kid, doing a smart thing
 
Seriously, we should be supporting the hell out of collegiate pool.

75 years ago there was no future for college football players going pro either. But college football over the years built a legion of alumni fans that made it succeed beyond pool's wildest dreams.

Support collegiate pool, support youth pool.

Ben here can tell us the best way to do that. Maybe just talking about these kids, getting their names out there, giving them a little recognition will encourage them and in turn get other kids to start playing seriously in college.

Or we can talk about John French, races to 160, "pool is dead",...some more.

Ben - who are the big names in collegiate pool? Where are they playing next? What schools have good programs and pool scenes? When are the tournaments? How can I help?
 
All great posts guys,

You don't have to defend him because nobody attacks him :). He actually had the convenience of having 2 smart choices :), and that's exactly why it's debatable.

Well in my opinion, IF I had the skills and talent to have a real shot at winning US Open, I would never ever ever think twice about committing for pool (not to brag but to make the argument worthy I'm a 4.0). Money comes and goes, Glory lasts forever (y).

We cannot discuss about the retirement phrase because if an old guard went broke that's the same for anybody in any job, but I think it's irrelevant here because we are talking about a smart guy.
 
Benward452 said:
Think you are the best pool player in collegiate pool?

Compete against the best and find out! The two-time defending collegiate national champions from Lindenwood University, Landon Shuffett and Briana Miller are gunning for a three-peat. Will you upset them?

Qualifying Tournaments for the 2016 ACUI National Collegiate 9-ball Championship:
• East Central Sectional Qualifier – February, 5-7 – University of Akron
• Southern Sectional Qualifier – February, 19-21 – Florida International University
• Central Sectional Qualifier – February, 19-21 – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
• Pennsylvania State University Independent Qualifier – February, 27-28
• Braves ACUI Independent Qualifier – March, 4-6 – University North Carolina – Pembroke
• Mid-Atlantic Sectional Qualifier – March 18-19 – Radford University (VA)
• Western Sectional Qualifier – March 18-20 – Weber State University
• South Atlantic Sectional Qualifier – April 1-3 – Georgia Tech
• Southwest Sectional Qualifier – April 1-3 – Arizona State University
• Last Chance Qualifier – April 9 – University of Michigan

The Association of College Unions International (ACUI) is thrilled to announce the qualifying tournament schedule for the 2016 ACUI National Collegiate 9-ball Championship. Each host University will hold a men’s and women’s double elimination tournament open to all eligible collegiate players. Invitations to the 2016 ACUI National Collegiate 9-ball Championship will be extended to the top finishers (25% of the field) in each qualifying tournament with the winner receiving paid entry into the national tournament.

Registration details and entry fee payment for all tournaments must be completed online through ACUI, here

The entry fee for sectional qualifiers is $40 while independent qualifiers’ entry fees will vary by host university. Students may compete in multiple tournaments until qualified. Once a student has qualified for the Collegiate 9-ball Championship they will be ineligible to compete in additional qualifying tournaments.

Academic eligibility guidelines can be found here.

ACUI recognizes the top three winners of the men’s and women’s national tournament with individual scholarships and trophies along with the top competitors receiving the prestige of being the ACUI National Collegiate 9-ball champions.

A full list of past ACUI collegiate champions can be found here

I will be happy to answer questions regarding the program and qualifying tournaments through the forum.

Ben Litvak
- ACUI Volunteer - National 9-ball Director
Click to expand...

I navigated through the links and couldn't find what I was looking for. I am an online college student (Columbia Southern University). Am I allowed to participate in this?
 
easy-e said:
I navigated through the links and couldn't find what I was looking for. I am an online college student (Columbia Southern University). Am I allowed to participate in this?
Click to expand...

When I was in college, only the players who won the tournaments in the Student Union were selected to go play in the ACUI. Talk to your student body government or whoever is in charge of your game room to get them on board with these events.

My advice, if you don't already have one, go and start a billiard club for your college. If there are no pool tables in the student union, go to a local pool hall and work a deal with them. We organized tournaments and competed with a few other colleges in California, and it was a bunch of fun.
 
Benward452 said:
I feel you answer your own question above in regards to Landon. He most likely gets a full ride to go to school. Who wouldn't want that? Every major athlete in the nation, who wants to make it, must go to college to have that opportunity.

If Landon wanted to go make living playing pool, he might be able to, but why give up the chance for a solid education and future. I can't speak for Landon, but he has an opportunity many pool players didn't have, a backer for an education.

Now that's the nuts.

You could always talk to Mark Wilson about his thoughts on collegiate pool. He wants Lindenwood to become the breeding ground for Mosconi Cup champions. I think he will get there.

Who wants structure, discipline, and an education though, when you could make the money Shane does.

-Ben
*Doesn't understand why it's necessary to defend a smart kid, doing a smart thing
Click to expand...
You don't have to defend Landon; he's not under attack.

A horse is born to run, though... Like I said, I'm just curious.
 
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