Could SVB finally be....The One?

[Renegade]

(with apologies to our own TheONE)

For years, our sport has been languishing in virtual obscurity from mainstream media. A lot has been said about how to lift the status of pool in the eyes of the common man, and one of the more often opined solutions is that pool needs a hero, a positive role model, someone kids can look up to, a "poster boy" if you will.

A number of pool players were brought to the table, so to speak, and scrutinized and dissected. Earl was too...unpredictable, Archer too prosaic, Efren too old (and really, would mainstream America idolize someone who routinely makes other Americans look bad at the game? That also takes out Django and Alex from the running). For a time, Corey Deuel seemed like the obvious choice -- he was a young, pleasant, good-looking American who was also good in pool -- but he just wasn't winning as much as we'd expect or like. Some say he's too preoccupied with golf or poker.

Then came.....John Schmidt! He's everything Deuel was, and he just won the US Open! He's got everything! But then he couldn't/wouldn't play in the WPC. Doubts surfaced. But still, he's America's best bet.

Out of the blue, another kid comes up, winning tournament after tournament, defeating pros in exhibition matches, and gambling like there's no tomorrow. He's fearless, isn't afraid to lose because it's a learning experience, got lots of heart and character and personality, and suddenly, he's got everybody saying, John who???

Shane Van Boening is beginning to look like he has what it takes to bring American pool, and pool in general, to the next level....he even has nice initials -- "SVB", like FDR and JFK before him.

All the signs say he is definitely The One.

 

[DeadPoked]

(with apologies to our own TheONE)

For years, our sport has been languishing in virtual obscurity from mainstream media. A lot has been said about how to lift the status of pool in the eyes of the common man, and one of the more often opined solutions is that pool needs a hero, a positive role model, someone kids can look up to, a "poster boy" if you will.

A number of pool players were brought to the table, so to speak, and scrutinized and dissected. Earl was too...unpredictable, Archer too prosaic, Efren too old (and really, would mainstream America idolize someone who routinely makes other Americans look bad at the game? That also takes out Django and Alex from the running). For a time, Corey Deuel seemed like the obvious choice -- he was a young, pleasant, good-looking American who was also good in pool -- but he just wasn't winning as much as we'd expect or like. Some say he's too preoccupied with golf or poker.

Then came.....John Schmidt! He's everything Deuel was, and he just won the US Open! He's got everything! But then he couldn't/wouldn't play in the WPC. Doubts surfaced. But still, he's America's best bet.

Out of the blue, another kid comes up, winning tournament after tournament, defeating pros in exhibition matches, and gambling like there's no tomorrow. He's fearless, isn't afraid to lose because it's a learning experience, got lots of heart and character and personality, and suddenly, he's got everybody saying, John who???

Shane Van Boening is beginning to look like he has what it takes to bring American pool, and pool in general, to the next level....he even has nice initials -- "SVB", like FDR and JFK before him.

All the signs say he is definitely The One.

Please tell me you just didn't compare Shane to FDR & JFK...

And to add something to the thread... all I have to say is

 

[Renegade]

Please tell me you just didn't compare Shane to FDR & JFK...

And to add something to the thread... all I have to say is

I wonder who would be more offended being compared to Shane, JFK or Keannu?

 

[BPG24]

Shane has to win the WPC and the Derby City 9 ball titles before he can be considered dominate.

Several pros have gone on runs like he is currently on. Only time will tell if he can continue to win the big events.

 

[ShootingArts]

Definitely not JFK or FDR!

Thank goodness he isn't! FDR did more damage to the country than any president before or since and JFK wasn't much either once we looked under the glitter. I know what you mean though, the three initials are the cachet.

Honestly, I don't think that Shane is the one that will bring pool to the mainstream even if he dominates it for the next ten years. Americans aren't really looking for a hard working unassuming role model. They want a gorgeous bimbo or a brash pretty boy. I think we are going to have to offer the public a new game, maybe an all new way of presenting pool, something different from the same thing their dad and granddad played too.

I don't have the solution but it is going to take something and someone that can capture the usually short attention span of the American public. Shane may be the next great American player, too soon to tell, he isn't the next teen idol.

Hu

(with apologies to our own TheONE)

For years, our sport has been languishing in virtual obscurity from mainstream media. A lot has been said about how to lift the status of pool in the eyes of the common man, and one of the more often opined solutions is that pool needs a hero, a positive role model, someone kids can look up to, a "poster boy" if you will.

A number of pool players were brought to the table, so to speak, and scrutinized and dissected. Earl was too...unpredictable, Archer too prosaic, Efren too old (and really, would mainstream America idolize someone who routinely makes other Americans look bad at the game? That also takes out Django and Alex from the running). For a time, Corey Deuel seemed like the obvious choice -- he was a young, pleasant, good-looking American who was also good in pool -- but he just wasn't winning as much as we'd expect or like. Some say he's too preoccupied with golf or poker.

Then came.....John Schmidt! He's everything Deuel was, and he just won the US Open! He's got everything! But then he couldn't/wouldn't play in the WPC. Doubts surfaced. But still, he's America's best bet.

Out of the blue, another kid comes up, winning tournament after tournament, defeating pros in exhibition matches, and gambling like there's no tomorrow. He's fearless, isn't afraid to lose because it's a learning experience, got lots of heart and character and personality, and suddenly, he's got everybody saying, John who???

Shane Van Boening is beginning to look like he has what it takes to bring American pool, and pool in general, to the next level....he even has nice initials -- "SVB", like FDR and JFK before him.

All the signs say he is definitely The One.

 

[Renegade]

Honestly, I don't think that Shane is the one that will bring pool to the mainstream even if he dominates it for the next ten years. Americans aren't really looking for a hard working unassuming role model. They want a gorgeous bimbo or a brash pretty boy. I think we are going to have to offer the public a new game, maybe an all new way of presenting pool, something different from the same thing their dad and granddad played too.

I don't have the solution but it is going to take something and someone that can capture the usually short attention span of the American public. Shane may be the next great American player, too soon to tell, he isn't the next teen idol.

Hu

If Shane ain't IT, then who? Who??!!! Arrrgh!!!

What if Shane developed a brash personality, sort of like a young Earl mixed with the character Vince played by Tom Cruise in Color of Money?

But I like your idea about presenting pool in a different light, like maybe holding auditions for up-and-comers in front of know-it-all judges who dispense scalding witticisms for comedic effect and/or dramatic turns. American Pool Idol, anyone?

 

[ShootingArts]

wish I had an answer

I wish I had an answer. I was very interested in what was going on with Jeanette Lee a few years ago when ESPN was trying to make her a general spokesperson for them, not just for pool. I think she made it plain that family and people that were close to her came first and things faded. I may well be wrong as to why but it seems like the big push to make her a celebrity has died off. She is no bimbo but she is beautiful and knows how to present herself. I had hoped if she got popular people would follow her back to pool.

Talking about TV to attract people, I think something like Ballbreakers was in the early going except with pro players might work. The gambling strategy soon outweighed ability on the pool table and Ballbreakers went away but I don't think it was all bad as something for the general public to consume. I think you have to feed them fluff to get them interested in more hardcore pool. The skins game or maybe it was Texas Express wasn't bad either except there needed to be dollars in front of the players changing hands or at least chips. We need more excitement for the public to buy into pool. Of course once we get what we think we want we may not like it. If we make pool into something the general public loves, we may not like it any more!

Hu

If Shane ain't IT, then who? Who??!!! Arrrgh!!!

What if Shane developed a brash personality, sort of like a young Earl mixed with the character Vince played by Tom Cruise in Color of Money?

But I like your idea about presenting pool in a different light, like maybe holding auditions for up-and-comers in front of know-it-all judges who dispense scalding witticisms for comedic effect and/or dramatic turns. American Pool Idol, anyone?