In all the kerfuffle about Alex’s conduct during the DCC 14.1 Challenge, though it has been said here and there, I feel something that deserves highlighting are exceptional work, dedication, and long hours Bill, Dennis, and Elvicash put in to allow this event to continue in 2011. Under the longtime stewardship and financial backing of Bob Jewett, the straight pool challenge, for many of us, has become a central part of our Derby City experience for the last several years. It is an incredible man vs. mountain contest that while subdued is totally compelling. And without guys like Bill and Dennis and Elvi, who were willing to man the two-table room for interminable hours surviving on sodas, chili-dogs, (other mystery meat dishes) and ice cream, we would not have champions demonstrating how they play a marvelous discipline.
Thinking back, probably many of us who have been around the pool room block have had a tournament opponent show up who was, maybe, not quite right. Several years back I was playing in a 1pocket tournament in Las Vegas and my opponent -- a well-known top-flight 1pocket player -- showed up to our assigned table red-eyed and stumbling. A few times, holding on to the rails, he asked me which was his pocket, because he couldn’t maintain focus. It didn’t offend me. I didn’t think he was making a mockery of the game. To me he was a man with a problem whom I wished well. *None of that is to say anything about Alex* but I do hope he has enough self-awareness to acknowledge that, for whatever reasons he was in the state he was in, it reflected poorly on himself.
Bill was in a tough spot -- who is going to figure that in this day and age a world champion is going to show up drunk for a televised tournament final. He made his call and that’s should be good enough for any of us, not unlike the call of any referee with whom we might agree or disagree.
Thanks again Bill, Dennis, and Elvi. Well done. And thanks too to Bob, Stu, Angel, Richard, and Greg. Hope I didn’t miss anyone.
Lou Figueroa
Thinking back, probably many of us who have been around the pool room block have had a tournament opponent show up who was, maybe, not quite right. Several years back I was playing in a 1pocket tournament in Las Vegas and my opponent -- a well-known top-flight 1pocket player -- showed up to our assigned table red-eyed and stumbling. A few times, holding on to the rails, he asked me which was his pocket, because he couldn’t maintain focus. It didn’t offend me. I didn’t think he was making a mockery of the game. To me he was a man with a problem whom I wished well. *None of that is to say anything about Alex* but I do hope he has enough self-awareness to acknowledge that, for whatever reasons he was in the state he was in, it reflected poorly on himself.
Bill was in a tough spot -- who is going to figure that in this day and age a world champion is going to show up drunk for a televised tournament final. He made his call and that’s should be good enough for any of us, not unlike the call of any referee with whom we might agree or disagree.
Thanks again Bill, Dennis, and Elvi. Well done. And thanks too to Bob, Stu, Angel, Richard, and Greg. Hope I didn’t miss anyone.
Lou Figueroa
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