As there has been a lot of discussion on the board recently regarding Mark Wilson, the Lindenwood Lions, and the collegiate pool scene, I thought it would be nice to provide information regarding the numerous collegiate events which take place around the country.
First, my name is Ben Litvak and I am currently the adviser for the Billiards Club at Radford University. I have been involved in collegiate pool since the fall of 2007 when myself and a friend started the Billiards Club at West Virginia University. Since then I have been a participant, a follower, and now a promoter of collegiate pool.
The largest and most prestigious individual Men's and Women's event in collegiate pool is the Association of College Unions International's (ACUI) National 9-ball Championship. This tournament has been held in some capacity since 1937. A list of past and present champions can be found here. The association hosts individual sectional qualifying tournaments and allows other universities to host independent qualifier tournaments at the beginning of the spring semester to decide who is invited to the National 9-ball Championship in the summer. Here is a re-cap of the 2013 ACUI National 9-ball Championship. Find a list of qualifying events for the 2014 ACUI National 9-Ball Championship here.
In addition to the individual tournaments there have been three major team tournaments persistent over the past 11 years. The team tournaments are three day events, limited to a field of 16 collegiate teams consisting of 4 cueists, with an optional fifth alternate, competing in 2-3 events. Trophies and medals are awarded for each event, sportsmanship, and to the all-around team champion.
The oldest and most prestigious of the three is the University of Michigan Team Pool Championship which celebrated it's tenth anniversary this past fall semester under the promotion of Betsy Sundholm. The format has varied over the years but has generally consisted of BCA Team 8-ball, a scotch doubles 9-ball tournament, and team Equal Offense. This year's UMTPC was won by Lindenwood University with an unprecedented number of team points. Information regarding the UMTPC can be found here. Additionally, a promotional video for the tournament can be found here.
The second of these team tournaments is Virginia Tech's Team Pool Championship which is in hiatus this year, but has been held 7 times since the 2007-2008 academic year. This tournament is promoted by the Billiards Club at Virginia Tech. Generally this tournament has consisted of BCA Team 8-ball, a singles Men's and Women's Independent ACUI National 9-ball Qualifier, and a team modified straight pool event. Film of the 2011-2012 VTTPC can be found on Vimeo here. The club website can be found here.
This youngest of these team tournaments is the Radford University Team Pool Tournament which has been held 4 times since the 2009-2010 academic year. This tournament is promoted by the Billiards Club at Radford University and Ben Litvak. As the youngest event, we have been looking to make some changes to the format and this year are presenting a new event. We are having the BCA Team 8-ball, a new Mosconi Cup inspired team 10-ball tournament, and a singles Men's and Women's Independent ACUI National 9-ball Qualifier. Information regarding the RUTPT can be found here.
In addition to these national events, many collegiate teams who are close to each other have impromptu challenges and home and homes.
Here are a few tips from the folks at Pool & Billiard Magazine written by collegiate pool guru Betsy Sundholm along with a list of schools with programs.
Information about being a college-bound player
Premier college billiards clubs and their structure
Top pool school interviews and club structures
If you know someone in college that is interested in starting a billiards club at their university or need additional information regarding these events, feel free to contact me.
First, my name is Ben Litvak and I am currently the adviser for the Billiards Club at Radford University. I have been involved in collegiate pool since the fall of 2007 when myself and a friend started the Billiards Club at West Virginia University. Since then I have been a participant, a follower, and now a promoter of collegiate pool.
The largest and most prestigious individual Men's and Women's event in collegiate pool is the Association of College Unions International's (ACUI) National 9-ball Championship. This tournament has been held in some capacity since 1937. A list of past and present champions can be found here. The association hosts individual sectional qualifying tournaments and allows other universities to host independent qualifier tournaments at the beginning of the spring semester to decide who is invited to the National 9-ball Championship in the summer. Here is a re-cap of the 2013 ACUI National 9-ball Championship. Find a list of qualifying events for the 2014 ACUI National 9-Ball Championship here.
In addition to the individual tournaments there have been three major team tournaments persistent over the past 11 years. The team tournaments are three day events, limited to a field of 16 collegiate teams consisting of 4 cueists, with an optional fifth alternate, competing in 2-3 events. Trophies and medals are awarded for each event, sportsmanship, and to the all-around team champion.
The oldest and most prestigious of the three is the University of Michigan Team Pool Championship which celebrated it's tenth anniversary this past fall semester under the promotion of Betsy Sundholm. The format has varied over the years but has generally consisted of BCA Team 8-ball, a scotch doubles 9-ball tournament, and team Equal Offense. This year's UMTPC was won by Lindenwood University with an unprecedented number of team points. Information regarding the UMTPC can be found here. Additionally, a promotional video for the tournament can be found here.
The second of these team tournaments is Virginia Tech's Team Pool Championship which is in hiatus this year, but has been held 7 times since the 2007-2008 academic year. This tournament is promoted by the Billiards Club at Virginia Tech. Generally this tournament has consisted of BCA Team 8-ball, a singles Men's and Women's Independent ACUI National 9-ball Qualifier, and a team modified straight pool event. Film of the 2011-2012 VTTPC can be found on Vimeo here. The club website can be found here.
This youngest of these team tournaments is the Radford University Team Pool Tournament which has been held 4 times since the 2009-2010 academic year. This tournament is promoted by the Billiards Club at Radford University and Ben Litvak. As the youngest event, we have been looking to make some changes to the format and this year are presenting a new event. We are having the BCA Team 8-ball, a new Mosconi Cup inspired team 10-ball tournament, and a singles Men's and Women's Independent ACUI National 9-ball Qualifier. Information regarding the RUTPT can be found here.
In addition to these national events, many collegiate teams who are close to each other have impromptu challenges and home and homes.
Here are a few tips from the folks at Pool & Billiard Magazine written by collegiate pool guru Betsy Sundholm along with a list of schools with programs.
Information about being a college-bound player
Premier college billiards clubs and their structure
Top pool school interviews and club structures
If you know someone in college that is interested in starting a billiards club at their university or need additional information regarding these events, feel free to contact me.
