Pool in the News - "Rack & Roll", Mark Wilson and the state of Pool

[AuntyDan]

Pool makes the cover of india paper The Riverfront Times with this nice detailed article by Randall Roberts that includes interviews with Mark Wilson, young up-and-coming players Justin Bergman and Lars Vardaman, as well as some information from the trade side of the sport from Mark Mueller and Kurt Schmidt.

Favourite quote from a young man destined to go far:
'Justin Bergman has rather simple aspirations. "I don't want to work for a living," he says. "No honest work." And from the looks of the pimp-like wad of cash he pulls from a pocket of his baggy Nike basketball shorts, he's succeeding.'

Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose...

 

[watchez]

Pool makes the cover of india paper The Riverfront Times with this nice detailed article by Randall Roberts that includes interviews with Mark Wilson, young up-and-coming players Justin Bergman and Lars Vardaman, as well as some information from the trade side of the sport from Mark Mueller and Kurt Schmidt.

Favourite quote from a young man destined to go far:
'Justin Bergman has rather simple aspirations. "I don't want to work for a living," he says. "No honest work." And from the looks of the pimp-like wad of cash he pulls from a pocket of his baggy Nike basketball shorts, he's succeeding.'

Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose...

I don't know what you mean by 'india paper'.....this is a local paper that is free and put in most bars around town. A paper that tells u what is going on with nightlife and life in general in St. Louis. You forgot that is has info about Andy Quinn who is pictured several times. I think it made pool look pretty good for a change and like the honesty of the people they interviewed.

 

[Salamander]

Terrific article. Thanks for posting.

I'm both impressed and saddened by the life of young players mentioned. It's fun and exciting traveling the road when you're young, but I wonder where they will be 20 years down the road?

Regards,

Doug

 

[Shorty]

To me that's what's wrong with pool right there...yes the kids can get the big wad of cash right now...but what happens down the road 20 years when they need a career to fall back on.

Instant gratification...long term education.

You be the judge,
Shorty

 

[OldHasBeen]

Well here I am (only 30 years later) instead....

To me that's what's wrong with pool right there...yes the kids can get the big wad of cash right now...but what happens down the road 20 years when they need a career to fall back on.

Instant gratification...long term education.

You be the judge,
Shorty

Well here I am (only 30 years later) instead.
I was "On The Road" for over 25 years and have NO regrets. It taught me how to manage money - How run it as a business and most importantly - how to show a profit.
I now own a direct mail advertising company doing business in 24 states. I started this business in '91.
If you don't think business has anything to do with hustling, just ask Donald Trump, Lee Iacocca OR our current Vice President.
Chuck & Lars were both mentioned in this article and both are in college going for a degree in pharmaceuticals. Justin has the raw talent to become one of the best in the world and he also has a good head on his shoulders. He has been brought up right and will make the right decisions in life.
These kids are all good kids that don't do drugs or any of the things we did back in the '60's, '70's or '80's. I also applaud Mark Wilson for having the right influence on Justin & Lars and many others.
I was a "Deceptive Hustler" (most victims thought they were playing a salesman) - These kids aren't really even Hustlers - They go from tournament to tournament and play their guts out.
Now it's true that they have all seen the Big Money at a very young age but all that means - IMO - is that they will never settle for a 8 to 5 paying $5.15 an hour.

TY & GL

 

[Island Drive]

Swing Rhythm

Well here I am (only 30 years later) instead.
I was "On The Road" for over 25 years and have NO regrets. It taught me how to manage money - How run it as a business and most importantly - how to show a profit.
I now own a direct mail advertising company doing business in 24 states. I started this business in '91.
If you don't think business has anything to do with hustling, just ask Donald Trump, Lee Iacocca OR our current Vice President.
Chuck & Lars were both mentioned in this article and both are in college going for a degree in pharmaceuticals. Justin has the raw talent to become one of the best in the world and he also has a good head on his shoulders. He has been brought up right and will make the right decisions in life.
These kids are all good kids that don't do drugs or any of the things we did back in the '60's, '70's or '80's. I also applaud Mark Wilson for having the right influence on Justin & Lars and many others.
I was a "Deceptive Hustler" (most victims thought they were playing a salesman) - These kids aren't really even Hustlers - They go from tournament to tournament and play their guts out.
Now it's true that they have all seen the Big Money at a very young age but all that means - IMO - is that they will never settle for a 8 to 5 paying $5.15 an hour.

Lets just hope (just kidding) Justin doesn't change his swing to Marks style.

 

[Zims Rack]

Lets just hope (just kidding) Justin doesn't change his swing to Marks style.

I would tread very lightly with comments like this. Mark has had and is having a very rewarding life. He embraces every experience he has had and has never looked back. He is highly respected as an Instructor, certainly qualified to commentate a professional event(s), has an impecable track record as a player, owns a fantastic pool room and is very well liked by a large majority of people in the billiard industry.

I know you say you were just joking and I may have taken your statement out of context, and if I did, then I apologize. However, I think many people will agree with my reply!

Zim

 

[T411]

Chuck & Lars were both mentioned in this article and both are in college going for a degree in pharmaceuticals. These kids are all good kids that don't do drugs or any of the things we did back in the '60's, '70's or '80's. I also applaud Mark Wilson for having the right influence on Justin & Lars and many others.
TY & GL

TAP, TAP, TAP, Their are a quit a few of young intelligent, book smart players out there that have their heads on strait; more than some want to would think.

 

[AuntyDan]

I don't know what you mean by 'india paper'.....

Sorry, typo. I meant to say "indie" paper (IE Inpdendant, not mass media).

OHB - I'm glad to hear they are planning on college, the article did not mention that. You could say that the lack of money in Pool is good in this sense, so kids don't think it's worth dropping out school for it.

I also missed the information about Mark Wilson, I had no idea he'd been on team USA for the 1996 Mosconi Cup.

 

[Time Is $]

Awesome

Great Article... Goes into detail on how rare it is to see kids that amazing and how pool players make a living w/out trying to church it up.

 

[Williebetmore]

Sorry, typo. I meant to say "indie" paper (IE Inpdendant, not mass media).

OHB - I'm glad to hear they are planning on college, the article did not mention that. You could say that the lack of money in Pool is good in this sense, so kids don't think it's worth dropping out school for it.

I also missed the information about Mark Wilson, I had no idea he'd been on team USA for the 1996 Mosconi Cup.

AD,
I could be wrong, but I believe Mark was on at least 2 or 3 Mosconi Cup teams (at least '94 and 96); but I don't know where to find out - Mark sure doesn't mention it; he is very humble.

 

[watchez]

AD,
I could be wrong, but I believe Mark was on at least 2 or 3 Mosconi Cup teams (at least '94 and 96); but I don't know where to find out - Mark sure doesn't mention it; he is very humble.

Even at Mark's website http://www.playgreatpool.com/index.html , he doesn't speak of his accomplishments as a player in pool. I also know he reads this site often so maybe he could actually SAY SOMETHING and let his ego out a bit & let us know his titles.

 

[Williebetmore]

Even at Mark's website http://www.playgreatpool.com/index.html , he doesn't speak of his accomplishments as a player in pool. I also know he reads this site often so maybe he could actually SAY SOMETHING and let his ego out a bit & let us know his titles.

Watchez,
YES!!!!! I checked his website before I posted and could find no mention of it. If I made that team, I would make sure EVERYONE IN THE WORLD knew it - but of course that's why I'm a hack and he's not.

 

[eales]

AD,
I could be wrong, but I believe Mark was on at least 2 or 3 Mosconi Cup teams (at least '94 and 96); but I don't know where to find out - Mark sure doesn't mention it; he is very humble.

The first two Mosconi Cup teams were:

1994 Rollerbowl, Romford

USA 16 - 12 EUROPE

TEAM EUROPE: Ralf Souquet (Germany), Steve Davis (UK), Lee Tucker (UK), Oliver Ortmann (Germany), Tom Storm (Sweden), Jimmy White (UK), Franziska Stark (Germany), Allison Fisher (UK).

TEAM USA: Lou Butera, Paul Gerni, Bobby Hunter, Dallas West, Mark Wilson, Mike Gulyassy, Jeanette Lee, Vivian Villarreal.

1995 Festival Hall, Basildon

EUROPE 16 - 15 USA

TEAM EUROPE: Daryl Peach (UK), Steve Davis (UK), Alex Higgins (UK), Lee Kendall (UK), Oliver Ortmann (Germany), Tom Storm (Sweden), Jimmy White (UK).

TEAM USA: Lou Butera, Mike Massey, Robert Hunter, Dallas West, Mark Wilson, Mike Gulyassy, John DiToro.

Jim Eales

 

[Time Is $]

Olathe

I remember seeing Justin Bergman in the big Olathe tournaments when he was like 12 0r 13 and was getting in the top 5 and gambling.

 

[(((Satori)))]

Well here I am (only 30 years later) instead.
I was "On The Road" for over 25 years and have NO regrets. It taught me how to manage money - How run it as a business and most importantly - how to show a profit.
I now own a direct mail advertising company doing business in 24 states. I started this business in '91.
If you don't think business has anything to do with hustling, just ask Donald Trump, Lee Iacocca OR our current Vice President.
Chuck & Lars were both mentioned in this article and both are in college going for a degree in pharmaceuticals. Justin has the raw talent to become one of the best in the world and he also has a good head on his shoulders. He has been brought up right and will make the right decisions in life.
These kids are all good kids that don't do drugs or any of the things we did back in the '60's, '70's or '80's. I also applaud Mark Wilson for having the right influence on Justin & Lars and many others.
I was a "Deceptive Hustler" (most victims thought they were playing a salesman) - These kids aren't really even Hustlers - They go from tournament to tournament and play their guts out.
Now it's true that they have all seen the Big Money at a very young age but all that means - IMO - is that they will never settle for a 8 to 5 paying $5.15 an hour.

TY & GL

I think this post deserves to be at the top again.