TROY FRANK
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
AWARD
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TROY FRANK
Troy started playing pool when he was 11 years old and developed his skills, under the tutelage, of Barry Hixon. At the age of 16, Troy played in a National 8-Ball tournament in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the youngest player ever to play in that tournament and his team won 1st place out of a field of 85 teams. When Troy was a senior in high school, he competed in the Governors Cup Tournament in Columbus, Ohio. He competed against the world's greatest professionals and he came in 5th place. Then, at the age of 20 years old, he won a top-level professional tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana.
At the age of 18 to 20 years old, Troy competed frequently in the Starcher's 1st Sunday of the Month tournament. At one point, he won 2nd place four consecutive months and went on to win that tournament many times after that. At the age of 23 years old, Troy played in a top-level professional tournament in the North American East Coast 9-Ball Championship (Chelmsford, Massachusetts) and finished 3rd. In 1994, Troy played in the Sandusky team 8-Ball tournament and his team won 1st place out of a 64 team field. At one point in that tournament, Troy had run ten racks in row. Also, during that tournament, Troy was send to play a sudden death tie breaker match for his team on four separate occasions. Troy won all four games with perfect rack runs on his first turn in each game. In 1995, Troy competed in the Valley League Masters 9-Ball tournament in Las Vegas and won first place out of a field of approximately 100 very talented amateur and professional players from around the world.
Troy played in the Canton Billiard League from the age of 16 to 25 years old. He won the Straight league two out of the five years that he played in the league. At the age of 17 years old, Troy had a high run in the league with 63 balls in a row. At the age of 20 years old, which was his last season in the league, he had Canton Billiard League's high run to date with 82 balls in a row. He also had an average run per inning of a remarkable 8.66. Troy finished in second place in the 9-Ball league, his first year of league play and dominated the league for the last six years that he played in it.
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TIM CLARK JR.
1998
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tim Clark Jr. has been playing pool for over a decade now although he is only 24 years old. Some regard him as one of the more prominent players in Northeast Ohio and his achievements this past year support this. In 1998, Tim successfully defended his 9-ball championship in the prestigious Canton Billiard League leading the league in high runs and average. As MVP for the entire league, he led his Varsity team to victory in the VNEA Masters team over a loaded On-the-Snap team. Tim had the most ERO’s, Wins and Points. Tim’s team finished fifth overall in the open division of the State tournament, losing only to the second and third place teams. Tim also joined the Varsity Tavern team in the Canton/Louisville 8-Ball League and finished second in most runs despite only playing the second half of the season. The team advanced from fourth to first place after he joined the team. Despite being considered the underdogs, his Varsity team beat Bennett’s 26 - 13 in the finals. Tim went “8-0” with four rack runs to help seal the championship. Tim’s teams, incredibly, have won eight consecutive first place finishes.
Tim joined the “On the Snap” team in Las Vegas for the VNEA International Master’s Championship. The team finished fifth, losing only to the third and first place teams. Tim also was a member of a team which finished 7th place in Youngstown and cashed with seven different teams from 1997 to 1998. Tim topped off an excellent year with back-to-back wins over the same weekend in the 8-ball and 9-ball events in Sandusky. Also, for the third consecutive year, Tim won his mini-tournament at the State event.
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DAVE MANLEY
RECOGNIZED FOR HIS COMEBACK
Dave Manley, age 27, is being recognized at the Hall of Fame ceremony because his story serves as a reminder that the precious gift of life is larger than any game of pool. Dave started to play pool when he was 12 years old. He had continually improved his game over the years to the point where he was playing good pool confining his game to primarily 8-Ball on the small tables. However, Dave's life would change dramatically on the night of February 17, 1996 as his friend was driving him home. They were on the freeway when his friend lost control of his vehicle, flipping it, as he attempted to avoid a cement median. Dave's upper torso was thrown out of the T-top and his shoulders were crushed and neck broken as the upside down vehicle skidded over his body. Finally, the vehicle came to a halt pinning Dave’s skull underneath.
Remarkably, Dave survived the accident but his battle for a quality life was just about to begin. Dave laid hospitalized in a coma for about one week. After Dave had finally gained conscious, he underwent brain surgery to relieve pressure from a severe concussion. He was also treated for head injuries, a broken neck, crushed shoulders, broken vertebrae and nerve damage. As a result of the accident, Dave's left side was paralyzed. He had to relearn basic functions that he used to take for granted such as walking, talking and eating. His ability to shoot pool was further hampered by the fact that he couldn’t focus with his eyes. After Dave’s condition stabilized, he took physical therapy eight hours per day, seven days per week, until he was discharged on April 10, 1996. Then, he received additional therapy several times per week until September 12, 1996. While Dave would eventually regain his mobility, he did not regain the strength he lost as a result of the accident. Dave's dominant arm can lift only 9 pounds while his other arm can lift 160. Despite these odds, Dave has made an unbelievable recovery and is playing pool again. Remarkably, just two years after that horrible night, he finished in the top ten in the standings in the very competitive Masters Division of the Valley 8-Ball League.
Dave had alcohol in his blood on the night of the accident, therefore, he was required to attend Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation. Dave graduated from that program on October 12, 1998 and he is now an active sponsor. Dave's role as a sponsor, includes talking to recovering alcoholics who call when they need support. By all logic Dave should have died the night of February 17, 1996. Instead he survived and has worked extremely hard with his therapy to bring his pool game back to where he can not only play again today but compete in the "A" leagues. More importantly, he found some good from the incident and now serves to help others avoid the tragedy that he endured.
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BRIAN HALTER
1999
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Brian has a long history of career wins that lend themselves nicely in making him well-suited to receive the ‘Troy Frank Player of the Year’ award. Anyone who knows Brian is aware of his fierce competitiveness and ambition. In utilizing these qualities in his play, Brian is regarded by his peers as a top-notch player. Under his belt he has wins against other great regional players such as friends Troy Frank and Steve McAnich. Brian has posted wins at several tavern tournaments for individual and scotch double play which include On the Snap, Oasis Lounge, KC’s Lounge, and the lucrative Office Lounge Tournament, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
Great accomplishments are also mounting in Brian’s local league play. For instance, first place honors were had by Brian in both 9-Ball and Straight Pool play in the Clark & Son Monday night league as well as Diamond Billiards’ All Star 9-Ball league in Akron. He also finished third out of a field of over sixty players in the very competitive VNEA Master Player Division.
Brian has also accrued impressive wins at both regional and national/international events. In the Mentor Janis 9-Ball tour, Brian placed fifth, while defending his title from the previous year he placed second in the annual Shamrock Shootout at Starcher’s Billiards in Akron, and had another 5th/6th place win on the Viking 9-Ball Tour. These tours attract other players who are known as "local pros" in their hometowns hence placing near the top of the field is quite an honor. Where team play is concerned, Brian’s On-the-Snap team, finished 1st in the Valley League - Masters Division, 3rd and 2nd place in 1999 and 1998 respectively in the VNEA State Tournament, as well as sporting an impressive 6th place finish in the VNEA international tournament also in 1998. Finally, he placed 1st, 2nd, 4th and 8th with his teams at other grueling tournaments in Sandusky and Youngstown this past year.
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DOUG NAUER
2000
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The 1999-2000 pool season was a reinforcement of Doug’s personal standard as being one of Ohio’s best league, tournament and action players. Although he cut back on league play this past year, he still managed to win the two leagues in which he competed. Doug captained the Murphy’s Pub team that won the Clark & Son Canton/Louisville 8-Ball League, "A" Division. He also won a strong singles 8-Ball league held at Fiddlestix Cafe. Even though Doug dominated in these two leagues, he would still take time to enjoy the company of his opponents and to make sure they enjoyed his presence as well.
On the tournament trail, Doug headed up a fist place Youngstown Showdown team, captain of a third and fifth place team in the Sandusky National Team Open, and again, headed up a third-place team in the Greater Columbus Open. After finishing fourth in the BCA Regional 8-Ball Singles, Doug captained his team to a second-place finish in the BCA Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia Regional 8-Ball Team Open. His team lost in the playoff to settle for second place.
In other singles play, Doug cashed in over 50 tournaments during the 1999-2000 campaign. This is more than most good players win in a lifetime. He went through a top-notch field at the Oasis Final Championship undefeated running the last three racks out to win. In a Michigan tournament, Doug finished ninth in a field of one hundred twenty eight high-caliber players. In that tournament, Doug lost his first set to the dangerous John Binion, but then rallied for a ninth place finish out of a field of 128.
On the big tables, Doug settled for a fifth-place finish at the Viking Cue Tour Stop in Mentor. Doug cashed in tournaments in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana along with Ohio. In addition to piling up these achievements, Doug is most recognized for his competitive heart that is the size of Texas and lockup in head-to-head action with some of the country’s best players. This year, like past years, Doug has faced many pressure situations and as the list of accomplishments shows, he continues to live up to his nickname, "The Iceman". Fittingly, Doug exemplifies what the new millennium "Player of the Year" signifies.
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MARK MCKELLEY
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Mark McKelley graduated from Central Catholic High School in June, 1967. He was drafted in March, 1970 and served with distinction in the Vietnam war where, in a land mine incident, he lost one leg and severely damaged the other. Mark began his billiards experience in 1963 and won some local tournaments at Varsity (8-Ball) Billiards. He once pocketed 48 consecutive balls and played the great Don Willis on occasion. Marks team plays in the VNEA Open "B" league where they usually finish high each year and qualified for State tournament competition in 1999. Mark, however, is being honored for his contributions to the sport of pool as a player, his outstanding courage, and his desire to support others in overcoming their mental and physical disabilities. The latter being an area we feel he is infinitely qualified.
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TIM CLARK
2001
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The words Tim Clark and championships are synonymous. While this past year was filled with fist place finishes, it was just a typical year for Tim. He was Most Valuable Player in the Louisville-Canton 8-Ball League and VNEA League (Gold Division) plus runner up to Tim Krug in the Canton BCA League. He had most run outs in the Louisville-Canton League and the VNEA Gold Division. His teams also fished in first place this past year in the Louisville-Canton 8-Ball League, Canton BCA League and the VNEA Gold Division.
In tournament play, Tim won single and team championships. He finished first in the VNEA Gold Division plus his team captured 1st place in the VNEA state championship Open Division, the grand daddy of all Ohio team tournament events. His teams also won championships in Sandusky BCA/VNEA plus a regional BCA event. In addition to all of these first place honors, Tim placed in a myriad of team and single titles in league and tournament play.
Tim was the first person to take Player of the Year honors just three years ago. Today, he also becomes the first multiple winner of this most prestigious award. This was a great year for several great players and teams who won regional, state and national events. But in the end, not surprisingly, it was the greatest amateur 8-ball player in Stark County, who prevailed as Player of the Year.
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DAVE SCHNEIDER
2002
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dave ended the 2001/2002 pool season the same way he started - as a Champion. Dave kicked off the season by winning an 8-Ball league last fall sponsored by the Canton Billiard League. Winning his division was no easy task as he had to beat a solid field of players including Mike Pergola, Kevin Jackson, Steve Helline and Brian Prince. Dave continued his championship ways as a team member of a Fiddlestix team that won the (highest) Gold division of the VNEA league. Moreover, he proved to be an invaluable asset to that team as he won MVP. Dave’s accomplishments were underscored by winning the Valley Gold Division, Top 32 tournament held at On the Snap. Dave also did very well in the BCA events. He won the BCA league-ending “A” division tournament. He was also captain and member of the Tri-State BCA “A” Division Team Champions. He enjoyed MVP honors for most of the season until losing the final week to Mike Pergola. Dave finished in 2nd place in the BCA league upper division. Recently, Dave returned from Las Vegas with a tie for 17th in the country in the Senior Division Championships. He finished the season to help his team win what is arguably the most enviable title in Ohio team pool at this time. He played every game on the champion VNEA Gold Fiddlestix Team, beating 288 other teams in the State tournament. It is the above accomplishments that support our decision to name Dave Schneider the 2001/2002 Player of the Year.
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SHELLEY D. COTTRILL HUDSON
2002
FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
It should be no surprise that the first winner of the Greater Canton Amateur Billiards Association’s “Female Player of the Year” award is Shelley Hudson. Shelley has been the dominant force of women’s pool in our area for many years. Actually, Shelley has been a dominant force on a local, regional and also international level as displayed by her induction into the VNEA International Hall of Fame in 1997. Even with her league and tournament schedule cut down this year, she still managed to accomplish several impressive feats. In the VNEA Gold Division she was the Female MVP and had one of the league’s top ten averages. Again, competing against men and women she was the Female MVP of the Akron Area Amateur 8-Ball League finishing 6th overall. In the Canton-Louisville Mixed Doubles League, Shelley was the overall MVP and won a record 29 consecutive games against both men and women in leading her team to the championship. Shelley took a respectable 4th place in the OCMA/VNEA Women’s Master Singles Championship. After coming off an OCMA/VNEA Open team championship in 2001, her team took 4th in the difficult Women’s Masters Division. If this wasn’t enough she had eight wins in local tournaments along with three runner-up and third place finishes and also scored well in other matches throughout the season. This will be another fine title to her already lengthy resume of which she should be proud, as the greater Canton area should be proud to have a fine player representing us so well.
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BRIAN FRANK
2003
MALE PLAYER OF THE
YEAR
Brian Frank’s accomplishments on the pool table covered all facets of the game including team and single events, small table and big table, plus 8-Ball and 9-Ball games. Brian and his five-man team won the Youngstown Open Tournament in 2002 and placed 3rd in 2003. They won the Columbus Open in 2003, finished 2nd place in the Valley BCA Tournament and placed 3rd in Sandusky in November. Their team literally overwhelmed the entire field in the VNEA league winning by a large number. Brian was Most Valuable Player of that league and his team went on to finish 5th in the OCMA State Tournament, AA Division.
Brian also did very well in individual events. On the big tables, he finished 1st place, above Jim Wayne and Steve Helline in the Fiddlestix – Canton Billiard 9-Ball League. His record was 143 – 72 against solid competition. He also had the highest average. His play on the small tables was spectacular. In the Fiddlestix - Canton Billiard 8-Ball League, he lost only one match (to Matt Long), going 16-1, in the VNEA Gold, Invitational League. The following details the outcome of his games:
Jay Belknap (117 – 84); Kevin Jackson (102 – 99); Dick Moecia (127 – 72); Dave Schneider (121 – 72); Mike Pergola (121 – 69); Bob Wartluft (123 – 58); Scott Randall (120 – 93); Vince Johnson (127 – 77); Matt Long (102 – 112); Gerald Baxter (134 – 56); Brian Prince (112 – 88); Tim Krug (110 – 91); Steve Szuter (113 – 93); Fran Stoiber (132 – 69); Steve Helline (131 – 67); Doug Nauer (98 – 91); Gary Hanson (127 – 76)
He
had an impressive average of one run every five games. He also finished 2nd place
to Mike Pergola in the VNEA Masters Tournament at the banquet this past year.
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SHELLEY D. COTTRILL HUDSON
2003
FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The Sandusky
VNEA/BCA Challenge is where she started the season off in tournament play with
a 1st place win in the 9-Ball Friday night singles. In the Twilight
and Alpa Lanes Monday Night Singles, she took 1st and 2nd
place respectively. In VNEA tournament play, her team finished 2nd
place in the Women’s Masters division. In addition to her play on the tables,
she is a tremendous promoter of the game of pool. This past year for example,
Shelley was in charge of three leagues including a Juniors League at the Loop
Café.
Playing as often as
she could, Shelley managed to finish in the top of every league in which she played,
including the two of the most competitive leagues in the area, the VNEA and the
Canton Louisville Leagues. Her Thursday VNEA (all female) team finished 2nd
place in the Silver division overall and she was the overall Most Valuable
Player. Her Tuesday team took 3rd place in the Mixed Doubles league.
She was the top female player, finishing 10th overall. On the
Wednesday, Mixed Doubles League, her team successfully defended their 1st
place title. She was the top female player and 2nd place Most Valuable
Player overall.
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JOHN SMITH
2003
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
John has been playing pool for approximately eighteen years. This past season, he played in the Massillon Tavern 8-Ball League for the West End Tavern. Although he started off slowly winning only 18-percent of his games, he improved steadily over the second half of the season to dramatically increase his average. John is self-employed. His hobbies include collecting classic model cars and coins.
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SCOTT RANDALL
2004
MALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Simply put, Scott Randall is one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet, both on the table and off. He’s patient, easy going and carries a sense of camaraderie that shows whether he is playing pool or just talking with friends. While growing up Scott used to play pool on his dad’s pool table, and it was his dad who he credits for teaching him to play pool, straight pool to be exact.
Looking at Scott’s achievements for this past year alone, it is difficult to believe that he has been playing pool competitively for only six years. He is indeed a quick study. In every tournament that he competed in this past year, he has won money. Just some of his achievements include first place more than twenty times in various singles eight ball and scotch doubles tournaments! He also won commendable placements of top thirty-three both in international team play and singles play, as well as third place in the Youngstown Showdown Saturday night singles tournament. In the majority of these tournaments, Scott competed against many of the area’s top pool players.
When asked about his most memorable moment in pool Scott recalled the first time that he played in the Sandusky Open Tournament. He was awed at both the number of skilled players attending this tournament as well as how much more he had to learn.
After being asked what was his next goal would be, Scott quickly answered “to win the open singles tournament in Las Vegas”. Judging his quick study and level of play so far, he probably doesn’t have long to wait to be a national champion! With all of his hard work in pool, his successes and dream of winning the open tournament, Scott would like most to be remembered for his sense of sportsmanship. That’s from the heart and says it all!
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MISSY CAPESTRAIN
2004
FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Missy Capestrain more than fulfilled the criteria for Female Player of the Year this past year. The award is meant to “recognize an individual who has demonstrated exemplary skill, good sportsmanship, and a true love of the game of billiards both in participation and day to day public activities.”
Missy
is a well-known and well-liked pool player who is known for being fair, for
being a good sport and always having fun with the teams she plays against. She
worked very hard this year promoting pool to different segments of the
population and worked equally hard in league and tournament play where she has
had one of her best years ever!
In addition to promoting and playing pool, she had several noteworthy achievements: She is the first and only female BCA Certified Instructor, Level II, in Ohio and 1of 2 in the world! Although she enjoys instructing all different kinds of players, she especially enjoys junior players, women and any person with an emotional problem. To date she’s given about 140 hours of pool lessons - au gratis - and is the area’s premiere instructor of junior players.
Speaking of kids, she ran the areas largest junior pool league where her kids raised money in December and used $70 (which was 1/2 of their total) to purchase needed items for the kids of the Canton Battered Women’s Shelter. Missy strongly believes that a “helping” behavior should be nurtured early in life and so is beginning to instill helping behavior in her junior players. These are, of course, the more important things she’s done – promoting pool and helping others over and above herself. What follows is just the icing on the cake!
On the Table Tournament Achievements include: 1st: Fox and Hound Charity 9ball event, singles; 3rd: Fiddlestix Friday Night Open, the toughest tournament around and defeating many “A” players each week; 2nd: Fiddlestix Friday Night Open; Missy had to jump balls to make the “8” for a win! Three 3rd place finishes in the Fiddlestix Friday Night Open; 3rd: Oasis Friday Night Open; 5th: Oasis Sunday Tournament; 5th; Oasis Friday Night Open; 8th: VNEA Gold Division Singles year-end; 1st: Loop Open Scotch Doubles; 4th: Loop Open Scotch Doubles tmt; 7/8: Oasis Friday Night Open.
On the Table League Achievements include: played in the very tough BCA Saturday 3person league and was the top female player; Female MVP, VNEA Gold Division;
2nd MVP Massillon Women’s League; Missy missed MVP by only 1 game even after missing several weeks of play and had the highest league percentage; 17th: VNEA State Open Women’s Division Team; 2nd: Massillon Women’s League, Team; only female to play Straight Pool competitively in the Canton Billiard League.
Achievements “in day to day public activities” include: organized and ran, with the help of fellow National Academy of Pocket Billiards (NAPB) instructors, the first ever Fundamental Pool Playing Skills Clinic to youths; part of a team to run the GCABA Annual 8ball Tournament; organized and ran the first ever Straight Pool Clinic for six youths; lessons in fundamentals were given and younger kids played a modified game commensurate with their knowledge and ability, aka Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum for children; ran the first ever 9ball Junior/Parent Scotch Doubles Tournament; family involvement is very important to Missy! ran a second 9ball Junior/Parent Scotch Doubles Tournament; also part of the NAPB team to teach pool to teens experiencing problems with addiction at Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Hospital; this has never been done before; part of the NAPB team to teach pool to adults at Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Hospital; this has never been done before.
Missy
also had some impressive written accomplishments. She wrote the areas first
ever “Pool in School!” proposal, to bring pool into area schools as a
billiard club; she contracted with Massillon Recreational Center/Parks System
to teach pool as part of their structured class offerings. In a marriage
between training in mental health, years of experience with children and
adults, and 30 years of pool playing experience, she wrote a technical paper “Healing
and Therapeutic Aspects of Pool for Children Experiencing Difficult
Developmental Transitions”.
Missy
had a great year all the way around. She is a true ambassador of the sport!
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TIM GREY
2004
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Tim learned to play pool when he was 13 but didn’t acquire a true passion for the game until he was in high school, playing his buddies at Studio City in Massillon. He enjoyed watching young Ben Zimmer and seeing his great play at such a young age. But, his dad was also a good player. It was Tim’s goal to improve enough to beat his dad consistently so he would be proud of him.
To achieve his goal, Tim started playing at Fiddlestix during every non-working moment starting about four years ago. Tim remembers the first time he saw Chris Szuter play, which inspired him, not realizing he was a professional until several months later. Chris noticed Tim was playing regularly and started helping him on his game. For the next four years, Tim would also frequently play John Weddell (who is being inducted this year). John saw potential in Tim and proceeded to mentor him on his game. Tim attributes his improvement to his dad and those three individuals.
Sadly, his dad passed away unexpectedly of a Heart Attack on November 30, 2003 but not before personally witnessing his son’s growth on the table. Tim’s next goal is to elevate his level of play further to that of John Weddell and then Ben Zimmer and Chris Szuter. Tim has played with the Canton Billiard League for the past three years. His average has improved significantly during that period and blossomed this past year. Tim’s other interests include bowling, golf, tennis and playing guitar.
Tim is dedicating his Most Improved Award to the individual who introduced him to the game of pool and his very first instructor – his father. He will always be in a special place in his heart.
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SHELLEY COTTRILL HUDSON
2005
FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Shelley is the first three time winner of this prestigious award. She delivered another successful year of VNEA
leagues on Thursdays for the players of our area; along with Junior VNEA
leagues on Saturday afternoons at the Loop Café. While juggling all these tasks
along with work, she was able to put forth a very solid season; covering a wide
range of both singles events and team events.
In the 2004 Sandusky National Team Open, she led her team to a 4th place finish. For the 4th year in a row, her mixed doubles team finished in 1st place. In a very competitive Canton Louisville Clark & Sons ‘A’ league, Shelley’s team finished an impressive 3rd place. She also traveled to Oil City, PA to participate in a scotch doubles tournament where out of 79 teams, they finished 2nd. This tournament also featured 9-ball singles and Shelley placed 3rd. She won female MVP in the VNEA Gold division and Wednesday Mixed Doubles League. Her individual accomplishments show why she is a top player in our area including 2 MVP awards in the VNEA Gold Division and Wednesday Mixed Doubles League. Shelley also placed high in various tournaments throughout several states.
Shelley is looking forward to her 18th
season running the VNEA Leagues, especially her juniors. This will be her 5th year of Junior VNEA leagues which continues to help the kids in our area
receive a great appreciation for the game of billiards. There are not enough hours in a day - but she keeps
trying to get the most out of each one!
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DON MAMMONE
2005
MALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Don Mammone has been a solid competitor for many years now, and this year was no different. Although dividing his time between work, pool, and recently becoming a grandfather, he raised his competitiveness and consistency this year to a level that put him onto a tournament and league roll. This was not only limited to singles events. He also led successful team events including the very competitive 2004 Sandusky open team event where his team took 1st place. In the Las Vegas Open 8-ball team event they placed 25-34 out of 567 teams. The Tuesday Canton-Louisville “A” division also rendered a 1st place team finish and in the Thursday VNEA Gold division his team finished 2nd.
Don’s successes in singles events this year was very impressive. He either won or finished in the money in just about every tournament he entered this year. In league play, Don finished in 2nd place overall and had an amazing total of 34 rack runs against his opponents. His tournament singles play is what really set him apart for player of the year: 2004 Ohio State VNEA singles – 2nd place; year end tournament Tuesday Canton-Louisville “A” division – 1st place; year end tournament Thursday VNEA Gold division – 1st place. Various weekly local tournaments saw Don place 1st over 15 times while competing against the area’s top players.
His goals for this year are to win the VNEA State Team and the Youngstown National Team Open tournaments. Don is hoping his grandchildren are interested in billiards and are ready to follow in his footsteps. He is spending lots of time with them as they grow up.
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MATTHEW "MATT"
CARROLL
2005
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Matt had for some years been playing pool mainly as something to do while out after work. Approximately five years ago, he was asked to join a team and play competitively out of the Home Plate Lounge (now Sparky's) in the Clark and Son Monday Pool League. Here he shot until the team, MMW Raceway, moved to Fiddlestix Cafe'. In the last five seasons, this team would finish 5th "B" Division (2001), 1st "B" Division (2002), 7th "A" Division (2003), 6th "A" Division (2004) and 3rd "Open Division" 2005. Matt also played two seasons for the Loop Cafe' with teams finishing 6th VNEA Gold Division (2001) and 3rd VNEA Silver Division (2002). Gradually improving his game he eventually has his most significant improvement last year shooting 36.67-percent over his previous year. As with most recreational players, 8-Ball is Matt's choice of games as he continues to play, enjoying the sport and socializing with his teammates. Matt is employed as a commercial electrician with the M.K. Morse Company in Canton.
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BEN "Z" ZIMMER
2006
MALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ben
Zimmer is already considered an accomplished player at the age of 21 years old.
Ben has distinguished himself in the VNEA not only locally but also at the
State and International levels. Locally,
in the highly competitive VNEA Gold Division, his team placed 3rd
and he also placed 3rd individually shooting 64-percent with most
ERO’s (26) and 10-0’s (18). At the State
level his team placed 13th in the Open division. At the International level his team placed 33rd
while in singles competition he placed 65th.
In the
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SHELLEY HUDSON
2006
FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Shelley’s accomplishments this year show not only how
well she performed in league and tournament play, but also how much she gave
back to the game of pool as a promoter, coordinator, mentor, fan and friend. As
a four-time winner of this prestigious award, Shelley also demonstrated that
class, determination, and hard work do pay off when you have a clear goal in
sight. That goal was set into motion even before league and tournament play
started. The mission: balance work, three leagues, junior league, family and
friends, and set out to win a vast range of tournaments. These tournaments
spanned singles, doubles and team events, along with some personal milestones
along the way.
Shelley’s personal achievements were Female MVP/Top 10
Finish of the VNEA Gold Division, which is one of the areas toughest leagues,
and Female MVP of the Wednesday Mixed Doubles League. Her season started off
strong with a solid 5th place, the top female finish in the annual
GCABA 64 player singles tournament featuring the areas top players. After that,
a string of 1st place finishes: Annual GCABA Woman’s Tournament,
various local open tournament events, APA singles tournament, and BJ’s Pub
Annual Scotch Doubles Tournament. In team play, her Wednesday Mixed Doubles
League team finished
Over the years, Shelley’s high level of play has proven
that she is a top player locally, regionally, and nationally. She has set the
bar of achievement high enough so that the female player of the year award,
from this point on, will now be called the “Shelley D. Cottrill-Hudson Female
Player of the Year Award”. Future winners of this award can feel a sense of
high performance and achievement, just as Shelley has strived for and obtained
thru commitment, dedication, and hard work. This award will secure her place in
the GCABA Hall of Fame, although her legacy and accomplishments will continue
on.
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION
DAVE "RUPE" RUPERT
2006
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Dave
Rupert started playing in the bar leagues in 1987. He is one of the best
known and liked players in the area. You can be assured that whenever he enters
the room, several players will chant out “Rupe” to acknowledge his presence.
Over
the years he has played for Bennett’s,
Dave
would like to thank Cheryl Stoiber and Ray Dover for all of their hard work in
running the
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION
CLARK & SON POOL BILLIARD SUPPLY & MFG.
BILL CLARK, TIM CLARK, JR. & TIM CLARK, SR.
Bill Clark started
his business in 1960, as Clark Billiard Supply, out of the basement of his
family home. After servicing pool tables in the area for several years and
Tim’s graduation from high school in 1969, Bill and Tim formed the Clark &
Son Billiard Supply partnership. Today, the company sports a 6,300 square foot
facility and dominates customer satisfaction over a seven county area. From
1960 through 1980, the
Tim Clark also
served on the founding board for the GCABA. Later, his son became a board member
and guided GCABA for several years until his recent resignation. Annually,
Clark & Son manufactures and donates custom cherry pool tables for
fund-raising efforts of the Aultman Hospital Women’s Foundation,
The only thing more
successful than their efforts in billiards is the unity, strength, and love of
their family.
THE GREATER CANTON
MATT MAURER
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Matt started playing pool while hanging out with his
brother, Mike at Baldy’s. In 2002, Matt began playing league play with the VNEA
out of Town Tavern. Since then he has
proved himself to be a loyal and dependable team player who has tried to
improve each year. Last year Matt’s game in the VNEA gradually improved from
55% to 62%. In the Clark & Son Monday Night Pool League his play in the
last two seasons has improved from 43.70% to 63.70%. Since Matt’s grade school
days at St. Peter’s he has always put forth his best effort for the team. This
attitude and marked improvement helped his team with the “B” Division in the
Clark & Son Monday Night Pool League and finish a respectable 3rd
Place in the Bronze Division with VNEA. Matt plays simply because he enjoys the
game. He also enjoys bowling, camping and NASCAR. Matt is currently employed by
Fisher Foods.
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION
BRIAN FRANK
2007
MALE PLAYER OF THE YER
Brian Frank had another outstanding year on the pool table, as he won every individual and team league he entered. He was MVP of both the VNEA and Canton Louisville leagues plus he had the most run outs in both leagues. He won the Canton Billiard League 8-Ball individual league. His tournament record was almost as impressive as he won a Viking 9-Ball tournament at Crown Billiards as well as a 5th place finish in another Viking 9-Ball event. He topped that off with a Top 32 VNEA tournament win. His teams won both the VNEA Gold and Canton Louisville Leagues. They also won a Sandusky team tournament and placed 7th in another.
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION
SHERRY WAGNER
2007
FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YER
Sherry started off the 2006-2007 season by taking 1st Place in the GCABA Women’s Open 8-Ball Tournament. Within a few hours after that she had another 1st Place finish at the Oasis Sunday Night 8-Ball Tournament. The following month she was a significant factor in her team winning 4th Place at the Sandusky National Team Open.
Sherry continued at that same level as league play got underway. During this period she won 2nd Place two times, at the Fiddlestix Saturday Night 8-Ball Tournament. At the completion of the Clark & Son Monday Night Pool League she was the “A” Division Female MVP, finishing 9th with a 62% winning average, while her team finished 3rd Place. In the VNEA Silver Division, she also won Female MVP, finishing with a 70% winning average and a 10th Place team finish.
In post-league play she took 1st Place in the VNEA Silver Division Top 32 Player Tournament. A casual 3rd Place finish at the Oasis Friday Night Tournament was her finale as a back injury at work put an untimely end to her competitive play for the season.
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION
BEN “Z” ZIMMER
2008
MALE PLAYER OF THE YER
Ben Zimmer is already considered an accomplished player at the age of 23 years old. Ben won three out of four $500 added events at the Mayfield Rack & Grille 9-Ball Tournament beating such notables at Shawn Putnam and Chris Szuter. He took fifth place out of 1,200 players in the single elimination 9-Ball Tournament in Valley Forge, Pa. He teamed with Don Mammone, Brian Frank, Brian Halter and Bob Wartluft to win the State BCA 8-Ball Team Tournament in Columbus and the Hudson Open in Hudson, Ohio.
Ben has distinguished himself in the VNEA not only locally but also at the State and International levels. He took 1st place honors in the VNEA 9-Ball Tournament and 3rd Place in the Artistic Challenge event in Las Vegas. In the highly competitive VNEA Gold Division, his team placed 1st and he personally shot a blistering 78% finishing 12th despite missing 5 weeks. He also teamed with Don Mammone, Brian Frank, Brian Halter and Doug Nauer to finish 4th place in the VNEA Team 8-Ball Tournament and followed that with an individual Top-32 8-Ball Tournament at the Oasis.
Ben says his ultimate goal is to go on to play and beat his all-time favorite player, Efren “The Magician” Reyes in “Ben’s Pool and Billiard Room”.
THE GREATER CANTON AMATEUR BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION
SHERRY WAGNER
2008
FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YER
During the 2007-2008 season Sherry Wagner again lead the
pack of those women eligible for GCABA’s Female Player of the Year. Although her play this past year was not as
much as she has previously played she still outplayed all of her
contemporaries.
In December 2007 Sherry took 2nd Place in the
Loop Café Annual Toys for Tots Tournament, only being bested out by two-time
GCABA Player of the Year Brian Frank.
When league play ended she again won Female MVP in the
Silver Division, finishing up at 2nd Place overall, clearly
outplaying all female and male players; save the Male MVP. In the
Louisville/Canton Coed League she finished as 2nd Female MVP behind
the area’s all time top female player, Shelley Hudson.