I Would Not Be the Mosconi Cup Captain Again! - UNLESS...............

CJ Wiley

CJ Wiley

ESPN WORLD OPEN CHAMPION
Gold Member
Silver Member
I had a great time being the Mosconi Cup Captain in London last year. We came within one match of winning and went up against "all odds" getting into that position. imho

We could see the first day that we were "outrunning the nutz" in the Mosconi Cup....the "deck" was stacked against us in every way, shape and form. Johnny Archer and I dealt with this "reality" and did everything we could to change the course of history.....and we didn't quite make it, although it could not have been any closer.

There is a way to win the Mosconi Cup for the USA Team - I would help out any way possible assure this success. Here are the changes that would have to happen for the USA Team to have a legitimate chance to win - and assure a much better competition.

1) The Captain would have the choice of two extra players that would be part of the team and give the Captain leverage to "bench" players that refused to follow training protocol. Without this factor the players can simply refuse to participate which causes direct and indirect damage to the team's overall abilities.

2) The Team would be allowed a budget of $5,000 to train for the week prior to the Mosconi Cup TOGETHER in the USA. This would give the Captain and team time to unify and train and put together a comprehensive game plan to strengthen the team as one solid unit.

3) The training week would be video taped and used as a promo to the Mosconi Cup (much like the Earl Strickland Doc was this year). This would give the players even more incentive to be productive if they were part of the show, much like Boxing does to motivate the boxers and personalize them to the fans.

4) The USA would need their own practice room so they could have privacy to train, communicate and work on what they need to with the coach on an individual basis.

5) The USA team would require paid transportation to and from the airport (we had a van pick us up, but had to take a cab back to the airport in London at a cost of over $150).
 
CJ Wiley said:
I had a great time being the Mosconi Cup Captain in London last year. We came within one match of winning and went up against "all odds" getting into that position. imho

We could see the first day that we were "outrunning the nutz" in the Mosconi Cup....the "deck" was stacked against us in every way, shape and form. Johnny Archer and I dealt with this "reality" and did everything we could to change the course of history.....and we didn't quite make it, although it could not have been any closer.

There is a way to win the Mosconi Cup for the USA Team - I would help out any way possible assure this success. Here are the changes that would have to happen for the USA Team to have a legitimate chance to win - and assure a much better competition.

1) The Captain would have the choice of two extra players that would be part of the team and give the Captain leverage to "bench" players that refused to follow training protocol. Without this factor the players can simply refuse to participate which causes direct and indirect damage to the team's overall abilities.

2) The Team would be allowed a budget of $5,000 to train for the week prior to the Mosconi Cup TOGETHER in the USA. This would give the Captain and team time to unify and train and put together a comprehensive game plan to strengthen the team as one solid unit.

3) The training week would be video taped and used as a promo to the Mosconi Cup (much like the Earl Strickland Doc was this year). This would give the players even more incentive to be productive if they were part of the show, much like Boxing does to motivate the boxers and personalize them to the fans.

4) The USA would need their own practice room so they could have privacy to train, communicate and work on what they need to with the coach on an individual basis.

5) The USA team would require paid transportation to and from the airport (we had a van pick us up, but had to take a cab back to the airport in London at a cost of over $150).
Click to expand...

I like the way you think, C.J. Some of those bullet points have merit, especially the team that eats, lives, sleeps, and practices together in unison.

I don't think you can ask for Number 5, though. That's kind of the cost of doing business, so to speak.

However, where is Angel Levine? This would make a GREAT documentary from beginning to end. I'm not kidding. If I had the funds and I did not have to work 24/7/365, I would do it in a heartbeat. This would be a REAL reality show and maybe it might just put pool on the map here in America. :cool:
 
the USA team should get transportation to and from the airport?

JAM said:
I like the way you think, C.J. Some of those bullet points have merit, especially the team that eats, lives, sleeps, and practices together in unison.

I don't think you can ask for Number 5, though. That's kind of the cost of doing business, so to speak.

However, where is Angel Levine? This would make a GREAT documentary from beginning to end. I'm not kidding. If I had the funds and I did not have to work 24/7/365, I would do it in a heartbeat. This would be a REAL reality show and maybe it might just put pool on the map here in America. :cool:
Click to expand...

You really don't think the USA team should get transportation to and from the airport? The commentators and the "other team" did......what make the USA Team so different?
 
CJ Wiley said:
You really don't think the USA team should get transportation to and from the airport? The commentators and the "other team" did......what make the USA Team so different?
Click to expand...

I see your point. I did not realize the commentators got paid transportation. In fact, grapevine told me that one or more of the Mosconi Cup commentators does not receive compensation and contributes their services pro bono. Of course, this is a grapevine rumor. :cool:

I went on a huge case in NYC one year, and the client put me in this dump called Howard Johnson's. It was awful place, radiators, narrow hallways, and you had to side-saddle the toilet because the sink would touch your knees. I just couldn't sleep there. It gvae me the creeps. So I made a comment to the client that I did not like the accommodations and would rather stay at the Holiday Inn up the avenue, that I would pay the difference. They dismissed my services and hired somebody else. :frown:
 
CJ Wiley said:
I had a great time being the Mosconi Cup Captain in London last year. We came within one match of winning and went up against "all odds" getting into that position. imho

We could see the first day that we were "outrunning the nutz" in the Mosconi Cup....the "deck" was stacked against us in every way, shape and form. Johnny Archer and I dealt with this "reality" and did everything we could to change the course of history.....and we didn't quite make it, although it could not have been any closer.

There is a way to win the Mosconi Cup for the USA Team - I would help out any way possible assure this success. Here are the changes that would have to happen for the USA Team to have a legitimate chance to win - and assure a much better competition.

1) The Captain would have the choice of two extra players that would be part of the team and give the Captain leverage to "bench" players that refused to follow training protocol. Without this factor the players can simply refuse to participate which causes direct and indirect damage to the team's overall abilities.

2) The Team would be allowed a budget of $5,000 to train for the week prior to the Mosconi Cup TOGETHER in the USA. This would give the Captain and team time to unify and train and put together a comprehensive game plan to strengthen the team as one solid unit.

3) The training week would be video taped and used as a promo to the Mosconi Cup (much like the Earl Strickland Doc was this year). This would give the players even more incentive to be productive if they were part of the show, much like Boxing does to motivate the boxers and personalize them to the fans.

4) The USA would need their own practice room so they could have privacy to train, communicate and work on what they need to with the coach on an individual basis.

5) The USA team would require paid transportation to and from the airport (we had a van pick us up, but had to take a cab back to the airport in London at a cost of over $150).
Click to expand...

wow.
Several issues here, A few which immediately comes to mind:

1. This is not your show, but Matchroom's. If you are lucky enough to be asked again, I don't think you are in a position make conditions.

2. Do you expect Matchroom to fund your 5000 $ training camp? Good luck with that.

3. $150? Really? That's a deal breaker??

US players should participate internationally instead of playing regional tournaments where they end up splitting in the finals. Maybe they can be able to compete then. Stop trying to find other reasons for the failures.
 
pooladdict said:
wow.
Several issues here, A few which immediately comes to mind:

1. This is not your show, but Matchroom's. If you are lucky enough to be asked again, I don't think you are in a position make conditions.

2. Do you expect Matchroom to fund your 5000 $ training camp? Good luck with that.

3. $150? Really? That's a deal breaker??

US players should participate internationally instead of playing regional tournaments where they end up splitting in the finals. Maybe they can be able to compete then. Stop trying to find other reasons for the failures.
Click to expand...

Team North America should get an agent *before* Mosconi Cup. He could get, say, 10 or 15 percent of all monies paid for arranging the practice sessions, et cetera.

There's money to be made in this if somebody can film it from beginning to end. I am going to suggest this to a few people that I know could effect this dream into a reality.

Team North America must bond together before the matches begin. I agree with C.J. This is a must-do.
 
Does Team Euro get all the same stuff?

Best thing you could do is change the team up to a young and HUNGRY team, not just one showing up for a free payday...
 
is the odds 7.8 Million to 1 to play again? Hmmm, I'll take that bet.

pooladdict said:
wow.
Several issues here, A few which immediately comes to mind:

1. This is not your show, but Matchroom's. If you are lucky enough to be asked again, I don't think you are in a position make conditions.

2. Do you expect Matchroom to fund your 5000 $ training camp? Good luck with that.

3. $150? Really? That's a deal breaker??

US players should participate internationally instead of playing regional tournaments where they end up splitting in the finals. Maybe they can be able to compete then. Stop trying to find other reasons for the failures.
Click to expand...

You're right in your opinions of course. The chances of me playing on the Mosconi Cup are probably better than being the Captain, and most will say it's "impossible". Of course it was 7.8 Million to 1 that Earl would run 10 racks in a row for a MILLION and we all know what happened.......is the odds 7.8 Million to 1 to play again? Hmmm, I'll take that bet......... ;)

The boy said my name's Johnny
And it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet
And you're gonna regret
'Cause I'm the best there's ever been
 
If I were training my players how to sneak in with fake glasses and mustashes under assumed names to lay down for a better game CJ would be my choice
However I don't think he has the credentials as a teacher / coach that a Mark Wilson brings to the table ,,


1
 
We haven't always agreed, CJ.....but I think you've made an excellent post.

I said to some friends that I felt the captain needed the option of benching....
.....otherwise, a bad actor can hold the whole show for ransom.

I suggested 8 players

And I think you got the parts to be a good captain
 
Boy .. Have you got a BIG set of Cojones to make a statement like this.When CJ was competing regularly he wasn't asked to play after hours very often. No ONE had the Nutz against CJ...
one stroke said:
If I were training my players how to sneak in with fake glasses and mustashes under assumed names to lay down for a better game CJ would be my choice
However I don't think he has the credentials as a teacher / coach that a Mark Wilson brings to the table ,,


1
Click to expand...
 
cashin said:
Boy .. Have you got a BIG set of Cojones to make a statement like this.When CJ was competing regularly he wasn't asked to play after hours very often. No ONE had the Nutz against CJ...
Click to expand...

Your obviously missing the point .. We are talking about coaching not playing ,, what are his accomplishments as a coach / teacher


1
 
Good thread, CJ.

Although I think you were an excellent captain and have posted as much on numerous occasions, I think that your demands here don't go far enough.

Yes, a little more convenience, structure and discipline during the week of the Mosconi Cup would help a little, but the real problem is how little American players are doing during the other 51 weeks of the year to prepare themselves for the Mosconi Cup.

Even here on the home front, some of our more elite players are skipping major events on the American pool calendar. Those are the guys I'd bench at the Mosconi. Excepting Shane, no elite American plays a full international schedule of events. Hence, some of our best players don't even get to play against the very best more than once or twice a year. That's why skipping the top events on US soil needs to be taken notice of and penalized.

As Mosconi Cup Captain this year, I'd have asked Dennis Hatch why (according to the AZB money stats, which are occasionally wrong) he skipped all three of the US Open 10-ball, the Ultimate 10-ball, and the Derby City 9-ball, three of the five biggest paydays that were available in American pool in 2013. Why should America bet on those that won't bet on themselves against the most elite? A captain should be allowed to bench or disqualify such a player on principle.

In my perfect world, the USA Mosconi Captain would best be selected in January, and would be required to announce the criteria and methodology for selection of Team USA (Matchroom would be allowed a wild card, of course) prior to the onset of the Derby City Classic, which is the first key event on the American pool calendar. That would ensure that those who hope to represent their country participate in the top events in America. I'd go a step further and give the Mosconi captain a budget with which to manage the process. Golf Ryder Cup captains are chosen over eighteen months in advance and are given resources with which to manage the process.

On the whole, I think you are on to something really good here, CJ. Like you, I'd like to see the Mosconi captain have more conveniences, more power and more authority, and while I see some benefit to the recommendations you've made, I think we need to go much further than you suggest to get the ball rolling in the right direction.
 
Last edited:
Everything a part from point 1 would be exciting and challenging for team USA! Fresh ideas implemented well can nobly be good for team USA.

Point 1 - seems to be a Matchroom decision unless I have read it wrong?

I like the idea of reserves tho - Who's got Barry's number? :thumb up:
 
While I totally agree that the players need to get with the coach well in advance and train together, this requires some $$ to do so. So, my question is....where do you propose those $$ come from for the training?
 
Lots of good points Stu and CJ. I'd like to ask - relative to Stu's point @ picking a captain early and allowing the captain to pick most of their players...

How far in advance has Matchroom picked the captain? CJ, how far in advance did you get notified? Most of us knew who was on this year's team far in advance of the press releases. Matchroom used the "release a name a month" to continually make news.


KK9 <-- looking forward to North and South America vs Lichtenstein next year


sjm said:
Good thread, CJ.

Although I think you were an excellent captain and have posted as much on numerous occasions, I think that your demands here don't go far enough.

Yes, a little more convenience, structure and discipline during the week of the Mosconi Cup would help a little, but the real problem is how little American players are doing during the other 51 weeks of the year to prepare themselves for the Mosconi Cup.

Even here on the home front, some of our more elite players are skipping major events on the American pool calendar. Those are the guys I'd bench at the Mosconi. Excepting Shane, no elite American plays a full international schedule of events. Hence, some of our best players don't even get to play against the very best more than once or twice a year. That's why skipping the top events on US soil needs to be taken notice of and penalized.

As Mosconi Cup Captain this year, I'd have asked Dennis Hatch why (according to the AZB money stats, which are occasionally wrong) he skipped all three of the US Open 10-ball, the Ultimate 10-ball, and the Derby City 9-ball, three of the five biggest paydays that were available in American pool in 2013. Why should America bet on those that won't bet on themselves against the most elite? A captain should be allowed to bench or disqualify such a player on principle.

In my perfect world, the USA Mosconi Captain would best be selected in January, and would be required to announce the criteria and methodology for selection of Team USA (Matchroom would be allowed a wild card, of course) prior to the onset of the Derby City Classic, which is the first key event on the American pool calendar. That would ensure that those who hope to represent their country participate in the top events in America. I'd go a step further and give the Mosconi captain a budget with which to manage the process. Golf Ryder Cup captains are chosen over eighteen months in advance and are given resources with which to manage the process.

On the whole, I think you are on to something really good here, CJ. Like you, I'd like to see the Mosconi captain have more conveniences, more power and more authority, and while I see some benefit to the recommendations you've made, I think we need to go much further than you suggest to get the ball rolling in the right direction.
Click to expand...
 
CJ, I will gladly donate the $150 for cab fare if that is one less hurdle the US team has to overcome. Focus should be the main point of the team. They shouldn't have to worry about cash flow when representing our country at the international level. We all love this game. Let me know.
 
Why $5000 to train.

Unless you're planning on buying Kamui chalk for all the players.

Seriously, what type of training would you do or where to justify that amount.

And why do you believe that Match Room should pay it. If you get that amount, so should Team Europe. So now, there is 10K out of Match Rooms profit.

You have been invited to be the coach, your team is picked for you. The rest is pretty much up to you as coach.

If everyone put their heads together, I'm sure it wouldn't take much to figure a way to come up with that amount.

Hold a Chili Cook Off or a bottle drive etc.
 
Talk about over thinking everything. Its a damn pool event with short races. These guys play pool year round and train plenty on their own. I can see before hand having a session or two to get together to bond if you will, but lets get real. If ya cant teach an old dog new tricks get a new dog.

Difference between first and second is $ which should be enough incentive to play well in short races.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top