Born 1923
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Bob Allen didn't begin to play pool competitively until he retired at the age of 60. Within two years after his retirement, he played in small bar tournaments plus a weekly tournament at Starchers. Bob won about ten tournaments in all his first year and cashed over twenty times including two eight ball tournaments plus a nine ball tournament at Starchers.
Bob then joined Varsity Tavern in the Massillon Tavern eight ball league and later was captain of that team for numerous years. His teams which competed for eight years, won three division Championships, four second place finishes and one fourth place finish. After sitting out one year, Bob joined Reedurban Tavern, also with the Massillon Tavern eight ball league, and that team also went undefeated during the regular season but lost in the finals of the league playoffs. Bob has said, "To be asked to play with a team of that caliber at the age of 72, had to be the most satisfying achievement I have experienced in pool."
Despite Bob's impressive record with eight ball teams, his claim to the Hall of Fame is for his achievements in the Senior Olympics. In the age bracket of 70 to 74, Bob has won all the regional qualifiers for the State the last five years. Further, after advancing from the regional to the State, he has also won the finals in his age group all five years. The finals have been held in Dayton (1992), Cincinnati (1993 and 1994) and Youngstown (1995 and 1996). In the first year in which the senior Olympics had a final playoff of all winners of the various age groups, Bob won that event which included all players 55 and over. In 1996, the senior Olympics was lowered to age 50. Bob came in second, losing to Jerry May of Akron, in the over 50 group, after winning his age bracket at the age of 73.
Bob is highly respected by league and tournament players in Stark and Summit Counties not only for his skill but for his sportsmanship, thus his nickname "The Ambassador".
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARD ASSOCIATION
1931 - 1994
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Glen was born and raised in the Youngstown and Alliance areas but played extensively through Canton and Akron as well as traveling to various tournament sites. He played frequently at Chris Billiards in Chicago. Glen was a non-publicized but very talented and accomplished pool player. He was extremely skilled at one-pocket, bank pool and nine ball. To his achievement credit, he won several Starcher's Billiards, 1st Sunday of the Month nine ball tournaments in Akron, placed second in the Challengers Tournament of Canton, and won an invitation only Nine-Ball event at Moon Mullins Family Pool Hall in January, 1978. Glen was good friends with the other area greats Don Willis, Fred Martin and Rocco Moecia. In addition to his excellent play and reputation, he was well liked and possessed a great sense of humor. He will be missed in the billiard world.
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARD ASSOCIATION
1936 - 1998
MERITORIOUS AWARD
Ruth Guiffre founded the Massillon Tavern Pool League in 1980 along with Dave Hollinger and her husband, Ross. It is currently one of the oldest, if not the oldest, tavern league systems in Stark County. Ruth is best known for her efforts as Secretary and Treasurer. Ruth not only worked for the league, but also sponsored and played on teams form the Tiger Bowl for many years. In its first year of league play, the Massillon Tavern Pool League had four taverns, who sponsored approximately eight teams consisting of 40 players. Ruth has watched the league prosper to it current size of 24 taverns, who sponsor 32 teams, consisting of 345 players. From 1983 to 1992, Ruth played for the Satellite Grille plus a very good Tiger Bowl team in the Valley Women's league. Her Tiger Bowl team qualified for the Valley eight ball league National Championship and played international competition in Las Vegas in 1988 and 1989, by finishing 2nd and 3rd place respectively, in the Valley State tournament. Without Ruth, organized pool in Stark County and the GCABA, may not exist today. Sadly, Ruth passed away unexpectedly in 1998 but not until after she and her family were able to attend the Hall of Fame ceremony honoring her.
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARD ASSOCIATION
1910 - 1994
MERITORIOUS AWARD
Henry Potts created what is known today as the Boys & Girls Club of Massillon. His first club location, in 1948, was at the old Seiler-Melvin lock-washer plant in the northwest section of Massillon. It was here that Henry started activities using pool tables and makeshift basketball courts. Henry envisioned a need for a new location for the children in Massillon area to develop skills and personal values that would shape the future of their lives. Henry was the executive director when a capital funds campaign was held in 1964. The Massillon community responded very favorably to the campaign and ground was broken at 730 Duncan Street, S.W. for a new Boys Club facility on June 12, 1965. Dedication was held on April 20, 1966. Henry maintained five pool tables and two bumper tables for the young people of the Massillon area to enjoy over the 27 years, dating from 1948 to the time of his retirement in 1975. The same Boys Club is alive and well and expanding today thanks to his foresight and dedicated efforts.
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARD ASSOCIATION