KEVIN LEHNIS
BORN MARCH 11, 1958
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Kevin
began his pool career at the age of 18 with a few close friends at Hall of Fame
Lanes Billiard Room, playing for hours day and night. Although Kevin played in
the early Massillon Tavern and VNEA league systems he competed in many local
leagues and tournaments. Kevin has won numerous tournaments in Ohio and also
while vacationing at his residence in Florida. Kevin was very competitive,
winning at least five League MVP awards and ten team championships including
the Massillon Tavern League, Clark & Son League and three times the
prestigious VNEA Gold (Masters) division League. It is believed the number is
closer to 15 but the exact number is unknown due to lack of good record keeping
by leagues in the 80’s and early 90’s.
Kevin
was a member of the early Last Resort teams with former hall of famer Steve
Szuter, whose teams dominated the Massillon League for many years. He played
with standout players including Don Amadii, Doug Nauer, Tim Price and Larry
Storey. He competed on teams in the Ohio State Masters Championships achieving four
top-4 finishes. Kevin competed in the National Team Open in Sandusky garnering
two top-4 finishes and he also competed in the US Team Open with his highest
finish being in the top 16. Kevin participated and won numerous mini-tournaments
throughout his career. Kevin partnered with Hall of Famer Tom Frank to open and
run the popular On-the-Snap Billiard Pub in Canal Fulton.
Kevin
graduated from Canton Lincoln High School in 1976. He has been employed by
Republic Engineered Products for 31 years and is single with no children. When
not playing pool or vacationing in Florida, he spends his free time collecting
autographs.
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION
DON MAYLE
BORN DECEMBER 1, 1946
ACHIEVEMENT/MERITORIOUS AWARD
Don Mayle is very typical of the areas many top players. Born and raised here, he learned to play in the old smoke filled rooms of bars for money or drinks. Learning why area greats were as good as they were the hard way…yet learning.
Don’s earliest recollection of playing pool was at about 8 years old, playing on bar boxes under the tutelage of his Father and Uncle Earl at places like the old Bar 43 and Cody’s in Canton. By age 19 Don became more confident in his game and was playing for money in not only area taverns but those in West Virginia.
In 1984 he started playing in the area leagues by teaming up with Tom Frank at the Last Resort. Here his playing skills were sharpened not only from Tom but Steve Szuter and Barry Hixon. From here Don went on to play in every major league in the Stark County area. His contributions to his team’s efforts have helped win League Championships if not always finishing within the top three or so spots. Individually, he has carried off his fair share of MVP and other awards for his play.
Not limiting himself to Stark County, Don had continued to travel to other areas of Ohio and West Virginia entering local tournaments and winning many. In recent years he has played in the VNEA State and National tournaments. Although not taking top honors his teams have always finished respectable. The 2007-2008 season was somewhat typical Don and his teams finished 3rd in the Clark and Son Monday Night Pool League, 1st and MVP in the Tuesday Louisville/Canton League, 3rd and 3rd MVP in the Louisville/Canton Coed League, 4th in the VNEA Gold Division and 4th in VNEA State Tournament, Open Division.
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION
RICKY DANIELS
BORN DECEMBER 1, 1946
ACHIEVEMENT/MERITORIOUS AWARD
Massillon born and bred, Ricky Daniels, started playing pool
at the age of 12 years old. He honed his skills just a couple years later
playing Massillon legend, “Red” Copeland, in straight pool and 3-Cushion
Billiards. Ricky fondly remembers losing his lunch money playing “Red” but this
was a small price to pay for what he learned. Ricky also played for 5 cents per
rack at Roy’s Pool Room but his skills really blossomed when Cue & Cushion
opened. He points out every top player from Stark County would frequent this
room so he was able to learn playing top talent. Ricky also played at the
Strand, Varsity, Lincolnway plus Hall of Fame Lanes and other area bowling
alleys where they had pool tables. Ricky would follow the Massillon Tigers out
of town and afterward he would always find a match at a local room. His very
impressive resume’ of opponents played include Willie Masconi, Don Willis, “Harry
the Head” and Troy Frank.
While 8-ball on the small tables was not his favorite game,
he owned the Union Station from about 1983 to 1999 so he formed and sponsored
pool teams to generate business. In 1983 when his team joined the Massillon
Tavern League he once was involved in a high stakes match with defending
champs, Walnut Hills, and his team was able to pull out a close victory. His
team would go on to dominate the Massillon league for a number of years after
that until about 1989. His team included Hall of Famer Jim Krenzer and future
prospects, Don Amadii, Doug Nauer, Jeff “Cosmo” Miller, Tim Price and Jim Uphold.
Recently, he acquired the West End Tavern and sponsored teams; one that
finished 2nd last year in the Massillon Tavern League.
Ricky is now retired. His two sons are grown so he spends
his time on the golf course.
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THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION
GERRY BAUS
1954 - 2008
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Jerry
started playing pool at the age of six years old. He placed 3rd in
the 1977 McDermott Ohio State 8-Ball Championship and won numerous local tavern
tournaments. He played in the Massillon Tavern Pool League systems for 23 and
incredibly missed only five matches during that time. He played on several
championship teams including Varsity Tavern and Hideaway teams. He carried a
lifetime average of 70-percent and was Most Valuable Player three times.
He was
a well-known and loved personality in the local pool scene. He fostered and
helped develop many players over the years. He was also reputed as one of the best
players in the Massillon area and won many “hill-hill” matches for his teams.
He had a great passion for the game of pool and was respected by everyone that
knew him.
He
was a sawyer by trade and served in Viet Nam from 1973 to 1976 with the 82nd
Airborne. He graduated from Massillon Washington High School. He was once
quoted as saying that “he lived for the game. Jerry suffered a long battle with
cancer and was no longer able to play pool. It is said the cancer didn’t get
him but he chose to pass when he could no longer play.
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THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION
KENNY “K” KEREKES
BORN MAY 30, 1953
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Kenny was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He currently
resides in the Cleveland area and has laid ceramic tile for the last six
years. Kenny started playing pool when he was six years old at his
Grandmothers house and in pool halls at the age of 17 years old. Kenny was a
trainer for standard bred horses for 25 years. During his free time while
training, he would go to pool halls and shoot pool. However, his love for
horses out weighed his love for pool and that is why he didn't turn pro.
Although Buddy Walles from Cleveland taught Kenny a lot about
pool, his idol was Mike Ruffo. Kenny's accomplishments are many, among them
are: a Viking Tournament win at Starchers, a King of the Hill Tournament
Championship against northeast Ohio’s greatest players in 1997 and a Senior
Tournament win in Philadelphia in 2007. He also placed in the top 13 in a
9-Ball tournament in Las Vegas and hundreds of local tournaments championships.
Kenny is noted for his great attitude. Whether win or lose Kenny
displays the utmost outstanding sportsmanship at all times. Kenny quotes
"he has no regrets" the path that he has chosen.
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION
JERRY “WOLF MAN” WOLF
BORN MARCH 28, 1944
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Jerry
“The Wolf Man” Wolf is a lifetime resident of the Akron Canton area. Jerry has
been a fixture of Akron /Canton Billiards playing mostly out of Starcher’s
Billiard Room in Akron. Saying that Jerry Wolf is synonymous with excellent
pool and one of our areas elite performers is an understatement. He has played
and beaten every notable player of our area and beyond at one time or another.
Such players as Joe Kerr, Dennis Jackson, Mario Ciliti, Doc Hixon, Immel, Fred
Martin and Meredith “Cope” Copedash just to name a few.
His distinguished play is reflected in his list of
accomplishments on the green felt in this great sport of pocket billiards. Jerry has won too many local events to list
such as the Pump Lounge tournaments but there are also many more notable
events. Participating in the early Miller Lite Vegas Tournaments he placed and
cashed in the top 32. Jerry defeated Meredith Cobedash in winning the Canton
Genesee Challenger tournament held at Hall of Fame lanes and promoted by Dick
Eubanks. Jerry garnered two Prestigious Ohio State Championship titles in
Columbus, Eight Ball in 1977 and Nine Ball in 1991. He played in and cashed
many of the Starcher’s Ohio State Open tournaments promoted by Joe Kerr that
drew many top professional players for several years. Jerry also won the Spring
Classic tournament and Shamrock Shoot Out events staged at Starchers. One of
the more prestigious events Jerry championed was the Charleston Open 9-Ball
Tournament in the early 1990’s. Another major event in which he was able to
finish 2nd was the early McDermott Suzy-Q Bar Box event. Jerry’s
personal prize accomplishment however was defeating top professional; friend,
and mentor, Buddy Hall 11 to 6 in a tournament match up in a Kentucky event.
What a thrill for an Amateur player! Truly, Jerry is a treasure to the
Billiards community and deserving of this award.
Jerry
was married ten years having a 34-year-old son who lives out of state. He is
employed at Bridgestone Tire Co. and works in the testing department.