Hall of Fame - Campaigning

Cornerman

Cornerman

Cue Author...Sometimes
Silver Member
I can’t remember if I’ve posted this before, and with my failing memory I wouldn’t be surprised if I post this every year.

if you think someone deserves to be in, then campaign for them. Keep their name in the thoughts of the voters. It worked for Kim Davenport, who was long overdue. It can help others as well. We’ve had years that really it was just a couple of votes that put one person instead of another. So instead of whining, you can play a part.

The voters include the members of the US Billiard Media Association as well as all the living members of the Hall of Fame.

Here are some names that I’m surprised haven’t received more votes:

Greatest Players
Corey Deuel
Thorsten Hohmann
Dennis Orcullo
Niels Feijen
Vivian Villarreal
Helena Thornfeldt

Other categories

Veteran Category
Grady Matthews
Mary Kenniston
Keith McCready

Meritorious Service
Jerry Brieseth
Mark Griffin


In my opinion, all of these should be in. Please don’t try to unconvinced me of that. I’d rather that you all give me who you want in, and what you’re going to do to help them get in.


Freddie <~~~ listening
 
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Cornerman said:
I can’t remember if I’ve posted this before, and with my failing memory I wouldn’t be surprised if I post this every year.

if you think someone deserves to be in, then campaign for them. Keep their name in the thoughts of the voters. It worked for Kim Davenport, who was long overdue. It can help others as well. We’ve had years that really it was just a couple of votes that put one person instead of another. So instead of whining, you can play a part.

The voters include the members of the US Billiard Media Association as well as all the living members of the Hall of Fame.

Here are some names that I’m surprised haven’t received more votes:

Corey Deuel
Thorsten Hohmann
Dennis Orcullo
Niels Feijen
Vivian Villarreal
Helena Thornfeldt

Grady Matthews
Mary Kenniston
Keith McCready

In my opinion, all of these should be in. Please don’t try to unconvinced me of that. I’d rather that you all give me who you want in, and what you’re going to do to help them get in.


Freddie <~~~ listening
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Fred, that is an impressive list of deserving HOF consideration. Any reason for the separation between the first six and the last three? For the first four on your list, it is clearly just a matter of time.
 
Cornerman said:
I can’t remember if I’ve posted this before, and with my failing memory I wouldn’t be surprised if I post this every year.

if you think someone deserves to be in, then campaign for them. Keep their name in the thoughts of the voters. It worked for Kim Davenport, who was long overdue. It can help others as well. We’ve had years that really it was just a couple of votes that put one person instead of another. So instead of whining, you can play a part.

The voters include the members of the US Billiard Media Association as well as all the living members of the Hall of Fame.

Here are some names that I’m surprised haven’t received more votes:


Corey Deuel
Thorsten Hohmann
Dennis Orcullo
Niels Feijen
Vivian Villarreal
Helena Thornfeldt

Veteran Player Category
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Cornerman said:
Grady Matthews
Mary Kenniston
Keith McCready

In my opinion, all of these should be in. Please don’t try to unconvinced me of that. I’d rather that you all give me who you want in, and what you’re going to do to help them get in.


Freddie <~~~ listening
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Straightpool_99 said:
Grady or Hohmann would get my vote. I guess Grady, since Hohmann is still alive and can yet win more.
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I edited for a little more clarity. The Veterans and Meritorious flip every year, and only one gets in at a time based on the respective committee’s recommendation. Grady would be in Veteran or Meritorious player, which I think hurts him as well. Is indentity in billiards gets blurred. Much like Jeanette’s, who would have been a shoe-in in either category, and obviously some easily forget that.
 
I think the idea of raising the HOF age is way too futuristic.

The amount of traveling and hours pro players put in while on the road is aging them faster.

With youth sports most parents know it won't last forever. But pool is different that way.

Will the unsanctioned 14.1 titles Thorsten holds count in his favor or against him?

That is a point worth debating.
 
justnum said:
I think the idea of raising the HOF age is way too futuristic.

The amount of traveling and hours pro players put in while on the road is aging them faster.

With youth sports most parents know it won't last forever. But pool is different that way.

Will the unsanctioned 14.1 titles Thorsten holds count in his favor or against him?

That is a point worth debating.
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Not sure how you could possibly argue that having unsanctioned titles would count against anyone. Can I dispel any horrible rumors for you?

And raising the age is a past thing. Jean Balukas was in her 20’s when she was inducted. Mike Sigel was 35.
 
Cornerman said:
Not sure how you could possibly argue that having unsanctioned titles would count against anyone. Can I dispel any horrible rumors for you?

And raising the age is a past thing. Jean Balukas was in her 20’s when she was inducted. Mike Sigel was 35.
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Does playing in an unsanctioned tournament go against him in the professionalism score?

I thought that is how the WPA can get back at players supporting Charlie Williams?

Is the HOF committee related to the WPA sanctioning committee?
 
Of the men, no player has a resume that even nearly measures up to that of Feijen.

WPA Sanctioned World Champion at 9-ball
WPA Sanctioned World Champion at 14.1
2 time European 9-ball champion
7 time European Straight Pool Champion
10 Euro Tour Titles (3rd all time behind Souquet and Ortmann)
4 Time Mosconi Cup MVP
2 Time World Pool Masters Champion
Winner of the Challenge of Champions

The omission of Europe's second greatest ever player, to me, evidences a bias against players whose careers were not based in the United States. It would be impossible to argue that Darren Appleton, elected in his first year of eligibility, had as good a career as Feijen, but, of course, Darren lived in America during his hall of fame career and was, therefore, more visible to American-based hall of fame voters.

Once upon a time, I felt that the BCA HOF lacked credibility when it didn't induct Earl Strickland until he was 45, and its failure to induct Feijen, who is now 44, similarly compromises its credibility. If Feijen's resume isn't viewed as hall of fame worthy, perhaps the hall of fame should be shut down or, at very least, it should add some voters who are more in tune with world pool,

OK, end of campaign.
 
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justnum said:
Does playing in an unsanctioned tournament go against him in the professionalism score?
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justnum said:
I thought that is how the WPA can get back at players supporting Charlie Williams?
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That’s discussion of Williams’s use of the term “World Championship.” In today’s world, the tournament should either get sanctioning or it should change the name, IMO.
justnum said:
Is the HOF committee related to the WPA sanctioning committee?
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No official relationship. The majority of the voters have no business affiliation with the WPA in any form.
 
sjm said:
Of the men, no player has a resume that even nearly measures up to that of Feijen.

WPA Sanctioned World Champion at 9-ball
WPA Sanctioned World Champion at 14.1
2 time European 9-ball champion
7 time European Straight Pool Champio
10 Euro Tour Titles (3rd all time behind Souquet and Ortmann)
4 Time Mosconi Cup MVP
2 Time World Pool Masters Champion
Winner of the Challenge of Champions

The omission of Europe's second greatest ever player, to me, evidences a bias against players whose careers were not based in the United States. It would be impossible to argue that Darren Appleton, elected in his first year of eligibility, had as good a career as Feijen, but, of course, Darren lived in America during his hall of fame career and was, therefore, more visible to American-based hall of fame voters.

Once upon a time, I felt that the BCA HOF lacked credibility when it didn't induct Earl Strickland until he was 45, and its failure to induct Feijen, who is now 44, similarly compromises its credibility. If Feijen's resume isn't viewed as hall of fame worthy, perhaps the hall of fame should be shut down or, at very least, it should add some voters who are more in tune with world pool,

OK, end of campaign.
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It’s inevitable that Niels will be inducted in the next year or two. Stu, are you on the BCA HOF voting committee with Fred? If not, you certainly should be!

Fred, is there a list of who’s on the voting committee? I’d be curious to know who all is on it.
 
ChrisinNC said:
It’s inevitable that Niels will be inducted in the next year or two. Stu, are you on the BCA HOF voting committee with Fred? If not, you certainly should be!

Fred, is there a list of who’s on the voting committee? I’d be curious to know who all is on it.
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I'm not and shouldn't be on the committee, which is comprised primarily of members of the billiards media. They've done a generally solid job over the years, and my only complaint is they've tended to show insufficient respect to players not based in the US.
 
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ChrisinNC said:
It’s inevitable that Niels will be inducted in the next year or two. Stu, are you on the BCA HOF voting committee with Fred? If not, you certainly should be!

Fred, is there a list of who’s on the voting committee? I’d be curious to know who all is on it.
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Voting members include the members of the United States Billiard Media Association ( www.usbma.com ) as well as all the living BCA HoF members.
 
sjm said:
Of the men, no player has a resume that even nearly measures up to that of Feijen.

WPA Sanctioned World Champion at 9-ball
WPA Sanctioned World Champion at 14.1
2 time European 9-ball champion
7 time European Straight Pool Champio
10 Euro Tour Titles (3rd all time behind Souquet and Ortmann)
4 Time Mosconi Cup MVP
2 Time World Pool Masters Champion
Winner of the Challenge of Champions

The omission of Europe's second greatest ever player, to me, evidences a bias against players whose careers were not based in the United States. It would be impossible to argue that Darren Appleton, elected in his first year of eligibility, had as good a career as Feijen, but, of course, Darren lived in America during his hall of fame career and was, therefore, more visible to American-based hall of fame voters.

Once upon a time, I felt that the BCA HOF lacked credibility when it didn't induct Earl Strickland until he was 45, and its failure to induct Feijen, who is now 44, similarly compromises its credibility. If Feijen's resume isn't viewed as hall of fame worthy, perhaps the hall of fame should be shut down or, at very least, it should add some voters who are more in tune with world pool,

OK, end of campaign.
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The office makeup structure....is no longer existent.
 
sjm said:
I'm not and shouldn't be on the committee, which is comprised of primarily of members of the billiards media. They've done a generally solid job over the years, and my only complaint is they've tended to show insufficient respect to players not based in the US.
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Mitch is more qualified to be on the committee than yourself?
 
sjm said:
Of the men, no player has a resume that even nearly measures up to that of Feijen.

WPA Sanctioned World Champion at 9-ball
WPA Sanctioned World Champion at 14.1
2 time European 9-ball champion
7 time European Straight Pool Champion
10 Euro Tour Titles (3rd all time behind Souquet and Ortmann)
4 Time Mosconi Cup MVP
2 Time World Pool Masters Champion
Winner of the Challenge of Champions

The omission of Europe's second greatest ever player, to me, evidences a bias against players whose careers were not based in the United States. It would be impossible to argue that Darren Appleton, elected in his first year of eligibility, had as good a career as Feijen, but, of course, Darren lived in America during his hall of fame career and was, therefore, more visible to American-based hall of fame voters.

Once upon a time, I felt that the BCA HOF lacked credibility when it didn't induct Earl Strickland until he was 45, and its failure to induct Feijen, who is now 44, similarly compromises its credibility. If Feijen's resume isn't viewed as hall of fame worthy, perhaps the hall of fame should be shut down or, at very least, it should add some voters who are more in tune with world pool,

OK, end of campaign.
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If there is a category for “knowing their pool shit”, I am voting for Stu!
 
Cornerman said:
Mitch actually removed himself from the committee because he didn’t feel connected to billiards media enough to be a voter.
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Thanks, that speaks a lot as to Mitch’s character. IMO, Stu and Jay should both be on that committee, regardless of their connection to the billiards media.
 
Two words DENNIS ORCOLLO! The best player on this list and he's a better player (with a better record) than about a dozen guys who are already in the HOF! He's been one of the top five players on the planet for the last ten plus years, a very consistent record of success in every year!
 
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