Is the BCA doing enough?

dlabout

dlabout

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Is the BCA doing enough to promote our sport?

My feeling is that the BCA hasn't done enough. The BCA Expo is directed solely at the retailer leaving the public to go elsewhere for information about our sport and about new products and services. The BCA has done little to bring billiards under one governing body.
My thought is that in order for billiards to survive the organizations need to band together. The BCA should partner with the APA and other leagues and provide associate membership in the BCA for all members. If the BCA has the membership of the public then it provides value to the retailers and wholesalers. In addition, the BCA should make the BCA Expo accessible to all members. Perhaps provide a retailer side and wholesaler?s side to the expo. This would encourage individual members to see what is available from the industry and put pressure on retailers to carry products that they are interested in. The BCA has also tied the US Open 9 ball tournament to the BCA Expo. Call me crazy, but I doubt that retailers could care less about the pro's playing in another room. The pool playing public are the ones who are interested.
If the BCA could manage to bring the public into alignment then the prospect of drawing all of the pro factions into a single league again may be possible.

With billiards having so many factions it would be hard to promote any event. The WPBA has done well with there work with the APA. In addition the coverage with ESPN has proven to be the only billiard coverage the sport has seen with any regularity. I have caught a few showings of speed pool and some US Open 9 ball, but little else.
I realize that there is some bad blood between the many organizations, but in the interest of saving our sport it would make sense to come to some common ground.

What are your feelings?
Any suggestions on improving the BCA?

-Doug
 
I am wondering why you think the BCA is the answer?

For the last 20+ years the BCA has competed with the pool promoters and league operators.

Why would any organization want to partner with the BCA? The BCA has recently cut operating costs by separating itself from the Billiards Education Fundation and the Hall of Fame.

What would the APA be gaining from associating itself with the failing BCA?

If the pool players of the US want to join an org that promises to prosper and provide more and more for the players, look at Mark Griffin's Cue Sports International association http://www.playcsipool.com/ I don't remember the BCA ever offering this type of promotion to ALL the USA pool Players.
 
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Doug,

I think you might have a couple of things mixed up.

First, the Billiard Congress of America, is a trade organization. Their purpose in life is to grow and support the industry related to pool and billiards.

The BCA Pool League, is a seperate entity, and not connected to the BCA. While it would be great to have one primary league organization, it's not likely to happen. All the leagues are competitors with one another. The only way for that to happen is if all the league players chose to only play in one league. Then, the others would go out of business.


Royce Bunnell
 
they bca is too caught up in catering to the jacuzzi and bar chair sellers that it forget that the "b" in bca is for "billiards". of course i'm referring to the BCA organization, and not the BCA leagues, which is a seperate entity and doing a great job if you ask me.

If i recall their mission statement used to be about doing what they could to PROMOTE the sport of billiards. I cant even find a mission statement on their site, I guess its been removed since they weren't really following it. Their only goal seems to be putting on that expo each year. And when you set low expectations, you get poor results.
 
I'm not looking for a single league organization but I struggle with the direction of billiards in the US. I have a hard time following the many professional organizations and in turn believe that the many factions lack direction. If the BCA isn't the answer than who is? I was always under the impression the the BCA was the governing body for billiard sports for the last 60 years. If they have become nothing more than shadow if their former organization, then who should step up to bring the amateur and professional organizations together? I just feel like if billiards is to stand a chance at a future they need something similar to the NFL, NBA or the like.
 
dlabout...YOU should! Just step up to the plate with $10,000,000, and you can be pro pool's next "messiah"! :eek: :thumbup: Without the cash backing, you're just fartin' in the wind. As was already mentioned...the BCA, and the BCA Board of Directors (who are the ONLY people who can actually get something done...and haven't much, for several decades now), are a trade organization...and neither have, nor want, anything to do with actual playing pool, on an amateur or professional level. Allegedly the BCA has some influence on who plays in what tournaments (at least the ones affilated with the WPA)...but that's difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

dlabout said:
then who should step up to bring the amateur and professional organizations together? I just feel like if billiards is to stand a chance at a future they need something similar to the NFL, NBA or the like.
Click to expand...
 
Tom In Cincy said:
I am wondering why you think the BCA is the answer?

For the last 20+ years the BCA has competed with the pool promoters and league operators.

Why would any organization want to partner with the BCA? The BCA has recently cut operating costs by separating itself from the Billiards Education Fundation and the Hall of Fame.

What would the APA be gaining from associating itself with the failing BCA?

Rene (APA) Phelman is one of the current BCA board members...
Click to expand...
 
The BCA is all for the billiard trades. I think they should have nothing to do with tournaments, who plays where, and so on. They shouldn't have one bit of power over anything other than the billiard trades. Johnnyt
 
I didn't realize that the BCA was no longer going to handle the Hall Of Fame. When did all this come about? SPF=randyg
 
Tony_in_MD said:
Wow...

How much money would be spent on the HOF induction? It says it runs at a 50,000 dollar deficit.

Why couldn't a HOF induction be done at a trade show, you need a room, chairs and a podium.
Click to expand...
In the past, the previous HOF inductees have been invited each year. That makes it a much better ceremony.
 
I believe that the BCA CAN help out billiards in America. But just like any governing body (ehem.....November 4th) a stagnating power requires changes in leadership thus sparking a change in philosophy.

And I would definately devote my life to the proliferation of billiards in America...but I am only 21...with no chance of ever attaining a chance to be on that BCA board.

...so its not going to be me (for now) but someone in the BCA or close to it needs to step up and start listening to the masses. I would probably poo myself if a BCA Board member responded to this thread. Until they start listening, it is a mute point to even call them out.
 
I have seen both sides of the fence. I was on the BOD of the BCA. They do a lot of unseen things, however, I sure do wish more of them understood the game a little bit more.

The HOF is an expensive proposition if done properly. I am hoping something can be worked out to keep it going.

They are having problems just like most of us. I just wish more of 'you' that think they can do a good job (and I bet some of you can) - would get more involved. Although I have my differences with the BCA - I find it is with some of their decisions and not with the organization itself.

The BCA should be a vehicle to bring about change to our industry.

I think change is good and perhaps some good changes will be coming.

Mark Griffin
 
Mark, I agree with you. We need to get involved and do more to promote our sport. Leagues bring in new players and show them the fun and enjoyment of the game. But what about the next generation? I'm working with Laura Smith and BEF to help the next generation. I have enjoyed playing pool since I was a young man. I would like to help those out there with an interest in playing.
If you would like to help, BEF is looking for a location in 2009 for the Junior nationals. If you could send me the name of any colleges that have at least 14 nine foot tables it would be appreciated.
-Doug
 
Mark Griffin said:
I have seen both sides of the fence. I was on the BOD of the BCA. They do a lot of unseen things, however, I sure do wish more of them understood the game a little bit more.

The HOF is an expensive proposition if done properly. I am hoping something can be worked out to keep it going.

They are having problems just like most of us. I just wish more of 'you' that think they can do a good job (and I bet some of you can) - would get more involved. Although I have my differences with the BCA - I find it is with some of their decisions and not with the organization itself.

The BCA should be a vehicle to bring about change to our industry.

I think change is good and perhaps some good changes will be coming.

Mark Griffin
Click to expand...


I was asked to speak before the board this past meeting in Boulder. They had no podium for me as a speaker and my presentation was affected. I have gotten fNO response or thank you for coming, NOTHING, and it was funny, I name dropped Paul Huebler during my presentation, to my surprise, many had no idea who this great man was. I think it should be MANDATORY for all board members to read, and test out on the history of the game and the BCA history BEFORE they are allowed to represent the industry.
 
That sucks Island.
To take time out of your life to help the industry and to not even receive a thank you. No wonder their numbers are headed south. The only reason I am trying to help with the BEF is that when I was starting to shoot pool in my younger days I met Laura Smith at Family Fun Center and I have a great deal of respect for her. As for the BCA there is little to be done if they won't listen.
-Doug
 
Doug,

I agree with you, Laura Smith is a class act and genuinely considerate and nice, she and Dawn Hopkins are doing a great job with the BEF. Promoting the sport is paramount. There is a real need to work together, I am not being idealistic, but optimistic.

PS....IslandDrive: I agree with you about Paul Huebler...one of the best cues I ever had. It was a little heavier weight than I use now, but wish I still had it. I still lament that it was lifted from me in NY.
 
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dlabout said:
Is the BCA doing enough to promote our sport?

My feeling is that the BCA hasn't done enough. The BCA Expo is directed solely at the retailer leaving the public to go elsewhere for information about our sport and about new products and services. The BCA has done little to bring billiards under one governing body.
My thought is that in order for billiards to survive the organizations need to band together. The BCA should partner with the APA and other leagues and provide associate membership in the BCA for all members. If the BCA has the membership of the public then it provides value to the retailers and wholesalers. In addition, the BCA should make the BCA Expo accessible to all members. Perhaps provide a retailer side and wholesaler?s side to the expo. This would encourage individual members to see what is available from the industry and put pressure on retailers to carry products that they are interested in. The BCA has also tied the US Open 9 ball tournament to the BCA Expo. Call me crazy, but I doubt that retailers could care less about the pro's playing in another room. The pool playing public are the ones who are interested.
If the BCA could manage to bring the public into alignment then the prospect of drawing all of the pro factions into a single league again may be possible.

With billiards having so many factions it would be hard to promote any event. The WPBA has done well with there work with the APA. In addition the coverage with ESPN has proven to be the only billiard coverage the sport has seen with any regularity. I have caught a few showings of speed pool and some US Open 9 ball, but little else.
I realize that there is some bad blood between the many organizations, but in the interest of saving our sport it would make sense to come to some common ground.

What are your feelings?
Any suggestions on improving the BCA?

-Doug
Click to expand...

If you were the Top Dog at the BCA, what would you change, and how would you accomplish this change, or changes?
 
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