Steve Tipton stepping down!

[Keith Rudman]

A friend of mine was in the stands last weekend in Peoria and overheard Steve Tipton tell Sarah Ellerby that Florida will be his last tournament with the WPBA. Does anyone else know of this?

I think he does a great job. I was at Soaring Eagle a few years back, and he really keeps the crowd involved. Wonder what he is going to do now?

 

[Rich R.]

Wonder what he is going to do now?

IIRC, Steve owns a business and has a family. His work with the WPBA was a second job.

 

[larrynj1]

maybe mitch laurence will be next.

 

[BooBoo]

WPBA Job

My choice would be for Jimmy Mataya! Wouldn't they love to deal with him as master of ceremonys and tournament director.

 

[Rich R.]

My choice would be for Jimmy Mataya!

Don't look for that to happen, as long as Ewa is president of the WPBA.

 

[DrCue'sProtege]

i sure hope Mr. Tipton doesnt step down.
the guy is hysterical, a class act, and can really play to the ESPN cameras.

plus he's an excellent tournament director, and a class act all the way.

DCP

 

[sjm]

i sure hope Mr. Tipton doesnt step down.
the guy is hysterical, a class act, and can really play to the ESPN cameras.

plus he's an excellent tournament director, and a class act all the way.

DCP

I was in Peoria, and also heard this news through the grapevine, but later heard that Steve Tipton might reconsider. Whatever the truth turns out to be, though, let's all hope he stays.

I've attended pool tournaments for thirty years and have never seen a better tournamaent director in action. The high visibility part of Steve's tournament director's job is working the crowd and being the emcee up to and including the TV rounds, and I agree that Steve does that job very well.

Still, there's more to the job than that, even though it's a little under the radar. Steve is also responsible for:

1) match scheduling
2) determining table assignments
3) finding, teaching and assigning "shot clock" operators as needed
4) recording and posting match results
5) coordinating oversight of the tournament room and the equipment

..... and that ain't all. In these areas, Steve has shown continual excellence.
A great tournament director must have administrative abilities in addition to all the skills we tend to think of when we consider the role of the tournament director.

If Steve will retire as tournament director, it will be a shame, but speaking for myself, I'm glad I've had so many chances to enjoy his work first hand.

 

[Tom In Cincy]

I've known Steve since the early 80s when we both played at High Pockets in Memphis TN.

Steve has always had a great staff of specialists assisting him in running the tournaments.

In NO WAY does take away from Steve's great presence at these women's tournaments, But the staff he works with needs to be mentioned as well.

What you have mentioned below, is done by Steve's staff. And, they do a great job.

Steve is also responsible for:

1) match scheduling
2) determining table assignments
3) finding, teaching and assigning "shot clock" operators as needed
4) recording and posting match results
5) coordinating oversight of the tournament room and the equipment

 

[piglit]

A friend of mine was in the stands last weekend in Peoria and overheard Steve Tipton tell Sarah Ellerby that Florida will be his last tournament with the WPBA. Does anyone else know of this?

Mmmmm- how did she smell?!

-pigi

 

[Melissa Herndon]

I also heard stirrings that Steve may be stepping down as Tournament Director...but that there is no specific timetable as to when it might happen.

I would like to mention that Steve is loved by many of the girls on tour, especially the ones that have really had a chance to get to know him. He has great relationships with many players, and he also has a lot of insight and stories that give him history with the game and with the WPBA.

I, for one, would hate to see him leave us. But, if he has better opportunities, or if he just needs to spend more time with his family, then I would wish him the best of luck in everything. I know he would keep in touch though....there is no way we would be rid of him forever....LOL!!!!

Melissa

 

[sjm]

I've known Steve since the early 80s when we both played at High Pockets in Memphis TN.

Steve has always had a great staff of specialists assisting him in running the tournaments.

In NO WAY does take away from Steve's great presence at these women's tournaments, But the staff he works with needs to be mentioned as well.

What you have mentioned below, is done by Steve's staff. And, they do a great job.

Point well taken, Tom. Steve's staff does a nice job in helping coordinate all aspects of tournament admisitration and they deserve our gratitude, too.