Sarah a Champion?

J

jjinfla

Banned
Sarah,

After watching the men do battle this weekend I strongly urge you to set a definite time limit on how much of your life you will spend in attaining "star" status in women's pool.

I suggest one year. After that evaluate yourself and see if you have a realistic chance of being one of the top two women in the field. If not, then say farewell to pool and go back to school, earn your degree, and enter the business world where I am sure you will make a success of yourself.

What kind of work do you do now that allows you to play pool?

I urge you to keep a journal where you itemize all of your expenses and your winnings. Treat your pool playing as a business because after all you do want it to support you in the future. Buy yourself medical insurance and count that among your expenses. If after a year you see there is really no chance for you to make a living at pool, then be true to yourself and give it up.

Otherwise in five years you will be just another washed up pool player, living from day to day, boyfriend to boyfriend, with no future.

Jake
 
She already has a National Championship, plus a 5th and a 7th place finish in WPBA.

She is just 21 and has plenty of time to get serious in the straight world later on.

Have fun Sarah. You only live once and doing what you love is more important than anything else.

"if you love your job, you never work a day in your life"
 
Well Jake, I would be lying if I said your post was not upsetting.

When I made the decision to attempt to play professional pool I had alot to think about. Do I quit school and go all out? Do give myself a time limit? Do I upset my parents by telling them this is what I would like to do? Will I be successful? There were a million things to think about and all of it was running through my head at once.

Then as I was thinking about all of those things I looked around. I saw many people going through the motions of life. People that spent alot of time and money on college only to get a low paying, entry level job that they hate. That is when I realized it is better to follow your dreams and take a chance then to be unhappy because you never tried.

So yes, I did quit school after 2 years of college. Yes, I did give myself a time limit that right now I am right on pace. Yes, my parents were upset but then realized that I have a dream and I will try my hardest to make it come true. Have I been successful....so far yes.

I realize the consequences. That is why I have chosen to take this path at a young age. When I get older and I am ready to settle down and start a family I will be able to give my full attention to my family. I won't have this desire to try to fulfill a lost dream. If it works and I am successful, I will continue. I don't want it to be something that could have been.

Jake, you must look at the qualifying system and the system you have to go through to become a pro. It takes longer than one year. If I would have given up after one year trying to become a pro I would not be a pro today.

Yes, it is true that there is no money in this game right now for those of us near the bottom of the totem pole. What makes up for the lack of money? The feeling of being out there playing, the feeling of being a professional, signing an autograph, meeting a kid that looks up to me and the other pros, raising money for charity because I am a pro, the feeling you get when you make a great shot and hundreds of people clap. There are millions of reasons and of course the main answer is the love of the game.

If you knew me a little better you would not have made the comment about becoming a washed up pool player living from boyfriend to boyfriend. You would know that I have seen way too much of that in my time playing pool to ever turn into that. This game has been very educational in many ways to me. I have learned many lessons

So five years from now I hope that I am successful. A successful number one pool player with my own business...Sarah Rousey, Inc. With sponsors and enough money to give away to various charities and live a comfortable life.

Nostroke, thank you for your kind words. I hope you know how much I appreciate your support.

Sarah
 
Sarah,

I don't write all that often in this forum, but read the threads almost daily for educational/entertainment purposes. I had to write to tell you that I am so proud of the way you responded to the initial post. Be proud of yourself and what you have accomplished as you have acheived goals to date that many of us can only hope to one day. In my opinion, playing pool has nothing to do with money.......it is love of the game.

Take care and best of luck in the near future.
 
Sarah, I have to agree with Nostroke.
You have many years ahead of you, to spend at a job that you may not like.
Enjoy your time now, at a job that you love.

With a little luck, and a few good rolls, you may never have to spend time at the job you don't like.
I will be looking forward to the day, when Sarah Rousey Inc. becomes a reality. :D
 
Yeah. I think you need to hurry up and chain yourself to a job you'll eventually hate, and get out of this sport you seem to love. :mad:

That was the most ridiculous.......... :mad: grrrrrrrrrrrr
Sorry, I can't compose myself enough to comment on that jackass' coment

Sarah,
You are doing something that pool players all over this country wish they could do. 21 is WAY too young to be setting a timeline like that. Spend as much time as you can seeing the world and living a dream, that for most of us will always be a dream. You are a hell of a pool player with a go-getter attitude. Keep it up!!!
 
sarahrousey said:
snip a lot of good stuff.
Sarah
Click to expand...

Sarah,
I'm nobody to advise you, but I will anyway. Follow your dream, but do so wisely. Know when to bail out, don't wind up like some minor league baseball player who is still travelling around the country in buses at age 35 hoping, hoping, hoping to make it to the "big show".
That said, GO FOR IT. My son is 25 and an artist, he has a BA from Fordham, but drives a cab to support himself. He may be unrealistic, he may someday be kicking himself in the butt for chasing the dream to be a legitimate artist, but he HAS TO chase that dream now. If he doesn't he'll spend the rest of his life thinking about what if's. I got a late start in the working world myself and frankly now looking towards retirement, I've some big problems facing me economically. However, I don't regret, it wasn't pool or art that I had to try, it was my dream, I went for it, fell short, and managed to survive anyway. You'll go after you dream and get it, or not, but you'll not have it haunting you the rest of your days.
Good luck.
 
Sarah,

I only said what I did because from your posts you seem to have a pretty good head on your shoulders - you seem to be intelligent. And from where you live you probably come from a family that is well off. And most likely your parents are subsidizing your lifestyle.

My brother married into a wealthy family. The father worked for motorola and probably has a million shares of Motorola stock. That is wealth. But he gives the daughter very little. It is up to her to make her way in life. But I am sure the father will be there for her if she ever really needs it.

Working in a job that you love is very rewarding. And in the Chicago area, with proper connections, I am sure you would start out at 60K+ not including the benefits. Working in a job where you are respected for what you do.

Add in paid days off for holidays, vacations and pension plan and insurance and your salary doubles.

Do not belittle a good health plan. Ten years ago we had the world by the ass and were getting ready to go on vacation. I got a call at work from my wife saying she has to go to the hospital. She suffered a ruptured aneurysm and for the next 30 days she fought for her life. Then her sanity. Then her physical ability. I resigned from work thinking I would have a vegetable to care for for the rest of our days. But things worked out well for us and she has made a miraculous recovery. But she could never work as an attorney again. And she has 5 more aneurysms that can burst at any time. Three are inoperable. Insurance bills totaled $300,000+ but thanks to my company health plan it only cost us a few thousand.

Thanks to my pension plan and some wise investments we now live well, have no bills (none), money in the bank, and neither of us have to work. Try and achieve that from playing pool. I doubt Helena Thornfeldt is well off and she is #3. Lee, Allison and Karen have reached financial security (I believe) through sound business deals.

I tell you to give it a year because you are at the pro level already. Now it is time to see if you can cut it.

But look at the top pros out there now and show me one who is well respected. Think you will ever play like Earl Strickland? And ten years ago he was twice as good. Everyone is jealous of the top pros and want to see them fall. They have absolutely no retirement plan at all. They live for the here and now with no thought of the future.

You have the real concern of your illness. The added stress of competition does not make it easier. If you pass out at a table, no one will care. People will actually continue playing and wish the ambulance will hurry up and get rid of you. The only people who will really care will be your parents. That's two people in the whole world who will give a rip. You might not even make the newspapers.

Give it a year Sarah. By then you will know if you can cut it or not.

But good luck, whatever your decision is. But keep in mind that it is your decision, and yours only. If you succeed then you get the credit. If you fail you can only blame the monkey in the mirror.

Jake
 
jjinfla said:
Sarah,

I only said what I did because from your posts you seem to have a pretty good head on your shoulders - you seem to be intelligent. And from where you live you probably come from a family that is well off. And most likely your parents are subsidizing your lifestyle.

My brother married into a wealthy family. The father worked for motorola and probably has a million shares of Motorola stock. That is wealth. But he gives the daughter very little. It is up to her to make her way in life. But I am sure the father will be there for her if she ever really needs it.

Working in a job that you love is very rewarding. And in the Chicago area, with proper connections, I am sure you would start out at 60K+ not including the benefits. Working in a job where you are respected for what you do.

Add in paid days off for holidays, vacations and pension plan and insurance and your salary doubles.

Do not belittle a good health plan. Ten years ago we had the world by the ass and were getting ready to go on vacation. I got a call at work from my wife saying she has to go to the hospital. She suffered a ruptured aneurysm and for the next 30 days she fought for her life. Then her sanity. Then her physical ability. I resigned from work thinking I would have a vegetable to care for for the rest of our days. But things worked out well for us and she has made a miraculous recovery. But she could never work as an attorney again. And she has 5 more aneurysms that can burst at any time. Three are inoperable. Insurance bills totaled $300,000+ but thanks to my company health plan it only cost us a few thousand.

Thanks to my pension plan and some wise investments we now live well, have no bills (none), money in the bank, and neither of us have to work. Try and achieve that from playing pool. I doubt Helena Thornfeldt is well off and she is #3. Lee, Allison and Karen have reached financial security (I believe) through sound business deals.

I tell you to give it a year because you are at the pro level already. Now it is time to see if you can cut it.

But look at the top pros out there now and show me one who is well respected. Think you will ever play like Earl Strickland? And ten years ago he was twice as good. Everyone is jealous of the top pros and want to see them fall. They have absolutely no retirement plan at all. They live for the here and now with no thought of the future.

You have the real concern of your illness. The added stress of competition does not make it easier. If you pass out at a table, no one will care. People will actually continue playing and wish the ambulance will hurry up and get rid of you. The only people who will really care will be your parents. That's two people in the whole world who will give a rip. You might not even make the newspapers.

Give it a year Sarah. By then you will know if you can cut it or not.

But good luck, whatever your decision is. But keep in mind that it is your decision, and yours only. If you succeed then you get the credit. If you fail you can only blame the monkey in the mirror.

Jake
Click to expand...
Wow this is unbelievable! Sarah my dearsest friend ignore Jake he doesnt know what he is talking about! As I have said before and still stand by it. You are an asset to the WPBA! You are great player and Very Professional!
 
Nostroke, thank you for your kind words. I hope you know how much I appreciate your support.

Sarah[/QUOTE]

Thanks Sarah- Very Nice of you to say that.
 
Sarah,
Keep chasing your dreams.make them a reality.You are capable of great things.
 
Thank you to those of you that have been supportive. I truly appreciate the support. It helps more than you can imagine.

Jake, you are making assumptions. My family is not well off. Yes, I will not deny that they have helped me in certain situations. Have they paid my way and given me everything...no. Sometimes travel expenses they help with. That is only because usually one of my parents travels with me to tournaments. I does upset me that you think I cannot take care of myself.

You are right, I could go out and get a great job. I would be sitting there thinking to myself "If I wasn't here could I be playing on ESPN right now?" So then I would get fired because I am depressed and horrible to be around because I gave up a dream to sit at a desk.

Yes, a health plan is important. I have a good health plan. My medical costs are quite large with out insurance. I would hate to not have what I have now.

Again, if you look at the WPBA ranking system, there is no possible way for me to be number one within one year. Is that my fault that even if I could win tournaments I would not be number one? No, that is the ranking system.

As for players being respected, respect comes from more than just how you play. Have you thought of that? Earl doesn't get a certain respect because of the way he acts. Others are the same way. Karen Corr, Allison Fisher, and Jeanette Lee have worked hard for what they have. Allison and Jeanette have successful businesses. They have done a great job marketing themselves. Maybe that is why Helena is not as successful.

You are right, I do have a real concern with my illness. My diabetes is under complete control. If something happened to me during the tournament I would like to think someone other than my parents would care. If my friends, the other players on the tour are that heartless, maybe I should find new friends. And if my parents were the only ones that cared, those are two of the most important people in this world to care.

So Jake, I too hope that I succeed. I can tell a story about all of the people that doubted me.

Sarah
 
Sarah,
Very well said.Hows that break of yours coming?Still breaking them like a girl? ;)
 
Hello everyone,
Here's some good advice. Don't take any advice from people on the internet (it is worth almost exactly what you pay for it).

However, isn't it really fun to read other people's opinions? My opinion (such as it is) is that enjoying your profession is a gift that not everyone is blessed to receive. If a person has the talent to make a living at pool - GO FOR IT!! Even if you don't succeed you will have a lifetime of great memories and no regrets. A Billiards Digest writer asked Boston Shorty in 1999 if he would change anything about his life (he had no money, no retirement, never made a decent living from pool, had to drive a cab to make ends meet even in his best years) - he responded, "I wouldn't change a thing." I think any motivated person can find a successful job, even in their 30's or 40's, damn few could ever be #1 (or #2 or #3) on the WPBA. Sarah can (though maybe she just needs a little more playing advice from us).
 
Sarah,

Remember that there are many different opinions on this forum and many speak out of haste because they may have not taken or had the chance to follow their own dreams. I am 34 years old and have a family and good job and I love my life. However, I always think what it??? What if I had focused on my game at your age and went on the tour?? I feel that I have the talent but did not choose to pursue it due to the pressures of family and friends. Now I get to play in a few Viking events each year to live out part of my dream but cannot really take it seriously with my other commitments. I would not change what I have but I sincerely admire you for your perseverance.
Jake probably meant well but did come across a bit harsh. I say, "you go Girl!" You handle yourself on this board with utmost professionalism and respect. The sport is lucky to have someone such as yourself on the road to the top.
Follow your dreams to the top. As you can see, you have support of many wannabe’s like myself. I look forward to meeting you at a tournament in the near future. I pray that you have much success in every aspect of your life. Don’t give up on your dreams. Money is not what life is about!

We are all alive but few choose to truly LIVE!

Joe Koontz
 
RunArak said:
Sarah,

Remember that there are many different opinions on this forum and many speak out of haste because they may have not taken or had the chance to follow their own dreams. I am 34 years old and have a family and good job and I love my life. However, I always think what it??? What if I had focused on my game at your age and went on the tour?? I feel that I have the talent but did not choose to pursue it due to the pressures of family and friends. Now I get to play in a few Viking events each year to live out part of my dream but cannot really take it seriously with my other commitments. I would not change what I have but I sincerely admire you for your perseverance.
Jake probably meant well but did come across a bit harsh. I say, "you go Girl!" You handle yourself on this board with utmost professionalism and respect. The sport is lucky to have someone such as yourself on the road to the top.
Follow your dreams to the top. As you can see, you have support of many wannabe’s like myself. I look forward to meeting you at a tournament in the near future. I pray that you have much success in every aspect of your life. Don’t give up on your dreams. Money is not what life is about!

We are all alive but few choose to truly LIVE!

Joe Koontz
Click to expand...

Ouch, I think you just called me a "wannabe." Oh well, you are right - never mind this post.
 
keep it up!!!

Sarah,
Again, your posts show you are a true champion even off the table. One of my close friends, was a very talented and gifted enginiering student. 4.0 at one the top programs in the country. He was solving math problems that till this date were unsolved. He left it all behind to join a crappy bar band. In small town Iowa City. Why? Because he was living the life that many of us only dream of. You are living my dream now. Keep it up and never (and I mean never) look back. You weren't ROY for nothing. Karen and alison are how old?
PS.Sorry I haven't written, but I should find out what day I am free tonight or tomorrow (long story). Thanks!!!
Jordan
 
Thanks again to everyone. I believe Jake was attempting to look out for me but it was just presented in the wrong way. He is lucky I am a somewhat forgiving person :)

Tony, I'm still breaking like a girl. But good thing is, I think I have it figured out why :D

Willie, you are right. People have their own opinions. If we weren't allowed to express our opinions we would be living in a communist country. We are lucky to be able to express our feelings. This is a tough life. I know that and I knew that coming into it. If I end up getting nothing out of it maybe I will at least have made an impact on the future of the game.

Joe, each of us have our own path in life. As long as we find happiness down our path life will be good. Some people choose family, some choose work, some choose play. I have chosen the work/play but in the future hope to have a family. When I have that family I will be able to give them my full attention rather than thinking of what would have been. Does everyone have that feeling? Of course not. Some people are meant to have families and others to do great work. My mom told me once that her whole life she waited to be a mother, it was her dream. So each of us has some dream of our own.

Jordan, your friend took a big leap. It is a tough thing to do. Thank you for your kind words. Be sure to let me know when you are free. I will let you know a good place to play.

Willie....I guess in someway all of us are wannabes. I wannabe as good as Efren so there, I am a wannabe too :) And you are right, I do need pool advice as much as everyone else.

Thanks again everyone.
Sarah
 
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