Born November 21, 1955
MERITORIOUS AWARD

Gene has been active in the pool community since 1980 when he helped organize the Massillon pool league. He became motivated through the void created when the softball season ended. He decided to fill that void by joining Dave Hollinger along with Ross and Ruth Guiffre to begin what would become a very competitive, highly respected and long-standing billiards league. Although he won MVP the first year awards were given, he is more identifiable with his organizational contributions to the league system. He has been an active board member since 1985 serving as either President or Vice-President. Gene devotes considerable time organizing and forming banquets and or raffles as well as day-to-day league operations. He learned to play pool through the local Boys Club as a teenager and has been an undeniable asset to the local pool and billiards community ever since. We are proud to present this award to Gene in appreciation for all his continued efforts.

THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION

Born June 19, 19333
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Born in Layland, West Virginia and raised in Canton, Ohio from the age of 14, Jack had strong family commitments that limited his competitive billiard playing to just 15 of his 69 years. In those short years, however, he achieved some outstanding credentials by competing with past Hall of Famers such as Fred ‘Luch’ Martin, Rocco Moecia and Massillon’s Ricky Daniels. He also played against professionals including Jimmy Carras, Luther ‘Wimpy’ Lassiter, Rochester Ray, Rotation Slim and Pittsburgh Jack to name a few well known competitors of that era. His accomplishments include a run of 40 balls in straight pool, an impressive run of 14 straight racks of 9-ball in Charleston, West Virginia. He was victorious in a Cleveland 25 man tournament at a room called the Arcade where he won a now famous Willie Hoppe cue. Jack played all games including 3-cushion billiards, snooker and 1-pocket in the local tri-state area of Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. He was considered very proficient and willing to play anyone’s game. Jack is related to Hall of Famer Ruth Guiffre and also has Massillon ties. At the request of Hall of Famer Henry Potts, Jack offered his knowledge and expertise to teaching and coaching the youth at the local Boys Club. All of these credentials make him an ideal choice for induction this year.

THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION

Born March 30, 1936
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Mick started to play pool while in the US Marine Corps on the barracks pool table. Several years later after his honorable discharge, Mick joined the Canton/Louisville Tuesday Tavern League. During the 1993/1994 season, he was awarded MVP in the Monday Clark & Son Tavern League. Mick also was awarded MVP honors during the 1995/1996 season, when his team took first place honors. Unfortunately, Mick couldn’t play in the State tournament because he underwent triple pass coronary surgery. Mick came back to league play with vengeance in the 1997/1998 season, playing with the Canton/Louisville “B” League. He prevailed as the league MVP, with the most runs and undefeated nights. He was expelled from the “B” league - at the age of 62. Although Mick was plagued with nagging back problems, he still finished second in MVP honors in the VNEA Open Division and was on the first place team in the silver division. Ironically, while Mick played on several teams and always had one of the top ten averages in the upper division, he was never on a Championship team until then. Mick also enjoys pool on the big tables and playing straight pool for practice. Three years ago, Mick formed a straight league for seniors which plays out of Fiddlestix during the winter. Mick has been married to Rosemary for over forty years and they have five children. He is retired from the Timken Company. He is a sports enthusiast, having played Fumbleball and being named MVP one year. Later, he managed three teams to a collective record of 78-16. Mick also bowled several years ago, coached junior bowlers and even had a sanctioned 300 game. For the above reasons we are proud and honored to include Mick in the Hall of Fame class of 2002.

THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION

BORN 5/22/44
ACHIEVEMENT & MERITORIOUS AWARD

Steve Szuter started his organized pocket billiard accomplishments at the young age of 18. He won his first tournament, running 37 balls at the military base he was stationed at in Korea in 1962. After his honorable discharge, he worked as a self-employed auto mechanic and fulfilled family obligations, finding time to quietly “hone” his game at home. When the original Timken League opened its gates for players, Steve joined in and helped guide the league. Not only did he participate, but also he served as Treasurer and was one of the backbone members.

In 1980, Steve bought a bar and renamed it “The Last Resort”. Here, he set up a “pool player’s heaven” that was unsurpassed by no others in Stark County. His Last Resort surely set the pace in western Stark County featuring teams, tournaments, free play, action and sponsoring teams in national tournaments. Much of Steve’s understanding of the game was passed on to many young enthusiasts whose talent can be traced to his instruction and tutoring. Steve was their mentor, not only for his skill and knowledge of the game but for his character as well.

Over the past several years, Steve has continued to give unselfishly and generously to players and teams at his new “pool players heaven” Fiddlestix Billiard Cafe. Still he passes on his wisdom of the game, sponsors teams, and donates or reduces table time to league play, tournaments that include BCA Junior Qualifier Tournaments, the BCA Regional Event, the NWPA Wheelchair Event, smaller team events and a local tournament to raise money for a cancer survivor.

Steve’s success on the pool table and as a sponsor has glistened and continues to grow. His Last Resort Teams dominated the Massillon Tavern League for years. During that period, he sponsored teams in National tournaments including Milwaukee where a Last Resort team placed Canton, Ohio on every pool players map with a national championship. In individual play, Steve once ran ten consecutive racks of 8-ball on nine foot tables in a Portsmouth tournament to finish second. He also placed or won several 9-ball and straight pool events with the competitive Canton Billiard League. While his individual and team accomplishments are far too many to list here, they continue to grow. His most recent was the grand daddy of them all. His Fiddlestix team took 1st place honors in the Ohio VNEA Open Tournament at the Canton Civic Center plus in the Tri-State BCA event this past fall.

Steve’s success with family and business, parlayed with his love of pool as a player, promoter, teacher and honorable gentleman, make him a true treasure to be nominated into the Greater Canton Amateur Billiard Association.

THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION