August 10, 2012 (Denver, CO): The Billiard Education Foundation announces September as official Juniors Pool Month across the country. Under new direction, the nonprofit organization is reaching out to pool enthusiasts from coast to coast to help raise money for junior pool programs, including leagues, tournaments, and scholarships and pool in school programs.
As the annual pool season kicks off, the BEF is challenging the industry, players, and fans to arrange and support fundraisers. “Let’s start a movement! League operators, tournament directors, and poolroom owners already raise money for their favorite charities. We’re simply asking that BEF be this month’s recipient,” said Samm Diep-Vidal, Executive Director.
Fundraising campaigns will be highlighted in billiard publications, poolrooms, retailers, and social media. Many ways people are supporting juniors pool across the nation include fundraiser tournaments, raffles, auctions, monetary and product donations, and through spreading the word about the BEF and its efforts to promote the next generation of players and fans.
For more information on ways to get involved, contact Samm Diep directly at 303-667-8000 or samm@billiardeducation.org. Request a donation box or download a donation banner ad from the BEF website (http://www.billiardeducation.org).
The Billiard Education Foundation (billiardeducation.org) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that produces the annual Junior National Championships, provides scholarships for young players, sends junior players to the World Junior Championships and promotes Pool in School programs to encourage lifelong participants.
The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Samm Diep-Vidal to the position of Executive Director.
Vidal joins the organization on May 1, 2012 to work alongside current Executive Director, Laura Smith. On August 1, Vidal will assume full executive director duties; Smith will continue on as a trustee of the organization.
Samm Diep-Vidal has made a name for herself in the sport as a player, billiard instructor, writer and promoter. She is most recognized for her online interviews and instructional videos and most recently has been busy as House Pro and Marketing Director for Felt Billiards (Englewood, CO). Said Samm of the appointment, “My goal is to educate players and fans on the benefits of the BEF while creating more event and scholarship opportunities for the juniors involved. The future of our sport depends on each and every one of them.”
BEF Board of Trustees president Shari Stauch said, “The board is excited to have Samm join the BEF team. She has built solid relationships within the industry, and recognizes that promoting young players is key to our sport’s growth. Samm will bring to BEF several creative, fun and innovative approaches that will allow the industry to get behind the BEF in a big way!”
Diep-Vidal’s immediate responsibilities include a re-launch of the BEF’s website as well as identifying new ways that manufacturers, promoters, retailers and room owners can each be part of BEF’s success. Flagship programs of the BEF currently include the Junior National 9-Ball Championships; BEF Scholarships; and “Pool in School” programs that promote high school billiard clubs, inter-school competition, and billiard phys-ed classes.
2011 Champion Charlie Williams (File photo courtesy of Mike Fieldhammer)
Saratoga, Wyoming- Players from the west and all around the US will return to Saratoga once more for the 5th Annual Wyoming Open. The event is renown to be the biggest and best pool event in the state drawing over a 150 players in different divisions. From beginner, intermediate, and even pro/open level tournaments will all be available March 30- April 1. The event kicks in $8000 and every year pays out $25,000 in total cash prizes. This year a ladies event is also added to give even more variety and opportunities to players. The event is sponsored by Poison Cues by Predator and Asia’s #1 cloth Andy Cloth will be the official cloth used during the event.
“The Wyoming Open has become the most prestigious and biggest title to win in the state, and probably in all the Rocky Mountain states. We are honored to draw local, regional and international stars to our humble town of Saratoga. We plan on making this bigger and better each year” says EJ Glode , promoter of the Wyoming Open.
“This is a great one! I gotta get some practice for the best tourney in Wyoming!”, says Tenille Whitten from Utah, a frequent supporter of the event that participates in the classic and ladies divisions.
“I’m excited to be going to this years Wyoming Open. What EJ has done for pool there is amazing. Anyone that has never been, I would definitely recommend going. From the hospitality to the great pool to the great atmosphere. EJ is great friend and a wonderful promoter for pool. If the pool world had an EJ in every city, we’d have pool bigger than golf or tennis”, said Rodney Morris, a past champion of the event and returning again for his fourth appearance in Saratoga.
Past champions of the event include some stellar names :
Last year’s top 4 finisher Raj Hundal will be coming from England and adds, “It’s a great event that grows every year in every way, the field gets bigger and stronger. The hospitality is unrivalled as all the locals love pool and it’s stars that come out for this annual event. The promoter and organiser E.J Glode is a close personal friend of mine as well as a good friend of the sport, I wish there was more people like him in our industry.”
“Nowadays I have an extremely busy schedule with producing events, so I’ve turned down invites to major events including a few World Championships. But I had such an awesome time last year that I couldn’t wait to go back. Anyone who hasn’t been, it’s definitely worth it to go at least once. I’m sure you will want to come back. The town, the people, the food and pool are terrific!”, said Charlie Williams from Florida, defending Wyoming Open Champion and promoter for Dragon Promotions.
The event is majorly supported by the town’s own businesses which include : Hotel Wolf, Duke’s Bar & Grill, Valley Foods, Riviera Lodge, Carbon County, and Shively Hardware.
For more info or to play in the Wyoming Open contact EJ Glode ejglode@yahoo.com or 307-329-8924
