Bio
Imagine an 18 yr. old American boy who
had NEVER even played a game of pool! That's how this journey
starts. Growing up around Chicago, and being a snow skier, and
racer, I attended college in Colorado on a ski-racing scholarship.
I had never been introduced to pool...that is until Internationally
Famous Trick Shot Artist Jack White showed up at my school in
1971 to do a show. My jaw literally hit the floor after watching
him make balls disappear, all the while, making the cue ball
dance around the table, like it was on the end of string! That
did it! I now HAD to learn how to play this game! After giving
me a few tips, and suggesting buying Mosconi's little red book,
I dove headfirst into the game. When I returned to Chicago the
next summer, I sought out the Billiard Congress of America HQ
(which was in Chicago at the time), and asked them to steer me
to someone who could give me professional lessons. They suggested
an older gentleman on the NW side of Chicago, by the name of
Frank Oliva. I went to Frank twice a week for lessons for the
next two summers, all the while, practicing and playing in tournaments
against many excellent Chicago players, including Dallas West,
Wendall Weir, and Leon Ledford, among others.
By the time
I got out of college, I decided to play pool on the road for
a living. Having maintained my friendship with Jack White,
I learned a lot about how to gamble pool effectively, and traveled
around the country for a few years. As is true in many things,
you don't necessarily have to be the best at something to make
a living...just intelligent! During this time, I lived quite
well, never having to spend nights in my car, or eating cheap food.
However, like most pool players, I never saved much, and usually
just had my BR (bankroll) to stake me. I never accepted offers
from stake horses to back me, and never dumped a game to try to
cheat somebody. I also NEVER hustled anybody in my life! I had
more moral character than that, and never pretended that I couldn't
play, just to get somebody to bet. During this time, I played many famous
and not-so-famous pool players, losing to some and beating others,
but never failing to learn SOMETHING new from each experience.
After
tiring of the people who 'live on the edge', as many gamblers
do, I learned that I had an affinity for teaching. This led to
developing a pool class at my alma mater, and then again, in more
detail when I moved to Montana in the 80's. At Montana State University
I developed a teaching program that turned out a Collegiate National
Champion, as well as an 2nd and 3rd place finisher at the national
level. Over the years I have taught and coached several men and
women, who have won national titles in 8-ball and 9-ball.
In 1993, having still maintained a friendship
with Jack White, I was contacted by Mr. White regarding the possibility
of taking over his tour (which had grown over decades to become
the largest, most successful pool tour, for an individual). I took
over Mr. White's tour in 1995, after traveling with him for much
of 1994, and now perform at over 100 colleges and universities
annually, across the United States, living on the road for up to
250 days a year. My teaching workshops and trick shot shows have
been seen at military bases, poolrooms, and higher learning institutions
everywhere.
I have had the benefit of experience and instruction
from many fine pool players and teachers, over the years, including
Mr. Oliva, Mr. White, famed BCA instructor Jerry Briesath, and
trick shot artists Willie Jopling, Tom Rossman, and Mike Massey.
As a lifelong student of the game, I continue to expand my knowledge,
and share it with others everywhere I go. After becoming a BCA certified instructor
more than 15 yrs. ago, I have continually been involved with higher learning
concerning all aspects of billiard games, and now, at the advanced
level, I promote play and teach all ability levels, from beginner
to expert.
I am very fortunate to be able
to make a very nice living doing a job I am so passionate about.
I cannot wait to get up every morning and go to work! I always
put on an entertaining
and educational performance. I hope to see you out there "on the tables"! |